Chapter 54
“Andre where am I? What happened?” Andre immediately snapped awake at the gentle tone of Cheryl’s fear-filled voice.
“Cheryl how do you feel?” he asked as he tried regain his composure.
“As if I’ve been run over by a bus. What happened? Why am I attached to all of these monitors and machines? And why does my chest pain so much?” she asked, her frightened eyes firmly meeting his.
“You were shot. I can’t remember any of the details yet because I have been here with you, but I’m going to find out who this man was. I really want to know why the hospital security didn’t stop him before he got to us.”
“And my mom, how is she?” she asked as tears began to fill her eyes.
“She’s fine, Cheryl. A senior nurse came in a few hours ago. She said she’d made it through surgery without any problems. They didn’t want to worry her so soon after her surgery. They made her think you’re just catching up on some much-needed sleep. I will go and see her in a while. I just wanted to make sure that you were OK first.”
“Thank you. I want to see her too?”
“That will take a little while because you’re in the ICU right now, at least for another day or so. You got shot in the chest and you’ve had major surgery. It’s amazing how well you’ve recovered.”
“Please, I need to see her,” Cheryl begged.
“Cheryl it won’t do her any good if you collapse at her feet. You need to get some rest and take care of yourself before you can even begin to think about taking care of her.”
“Then please go to her. Please let her know that I’m OK and I’ll come to her soon.”
“OK, I’ll go now.” Andre leaned over and gently kissed her lips. Then he stood up and walked slowly from the room. It didn’t take him long to find Cheryl’s mother’s room. She was lying in the bed with her eyes open when he stepped through the doorway.
“Mrs. Margaret Clarke?”
“Yes, that’s me. Can I help you? It’s so nice to see you Andre. How are you?” She and Cheryl could pass for sisters. They both had the same rosy cheeks, a straight nose, and for sure a well cared frame. They even had the same light brown eyes. But Cheryl had medium length brown curls whilst Margaret had a shorter crop of black hair with many streaks of gray. Margaret looked a stunning woman.
“I’m sad to break this news to you but there’s been an accident involving your daughter. Rest assured though that she’s doing very well. I think that it will be a couple of days before you’re able to see her,” he said, in a reassuring tone of voice.
“My Cheryl? Tell me what happened? Do you think I can see her now,” Margaret said. Her monitors were indicating an increased heart rate.
“Mrs. Clarke, Cheryl is fine. Both of you just came out of surgery. Both of you need to rest for a while. Please concentrate on getting better because Cheryl will need you to be strong,” Andre intimated as he sat down taking her hand. As fearful as Margaret’s eyes met his. Andre was relieved when glancing at the monitors they indicated that her heart rate starting to slow.
“Some of the nurses have mentioned your name. They have been saying how you have done so much for this hospital.”
“None of that matters Mrs. Clarke. What is needed now is for you and Cheryl to get better as soon as possible.”
“Thanks for your reassurance.”
Andre smiled again at her direct tone. He had a feeling that his Jason and Raquel would be here soon. “I just wanted to let you know what happened to Cheryl. I am going to get back to her now,” Andre said.
“You didn’t say what happened. All you told me was that Cheryl was doing fine after surgery,” Margaret pointed out. Andre didn’t want to but somehow he found the courage. Taking a deep breath he explained as best as he could the shooting incident in the cafeteria. Margaret’s eyes widened but she managed control while he explained the events of the day before.
“I am glad that you were there,” she said.
“In the first place I was the one who insisted that she go there,” he replied feeling guilty. Self-recrimination was devouring him.
“I’d say that’s a good thing. My daughter hasn’t been taking the best care of herself lately. I’m appreciative that you were there. I’m amazed that you managed to get her to eat.”
“I’ve been trying my best to convince her all weekend. “Hmm. That’s interesting.”
“Will you keep me updated on how she’s doing until the doctor lets me see her?”
“I can make sure the nurses keep you informed.”
“Oh, I’d much rather hear from you personally since you’ll be with my daughter,” she said as she looked at him with hurt eyes.
“I’ll keep you informed, Ms. Clarke,” he conceded.
“Thank you, dear, and you can call me Maggie. We’ll be seeing each other often over the next few days.” Andre looked at her a little surprised.
Margaret was clearly letting him know that she was expecting him to update her more often than he’d been planning. “Get some rest Maggie,” he said before standing and walking out her door. Instead of returning Cheryl’s room, he briefly stepped outside the hospital to enjoy a little of the fresh cool breeze to massage his face.
“Andre how are you? How is Cheryl? How are things going? We heard about you and came as soon as we could.”
“We’re all doing much better. Cheryl is in the medical intensive care unit and her mom is in suite 5A of ward A8. They are both awake and alert. Are you going to look for them? I am ok for now, a little beaten up with a headache and some pain but I will be ok.”
“Oh yes we will go visit them both. We’ll call you when we are finished.”
“I’ll be here until you finish.”
“How are you Cheryl,” Raquel said on entering Cheryl’s room.
“As you can see, but I am sure all will be ok in a couple of weeks or months.”
“Don’t you worry; Raquel and I will handle things until you get better. Would you like us to bring you a tablet or laptop so you can keep in touch when you move from here in the MICU?”
“Sure Jason. I would like that very much.”
“Just let us know when you are moving out of the MICU.”
“We were so worried when we heard,” said Raquel. “What happened?”
“I really don’t remember a whole lot. The last thing I remembered was the feeling of being been punched in the chest. Then I saw blood spreading on my shirt. Everything went dark after that. The doctor said I was very fortunate that the bullet didn’t enter an inch to the left or I could have been dead. I’m incredibly thankful that at least it happened in a hospital, and that they could operate immediately.”
“Darling I’d be a lot more grateful if this had never occurred and especially so if neither of you had been shot in the first place. All of this is so tragic. I know may seem selfish of me, but I’ve been so worried.”
Raquel turned her head to find Andre looming in the doorway, looking none too happy. She involuntarily said goodbye and went over with Jason to briefly speak to him before they left. Six months later Cheryl