Chapter 6: The Conclusion

I saw Mike coming down with a separate chain to wrap around the beam. He secured it and told Joe to raise it very slowly, because it was on my leg and that my leg was broken. We watched as the beam was raised and moved out of sight. As the beam was raised, I felt the searing pain in my leg.

The basket stretcher came back down. Mike helped me into the stretcher. After fastening me in the basket Mike told Joe that we would be coming up together so he could control the movement of the basket. Joe pulled us both out at the same time. This wasn't usually the way we brought people out, but Mike wanted to get me out as soon as possible and to keep the basket away from the other beams.

When we got out, there were paramedics waiting for us. There were crowds of people gathered cheering for Mike and me. I could feel the throbbing in my lower leg. I looked over at the crowd of cheering spectators and saw my two daughters and behind them was their mother waiting and crying. Once the paramedics got my leg stabilized for the trip to the hospital, my family came to me.

I looked over at Brenda who was crying. She said, "I might have not been here for you last time but I'm here for you now." She even gave me a kiss before I was taken to the hospital.

The paramedics gave me drugs for the pain and I passed out. It was late that evening before I remembered anything. I do know from the hospital staff that my daughters and Brenda were there the whole day. I wasn't sure what to do or think.

Brenda came in as soon as they let her. I asked her about the two boys and she said that they were both bruised but otherwise were fine. They were two drunken students that just didn't have any common sense.

She turned the TV on the news channel and said they were playing this all day. I saw a film of the boys being pulled out and then Mike and me together. According to the news, I was a hero for saving the students and Mike was a hero for going after me. I looked over at Brenda and she still had tears in her eyes.

I started to get more visitors so she stepped out for a few minutes. Mike and Joe both stopped in and told me they finished the demolition after I was taken to the hospital. The dozers and graders were already leveling off the land. The tree planting crews would start tomorrow. They told me that because of the accident, people were still at the site looking at the grounds.

I thanked both guys for saving me. They told me that it was just part of the job, and laughed. They truly were real friends that I've known most of my life. Mike looked at me. I knew he wanted to say something.

"Come out with it, Mike. What do you have to say?"

"Brenda was there from the minute she heard you were in the pit. I've never interfered in your affairs, but I have to tell you that this woman loves you. That's all I've got to say."

From anyone else I would have gotten pissed at them, but I knew Mike too well. He always was one guy I totally respected.

I thanked the guys for coming and they told me they would be around to see me. According to the doctors, I would be off for quite a few months. I had no idea how long it would be but I didn't much care about having my leg in the air like this.

Cheryl and Sue came in next. They kissed and hugged me and told me everything would be fine. They were working out the plans. All I had to do was get well. I remember telling them thank you but I honestly had no idea what they were talking about. My sister Betty and her husband were there to see me and we talked about my new hero status. It was starting to get embarrassing.

Visiting hours were about over and Brenda came back into the room. I looked at her as she sat down in the chair and pulled an ottoman to her legs and covered her legs with a small comforter.

"Brenda, visiting hours are over. What are you doing?"

She smiled at me. "I talked with the doctor and he said I could stay here tonight. I told him I was your wife and showed him we had the same last name."

"Why don't you go home to your big comfortable bed instead of sleeping in a chair?"

"Because you're here, if you really have to know. Now try to get some sleep. You'll probably have a lot of visitors tomorrow."

I didn't argue with her or say anything. I just closed my eyes and went to sleep. I thought I heard the words, "I love you" before falling asleep.

When I awoke the next morning, I saw a smiling Brenda drinking a cup of coffee. "Good morning, Sleepy Head," she said. "How are you feeling? Anything I can get you?"

"Your coffee sure does smell good," I replied. "My leg hurts and is damn near numb. I can't turn or anything but I guess I'll have to live with it for awhile."

I found myself talking to her like an old friend. Must have been the drugs, I thought. She went and got me a cup of coffee and a straw. She told me the way I was laying I'd spill it all over myself. She even put in a couple of ice cubes so I wouldn't burn my mouth.

I asked her about her work and she told me she told her boss that I was hurt when she left yesterday and said she would be off for a couple of days. We were talking about the accident when my breakfast arrived. The nurse had to scoot me up in a sitting position so I could eat. She did lower my leg a little. It hurt like hell and it took everything I had not to scream out.

Shortly after I finished eating, the doctor came in and explained my condition. My leg around the calf area was crushed and my ankle area was sprained again but it didn't make much difference at this point. I would be in the hospital for a week to make sure it was healing properly and it would have to stay raised up in a sling.

He told me that it would probably stay in some type of cast for two to three months in which I would have to stay off of it. After that, I would be going through physical therapy until it was strong again. He had put two pins in my leg.

"Doc, what about work and going to the bathroom?" I inquired.

"Well, as far as work is concerned, you won't be going back for five or six months depending on your healing. As far as the restroom goes, you can urinate in the bottle. As for a bowel movement, that's one of the reasons you'll be in the hospital for a week. You will need help. Once you go home you can use the bottle for urinating in and use crutches to make it to the rest room unless you have a porta-potty like we do here."

I couldn't help seeing the little smirk on Brenda's face. She knew I was one of those guys that tried to do everything himself and there was no way I could handle all of this. I really was concerned. I was sitting there thinking about my living dilemma when Cheryl and Sue arrived.

"Hi, Dad," they both said. Then Cheryl started talking and asking me how I was doing. They never failed to give me a hug and a kiss.

Brenda told the girls that, while they were there, she was going to go home, take a shower, and clean up. She told them she would be back in a couple of hours. "Rob, don't forget to behave and do what you're told. I'll see you in a couple of hours. If you need anything, I'm sure Cheryl and Sue will help you out." She squeezed my hand and smiled at me and left.

For some reason I thought she would lean over and kiss me. I didn't know what my problem was. The girls were talking to me and Sue said that I looked like I had a problem. Damn. These girls were as smart as their mother. "What is it, Dad? Maybe we can help. That's what we're here for," said Cheryl.

"Well, if you have to know; the doctor told me I would be here for about a week and then I'd probably be bedridden for a couple of weeks and on crutches for at least a few months. I'm just not sure how I'm going to do it."

"Dad," said Sue. "We told you yesterday not to worry because we got you covered. Don't you ever listen to us?" she smiled.

"I remember you saying it but I didn't have any idea what you were talking about. Are you guys looking for a nurse or someone to help me out? I honestly don't know if I can handle this situation alone."

"Dad, you're moving back in with mom," said Sue.

"What? No way! You girls know how I feel about that. No, I can't do it. Besides your mother would have a hissy fit if I was staying at her place. I hardly think she would go along with that."

"Dad, it was mom's idea. She explained it to us and it makes the most sense. The day you're released from the hospital you'll be going to mom's. She is having a room set up for you with one of those porta-pots like you have here. She has already applied for two weeks' vacation to help get you through the critical time. After that, either Cheryl or I will be there during the day with you, and Mom said she'll take care of you in the evenings," said Sue.

"I don't know, girls. Isn't there some other way?" I asked.

"No, Dad, there isn't. You can't be left by yourself and we can't afford a nurse twenty-four hours a day. What's the matter, Dad, afraid of Mom?" smiled Cheryl.

"No, I'm not afraid of your mother. Look, we're not getting back together. As soon as I'm able to walk, I'm going back to my apartment. Do you understand?" I asked.

"Yeah, right, Dad, we understand," said Sue.

For some reason Mike's word list for women came into my mind. The way Sue said "Right" sure sounded like it should be on that list. I don't think her right meant right.

The girls changed the subject and started telling me about my grandkids. They told me how I would see them most every day while I was staying at their mom's house. That part made me happy. I loved watching them play but I knew I wouldn't be able to hold them for a while.

While we were talking, two women who I didn't know walked in. "Are you Mr. Mathais?" they asked.

"Yes, ladies, what can I do for you?"

One of them spoke. "I'm Betty Porter, Jason's mother, and this is Marsha Watts. She's Brad's mother. We just wanted to stop in and thank you for saving our sons' life. We're so sorry for the way they acted and of course endangering your life. We want you to know that we are going to punish them when they come home. We're going to take away everything they own."

"Thank you, ladies. You might want to find out where they are getting their alcohol. After all, they are only nineteen and were quite drunk. If they weren't drinking, I'm sure they wouldn't have acted the way they did. I want to thank you both for coming in to see me. I know that wasn't easy."

I introduced them to Cheryl and Sue and they apologized to them also. They all talked for a few minutes and then the ladies left. I had a number of visitors all day long. After Brenda came back, the girls went home to take care of their own families.

I should mention that the boys were found guilty of trespassing. The company did file charges but said the penalty should be community service. The judge went along with the idea and gave both boys sixty hours of community service. They are planting trees for our company. They were also told if they were found drinking again, they would serve six months in jail.

A little while later when Brenda came back, I told her I had a problem and Brenda asked me what it was. I told her I had to take a dump and had no idea what to do. I sure didn't want to shit my bed. Brenda went out and got a male nurse who came in and lowered my leg and was going to help me sit on the Porta-pot. I asked Brenda if she would leave the room for a few minutes. She gave me one of those 'you've got to be kidding' stares, pulled the curtain, and closed the door.

My leg hurt like hell trying to maneuver myself on the pot. I was sure glad I had the nurse there to help. I was a little embarrassed but the nurse said I'd get used to it. I finally got my ass wiped and the nurse helped me back into bed. Brenda came back in while the nurse emptied the pot into the toilet.

That's when I asked her if she was sure she wanted me in her house. I knew that it would have to be her to help me in the situations like this. I had to admit that I wouldn't be able to move around till my leg healed.

"Rob, you are going to need help. We both know that and so do the girls. Yes, I am willing to help take care of you and help you get back on your feet," she told me.

"I hate to bring this up but you know I'm not going to remarry you, don't you?"

She looked at me and answered, "Sure, that's fine." She then said she was going to get a cup of coffee.

Sure, that's fine was what she said. Again, I had to wonder if those were any of the words from Mike's list. Sure and fine when said by Brenda wasn't at all believable. I figured by the time I got out of this hospital Brenda and my daughters would have a whole new set of words. I was just too worn out and hurt too much to argue with them.

My friend Mike came in and I asked him about his word list of women's words. He told me he carried it with him so when he talked to his wife, he had something to refer to.

"Are Right and Fine on that list?" I asked Mike.

"Right isn't but I have a feeling it should be. I heard Racene say it a few times and it meant I was wrong. Fine is on the list but means we're not done talking about it," laughed Mike. He went ahead and added 'right' to his list.

I had a number of visitors throughout the day and was glad when visiting hours were over. Lying there seemed to take a lot out of me. The nurse came in and gave me my pills and then Brenda came in.

"What are you doing? Aren't you going home tonight?"