Chapter 6

Upon being revived, Bettie was able to sit with the doctor for the news. “Is my son going to live?”

“I think he will, but he needs more surgery. He was severely beaten and is not out of the woods.”

Bettie almost fainted again. “Oh no, we have no insurance! And my daughter is here too!”

Dr. Winslow: “What? Tell me WHY!”

“She was also beaten bloody and has a concussion. And nobody can tell me anything...”

“I’m so sorry. Let me finish talking about your son. His face was fractured but those injuries can be addressed later. More worrisome, he remains unconscious, so there’s likely a concussion issue. I believe he was kicked in the ribs and abdomen, which we are monitoring and have repaired, respectively. While I was working, he almost exhausted our blood bank. So, we have to closely watch his serum chemistry.”

“Now for the worst part, perhaps.” Bettie gasped and shuddered.

“The final blow, we think, was a kick to the groin. The damage there is very extensive. We have to send him off for urologic surgery, if he is to have any hope of fathering children. Plus there may be hormonal effects that could extend over his lifespan. I’m afraid this surgery is too advanced to happen in this hospital. And, it needs to happen soon to avoid necrosis.”

“God, what’s wrong with his neck?”

“No, necrosis means the damaged tissue will die and have to be removed.”

Bettie began to sob. “We have no insurance. And my daughter needs treatment too.”

“Let’s go find her and see what’s going on.”

Upstairs in the neuro department: Dr. Winslow rubbed her eyes. “Before I go, here’s what I can say. Your daughter should recover fully. And her ear laceration can be easily fixed; I could almost do it in my office. For cheap!” She and Bettie shared a little smile. “Now go home and let us care of your kids.”

Back at home, Bettie started a task list:

Retrieve the Scooter

Speak to Cathie and/or her Dad, Bruce

Talk to the Police

Find a Lawyer

Visit the Hospital

The first parts were easy. Bettie and Bruce had become friends after Jessie and Cathie had become pals. Bruce owned a rare “pickup car” which could easily haul the scooter home. In the morning, since Cathie was still hospitalized, she went to the hospital first.

Archie was in the Intensive Care Unit, still unconscious. The ICU nurse said, “We will call you when anything changes.” Bettie looked stricken, “I don’t have a cell phone. I will have to call you.”

The news was better at Neurology. Jessie was coming back to consciousness. Bettie burst into tears and flung her arms around her daughter. After a while, Jessie began to fidget.

“Mom ... Mom... Mom ... MOTHER!“

Bettie finally looked up. “I need more air, let go ... please!”

“Where’s big brother?”

“He’s here in the hospital, too.”

“Too? You mean, I can’t see him?” asked Jessie.

“He was also attacked yesterday, he’s in the ICU. Tell me what happened!“

Jessie’s left hand went to her head. “My ear ... my hair!” Staff had removed the bloody hair and left her scalp on that side clean and shaved bald.