Chapter 8: Surgery

A doctor came into Eric’s room. Stacy was still sitting on his bed and holding his arm. Eric made introductions.

“Well,” the doctor said, “I’ve good news and bad news.”

Before Eric could reply he continued. “The good news is that other than your leg you are healthy. The bad news is that your leg is very far from healthy. You need surgery, and really, as soon as possible.”

“That bad?” asked Eric.

“Yes. There is a lot of swelling, but from we can tell, you tore pretty much all the little pieces in your knee to shreds with the initial fall. The brace you made did a very good job of keeping you upright, but with each step the rough bone edges and torn cartilage pulled and strafed the muscles, veins, and arteries throughout your leg.”

“That does sound serious,” said Stacy with alarm.

“He should be fine as long as we keep the leg immobilized,” the doctor said to Stacy.

“When can I get into surgery?” asked Eric.

“That’s the other piece of bad news. With all the swelling and possible damage to your femoral artery, we are not equipped for that surgery. You really need to go home and be seen at a hospital that is better equipped.”

The doctor stood. “I put in a request to fly you home. If it is approved you’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

When he left the couple just sat on the bed contemplating what they had heard. “You’re going to be fine,” said Stacy. “A plane ride home and a surgery and then a recovery time and you’ll be as good as new.”

Nikki had walked into the room and heard the end of Stacy’s comment. “Surgery?” she asked.

They gave her a summary of what they learned from the doctor. Stacy then asked, “How are you? Did you get to spend some time with Dalton?”

Nikki just nodded.

“Do you have any plans made yet?”

Nikki shook her head. “I haven’t even called his family. It’s just too surreal.”

Everyone was sitting quietly when the doctor reappeared. “You’re lucky. I can get you on a flight tomorrow at 0600.”

He saw Nikki and said, “Nikki, I also can get Dalton transported back home if you want.”

Nikki stifled a sob. “Yes, that would be wonderful.”

“Of course, you two can also ride with Eric. And don’t worry about your car. We’ll get it transported back to you.”

They thanked the doctor profusely and then let him leave to finish his rounds.

“Nikki,” Stacy said gently, “if you want, I can come with you tomorrow when we’re back in town if you want to talk to Dalton’s family in person.”

Nikki sat without moving, then nodded a curt yes, and ran from the room as she tried to hold back another round of sobs.

“I can’t imagine,” said Stacy.

“Yeah, I know. Why don’t you go be with her? I’ll be fine. We can talk more later, or tomorrow on the plane.”

Stacy kissed Eric and said, “I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Other than the expected outburst of tears when Nikki got a glimpse of the nondescript coffin that was wheeled to the plane, the trip home was calm. Eric’s leg was heavily braced and secured for almost anything. He stayed in his wheelchair the whole flight.

When they landed he was immediately put into an ambulance and transported to the university hospital. The driver assured Stacy that Eric’s surgery would not be until the next day at the earliest.

With no surgery immediately pending, Stacy stayed with Nikki. They took a ride share to Nikki’s house. Stacy was there as Nikki was faced with entering her home minus her husband. Stacy said little but tried to be a source of strength for her friend.

Nikki collected her keys and they took her Lexus to Dalton’s parents’ home. They answered the door on the first ring. As soon as they saw the expression on Nikki’s face they knew it was bad news. She didn’t get through the door when she blurted out that Dalton died while on the hike.

Dalton’s mom collapsed in the hallway. Stacy and Nikki’s dad helped her up and got her settled on a chair in the living room. Stacy went to the kitchen to make tea and coffee and busy herself as Nikki stayed with her in-laws and gave them the news in more detail.

Stacy returned with a tray containing coffee, tea, four cups, and sugars. She passed around the beverages and then took a seat on the edge of the room.

“You’re saying Dalton got caught up in a landslide, but then ended up dying by going over a cliff?” asked his dad.

Stacy noticed the phrasing. Clearly, Nikki had worded her story to avoid telling them that Dalton went over the cliff on purpose.

Nikki said, “Yes, that’s about it. I’m so sorry.”

Dalton’s mom sat quietly weeping. Her dad stood and pulled Nikki into a hug. “And we’re so sorry for you. I just, I mean, well, if you need anything,” he said quietly.

Nikki and Dalton’s dad spoke for a few more minutes about what Dalton would have wanted with regard to a service. His dad offered to speak with their pastor and coordinate a service. He also gave Nikki a contact at the cemetery where they had recently looked at plots.

“Here we were, thinking it may be twenty years down the road that we’d need these, and then bam, we need one for our son.”

Nikki took the proffered card and said, “I’ll call you in the morning and we’ll finalize details between the cemetery, church, and a funeral home.”

“Of course,” said dad.

Stacy rose to follow Nikki out of the room. She paused and said, “I’m so sorry for your loss,” to the still seated mother. At the door she repeated her condolence to Dalton’s dad and let herself out, giving Nikki a moment with her father-in-law.

In the car Nikki said, “That bitch has always hated me, and now she’ll never forgive me.”

Stacy was surprised at Nikki’s outburst. “I mean, she seemed quiet. Distant, but she just got news that he son had died.”

“Yeah, but this was different. I was there when she got the call that her sister was in an accident and died. She was much more emotive. She cared. Today she just stewed in her hatred.”