Chapter 78

The Director, Assistant Secretary, and Judge Jones finished their breakfast, visited a little while, talked about nothing much, then left with their security details. Mr. Bell left for the office, in the company of his bodyguards.

Colleen and Rebecca came in after helping Millie with the breakfast dishes and asked if I needed anything. "Can you find my phone? I want to call Sherrie and check on Jennifer."

Rebecca went to get my phone from my hospital things, and Colleen sat beside me, absentmindedly stroking my arm. When Rebecca brought it in, Colleen dialed for me, and held out her finger for me to wait before she handed it over.

"Hello, Sherrie? Hey! This is Colleen. How is Sweden?

"Yes. I know we were supposed to be there weeks ago, but how is little Jennifer? Does she like Sweden? Is Doctor Abrams having any luck??? ... Oh ... I'm glad you are positive about things. That sounds really good ... Oh we're doing Ok, but, that's the reason for my call ... Rebecca and I are here, and we have some things you need to know ... Don't get scared ... but Brian had a very, very bad brain bleed, and was in a light coma since New Year's Eve. Rebecca tried to call you at least three times, to let you know why Brian hadn't flown over, but between the time differences, and I'm sure your clinic schedule, it was hard to connect...

"No. He was very grave and the doctors prepared us to lose him, from the start...

"No. He regained partial consciousness twice, but his heart, and damaged brain couldn't sustain it, either time...

"What? ... No. He has no real family ... No ... We're it, and he was so determined to be there for Jennifer, It was on our minds to make sure you knew what was going on, back here...

"I know ... Brian talked about Jennifer constantly, and couldn't wait to see you ... Wait! ... You're missing the point ... WAIT. Brian regained consciousness yesterday, and one of the first things he did, was ask if we knew how Jennifer was doing...

"Nope ... He's right here, but quite weak, so keep in mind that he might simply pass out while you're talking ... What? ... No. The doctors say Brian died at least twice, while they worked on him ... Yes. It was quite horrible, not to mention frightening, bloody, and the things nightmares are made of...

"It was horrible, Sherrie. He nearly bled out, and without the intervention of scientists from the National Institutes of Health, and a remarkable but very dangerous, experimental treatment, there was no hope. Brian would have died, on New Year's Eve...

"Sherrie ... Sherrie, listen. Brian is right here, and wants to talk, but keep it short, in case he can't stay awake. Ok? ... Good. Here he is ... Bye yourself."

She handed me the phone. "Hey," I said, softly. "How's things in Sweden??? ... I know you want to talk about me, but I called to talk about Jennifer. So what's the news?

"Really? How exiting ... What??? ... She is???? Oh, man – that is fantastic. Can I speak to her? Is she awake??? Sure I'll wait. Thanks.

"Hey Baby Girl! How's my darling Jennifer?..."

"Oh, really? And just what do you mean finding a new boyfriend, while I'm back here in America, missing you like crazy???...

"Of course I still love you. Did you think I could forget you that fast???...

"Seriously girl. You need to learn little manners, when it comes to boyfriends. If you're going to throw me over, for a doctor, shouldn't he at least have been born in the same century as you???...

"I'm not hurt. My feelings aren't destroyed. Why, I'm gonna find me a brand new girlfriend, and call you up, and BRAG A LOT about her, just like you did ... Oh me, oh my ... oh me ... oh my. I've been replaced. It doesn't hurt me to be replaced ... Oh me ... oh my..." We giggled for a little while longer, and Sherrie came back on.

"Thanks for the update, Sherrie. Hope I can get stronger, and see you soon, too. Bye..."

I hung up, and set my phone down. Rebecca and Colleen were anxious to know the news. "Sherrie says that Doctor Abrams is synthesizing a drug therapy, just for Jennifer that might help a lot. They won't know much until his clinic tests it a few more times, but, according to Sherrie, Doctor Abrams can't wait to try it out on Jennifer.

"She says he's done this before, and the results have been all over the board, so we're not to get our hopes up too early.

"Thanks for giving her a heads up about my problem. It saved me from a lot of explaining. Sherrie promised to give Jerry our regards, and says to give you and Mr. Bell their regards. So, here you go, Sherrie says, 'HEY!' Now you've been regarded."

Rebecca wanted to finish some errands, Colleen said she'd ride with her, and help her father for a few hours. Sandra and Millie waited for the girls to leave, and then announced they were going to help me clean up with a sponge bath and make me presentable.

Millie and Sandra sported sneaky smiles. I think that meant they had wicked intentions. At least I hoped so. Once I got past the near coma stage, boredom became my worst enemy. Hand washing by two lovely ladies would go far towards to chasing boredom away.

"Ummmm ... Can you hold his arm up a little longer, Sandra? I need to get under there to make sure I've got all the soap off ... Thanks ... Brian, it looks like you haven't been thoroughly washed in weeks. Your skin is positively dried out, sticky from skin oil, and needing a lot of attention. What were those people doing in the long term care wing of that hospital?"

She wasn't happy. She clearly wasn't happy, and I knew Rebecca and Colleen weren't going to be happy going to get an earful when they showed up. Sandra, on the other hand, seemed ecstatic to be touching my naked skin, as she helped Millie bathe me. Her eyes shone just a little too brightly, which led me to believe she was getting off on the job.

They worked from my head down. Starting with my dirty, greasy head, they carefully washed me. My scars were livid, and as they cleaned me up, the scars glowed a bit brighter. Sandra kept tracing the lines of my surgical incisions, and commenting on how painful they looked. Millie finally gave her 'the look, ' and said, "If you are going to gawk at his body all afternoon, I will finish this bath myself. Now help and quit peeking."