Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us.
Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available.
Thank you, donations to the address below. http://Donate.nifty.org/donate.html
Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 17
It was a long wait, the family took turns visiting the hospital, not with the intention of seeing David, he was in the induced coma which would allow his body to accept and heal the surgery he'd undergone.
The main purpose of visiting the hospital was to check on Jo.
It became apparent by the end of the second day, Jo wasn't eating, and only sleeping when he couldn't stave off the need any longer, even then it was only with his head resting on David's bed, and David's hand firmly held in his.
Jo wouldn't listen to anyone, food was taken in daily from the house, they knew he wasn't eating it, the extra bed the hospital had provided was not being used, he looked haggard.
It was Jace who finally decided, they needed the cavalry brought in.
Arriving back at the house after visiting the hospital, Jace pulled out his cell phone and dialled home.
The voice which answered made his heart soar.
"Thorn residence, Ary speaking".
Jace was almost laughing at how well Ary answered the phone, but more importantly, hearing his son's voice was wonderful.
"This is Jace Thorn, you sound just like the little munchkin who keeps telling me he's my son".
Jace could hear giggling from the other end before Ary answered.
"Poppa, you're silly, it's me, Ary, I am your boy".
Jace couldn't keep up the pretence any longer.
"I know you are munchkin, and I love you so much, what are you and Bobby doing today, why aren't you out, is the weather bad?".
Ary didn't answer right away, it was as if he was thinking.
"No Poppa the weather is good, but Shelby's putting our clothes in cases ready to come see you tomorrow, she says we have to have early baths and go to bed early, it won't work, Bobby and me will just sit up talking till our usual time, I think it's silly".
Jace was laughing.
"Well for a start, it's Bobby and I, not Bobby and me, and Shelby's right, it's a really long plane ride to get here, so you need to get plenty of sleep tonight, now I love you lots but I need to speak to Grandma, is she there?".
Ary answered immediately.
"Yes Poppa she's in the lounge, should I take the phone to her?".
Jace smiled to himself.
"Yes please munchkin, I love you and I'll see you tomorrow".
Jace heard Ary talking to his Momma.
"Silly Poppa, he keeps telling me I sound like his little boy, I have to tell him I am his little boy, then he remembers, he's really silly".
Jace listened and knew exactly when his Momma spotted the phone still in Ary's hand.
"Ary, is your Poppa still on the phone?".
Ary could be heard answering as if exasperated.
"Yes, Grandma, of course he is, he wants to talk to you".
There was some rustling as the phone swapped hands.
"Jace, it's Momma, finally, I swear this child is an old man of ninety in a young body, did you want me?".
Jace loved hearing his Momma's voice.
"Yes Momma, I want you here, no that's not strictly true, we need you here, it's Jo, he's heading for a breakdown if he carries on like this, he's not eating, not sleeping, and I only know one person who can make him do anything, that would be you, can you come out tomorrow with the boys, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't really worried?".
It took a total of one split second for Jolly to reply.
"I'll be there tomorrow son, keep an eye on him till then, I'll sort it as soon as I arrive, and Jace, you did the right thing, I love you son, see you tomorrow".
As soon as he'd finished speaking to his Momma he went in search of his Aunt Jacqueline, he found her in the lounge.
"Aunt, I've just spoken to Momma, I've asked her to come and sort Jo out, he can't carry on like this, thankfully Momma never has any trouble getting him to do what she wants, she's coming out with the boys tomorrow".
As they were speaking Jacqueline's cell phone beeped, indicating an incoming message, as she looked at it she commented.
"It's not just your Momma coming, your Poppas are coming as well, it seems you've worried them all, good move Jace, he'll be of no use to David if he carries on like this, I'll have the staff get a room ready for your parents".
The following morning Jolly, Jay and Billy arrived, along with Ary and Bobby, but the biggest surprise for Jace was the last person through the door, Mel.
Jace had been swinging the boys around when he spotted her, he put the boys down and had her wrapped in his arms in seconds, whispering.
"Oh now this is a bonus, a beautiful girl to ravish all night, this has lifted my spirits no end, I just hope my girlfriend doesn't find out".
Mel whispered back.
"Your girlfriend can go do one, this girl is missing being ravished as well so I hope you have lots of stamina".
After freshening up, Jolly, Jay and Billy headed for the hospital, they asked that no one else visit for the next couple of hours.
No one knew what they were going to do, but Jace knew it was for the best.
At the hospital Billy asked their driver to park up, but be ready to return to the house in the next half hour.
As they entered David's room they could see Jace hadn't been exaggerating, Jo was asleep, his head resting on the side of David's bed, David's hand firmly held in his, he looked terrible.
He stirred as they entered, taking a few moments to focus and recognise them.
"Momma, Poppas, I didn't know you were coming, he's asleep, we have another four days to wait yet".
He still hadn't moved from David's side, made no attempt to hug or welcome his parents, other than what he'd said.
It was Jolly who moved to him, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"We came because of you Jo, you can't go on this way, you'll be no good for David if he wakes up and sees you like this, you smell, you look like a wreck, I'm taking you back to the house, you're going to eat, shower and sleep, when you've done all of that I'll bring you back here, but not before, your Poppas will sit with David, he will never be left alone, now stand up son".
Jo hadn't looked up, he was still staring intently at David.
"Thank you for the offer Momma but I'm not going anywhere until he wakes up".
When Jolly spoke again, it was with the voice all her boys, including Billy and Jay, knew well, the one that came out when she was deadly serious.
"It wasn't a request or an offer Jo, it was an instruction, now do as I said, stand up so that your Poppas can sit either side of David, as I said he will not be left alone, they will guard him until you return this evening".
Jo stood up looking directly at his Poppas with tears in his eyes.
"Promise me you won't leave him alone".
As if one, both put their hand over their heart, a sign they'd used since the boys were young to signify a promise.
Jolly took Jo's arm leading him out of the room.
Arriving back at the house only an hour after she left, Jolly led a clearly exhausted Jo into the breakfast room where two freshly cooked cheeseburgers magically appeared.
"Eat son, I'll go get you a glass of milk".
When she returned he was finishing the last of the second burger, he took the milk and glugged it straight down.
"Up to bed now son, you can shower now or later, I'll wake you around six this evening, get some sleep because you and I are going to have a heart to heart before we go back to the hospital, there's a lot I want to say, but not now, off you go".
Jo hadn't said a word since he'd entered the house, but now he looked confused.
"Momma, I don't know where I'm going, I didn't come here, I went straight to the hospital when we arrived".
Jolly called Jace.
"Jace, show your brother where his room is please, he's going for a nap".
Jace led Jo up to the room next to his and watched him enter, hearing Jo say,
"Thanks Bro, for everything, I was on a crash course wasn't I?".
It didn't need an answer, all Jace said was.
"Sleep Bro".
He watched the door close and an hour or so later, crept along the landing to peek in, he was relieved to see Jo was fast asleep.
Jolly looked in on Jo around six in the evening, he'd been half awake and smiled broadly when his Momma came in to sit on his bed.
"How do you feel now Jo".
He stretched.
"Refreshed Momma, like I could take on the world".
Jolly nodded, and he knew he was about to get a lecture.
"I want to explain something Jo, when I'm done you can shower and I'll have some dinner ready for you, then we'll go back to the hospital, okay?".
He nodded, yes.
"This behaviour, these last few days, you've frightened people, you'll have guessed who summoned me, it's always been his role, you and Will have always been his idols, he worries terribly if he sees either of you in trouble, but I know you won't hold that against him, it was for your own good, but anyway, I digress, this behaviour has to stop now Jo, you need your sensible head back on, I understand it's sometimes difficult to be objective when it's a loved one, but you have to stay strong and focused, for David's sake, you can't do that if you don't eat and sleep properly, do you understand "?".
He nodded again, saying.
"I know it was Jace who called you, and I already know why he did it, I told him thanks earlier when he showed me my room, he didn't acknowledge I'd thanked him, he never will, he doesn't think he's done anything special, he never does, but he does, I've always been the protector, Jace has always been the worrier, Will just goes with the flow, I think Jace is the most important of all of us, because he always knows when the time is right to blow the whistle before we hurt ourselves".
Jolly nodded, she didn't need to worry about the bond between her sons.
"So, now I'm laying down the law, you will eat sensibly, you will use the bed provided for you by the hospital in David's room, and you will take a change of clothes, so that my eldest child doesn't look and smell like a vagrant, are we clear?".
He looked at his Momma so sure of her love.
"Yes Momma, I hear you loud and clear, I'll do as you say".
Jolly hugged him.
"Good, now shower, dress, and I'll see you in the dining room in about thirty minutes".
When he appeared in the dining room the table was only set for two, Jolly saw his questioning look.
"It's early, I'm having dinner with you, then we can go relieve your Poppas, they can get back here in time for dinner with the family, I'll spend a couple of hours with you and David".
By seven in the evening Jo and his Momma were entering David's room.
If he'd had any doubts about his Poppas keeping David safe, they would have been dispelled the moment he opened the room door, he heard his Poppas enthusiastically describing to an unconscious David, how they'd marvelled at the streamlining Jo and David had implemented within JBJ Assessors.
Jolly spoke as soon as they entered.
"Okay lovers, thank you for standing guard, but as you can see, I've brought back a much cleaner and rested son to take over, go get your dinner, I'll be back in a couple of hours".
They hugged and kissed before Billy and Jay left.
Jolly stayed with him a little over two hours then summoned their driver to take her back to the house, just as she was leaving Woody and Jacqueline were entering the hospital, Jolly and Jacqueline did a thumbs up to each other.
As she walked into the lounge at the house, Mel was cradling a sleeping Ary, Jace was cradling a sleeping Bobby.
Jolly laughed.
"Did you decide to swap children?".
It was Mel who answered.
"It's like we've always been their joint parents, I think it's more to do with how well they get on together, like two peas from the same pod, it's unbelievable how well they've taken to each other".
Jace asked, as she knew he would.
"Is Jo alright now Momma?".
Jolly ruffled his head, kissing his brow.
"Yes Jace, he knows what he was doing wrong, we have an agreement, but do what you always do Jace, keep looking out for him, this is a pretty frightening time for him, there's no guarantee he won't slip up again, don't be afraid to call me".
Mel and Jace rose almost at the same time to take the boys up to bed, Jace said goodnight to his parents.
"Goodnight Momma, Poppas, once we get these two settled we'll have an early night, see you in the morning".
Jolly sat down on the sofa between Jay and Billy, putting her arms around each.
"Thanks for coming with me boys, I'm not sure I could have pulled that off this morning without you both there, it was critical he had to have ultimate trust in whoever was left with David, that's why it had to be you guys".
It was Billy who replied as he pulled Jolly in close to him.
"We don't always do as much as you do, you seem to know instinctively when somethings wrong, we're usually oblivious, but that doesn't mean we don't want to be involved Jol, it just means you're the stronger force, the one the boys turn to first, because they have confidence in you, that you'll solve the problem, we only need a nudge, there's nothing we wouldn't do for any of them".
Jay agreed with Billy.
Jay had just poured them each a nightcap when Woody and Jacqueline came in, Jacqueline looked at Jolly and said.
"Mission accomplished, message reinforced and understood".
Jolly smiled.
"Thanks guys, it's a worry, not knowing if I'm best placed in Chicago or over here, I'm still convinced, I need to be in Chicago where I can give some stability to Ary and Bobby, plus it means Mel has confidence if she's delayed, Bobby's in safe hands".
Jolly paused before going on.
"I'm really pleased you guys came out with them, it might sound stupid, especially when I'm talking about a bunch who are all over 25 or 26 years, but it gives me comfort, knowing they've got a parental guiding force I trust with them".
When Jolly, Jay and Billy flew home on Monday with Mel, Ary and Bobby, there was one day left to wait before the doctors would decide on the exact point where David would be allowed to drift slowly to the surface again.
Jolly had been planning to have a word with Jo before they left, but on the evening before, Billy received a text message asking if he and Jay would stay with David for a few hours whilst Jo came back to the house for fresh clothes, and he wanted to say goodbye to Mel and the boys.
When he arrived, he first cornered his Momma.
"I don't want you going back home wondering if I'm alright, you can rest assured I am, so relax, I love you Momma, thank you for sorting me out".
Jolly hugged him, then he was off to play fight and give piggy back rides to two giggling boys, followed by a hug for Mel, apologising for stealing Jace away from her.
He'd showered, grabbed a bite to eat, then left for the hospital within two hours, but it gave Jolly confidence.
Two days later, Jace, Will, Pierre, Piers and Juan, were all waiting in David's room with Jo.
The doctors were due to deliver their verdict in the next fifteen minutes.
Jo was clearly a bundle of nerves.
When they arrived their faces said it was good news.
"Don't be alarmed by anything that happens over the next few hours, we expect that he'll have some problems when he comes back to the surface, we started his journey back last night, but we have an important job for you, normally we don't have enough staff to offer minute by minute monitoring of when they rise to the surface, when they become fully conscious, aware of the pain, that can cause a period of anxiety, they're confused, in severe pain, it's frightening, but here, with all of you we have a secret weapon".
The doctor paused to get his words right.
"He's on his way to the surface now, he can hear you, I want you to talk to him constantly, and I want you to give him reassurance, over and over again, tell him what to expect".
He paused.
Last time it was you Piers, you talked Pierre almost to the surface, but we didn't keep a watch on you, and you took the task too seriously, became too involved, you crashed at the last fence, that is not going to happen this time".
He paused to let them take it all in.
"Jo you're the lead, the rest of you guard him, if he gets too involved take over, do you understand?".
They all agreed.
"I want you to let him know he's safe, Pierre this is where you come in, tell him there will be some pain when he wakes up, but not to worry, it won't be for long, bring us in as soon as he is conscious enough that the pain is registering, we can manage it for him".
He paused again to make sure they understood.
"Gentlemen, there will be no fuck ups this time, once we have him stabilised, we can start assessing him, within the next twenty four hours we should be able to see what has worked, and what needs more work, go to it guys, talk him up to the surface".
David became more fidgety, more restless, as the day wore on.
By mid afternoon he was mumbling, his eyes would flick open, then close again.
They kept up a constant stream of conversation, talking to him in steady tones, Pierre reassuring him every few minutes that they would manage his pain, Jo reassuring him they were here, they would keep him safe.
At around six in the evening he opened his eyes fully, it was as if he were struggling to understand where he was.
He croaked a word, but they understood immediately.
"Water".
They'd been changing the water hourly all day, Pierre had told them how wonderful chilled water was when he'd come out of it.
Now Jo reached for the cup and straw, putting it gently to David's lips, and they watched as he drew the liquid in, sighing when Jo took it away.
Jo spoke to him.
"Welcome back sleepy head, we thought you were going to do a sleeping beauty and need me to kiss you to wake you up, how's the pain, we can get the doctors to give you something if it's too much".
David just shook his head.
"I don't want anything yet, it's not so bad".
Then he seemed to suddenly remember, he grabbed at Jo's arm.
"Did it work?".
Jo smiled.
"We won't know exactly how much worked until the doctors carry out some tests, but they're already confident a lot of what they wanted to do went like clockwork, you just have to stay calm now, you need to build your strength up, okay?"
He smiled, a big broad grin, then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep again, still smiling.
Jo was a mess, tears streaking his face, as the boys gathered him into a group hug.
They'd agreed with Jacqueline, initially only a short message would go out to the wider family, letting them know David was awake.
It had been intended to just pacify them, but this was the Thorn extended family, that was never going to work.
Within hours of Jacqueline sending out the message, they'd been inundated with requests for more information, the following day David's room had literally been swamped with flowers, cards, teddy bears, balloons, you name it and it came, with a multitude of messages saying bodies were planning to visit.
Jacqueline finally sent out another message which told them all to hold off.
'Dearest Family, David wanted me to thank you, for your kind wishes, the flowers, the cards, the presents, balloons, teddy bears, everything you've sent him, he's completely overwhelmed by your kindness, but this is Jacqueline speaking for him, so I'll add a little message of my own, not his words, he's too nice to say it.
Back off guys.
He has a lot to undergo, the daily exercises alone, they'll be one hour on, one hour off cycles, which will leave him physically drained, as much as you want to see him, and hug him, you would be further draining his limited resources, and he can't afford it, so I'm asking, pleading, stay away until he's stronger, I promise you, I'll rely on the six musketeers to tell me when I can fire the starting gun, after that you will be welcome, one and all, the more the merrier'.
It had the desired effect, privately Jacqueline received a multitude of messages agreeing with her, asking for periodic updates.
Three days after David came out of his coma, the musketeers were assembled in his room waiting once again for the doctor, only this time the most nervous was David, eclipsing even Jo's fidgety pacing.
When he turned up it was once again easy to read his expression, he was positively radiating pride, walking in with a cock of the roost attitude.
"You David are a bloody wonderful example of what we here do best, I don't know who was watching over us that day, but they gave us a one hundred percent achievement".
He paused to let his words sink in, but they didn't seem to be understanding him, they were just staring, open mouthed, so he reinforced his message.
"It worked, all of it, the reconnections, the bridges, the extensions, it's unknown to have such a success rate, we might make you our poster boy David, and now the hard work starts, I have a team of physio's waiting to get to work tomorrow, enjoy this last day of comfort David, we're about to put you through hell".
David was puzzled, he asked.
"If everything works, why all the physio?".
The answer surprised him.
"From your brains point of view, it's sending messages via the pathways it's always used, we've reinstated a lot of those pathways, but it doesn't understand why some of those messages aren't being delivered, we have to go through a series of exercises that won't just get you back up and walking, they'll show the brain it needs to send the messages on a different pathway, once it gets that message it will adapt, but it's hard work, I hope you're up for it".
David laughed and grabbed Jo's hand.
"Bring it on, I have a wedding to attend".
And so the hard slog began.
TBC ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.