Recoveries... a KnightWATCH story

Chapter 12

         “Joel, on our next vacation, and especially on our honeymoon, we are NOT flying on Northwest Airlines.” It was 8:45 p.m. and Colleen Furman’s flight was over two hours late. Every time the arrival was pushed back, an unseen voice announced the regrets of the airline for further delays due to circumstances beyond their control. Departures to Minneapolis had been similarly affected. The ticket agents weren’t forthcoming with information, merely repeating the line about circumstances beyond their control. Amanda was wondering whether the airline had control of anything.

         “Your attention please,” boomed the public address system. “Northwest Airlines announces the arrival of flight Four-Oh-Seven from Minneapolis. Passengers on flight Four-Oh-Seven will deplane at gate B-27 on the Blue Concourse. Luggage from flight Four-Oh-Seven can be claimed at baggage claim J-3. Thank you.”

         “You mean to tell me,” Amanda exclaimed, “that a Northwest Airlines flight actually arrived? That’s the first one in almost two hours. Will wonders never cease.”

         “You’d better sit down, honey. That’s the flight I’m supposed to meet.”

         “Don’t tease me like that. Next, you’ll be telling me that the lady you’re supposed to meet is actually on board.”

         “We’ll have to see. As you just said, wonders never cease. Let’s hope she made her connection.” The two walked to gate B-27. Joel carried a sign with the name “Colleen Furman” stenciled on it. A line of bedraggled passengers soon exited the jet way. One of the last people off the plane stopped, looked around, and walked over to Joel.

         “Hello, I’m Colleen Furman. Is there any change in David’s condition?”

         “He’s still listed as ‘critical’, ma’am. I’m Joel Palco. This is my fiancée, Amanda Neuharth. My instructions are to help you in any way that I can.”

         “Then get me out of this damn airport, Mister Palco. I’ve got enough trouble with airports and airplanes because of family history. This trip has done nothing to alleviate that.”

         “Please, ma’am, call me Joel. Let’s get your bags and get you settled. I was supposed to take you to the ICU, but visiting hours ended about 45 minutes ago. We’ll take you to your hotel so you can rest.”

         “If you’ll excuse me,” Amanda chimed in, “I’ll pull the van up while Joel helps with your luggage.” She walked away, ducking down a tunnel to the parking garage.

         “Huh? Hotel? Oh, God, I haven’t even thought about that. This is all happening too fast. Is there something like a Motel 6 near the hospital? Oh, geez, how am I going to get between the hospital and the hotel? Where can –”

         “Don’t worry, ma’am,” Joel interrupted. “Knightsbridge has a reservation for you at the Holiday Inn. I understand the service has an arrangement with the hotel for emergency situations. Anyway, you’ve got a place to stay, and there’s a shuttle bus between the hotel and the hospital. If you could tell me what your luggage looks like, I’ll get it and we’ll be on our way.”

         “That’s if it even made the flight,” Colleen groused. With a description of her two bags, Joel dived into the small throng surrounding the baggage carousel. Colleen’s jaw dropped to the floor several minutes later as Joel returned with her luggage. They walked outside the terminal, where Amanda met them with the minivan, and were soon on their way into town.

         “How long,” Colleen asked, making small talk, “have you been with the ambulance service?”

         “Well, ma’am,” Joel replied, “I’ve been an EMT for three years, and with Knightsbridge for two. Amanda doesn’t work in EMS, and after yesterday, I’m grateful. Seeing David get hurt has been hard enough on me. I don’t want to consider how I’d be feeling if Amanda had been in that wreck. Not to mention what it’s doing to my partner.”

         “Huh? I don’t understand.”

         “Ma’am,” replied Amanda, “I work as an account executive for an advertising firm downtown. I’m not involved with Knightsbridge, except for being engaged to my cutie behind the steering wheel here.” She reached over and pinched Joel on his cheek. “Being overprotective, he routinely ‘forgets’ that my father and grandfather were firefighters, that I grew up in a family where this kind of fear was an everyday thing. Joel,” she finished, her voice hardening, “I can handle it.”

         “Please, Amanda, let’s not get into that old argument about me being overprotective. Especially considering our guest.”

         “Okay, that does it,” Colleen sighed. “This is too damn formal. My name is Colleen, and I feel like you’re hiding something from me. What haven’t you told me about David?”

         “I’m sorry, Colleen,” Joel replied. “I didn’t mean to cause that impression. I don’t know much about David’s condition myself.”

         “Then please,” Colleen half-implored, “tell me what you do know.”

         “David’s in ICU, in critical condition. He suffered several broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and multiple leg fractures. Because of his lung, they have him on a respirator. He’s got a long recovery ahead of him… probably months.”

         “I get the feeling there’s something else – a respirator? Is he not breathing?”

         “He’s breathing fine, Colleen,” Joel replied. “The respirator is simply to make sure his lung stays inflated. Please don’t ask me the whys and where fore’s of that, I only know what’s being done. Because of the respirator, there’s a tube in his mouth, so he’s not able to talk. I understand he can communicate by writing on a tablet.”

         “Anything else?”

         “Not about David,” Amanda replied. “We spent some time earlier tonight with Joel’s partner, Connie MacKenzie. It turns out she’s been attracted to David, and this wreck is tearing her apart.” Amanda saw Joel scowl as she aired that particular little secret.

         “If she’s attracted to him, why doesn’t she ask him out? And trust me, she’ll have to ask David out; he’s horridly chicken when it comes to dating.”

         “Well, Colleen,” Joel said, “Connie, or ‘Mac’ as we sometimes call her, is a Paramedic, and David is an EMT. Knightsbridge Ambulance has this little rule about fraternization between employees. If one person outranks another, like a paramedic outranking an EMT, they can’t date or do anything else, pure and simple. If caught, it can mean immediate dismissal. So, she’s been worshiping from afar.”

         “I can understand it being hard on her,” Colleen said, “but David’s no Romeo by any means. Why would affection for David be tearing her apart?”

         “Colleen had to treat David while the fire department pried him out of the wreckage. We ended up having him flown to the hospital.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amanda give him a knowing smirk. Once started, Joel couldn’t stop talking about Mac either. “Colleen and I ran several more calls before going off duty. Then we joined the crowd waiting outside ICU. That was when Colleen faced her feelings… and got bowled over by them.” Joel sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve advised her to seek counseling, attend some stress debriefing sessions, get some sort of help.”

         “What do you know of the accident?”

         “They were transporting a critical patient from a car wreck to Carrolton Memorial. Just north of Quigley Boulevard, a car came across the median of Interstate 47 and hit them head on.” Joel shuddered at the thought of a head-on collision. “David took the brunt of the crash.”

         “What about his partner and his patient?”

         “I understand their patient is in the ICU at Carrolton, in grave condition. His partner, Jim Hollis, is in fair condition at St. Vincent’s Hospital. And the last I heard, the guy who hit them was also in fair condition at St. Vincent’s, in a security ward.”

         “The guy who hit them is in fair condition?” Colleen collapsed back in her seat and growled, “that figures. Any idea why he crossed the median and ran into them?”

         “Nothing yet, Colleen. Though I’ve got my suspicions, I didn’t treat the jerk, so I can’t really say.”

         “Colleen,” Amanda interjected, looking to change the subject. “When was the last time you had something to eat?”

         “An overpriced ham sandwich at the Minneapolis airport. I’m starving. Even if it’s just a drive-through burger in my room, it’ll taste damn good right now.”

         “Joel, where’s the closest Applebee’s?”

         “About six blocks behind us, Amanda. Or, if you ladies can hold out a little longer, there’s one right next to the Holiday Inn. What say we get you checked in, Colleen, then get you something to eat.”

         “Whatever works, Joel. Just so long as I get some food and some rest.” 30 minutes later, the three were sitting at a table looking over menus. There had been some confusion when Colleen tried to check in, until Joel told the desk clerk “This may have been arranged by Knightsbridge Ambulance Service under the name ‘Longfellow’.” On hearing that, the clerk immediately handed over a room key card and a brochure listing all the inter-facility services between the hotel and Carrolton Memorial Medical Center.

         With Colleen’s bags safely locked in her room, she, Amanda and Joel walked over to the restaurant and were given a table near one of the televisions. Colleen ordered dinner while Amanda and Joel each got deserts. Amanda once again insisted on paying, over the objections of the other two. Just after the waitress left, Colleen noticed the news was starting.

         “Good evening, I’m Paul Marshall. Tonight’s lead story,” the anchor intoned, “continuing coverage of yesterday’s ambulance wreck on Interstate 47. Here’s Jenny Switzer with an update.” The picture changed to a live shot of a reporter on a bridge, overlooking the highway.

         “Thanks, Paul. If you look behind me, you can see where authorities are still investigating the crash.” The camera panned over the reporter’s shoulder to where the accident had taken place, now cordoned off by road construction crews. Floodlights revealed investigators walking over the scene, taking pictures and making various measurements. A set of heavy skid marks was easily visible on the highway. “As you can see, both the ambulance and the car that hit it have been towed away. Action 10 News has learned the patient was being taken to Carrolton Memorial Medical Center from an accident at 58th and Cornwallis, where another person was pronounced dead on scene.” The camera panned back to the reporter. “The names and the conditions of both the patient and the driver of the ambulance are being withheld, pending notification of relatives. Just a second, please.” The reporter put her hand to an earpiece in her left ear. “Paul, I understand there is a news conference being called at Carrolton.” The TV picture cut back to the anchorman.

         “Yes, Jenny. If you’ll hold on, we’re switching to Gabriel Brand, who’s on the scene at Carrolton Memorial Medical Center. Gabriel?” The picture switched again, this time to a shot of an older, stocky man behind a podium emblazoned with the hospital’s emblem. The reporter spoke from outside the camera’s view.

         “Paul, this is Gabriel Brand reporting from Carrolton Memorial Medical Center.” Brand spoke in a whisper, so as not to interrupt the main speaker. “At the podium is Carrolton’s chief administrator, Jerzy Polnoccny. Let’s listen in.”

         “… family has only now authorized us to release the victim’s name and status. So, with great sadness, I must inform you that Melissa Stark, age 28, passed away at 9:43 this morning. Miss Stark was the patient on board Knightsbridge Ambulance Unit 31 when it was hit by another car yesterday on Interstate 47. The exact cause of death has yet to be determined, though I understand she was already in critical condition when the ambulance wreck occurred. The family has asked their pastor, Father Crenshaw, to speak on their behalf.” Polnoccny backed away from the podium and was replaced by the Jesuit priest. Crenshaw pulled out a piece of paper and adjusted his glasses before speaking.

         “Hello, I’m Father Jeremy Crenshaw of St. Alban’s Cathedral. The Starks have asked me to read the following statement for them. ‘We are greatly saddened today by the loss of our youngest daughter. We hope that any and all justice that must be done will be done swiftly, surely, yet fairly. We also want to thank all those in the ambulance and fire services who helped our daughter in her original accident and tired to bring her to the hospital safely. Our thoughts and prayers especially go out to the ambulance crewmen involved in the wreck on the highway and to their families, and that those men will have a safe and speedy recovery.’

         “Ladies and gentlemen,” Father Crenshaw continued, folding the note with the Stark’s statement, “I can only add that there are many people involved in this incident who will need your prayers and support. Thank you.” Crenshaw walked away from the podium and Polnoccny returned.

         “Thank you, Father Crenshaw. Ladies and gentleman, this is a sad moment for all of us. I wish I could add some news to improve the mood. The only thing I can say is that the other patient we received from the ambulance crash is still in critical condition. He is David Longfellow, the Emergency Medical Technician who was driving the ambulance at the time of the accident. I have nothing further. Thank you for coming so late this evening.” Polnoccny turned and walked away before any questions could be posed. The camera pulled pack and reporter Gabriel Brand appeared in the picture.

         “Well, a sad turn of events here at Carrolton Memorial. Melissa Stark is dead, and David Longfellow, one of the men trying to bring her to the hospital, is still in critical condition. That’s the latest from Carrolton Memorial Medical Center. I’m Gabriel Brand for Action 10 News. Now, back to Jenny Switzer, reporting live from Interstate 47 and Quigley Boulevard.” The TV picture cut back to the female reporter overlooking the highway.

         “Thanks, Gabriel, for that update. Earlier today, Action 10 News learned that the paramedic on the ambulance, Jim Hollis, is currently listed in ‘good’ condition at St. Vincent’s Hospital, and may be released tomorrow. Also in St. Vincent’s Hospital is Christopher Algemein, currently in stable condition and under police custody. The district attorney’s office this afternoon filed charges against Algemein for operating a motor vehicle under the influence and driving on a suspended license. The DA’s office said further charges were possible, depending on what happened to the other people involved in the accident. With the death of Melissa Stark, those charges seem likely now. Much of that will also depend on the investigation you see behind me, which is being conducted by Knightsbridge Police with assistance from the Highway Patrol. From I-47 and Quigley, this is Jenny Switzer for Action 10 News.”

         “I hope that bastard rots in Hell.”

         “Colleen?” Joel looked over in shock, uncertain he had heard Colleen correctly.

         “Joel, I hope that bastard rots in Hell. He’s almost destroyed what’s left of my family, and put that poor girl’s family through major emotional distress. He deserves to have to book thrown at him.”

         “Colleen, if he’s guilty, they will,” Joel informed her. “The district attorney here has a very dark place in his heart for drunk drivers. And the cops here are very thorough in their investigations.” He stopped when the waitress brought out their food. “I’ve been called to testify a few times. They covered every angle I could think of and a few more.”

         “So long as they do it by the book,” Colleen grumbled, “and don’t let some high-priced attorney find a loophole. I used to work as a secretary in a prosecutor’s office. That prosecutor spent more time getting his face in front of the camera than preparing for his cases, and he lost several major ones on technicalities. His lack of professionalism just got to be too much, and I left for another job.”

         “Well, you won’t have to worry about that,” Amanda replied. Then she yawned. “Oh, I’m sorry. I guess the day is catching up with me. Anyway, the DA here is where he wants to be, at least for the moment. He doesn’t even campaign his cases on television.”

         “Joel, Amanda, thank you for everything you’ve done this evening. But you two are getting sleepy, I’m nearly worn out, and I need to call my family. I think it best we call it a night.” Amanda paid the tab for dinner while Colleen put her leftovers in a take-home box. The three walked back to the hotel lobby, where Colleen caught the elevator while Joel and Amanda drove home.

         “Hello, Mel!” Colleen said into her phone. “Yeah, I finally made it here. I’m in my hotel room. I’m staying at the Holiday Inn on Caligari Street, room 1017.” She gave him the phone number. “My flight didn’t get in until 8:45 and visiting hours were over, so I won’t see David until tomorrow. A guy from the ambulance service and his fiancé met me at the airport. They also took me out to dinner, which is why I didn’t call earlier. According to them, he’s in critical condition.” She listened for several minutes as her husband asked her some questions. “The ambulance service arranged my hotel. They have some sort of ‘agreement’ with the Holiday Inn. I don’t know how long this will last, or when I’ll fly back. Hopefully I’ll learn more tomorrow.

         “How are the kids doing? Really, Bobby got an A-minus on his social studies test? Great, I know he was really worried. Kiss and hug the kids for me, and tell them I’ll be home as soon as I can. Love you, Mel. Good night.” Colleen hung up the phone and turned out the lights. Worrying about her brother, she tossed and turned for another hour before falling asleep from exhaustion.

* * *

         “David? David, wake up honey.” David didn’t respond. “Come on, Davey-wavy, I know you’re in there. Time to rise and shine.” David slowly opened his eyes. After several seconds of mental cobwebs, his mind cleared to a vision he hadn’t seen in person in seven years. With his right hand, he reached up and touched his sister’s face. Colleen smiled and took David’s hand in both of hers. “You’ll do anything to make me come here for a visit, won’t you, little brother? Oh, God, David, thank God you’re still here. And don’t you ever do this to me again!!” She let go of his hand, and David started writing:

         Hell, sis, I didn’t exactly plan on this happening. :o(

         “I know, Davey-wavy. And remember, next time, it’s your turn to visit us.” David wrote again. “Mel and the kids are doing fine, David. They’re worried about you, Mel especially.” Shock registered on David’s face. “Don’t be surprised, David. After all, you were the only one who gave him a chance ten years ago. Mom, dad and Chet sure didn’t. Hell, I was 19 and talking about getting married to an Army sergeant. You, the seventeen-year-old romantic, thought it was cool. Mom and dad were dead set against the notion of young marriage, never mind the fact they were both under 20 when they got married. They seemed to have this ‘don’t make the same mistakes we made’ mentality about the whole thing.” David started writing again.

         Colleen, mom and dad cared about all of us. Were we old enough to understand? Of course not. Hey, we were teenagers, we already had all the answers we wanted. :o) But I saw something in Mel that said he’s a good man. And it wasn’t the Army uniform, despite what mom and dad thought. I think they just weren’t ready for us to grow up and have families of our own.

         “Yeah, David, I understand that now. I sure didn’t back then. But at least you were willing to keep your eyes open. Sometimes, I think mom, dad and Chet went to their deaths on that damn plane still unwilling to give Mel a chance.” She dabbed at her eyes while David wrote out another question. “How was the trip? A royal mess. The flight out of Newark was okay, but Minneapolis was a zoo. Northwest had too many flights arriving and not enough open gates to handle them. We sat on the ground for over 90 minutes before we got our turn at a gate. I was just lucky that my flight here had the same problem, or I’d have missed my connection. As it was, I didn’t get in until 8:45 last night, and visiting hours were over.” David waved his hand in dismissal, trying to say, “big deal, don’t worry.”

         “The people you work for are pulling out all the stops for me. They’ve put me up at the Holiday Inn down the street, at least for a few nights. One guy and his fiancé met me at the airport. She even picked up the tab for my dinner. I think their names were Joel and Amanda.” David raised his good hand in a thumb’s up gesture. “They softened the blow of an otherwise lousy trip. Okay, now it’s time for the important stuff. Are you any closer to making me an aunt?” Colleen smiled and rested her chin on clasped hands waiting for the answer. David lifted his good hand towards the ceiling, as if asking God what torture was next. Then he started writing again.

         Sheesh!! You’d think you were mom pounding my ass about grand kids! God, did she ever do that at times. And I wasn’t 20 yet!! You and I were just unlucky to be old enough to have kids. At least you gave her a grandchild before she died.

         Colleen’s eyes misted over at that statement. Their mother, father and brother Chet had been flying home from seeing Colleen’s first-born when their plane fell to earth outside of Pittsburgh. David saw a tear and started writing again.

         I’ve told you before, Colleen. It’s not your fault that mom, dad and Chet were on that plane. It’s one of two things. Either they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, or their time had come. Yes, Chet was only 15, but some people are meant to die young. Trust me, I’ve seen it. I’ve learned that when your time is up, no matter what happens, you die. And there’s nothing we can do to control it. Which means you had NOTHING to do with mom, dad and Chet dying, so stop blaming yourself.

         “I’m not blaming myself, David, not anymore. I just miss them so much at times. I don’t want to be missing you as well. Plus, the last time I saw you was the memorial service for the plane crash. That was over seven years ago. I haven’t visited you, you haven’t visited me, all we’ve had is letters and phone calls. So, when I finally DO see you, you’re almost on death’s bed!!! Damn it, David,” she hissed, “You’re all I have left of our family. Don’t you dare leave me all alone!” Without thinking, Colleen hit David’s left, braced arm. He immediately moaned in response. “Oh, David, I’m sorry.” She immediately took his left hand and gently rubbed his upper arm. David settled down. Then Colleen squeezed his left hand. David moaned louder, slapping his good hand against the mattress. When she let go, David scrawled on the note pad, asking for a nurse. Darlene Thomas came in as soon as Colleen rang the nurse call.

         “Okay, David, tell me what’s wrong?” David wrote that his left forearm hurt like hell, especially when moved or when the hand flexed. Darlene lifted his left index finger, and he nearly screamed in response. “Okay David, I’ll be right back.” She walked out to the nurses’ station and made a phone call. Three minutes later, a doctor was examining David’s left arm, getting the same results.

         “I’m sorry about the pain,” the doctor told David. “Now I’m going to do something about it. Nurse, please set up an OR and get a prep team here. I’ve got to check his old x-rays and scrub up. Have OR do a portable x-ray on that arm. David, in a few hours we’ll have this taken care of.” The doctor left while Darlene made more phone calls. During all of this, Colleen sat on the side of the room, feeling as though she were in the middle of a storm.

         “David? David, what’s going on? What’s this about surgery?” Darlene walked back in. “Ma’am, what’s going on? What’s this about more surgery?”

         “Ma’am, there is something wrong with David’s arm. I have a suspicion it may be a compartment syndrome. That’s what the doctor is going to check out. Now, please, let us take care of David.” Just then, a transport team arrived to take David to the OR. Before Colleen could think of anything to say, they had moved David to a gurney, disconnected him from the respirator and were wheeling him away. He waved for them to stop. When Darlene came over, he traced letters on her hand. Then he was gone.

         “Ma’am? Darlene, is it? What was that all about?”

         “That’s the first time David’s been off the respirator since he came out of surgery. He traced two words on my hand: ‘breathing good’.” Colleen visibly sighed. “Your brother is a fighter, ma’am. He’s got a long recovery ahead of him, but he’ll be fine. Let’s get you some coffee; you look like you need a little help, maybe an ear to chew on.”