Heartless (17 page)

Almost a month came and went. Parker remained
unconscious. Dr. Stephenson talked honestly to Ray.
"Ray, I don't think he's ever gonna wake up. Nonetheless,
you have to make arrangements for long-term care if you
intend to keep up this farce. We can't keep him here much
longer. Long-term care will bankrupt your family. I'm sorry,
Ray, but it's time to make some hard decisions. I think you
need to take him off life support. Let him go." Dr. Stephenson
left Ray alone with his son.
Ray laid his head on Parker's chest. He could feel the soft,
faint heartbeat. The heartbroken father sobbed and stroked
Parker's brow. Almost inaudibly Ray said, "Oh, my sweet boy.
How do I let you go? I just found you. That bullet was meant
for me. It should've been
me
. Parker, I love you. Please, please,
wake up. Open your eyes. Please, wake up and call me 'Daddy.'
I love you so much."
Ray stood and started for the door.
It's so cold here
.
Silence. Wait. Wings, but far away. I'm
trying to get back. I'm listening to you.
No! Ray, wait. Don't leave. Come on, eyes! Open!
Parker's
brain raced.
The strange sounding beeps grew louder. Come
on, eyes. Open!
Parker's eyes popped open.
It's not cold any
more.
He wanted to scream, but there was something in his throat.
I am choking. Daddy, wait. Don't leave. How do I get your
attention?
Parker's eyes darted around. He reached up. His
arms were obeying. He knocked everything off the little stand
beside the bed.
Ray spun around. Parker reached out his hand. Ray flew
back to the bed.
Parker was frantic.
I have to say it.
He tried to pull the
thing out of his throat.
Ray held Parker's hands down and hollered for help.
Several nurses ran in.
Ray talked to his son. "Relax, Parker. You're all right.
You're safe. Relax. I'm right here. I won't leave you."
The doctor on duty came in. "Give him a sedative, ten
milligrams valium," he ordered the nurse by the bed.
"No!" asserted Ray. "He doesn't need a sedative. He wants
the tubes out. He's scared. Parker, stop!" Ray said with
authority.
Parker stopped fighting as he realized Ray understood. The
doctor said, "Okay. Relax, kid. We'll take the respirator out."
Dr. Stephenson came in. "Step away, everybody," he
ordered. Dr. Stephenson approached Parker. Blue eyes staring
at the doctor spoke volumes. He said gently, but firmly,
"Parker, you have to relax. I know you're scared. I need your
help to take out the ventilator. Do you understand? Nod your
head."
Parker nodded.
"Okay, when I pull, I need you to cough. Ready?"
A couple of yanks and coughs later, that tube was out, but
there was another thing. Parker reached up.
Dr. Stephenson grabbed his hand. "Parker, there's another
tube. It's your feeding tube. We need to do the same thing
again. Ready?"
That felt awful coming out, but it's out.
Parker immediately
tried to speak. Nothing came out.
God! How my throat hurts!
"Parker!" commanded Dr. Stephenson. "Stop. You won't be
able to talk for a couple of days. Your throat will be sore. Boy!
I'm so glad you proved me wrong."
Parker looked frantically at Ray. Ray nodded. "Give him
pencil and paper. Let him write it. He's dying to say
something."
A nurse scurried to bring writing supplies. She handed
them to Parker. He looked at his father.
Ray encouraged, "Write what you want to say."
Parker wrote on the paper and held his arms out to Ray.
Ray's body shook with silent sobs as he gathered Parker in an
embrace and sat on the bed. After several minutes, Ray pulled
back and wiped the tears from Parker's face and pushed his hair
from his eyes. "What did you want to say?" he asked shakily.
He took the notepad. One word appeared—"Daddy."
"Oh," sighed Ray. He pulled Parker's head back onto his
shoulder and kissed him on the head. "I love you, Parker," he
whispered.
Parker wrote again, "I love you, Daddy."
"Okay," interrupted Dr. Stephenson. "Parker, we have a
little more tubing and wires to take out. Will you let your dad
leave for a few minutes? He can go call everybody else."
"I'll be back," assured Ray. Parker held tightly to Ray's
hand. "I'll be back," Ray reiterated a bit more firmly. Parker let
go.
Ray walked into the hallway and started with Larkin. "He's
awake!"
"The kids and I will be there in half an hour," she squealed
with excitement.
Ray went down his phone list. Dr. Stephenson came out of
Parker's room. "Tough kid!" he exclaimed. "Can I expect the
horde in a little while?"
"Yes," laughed Ray.
"Okay. I wish I were a part of this family. Get back in there
before he tries to walk out here. I've removed everything
except the colostomy tube and the I.V. I'll have to at least give
him a spinal before I take out the colostomy tube. It will
require a couple of stitches. Christmas is in three days. If he
manages to keep down food, and go to the bathroom both
ways, I'll let him go home for Christmas. I'm ordering him a
liquid diet today. I'll add cream soups tomorrow."
When Dr. Stephenson left, Ray went back into the room.
Parker sat up in bed. "Well, are you ready to run a race
already?" joked Ray.
Parker wrote, "Mom?"
"What about her?"
"Is she dead?"
"No, Parker. She's in jail. She has a hearing after
Christmas. I'm gonna do everything I can to help her. I'm
gonna recommend that she be committed to a mental institution
so she can get the help she needs. She hasn't spoken a word
besides, 'Parker,' since the day you were shot."
Parker wrote, "Thanks. No matter what she's done, I still
love her. She's my mother."
"I know. That's why I'm helping her—for you because you
love her and I love you."
Parker nodded and then wrote, "How is Uncle Raif?"
"He's fine. He's already running again, only one mile, but
he's running."
"Where's Larkin?" was Parker's next question.
"On her way here."
"Sheena?"
Ray laughed. "She's on her way, too. She really likes you."
"I really like her."
"So, tell her."
"I will."
"You're gonna get writer's cramp."
Parker laughed, but no sound came out.
Ray became serious. "Parker, did the Byrds beat you badly
enough to damage your kidneys?"
Parker shook his head and wrote, "First, Mrs. Byrd never
beat me. Mr. Byrd beat her. She was too afraid to fight back for
herself, let alone me—or any other kid. The kidney must've
happened in juvey. A gang jumped me in the showers. The
guards didn't stop it. I lost consciousness, and my back hurt for
days."
"Okay. I will see something is done about that. Now, how
did you know about Uncle Raif?"
"I could hear everything, but I couldn't wake up. I tried."
"I believe you. When I lost my kidney, I died twice. God
talked to me and sent me back."
"Did you hear large wings flapping? Did I die?"
"You coded twice, and, yes, I did. Angels, I guess."
"Dragons?"
Ray rumpled his hair. "Don't tell anyone that. They'll think
you're nuts. Did a voice tell you to come back?"
Parker nodded, and then wrote, "At least God and not Satan
spoke to you."
"Smartass!" laughed Ray.
Larkin walked in. "Stop calling my boy names."
Parker held his arms out to Larkin. She smothered him with
hugs and kisses. "Welcome back, precious."
Christopher and Courtney rushed in. Both engulfed Parker.
Parker squeaked, "Ow!" The children let go, realizing Parker
was still in some pain.
Before and hour was up, Parker's room was filled with
loved ones. Even with every member of his family there,
Parker's attention turned immediately to the blonde-haired,
green-eyed female who walked in.
"My, my," joked Ray. "Yes, I'd say someone is gonna make
a full recovery. Hey, everybody, we need to give Parker some
time alone. Out!"
Sheena sat down on the side of Parker's bed as soon as the
others left. "Hey," she said.
Parker wrote, "I can't talk. The doctor said it would take a
couple of days."
Laughing, she said, "We don't need lots of words." She
leaned forward and put her lips on his. After a long, sensuous
kiss, Sheena laid Parker's head on her chest and stroked his hair
as she cooed, "Don't ever leave me again, Parker Reynolds."
Parker rested in Sheena's embrace for a long time feeling a
comfort he had never known.
This is where I belong.
After a
time, Parker lifted his head. With his finger, he traced every
inch of Sheena's face, ending with her lips before he kissed her
again. Then, he wrote on his notepad, "I love you."
"Oh," breathed Sheena. "Oh, Parker, I can't wait to hear
your voice say that to me. I love you, too."

Christmas morning, Parker had met all the criteria to go
home. The house was ablaze with its regular Christmas
decorations—garland and holly around porch posts, icicle
lights dangling and sparkling in the crisp breeze. Parker had
never seen anything so lovely. Walking inside only got better
with the holiday aromas of cinnamon and pine. A huge tree
with multi-colored lights and delicate ornaments offset the
fireplace which held draped garland and stockings with names
on handcrafted stocking hangers.

Before any festivities began, Larkin handed Parker his
ornament. "You have to hang it," she explained. "The tree isn't
complete without you."

Parker hung his ornament as close to his father's as he
could. Then, they opened what seemed hundreds of gifts.
After the intimate family morning, once again the house
was filled with family, friends, and food, but not as many as for
Thanksgiving. However, Larkin would only let Parker eat the
soft food per doctor's orders for at least a week. Parker
devoured the mashed potatoes, Jell-O, apple sauce she'd made
just for him, and the center of the deviled eggs without any
relish in it.
After lunch when all the guests had left, Parker found Ray
watching football. He was still hoarse when he spoke.
"Daddy?"
"What?" asked Ray, enjoying hearing his son call him
"Daddy."
"I have two requests. One you won't mind. The other will
probably make you mad."
"What do you want?"
"First, I'd like to see Uncle Raif's village."
"Not a problem. What else?"
"I wanna see Mom."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I just need to."
"All right."
"You're not mad?"
"No. I actually understand." He turned off the TV with the
remote. "I take it you want to go now so you can be back
before Sheena comes later."
"Yes, sir."
"Okay. We'll go see Mia first. Get your jacket."

The guards brought Mia Godchaux into the interrogation
room where Parker waited. She was shackled hand and foot.
Ray waited on the other side of the two-way mirror. The
second the door opened the temperature plummeted twenty
degrees. Ray did not turn on the intercom, but watched the
silent communication. He could see both their breaths frosting
the air.
Jesus, help me protect my son. This is a spiritual battle.

Mia looked at Parker in disbelief. "Parker?"
"Yes, Mom."
Mia wagged her head. "Parker's dead. I killed my beautiful

baby." She started to cry.
"I'm not dead, Mom. I'm right here."
Still sobbing, Mia said, "I'm sorry. You're such a beautiful

"Of course, you are. You're a beautiful angel living in
Heaven. Did God let you come see me? I'm going to Hell, you
know. You won't be able to see me there. Angels don't go to
Hell. I miss you, Parker. I love you so much. Tell God I'm
sorry."

Parker took his mother's hand. It was ice cold. "I love you,
too, Mom. I'll come see you, but you have to tell God you're
sorry yourself. 'Bye, Mom."

Parker nodded, his face stained with tears. "You're gonna
get her committed, right?"
"Yes, day after tomorrow."
"Can I be at the hearing?"
"If you want to be."
"I do."
"Okay."
"Now, I want to see Uncle Raif's village. I'll be more grown
up in two days. I'd like to be a kid right now. I've never been a
kid."
"Parker, I love you no matter what." Ray wiped the tears
from his son's cheeks with his thumbs.
"I know, Daddy. I love you, too."
"It feels good to hear you say that."
"Does it? Well, I plan to say it out loud to Sheena tonight. I
love her. I hope it lasts forever through all kinds of things like
you and Momma."
Ray widened his eyes.
"Yeah, I want Larkin to be my momma."
"That's the best Christmas gift you could give her. Let's
go."

The guard brought Mia out as Parker and Ray walked down
the hall with the man's arm around the boy's shoulders. Mia
whispered conspiratorially, "That's my son. I love him."

After a stop to see Raif's Victorian Christmas village, Ray
brought his son home. "That was awesome," Parker said and
collapsed on the sofa for a long nap before he had company.

Sheena rang the door chimes at the Reynolds's home at
seven. Ray looked at his watch and, then, at Parker's face.
"Punctual, isn't she?" Ray teased. "Go answer the door. I'm
sure you'd like to use the mistletoe hanging in the foyer."

Parker moved slowly because he was tender from surgery
and he had half a dozen stitches in his abdomen. He opened the
door with a cheerful, "Merry Christmas!"

"You're under the mistletoe."
"Oh, my!" She put a hand to her chest. "Then, you must
kiss me for no one else is present."
"No one else needs to be kissing my girl," said Parker.
Then, he kissed Sheena passionately.
"Mmm," sighed Sheena. "Where did you learn to do that?"
"It's natural talent. Let's sit down, please." They entered the
living room holding hands.
"Merry Christmas!" Sheena greeted the rest of the family to
echoes of the same. She presented gifts to everyone present and
some to be delivered to those not present and received a gift
and gifts to take back to her family. Larkin handed Sheena a
small box, saying, "This one is from Parker."
Sheena laughed. "We both know Parker hasn't been able to
go shopping."
"No, but I read his mind." Larkin winked.
Parker encouraged, "Let's see what I thought."
The box contained heart-shaped dangling diamond
earrings. Parker nodded, "I would've picked those out."
"They're beautiful," said Sheena. "Thank you. Yours isn't
that extravagant." Sheena handed Parker a box. Inside was a
leather motorcycle jacket.
"This is great!" exclaimed Parker. "I can't wait to try it
out."
"That will be several more weeks," said Ray
authoritatively.
"Yes, sir," agreed Parker.
The family made small talk for a while before Ray
challenged Christopher and Courtney to a round-robin ping
pong tournament.
"This I have to see," said Larkin. Albert and Dorothy, who
were there until the next day, agreed. Parker knew it was a ruse
to give him time alone with Sheena.
"Not too discreet, was he?" asked Sheena.
"No." Parker laughed. "Let me show you what he gave me
before I took you to the movie." Parker pulled out his wallet
and opened it.
"Oh, my God!" squealed Sheena. "Does he think?"
"No," Parker preempted the question. "They're just in case
somewhere down the road, you know."
"Parker, do you want to?"
"I'd be lying if I said, 'No,' but it's not a top priority. Not
yet. I never have."
"Me either."
"Then, let's keep it that way and wait for each other.
Sheena, I love you. I don't mean puppy love or a crush. I truly
love you."
"Parker, are we too young to know that?"
"No. You're my first love, and I hope my only love.
Sheena, I've been through hell. I've been abused. I've been
neglected and molested. I've lived on the streets, and I've been
a thief. I never knew what real love was until I came to this
house. These people love me unconditionally, and I love them.
Because of them, I know what love is. I learned it from their
example. Ray never questioned my motives. He accepted me as
his son. He was willing to die for me."
"You almost did die for him," Sheena interrupted.
"I love him, Sheena. And Larkin—she brought me into her
home and was willing to love me even if I had been Robert
LaFontaine's child. When my mom said she had Larkin, I
would've done anything to keep her safe. She loves me, and I
love her so much. Christopher and Courtney have treated me
like their brother from the moment I met them. My
grandparents, my aunt, my cousins. My God! Uncle Raif!
Sheena, the man gave me a kidney. What depth of love does
that show?" Parker picked at the piping on the sofa cushion.
His heart raced as he thought about the love he had found—the
command from a voice he could never share with anyone, not
even Sheena, to go back and return the unconditional love.
"None of them have ever asked anything of me," he went
on. "They just love me. I want to be like my family. So? Am I
too young to know I love you? No. I'm old far beyond my
years. I love you, and I'll wait for you my whole life if I must.
You're worth far more than those diamond earrings."
Sheena put her hand on Parker's cheek. "Stop talking. I love
you, Parker. You're stuck with me. I don't know how long we'll
wait. Keep those things handy, just in case. For now, kiss me
and hold me. Don't ever let me go. You are my true love."
Parker kissed Sheena again. All the love of a lifetime
flowed between them, a love that was unconditional.