Sisterhood Of Lake Alice (28 page)

*

Emily and Grace spent the day wheeling Rebecca in and out of the narrow cobblestone streets of St. Thomas for shopping. By noon, Rebecca had her lap, her arms, and the back of her wheelchair filled with bags of perfume, watches, linens, and clothes. They had lunch overlooking the harbor at the Green Door Cafe and then headed back to the ship for an afternoon nap on the veranda.

Just before the ship was ready to sail, Lindy came bursting into the cabin with a smile on her sunburned face. For the next hour, she talked nonstop about Sal. As they all sat quietly and listened to Lindy, there was no doubt that she was one happy lady!

*

St. Maarten was their next delightful port. They discovered that the French side of the island had white, sandy beaches and quaint sidewalk cafes for lunch; the Dutch side provided more shopping and exotic rum drinks, which were served in huge coconut shells. When they returned to their cabin, there was a beautiful Waterford vase filled with red, yellow, and pink roses, with a card to Lindy that read, “Thinking of you. May I have the pleasure of your company at dinner this evening? Love, Sal.” Lindy quickly called Sal and thanked him for the beautiful roses but declined his invitation for dinner. They were planning a quiet dinner in their cabin, and it was important for her to be with her friends tonight. Sal understood and told her he would call her tomorrow.

That night’s dinner was steak and lobster, served with their favorite melting chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. They spent the rest of the evening out on the veranda looking over all their purchases. Emily gave each of them a charm bracelet with a charm from St. Thomas, St. Maarten, a ship, a wine glass, and a heart. She giggled as she told all of them that the heart was for Lindy’s newfound romance with Dr. Sal.

*

Then they had another delightful day at sea planned, with a private tour of the ship’s bridge and kitchen, appointments at the spa, and then a session with a personal trainer. However, before dawn, Lindy woke up to a strange sound coming from the bathroom. She raced into the bathroom and found Rebecca lying on the marble floor in the midst of a seizure. Lindy cradled Rebecca’s body while she yelled for Emily to call 911.

Within minutes, Dr. Sal and two nurses arrived. After what seemed like an eternity, the stretcher carried Rebecca to the ship hospital, with Lindy and Dr. Sal at her side. The next few hours were critical because of Rebecca’s serious health problems; her oxygen level remained under 60 percent. She fell into a coma. The only reasonable option for additional care was to have Rebecca airlifted from the ship. However, after much discussion, it was determined that it was safer to keep her on board and under their care until the ship docked in Ft. Lauderdale. During the entire time, one of them sat at Rebecca’s side holding her hand and talking to her in a soft whisper.

When the ship docked in Florida at 6:00 AM, an ambulance was waiting to take Rebecca to Ft. Lauderdale Memorial Hospital. After several hours, the ER doctor felt Rebecca had stabilized, yet she was still in a coma. He signed orders for her release and approval for her to fly back to Fergus Falls, but only with an agreement to take her directly to the hospital. Dr. Sal announced that he wanted to accompany Rebecca on the flight. In comparison to the earlier flight, this one was quiet and tense. Rebecca lay motionless on the stretcher, which was strapped in the back of the plane. For the entire flight, both Dr. Sal and Lindy sat with her, monitoring her vital signs.

As soon as the small jet landed in Fergus Falls, the paramedics entered the plane to assist in loading Rebecca into the waiting ambulance. Within minutes, Rebecca, Dr. Sal, and Lindy were on their way to Lake Regional Hospital, where Rebecca’s mother anxiously awaited her arrival. Lindy made Grace and Emily promise to go back to Emily’s house. She would call with a status report as soon as she had any news.

*

As Emily and Grace came into the dark kitchen of Emily’s house, they were flooded with emotions of the past few weeks. They made it as far as the kitchen table before they both collapsed in deep sobs. They cried for the lost dreams of tomorrow for Rebecca and her weak, fragile body. Grace made a pot of coffee and offered to go over to pick up the Christmas puppy, Linus. Perhaps this cuddly little dog could help them pass the hours of waiting that they knew lay ahead of them.

Grace heard Linus barking and lots of giggles as she rang the doorbell at the Brooks’ home. When Warren opened the door, he told her that he was surprised that they were already home. He stopped in mid-sentence as he looked into Grace’s eyes. He asked, “What happened?”

All Grace could do was to fall into his arms, as once again the deep sobs overwhelmed her. He held her, rubbing her back and softly whispering in her ear that he was here for her. After a few minutes, Warren led Grace to the sofa and offered her a glass of water. After a few sips of water and some deep sighs, Grace told them what was going on. The girls sat quietly listening to Grace tell them that Rebecca might be dying and what a comforting presence Lindy had been to all of them. The girls promptly offered to continue to watch Linus. Grace decided that with all the chaos of the next few days, that was a great idea.

Warren walked Grace back to Emily’s front porch, where they lingered for a few more moments. He reached for her, and she fell comfortably into his warm embrace. Finally, her hands gently reached for his face and she kissed him. Then without a word, she turned and walked quietly into the house. Warren remained in place for a few minutes, trying to understand what had just happened. For whatever reason, he knew that Grace had just opened his heart, which had been tightly closed for a long time. As he walked back to his house, he knew that his life was about to change.

Chapter Twenty-Seven
 

Rebecca’s Challenge

Upon arriving at the hospital, Rebecca was given a battery of tests. Her oxygen level remained dangerously low, as well as her pulse and respiration.

Lindy stayed with Rebecca while Dr. Sal went to turn in the medical records he had brought from the cruise ship. Then he called his parents in Chicago and explained that he was in Minnesota. He told his disappointed mother that he would be delayed for several days.

Sal found Lindy in the hospital café, staring into a cup of coffee. The exhaustion of the last few days had finally taken its toll on her. Sal slid into the booth beside her and cradled her in his arms. Lindy simply rested her head against his chest and wept. After a little while, they walked back to the ER, where they were told to wait for the attending doctor to return with the test results. Lindy called the house and told Emily that this might be a long night and that they should go to sleep. She promised that as soon as she knew what was going on, she would call regardless of the time.

After a two-hour wait in the ER waiting room, a nurse arrived to inform them that Rebecca was being moved to ICU and that her mother would be waiting for them in the ICU waiting area. Lindy and Sal walked down the hall in silence, thinking the news was not good.

As they rounded the corner, they saw Rebecca’s mom waiting for them. Lindy ran to her. A nurse led them to a small, dimly lit private room. Sal chose to wait in the open waiting room and not intrude. Monica explained that she still had no information and feared the worst. While they waited, she asked Lindy to tell her all about the cruise. To their amazement, they sat laughing about the cruise and all the fun they had. Monica thanked Lindy for helping Rebecca enjoy these last precious days with her best friends.

There was a soft rap on the door, and two young doctors and a nurse entered the small room. The grim look on the faces meant that this was not good news. After reviewing all of the tests, which included an MRI and CAT scan, it was determined that Rebecca had severe heart damage, her kidneys were beginning to shut down, and the seizure might have caused irreversible brain damage. The prognosis was very poor, and they did not expect Rebecca to survive the next forty-eight hours. They did not believe that she would regain consciousness.

One of the doctors asked if she had prepared a living will. Calmly, Monica advised them that no extraordinary measures were to be taken. Rebecca wanted to pass away in peace and dignity. Lindy agreed as Monica signed papers stating her decision.

The nurse took them down the hall to the ICU area. Monica, with Lindy at her side, entered the small dark cubicle where Rebecca lay. The only noise came from the beeping of the monitors. Aside from the oxygen mask, Rebecca looked as though she was sleeping and at peace. Lindy reached for Rebecca’s right hand, while Monica held her left hand. For a moment, they simply looked into Rebecca’s pale and gentle face. Then very softly, Monica began to pray the Lord’s Prayer as she gently rubbed her daughter’s hand. Lindy joined in and felt as though her heart was breaking.

The nurse appeared after a short time and told them that they should go home and get some rest. She promised to call them if there was any change. Together, they walked down the dimly lit hall back into the waiting area. Lindy saw Sal sleeping in a chair in the corner. When she woke him, he took Lindy’s hand and agreed it was a good idea for her to go home and rest.

With very little discussion, Lindy decided that they should all go back to Emily’s house. Monica quickly agreed, saying that the thought of being alone tonight was just too much to bear. Lindy assured Sal that they would find a place for him to sleep as well.

When they pulled into the driveway, they saw that the kitchen lights were still glowing and it had started to snow. As they walked into the warm, cozy kitchen, they could smell the coffee and saw a mound of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies spread over the table. Both Grace and Emily turned in silence before they rushed to give Monica a hug. The rest of the night was spent talking about the cruise, eating the cookies, and drinking pots of coffee.

When the telephone rang at 7:00 AM, they were all still awake. Emily answered it and said that she would make sure to pass the information on to Monica. The news was better than it had been last night. Rebecca’s condition had become stable, and they had even detected some eye movement. The attending doctor, Kevin Tolzman, had asked to meet with the family at 9:30 AM to discuss what options were available for Rebecca. Monica insisted that all of the girls come with her to hear firsthand what was going to happen.

*

At 9:30, they were anxiously awaiting Dr. Tolzman’s arrival. Each of them visited Rebecca in the ICU for five minutes. They understood how serious her condition was.

Dr. Tolzman was a tall, young doctor with a compassionate tone to his deep voice. Slowly he reviewed all the test results and Rebecca’s current vital signs. He held Monica’s hand as he told her that he had also reviewed Rebecca’s living will. In order to honor her very specific requests, there would be no extraordinary means used to keep her alive. However, he felt that she was comfortable and pain-free at this time, and the staff would do everything possible to keep her comfortable. He then told Monica that the next few days were critical; if she survived, he could recommend a nursing home, seeing as there was no hospice facility in Fergus Falls.

Lindy asked if it was possible for all of them to be with her at the same time. Dr. Tolzman nodded and told them to follow him. As they entered Rebecca’s dark cubicle, they quickly gathered around her bed. Each of them gently rubbed her arms, hands, or legs. Monica leaned over and put her hands on Rebecca’s pale face. Then she whispered to her that they were all here for her. One by one, they told her how much they loved her. Each of them told her why she had been so special in their life. Softly, Lindy began to sing “Amazing Grace.” They joined in perfect harmony as they sang through their tears. As they finished, the nurse arrived to advise them that she needed to take Rebecca down for one more MRI to check for brain activity.

They left Rebecca’s cubicle as they had entered, one by one in silence. Then they all left the hospital together. Once they were outside in the cold Minnesota air, they broke down in uncontrolled sobs of agony. How could this happen so quickly? Why now after they had all come back together and found true friendship? The drive back to Emily’s was painfully silent.

*

Once they were settled back in the kitchen, Sal announced that he had rented a car and was leaving in the afternoon to head to Chicago. He promised he would return to them if they needed him. Lindy drove Sal to pick up his rental car and have a private moment. He told her that he knew that the days would be painful. He also told her that her strength would be a source of comfort for Monica and her friends. He felt strongly that God would give her whatever she needed to get through this difficult time with grace and understanding.

As they embraced and kissed, Lindy asked when she would see him again.

Sal softly lifted her face to his and said, “Anytime you need me, I will be here. Chicago is not that far away, and I will do whatever it takes to be at your side. Lindy, before I leave, you need to understand that I am completely in love with you. This is not a quick shipboard romance. I intend to come back for you. I believe that we are meant to be together, and my goal is to make that happen. So, my sweet Lindy, be prepared to be romanced, loved, and a permanent part of my life in the future.”

Lindy was speechless. All she could do was smile, nod, and tell him that she was looking forward to his romancing. As his car pulled out of the parking lot, he waved and told her would be back soon. Lindy stood smiling and crying at the same time as she watched Sal’s car disappear onto the highway that would take him to Chicago.

Chapter Twenty-Eight
 

The Homecoming

Almost all of the next few days were spent at the hospital for the girls, each taking turns to be with Rebecca for a short, five-minute visit once an hour. Emily and Lindy had talked Grace into going back to work. When she was not at the hospital, Monica slept in Rebecca’s room at Emily’s. Every time she walked into the room, she was amazed at how it had perfectly captured Rebecca’s love of life and music. She felt a special peace as she slept there, knowing the loving care that had gone into this special place for her daughter.