From the Edge
Please see the disclaimer on the Synposis page.
Peter paused in his narrative. "Pop, are you sure you want me to tell you more?"
"My son, I wish to know everything that has happened in your life when we were apart."
"It's just what happened next isn't a pretty picture. I was calling your name and well, you weren't there and I said some things . . ."
"Go on, my son."
"Okay, don't say I didn't warn you." Peter stated. "Anyway, Mom stayed with me while this old guy . . ."
***
"Mrs. Blaisdell. I must leave for a time. I must also check on my nephew, but I will return."
"How are you going to save Peter?" Annie asked, still fearing that what this old man was talking about was just a hoax.
"Do not concern yourself for now. And do not be alarmed. Peter will be safe. I will let you know."
The old man exited the room and Annie was left alone with her son. She once again felt for the edge of the bed and found the chair close to his head. She sat down, patted the bed with her hands, searching for Peter's. When she found her son's hand, she was surprised to find it was slick with sweat, as if Peter had been suffering with a fever and it had just broken. As Annie held her son's hand, Peter finally stirred into wakefulness.
"Mom?"
"Shh, Peter, I am here."
"I'm so thirsty."
Annie reached toward the bedside and pushed the call button.
"Nurse, could you please bring me a glass of water. My son is awake and he's thirsty."
It wasn't long before both the Doctor and nurse entered Peter's room. The nurse handed Mrs. Blaisdell the cup of ice chips. Annie then took one and placed it in her son's mouth.
Doctor Randell approached only after Annie had given her son the ice. "Well, it's about time you woke. How are you feeling?"
Peter stared at the Doctor as if he should know the man. "I'm feeling some pain in my hip and the right side of my chest, but it's bearable."
The Doctor gave Peter a quick smile then frowned as he looked at Peter's chart. "Are you certain?" The Doctor coaxed his patient into revealing more. He had heard of Peter Caine's reputation of trying to hide the truth when it came to the amount of pain he was feeling. If Peter Caine said that the pain he was feeling was bearable, in truth, he must be feeling a great deal more pain than what he was letting on. It was time to lower that pain threshold again and then raise the level of morphine once again. This time, Peter Caine will not be seeing tomorrow.
"Mrs. Blaisdell, I'm going to have to ask you to leave while I examine my patient."
"Why Doctor, I can't see a thing. Your exams are safe with me."
"It's hospital procedure."
A second nurse came in when the Doctor pressed the call button. "Could you escort Mrs. Blaisdell to the cafeteria. I'm certain she would like a cup of coffee."
"I'm fine, really."
"Please Mrs. Blaisdell, this is necessary."
Annie was out of her league on this one. There was no way she would be able to fight the Doctor on this. So, she ended up letting the other nurse escort her from the room. She only hoped that when she returned, her son would still be in the state that he was in now.
End of Part 8
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2001.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
Synopsis / Next Part
Back to Temple Tales / Contact
Alisa