Monday, December 24, 2018

Chappy - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

March 12th – 6:38am

The hospital waiting room in the emergency department was abnormally busy when Chappy arrived. She parked her Expedition in one of the few parking spaces free and headed for the doors. All the way to the hospital she wondered what the call was about. Usually when she would receive a call, she would get a little information, but Sergeant Owens didn’t seem very chatty on the phone.
Perhaps it’s an officer, she thought.

She became much more certain as she entered the emergency room waiting area and saw the different officers, some in uniform, some not. Three of the four dispatchers were there, the parole officer, records clerk, and administrative assistant. Not only that, but a Trooper from the Georgia State Patrol and a few Georgia Bureau of Investigation officers were in attendance.

This definitely involves an officer, she thought again and the evidence of those present confirmed it.
Chief Martin walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Amy,” he said, “come with me.”

He never calls me Amy, what could be going on, she wondered.

As she followed Chief Martin through the waiting room she began to notice that everyone was looking at her. Half-hearted smiles from one, others looking down or away when she passed.
They stopped at doorway being held open by a short, frumpy woman in her mid-forties.
“Let’s talk in here,” Chief Martin said as he motioned her inside.

Amy knew something really bad must have happened and she knew this room all too well. This was the room where she met with many families when giving them bad news, but as to why she was in there now, she had no idea.

“Sit down, please,” Chief Martin said as he pulled out a stool and took a seat himself. The nurse closed the door and the two ladies joined the chief in taking their seats. The nurse was not just an ordinary nurse. She was Nurse Cindy Sanders, Chief of Nursing at Mochaton Memorial Hospital. Cindy took Chappy’s hand as the Chief began to speak.

“This isn’t easy, but I want you to listen carefully. Your son, Jimmy, was in a single car collision a little while ago.”

Nurse Cindy squeezed Chappy’s hand as the reality began to set in. The department staff present, Owens’ reluctance to give details on the phone, Chief calling her Amy, it was all starting to make sense.

Amy retained her composure and asked, “is he….dead?”

“No,” answered Chief Martin, “but he is in ICU, critical condition and in a coma.”

Amy put her hands over her face and exclaimed, “oh, thank God!”

Looking up she asked, “when can I see him?”

Nurse Cindy fielded this question, “when we are finished admitting him. He hasn’t been here long, but as soon as we are finished, you can see him. Mind you, he is unconscious, but you can see him all you want.”

Amy nodded to them both, “thank you. Thank you both, very much.”

As she was giving thanks, the door cracked open and a tall,
lanky, uniformed officer poked his head in.

“Chief,” he said politely, “we need you.”

Visibly irritated, Chief Martin responded, “Hernandez, can’t you see I’m a little busy right now?”

“Yes sir, and I am sorry, but we really need you. We have a rape call……at the Mayor’s residence.”
“Go, I’m fine,” encouraged Chappy.

Chief Martin nodded, stood up and exited the room.

Nurse Cindy looked at Chappy and smiled, “stay here as long as you want. I’ll come get you when he’s ready.”

Amy thanked Nurse Cindy and Cindy softly closed the door behind her.

As the door closed and Amy was sure no one was near it, she was finally safe to do what she had been wanting to do the minute she received the news.

She put her head in her hands and began to cry.

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