When the surgery was over, Andrew took Sam back up to her room. "I'll go get Horace and Myra." Dr. Mike said. When she walked outside, she found Myra sitting in Hank's arms. "Myra, we're finished. Sam made it through just fine. All we can do now is wait."
"Thank you Dr. Mike. Can we go up and see her?"
Michaela was confused to see Hank and Myra together, but allowed it. "Yes of course. But where is Horace?"
"Oh my goodness! I forgot to tell him. I was so upset I didn't even think..."
"It's alright Myra, I'll go get him. Is he at the station?"
"Yes he is."
*********
When Horace made it to the clinic, he immediately went to the room where Sam had been. He saw Myra crying over their daughter while Hank lovingly stroked her back. "What's goin on here?" He asked accusingly. "Ya got no business here Hank."
"Seems I do Horace. Myra wants me here." Hank spat back.
"I knew there was another reason you came back Myra. And you tried ta make me believe you came back for my sake. Well I hope you two are happy together!" Horace stormed out of the room. Myra jumped up and ran after him. "Horace please let me explain!"
"There's nothin to explain Myra. You love Hank...always have. But I will not let my little girl be raised in a saloon. I won't let you have her!"
"Horace what are you talkin about?"
"You're gonna marry Hank and try and take Sam away again. It won't happen Myra. She's my daughter and I won't let Hank near her."
"Horace don't get ahead of yourself. Yes Hank and I love each other but that doesn't mean we're getting married."
"Well why not! You're perfect together. Anyone would have seen that a long time ago."
"Horace this is all happening so fast. We're not ready to be married."
"Doesn't matter. I know it'll happen. Knew Hank would've had you as his wife long ago had I not been in the way."
*********
Michaela rode home as fast as she could. All she wanted was to be held. It hurt too much to be all alone at work. Yes Andrew and Colleen where there, but it wasn't the same as having Sully by her side. She was tired of watching people dye. Tired of not being able to do anything about it.
When she finally reached her bedroom, she slowly crawled in beside her husband without even changing her clothes.
"Michaela?"
"Please Sully hold me."
"Michaela what's wrong? Did somethin happen?"
"Five people Sully. Five people have died from this. People who have been part of this town all their lives. I just couldn't sit by and watch more people die. I can't just do nothing."
"Maybe you should wire Dr. Mason and ask him to come back."
"I did that already. Today after Jessie died."
"Well give it time. I'm sure he'll come back. Maybe there's somethin he can do."
"There's nothing anyone can do Sully. It's all a matter of how severe a case you get. There are some people who seem to be getting better. But Sam, Teresa, and some others...it doesn't look good for them. And we've already lost five people."
"Sam's doin worse?"
"We had to remove her spleen today and she may be in kidney failure."
"Do ya think we should tell Katie?"
"We have to sometime. She'll be crushed. Sam is her best friend Sully. How can our three-year-old lose her best friend?"
"And Teresa? How's Jake holdin up?"
"He's been drinking again. I believe that the malaria is blocking the vessels to many of her organs. Everything is slowly shutting down."
"And there's nothin to do?"
"Once it reaches this stage, all we can do is keep them comfortable."
"But Ruth is still ok?"
"Physically she's fine. But the malaria is in her blood. We've tested it every other day and it's there Sully. It's only a matter of time before her symptoms return."
"What about everyone else? Are more people gonna get this?"
"There's no way to be sure. The mosquitoes are gone as far as we can tell and there have been no new cases in the last few days. All we can do now is pray that everyone else stays well."
Chapter 14
"Tim you're back!...I wasn't sure you'd come. I never heard back."
"I came as soon as I got your telegram. What's the latest news?"
"We've tested everyone who had mosquito bites and those with the symptoms. Those who were positive we immediately began monitoring them for organ damage or other problems. Those that weren't positive we've been checking every two days."
"How many people have it?"
"There are nine upstairs right now. Five have already died."
"I'll do what I can Michaela, but I don't know a lot about malaria."
"No one does Tim. We'll get you caught up with what we've found out."
*********
"Andrew I'm not leaving! This is my job! I am staying here and I'm helping! I can't go home when everyone I grew up around is dying!"
"Colleen, this is not a matter to discuss. I will not let you put yourself and our child in danger!"
"How dare you say something like that! I would never, never hurt my child."
"And you think that working around some deadly disease that we don't know about is good for the baby?"
"Andrew working with these people isn't going to harm me. You know that. I'd have to be bitten first."
"Colleen it's just too much of a risk. Please listen to me just this once."
"I can't do that Andrew. I'm sorry."
"People are dying here Colleen!" he yelled after her. Suddenly Colleen doubled over in pain. Andrew heard her cry out and immediately rushed to her side. "Andrew...I'm sorry..." she choked out before the world went dark.
*********
"Dr. Mike!" Ruth came through the door clutching her side.
Tim rushed to her side. "Ruth? Ruth tell me what hurts."
"Where's Dr. Mike?" Ruth moaned.
"She's upstairs right now. Let me help you."
"My back...on the right side...it hurts so bad." Dr. Mason quickly accessed the girl and realized that she was in kidney failure.
"Come lie down. I'll get you something for the pain."
"Does this mean I'm sick again?"
"Yes you are. I'm afraid that your right kidney is blocked."
"Can't ya fix that?"
"No we can't."
"Am I gonna die?"
"There's not anything we can do. I'm sorry."
Chapter 15
"Andrew please wait outside."
"No I'm not leaving her! Michaela please." He begged. "I have to help her."
"Andrew you're in no condition to do anything. Let me check her over and make her comfortable. Then you can sit with her...Sully please...Tim can you help me?"
"Come on Andrew." Sully said as he took his son-in-law downstairs. When they reached Andrew's office, Sully sat him down and pulled a chair up beside him. "Michaela cares just as much as you do. She won't let anything happen to Colleen."
"We were arguing Sully. I told her to go home so she wouldn't get sick...I knew she would get sick. Why didn?t she listen."
"Seems ta me she a lot like her ma. Besides she was already sick Andrew. Just bein in this town right now is dangerous. Keepin Colleen away from work wasn't goin keep her from getting sick."
"I know." Andrew said as he began to calm down. "I guess that just made it seem like I had some control of the situation. I felt like I could protect her."
"I know it's difficult Andrew. We are all feelin the pain right now. Seems everyone's got someone lyin up there. And we don't know what's gonna happen. But I can tell ya this, Colleen's strong. She'll pull through this. I can feel it."
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost her."
"You'd go on livin only because that's the only choice you have. You'd continue to be a doctor and enjoy all of it because that's what she would want you to do."
Before either of them could speak again Michaela came into the room, a somber look on her face.
**********
Andrew immediately knew from her face that something was not right. "What is it? Tell me what's wrong Michaela. Colleen..."
"No Andrew, she's fine. Colleen is doing fine."
"She's not sick? She's going to be alright?"
Michaela hesitated for a moment as tears welled up in her eyes. "Colleen is sick Andrew. She has the malaria."
"But you just said she was fine!"
"She's strong Andrew. If anyone can pull through this it's Colleen. She won't give up." Sully reassured him.
"I have to see her!" Andrew began his mad dash upstairs.
"Andrew wait! There's something else I need to tell you..." Noticing the pain that resided in her eyes, Sully went to her.
"Michaela what is it? What aren't you sayin?"
"Sully, the baby. Colleen lost the baby."
"Oh god. Is she ok?"
"She doesn't know yet. She hasn't woken up yet...I need to go tell Andrew. Can you go check on Katie. I need to know she?s alright."
"Of course...I love you Michaela."
"I'm so glad you were here. I couldn't have handled this without you."
"Do you want me to stay?"
"No you go. Bring Brian and Katie here. They'll want to see Colleen when she wakes up. And I think we need to let Katie see Samantha."
"What should I tell em?"
"Just say she's sick, answer Brian's questions the best you can, and hurry back."
"Alright..."
*********
"I should leave."
"What are you talkin about? You're in no condition to go anywhere."
"Everyone here hates me. They think I caused all of this. And I did!"
"No Ruth, this isn't your fault. How could you know anything about this disease? This was out of everyone's control."
"Dr. Mason just told me that Dr. Cook is sick."
"Andrew?"
"No his wife... Aunt Grace how can I stay here and die around people who only want me dead?"
"Don't you ever talk like that again! I love you Ruth. I lost you once, I'm not gonna lose you again."
What are you talkin about? You're the one who left me."
I didn't leave you Ruth. I would never have left you. You're my daughter."
Chapter 16
Robert E. was about to enter the room with Ben, but overheard the last few things Grace had said. He stood outside the door stunned at the information he had just received. Not wanting to interrupt, he remained in the hallway. But he couldn’t help but listen into the rest of the conversation
**********
“Excuse me? Did you just say…?”
“Yes Ruth you’re my daughter, not my niece.”
“Would you mind explaining?”
“I guess I can’t put this off any longer…My sister was an angry woman. Our parents were killed while they were slaves. She never could forgive any white man for what one person did. It just wasn’t in her heart to forgive. Throughout our lives, she took her anger out on me. I wanted nothing more than to escape her punishment.” Grace paused a moment wondering if she should continue. Then realizing that she had too she said, “When I was? I met a man and feel in love. He took me away from Faith. Oddly enough I missed her. She was the only family I had, besides Jeremiah. When you were born, I wrote Faith. I felt that she should know she had a niece. But when she came to the house, she began to act like you were hers….”
“You’re stopping there? You can’t just leave me hanging like that!”
“I know you need to know the truth, but this is difficult. I feel bad telling you all these bad things about the person who you thought was your mother.”
“Aunt Grace remember when I told you my life was hell? It seems to me that ma was just as mad at me ads she was with you. Don’t you think that if I ever thought of her as my mother I could have been more upset over her death?”
“Yes I suppose you would have been.”
“Please tell me what else happened.”
“Well I woke up one morning and you weren’t in your crib. Faith was gone too.”
“She took me?”
“Yes she did. I knew right away what she had done. When I went to the house where she worked, she insisted that you were her daughter. The man she worked for was a powerful judge. He had the papers drawn up and made you legally hers. I’ll never know how she did it or why they helped her, but that’s what happened. There was nothing I could do so I left and Jeremiah and I tried to go on with life without you..”
“But you were always around. You took care of me for all those years.”
“Almost a year after Faith took you away, Jeremiah was killed. He was in a carriage accident on the way back from work. After Faith found out, she asked me to come be your nanny. I knew I’d never get to see you otherwise so I agreed.”
“Why did you never tell me this before? Didn’t you want me to know.”
“Ruth I wanted you to know more than anything. I hated myself everyday for letting Faith control me like she did. But what choice did I have. It was go along with her or lose you forever.”
“Then why did you leave?”
“Faith made me leave. When you were five, you started calling me ma. I spent so much time with you, much more than my sister did. I guess little kids know who takes care of em. Well when you started that. Faith thought that I had told you. I didn’t of course, but she couldn’t believe that. She let me stay another five years, but we were both punished every time she heard you call me ma. Eventually, you grew out of it. You called her ma and I was just there to take car of you. But you still loved me more and she knew it. She sent me away so that there would be no competition for you.”
“I don’t know what to say. I used to wish that you were my mother…so that you could come back and take me away…but you never came back…I figured you really didn’t love me anymore…”
“Ruth I always loved you and always will. I’m sorry for everything.”
“Don’t be sorry. I know what ma, I mean Faith can do. I know now that you couldn’t change things.”
“I would have if I could.”
“I know. I love you…ma.”
“That’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard.”
**********
“Why isn’t she waking up Michaela?”
“Andrew Colleen is very weak right now. She just needs to rest. Then she’ll wake up.”
“Andrew there’s something you need to know…Colleen had a miscarriage.”
“No! That can’t be. You’re wrong!”
“I’m sorry but it’s true.”
“We wanted this so much. Why did this happen?”
“Her body was sick Andrew. It couldn’t support the baby.”
“What am I going to tell her when she wakes up?”
“Tell her you love her, let her know it’s not her fault, and be sure she knows you’re here for her. That’s all you can do.”
**********
Katie timidly stepped towards the bed. She was frightened by everything that had happened. At three-years-old she didn’t understand any of the events going on around her. After having a chance to see Colleen, Sully had taken her to Sam’s room. “Sam is miss you Sam. You takin a long nap and I no like that. I want ta play Sam. Can you wake up so’s we’s can play?”
Katie was crying by the time she had finished talking. Sully took the sad and confused child into his arms. “Hey Katie girl, don’t cry.”
“Mama say Sam sick Poppy.”
“Yes she is Katie. Sam had to have an operation.”
“Mama cut her!”
“Yes Katie. Mama was trying to make Sam better.”
“I wants Sam to be better Poppy. She’s my bestest friend.” Katie sobbed, burying her head in her father’s neck.
Sully gently stroked her hair and rocked the little girl soothingly. “I know ya do sweet girl, I know.”
*********
“Grace why did you never tell me ‘bout Ruth?” Robert E had remained in the hall, but when Grace finally emerged from the room, he confronted her. HE wasn’t angry, but he did feel like Grace didn’t trust him, that she didn’t think he could handle the information about her past.
“Robert E, I’ve tried a thousand times to tell you. But I’ve also tried a thousand times to forget. It was too painful to have her so far away. I thought that if I forgot about her the pain would go away.”
“When you love someone, you never forget em.” Robert E told her. “Sometimes you just gotta move on. But you got a second chance Grace.”
“I would’ve told you before but I wasn’t sure how you would have reacted.”
“Grace we both had lives before we met. Not everythin in our past is pleasant. I woulda been there for you. Just like you supported me with dealing with my past, I would’ve helped you too.
“I finally get my little girl back and now she’s dying. I don’t know if I can stand ta lose her again.”
“I know it’ll be difficult Grace, but I love you. I wouldn’t let you deal with this alone.”
“I love you Robert E.”
Chapter 17
“Dr. Mike! Come quick! Ruth she’s not breathin!”
Michaela and Tim both rushed to the room when they heard Grace call. Unfortunately it was too late. Ruth was already gone.
“I’m sorry Grace.”
“No Dr. Mike she can’t be dead…you’ve gotta do somthin.”
“There’s nothing I can do. She’s gone…Robert E maybe you should take her out.”
“No I’m not leavin… I can’t leave my baby! Not again. Please just let me sit with her for a bit.”
“Alright there’s no harm in that.” They left Grace and Ruth alone.
“Robert E. what is she talking about? Isn’t Ruth her niece?” Michaela questioned once they were in the hall.
“Actually, she’s Grace’s daughter. It’s a long story…” Tim went to check on the other patients while Robert E. told the story to Dr. Mike. His first stop was Teresa Slicker. “Dr. Mike…Can you come in here…and quickly!”
*********
Michaela stepped outside the clinic and looked around Not seeing those she expected she went looking. Down the road she found Matthew. “Matthew have you seen Jake?” she asked him.
“Last I saw he was at the saloon, but Hank closed up so he could be with Myra and Sam. I don’t know where Jake’s at now.”
“Thank you Matthew.” Dr. Mike quickly made her way to Jake’s shop. She found the barber have drung in the back room. “Jake we need to talk.”
“I don’t wanna talk ta anyone.” he slurred.
“Jake please you need to come over to the clinic. I’m afraid Teresa is doing very poorly.”
“Ya can’t let her die Dr. Mike.”
“I'm sorry Jake. We’ve done everything we can. But her kidney’s and liver are failing and I’m afraid her heart is ready to give out as well.”
“No!” Jake rushed p[sat her in a drunken rage. He ran sown the street to the clinic and raced up the stairs to his wife’s side.
“I’m sorry Jake.” Tim began. “She gone.”
“No she’s not! Teresa please don’t leave me…please…”
******
The town had gathered around the burial site once more. She was the seventh person to die in the epidemic, but to them she was not just a number. Teresa had become part of their town and was loved. But now she was gone and her friends had gathered to mourn her.
The Reverend spoke from his heart. He had been asked to say a few words when the Catholic priest was unable to catch a stage. “Life is a precious thing. We sometimes take for granted the time we have with our loved ones. Let this day be a reminder that our time here on earth is short.”
Long after the crowd had cleared, Jake remained at the site of his wife’s burial. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do without ya Teresa. Ever since you came inta my life I’ve been a different man. I was better and you made me that way. I don’t wanna be the man I was…but I don’t know what else to do…” With those final words, Jake took out a flask of alcohol from his breast pocket and began his downward spiral.
When Andrew got back from Teresa’s funeral, he immediately returned to Colleen’s side. It was not long before she began complaining of pain in her side. Andrew knew he had to tell her what had happened, though it killed him to do so. “Colleen you have the malaria…” he began. “I’m sorry but you had a miscarriage… you are still experiencing some cramping from that.”
“No.” Colleen whispered as tears sprang to her eyes. “That can’t be Andrew…our baby can’t be gone…Please tell me you’re lying.”
“Colleen I’m telling the truth.”
“Oh god! Andrew I’m so sorry…you told me not to work and I wouldn’t listen! This is all my fault…”
“No Colleen I was wrong. This isn’t your fault. It’s no one’s fault.”
“But had I stayed at home I would have never gotten sick. Then we’d still have our baby.”
“You made a choice and followed the path that you thought was correct. There’s nothing that makes you to blame. We can try again as soon as you’re well again. Now try and get some rest. You need to stay strong and beat this.” Andrew took her in his arms and she fell asleep in his embrace. “I love you Colleen.” He whispered lovingly into her ear.
*********
“Mama?”
“Sam? Oh Samantha honey you’re awake!”
“Mama I don’t feel good.”
“I know sweetheart.”
“I’ll go get one of the doctors. “Hank offered.
“Hello Samantha.” Dr. Mason greeted.
“Hi.”
“Can I take a look at you to make sure you’re doing ok?”
“Will it hurt?”
“It might hurt a little, but I’m going to have your mother sit by you and hold your hand.”
“Alright.” Sam whimpered.
After concluding his examination, Tim sat down next to the bedside. “I have some good news and some bad news.” He began. “First, I’m going to need to take a blood sample. The good news is if that is clear that means she’s going to be alright.”
“She hates needles.” Myra warned.
“Sam if you work with me, I can make it so it only hurts a little….Now I’ll be right back.”
Tim returned a few minute’s later with the necessary equipment to draw the child’s blood. “Ok now Samantha I want you to look at your ma and don’t look away ok. Just a little stick and it’ll be over….There done.”
“You done all ready?!” Sam asked astonished.
“Yes I am. Would you like to help me?”
“Yea!”
“Ok I’m going to put this here under the microscope and I want you to tell me what you see.”
“I see bugs!” she exclaimed.
“Hank, please get Dr. Quinn.” Tim whispered over his shoulder. “How many bugs?” He question the child.”
“Not’s a lot. There more bugs in the grass.”
When Michaela came in, she saw the once sick child sitting up in bed. She was amazed by how well she looked. “Tim you wanted to see me?”
“I wanted you too look at this slide. I believe Sam is getting better, but I have not seen her pervious samples so I’m not sure….Sam I need Dr. Mike to look at this now ok?”
Michaela took over the microscope and was amazed at what she saw. “My goodness there must be have as many parasites as before! Tim this is wonderful!”
“What does that mean?” Hank asked as he stood in the doorway.
“It means Sam is better.” Dr. Mason informed them
“Really! She’s gonna be ok?” Myra asked hopefully.
“Well we’ll have to keep her here for a few days and make sure nothing progresses. We’ll continue to test her blood every few days, but yes it looks like she is going to be alright.” Michaela said.
Chapter 18
Ruth’s funeral ceremony was one of great melancholy. Most of the town now knew that she was Grace’s long-lost daughter. They all felt a terrible sadness for Grace. The Reverend was especially sympathetic in her closing words. “There are some things in this life that we will never understand. We follow the path that we believe is heading in the right direction. Sometimes that path is not the correct one. Other times it leads exactly where you want to be.
Ruth was lucky. After taking numerous paths that led elsewhere, she finally found the path that would bring her happiness. For the last days of her life, she was finally at peace. She found a family that loved her, one that should have been hers all along.
Unfortunately one of the things we will never understand is why god takes away our children. Ruth finally found the right path, but her journey was cut short.
We now must pray that her family can remember the time they had together, as short as it was.
Please join hands for the final prayer.”
******
“Please Andrew, I just want to go home.”
“Alright, but the family wants to see you.”
“They don’t understand. They think that because I’m physically fine that I’m better. But I’m not Andrew.”
“I know you’re still hurting Colleen. I am too. But if anyone will understand it’s Michaela and Sully. They know what it’s like to lose a child. Maybe it would help to talk to them.”
“I don’t want to talk with them. Not yet anyway. Can we please try to handle this together?”
“If that’s what you want to do. Now how about we go home?”
“Never heard a better idea. I’m so tied of being cooped up in this clinic.”
*********
“Well that’s the last patient Michaela.”
“Oh I can’t believe it’s over. It has been so hard for everyone. Thank you for coming back Tim.”
“I’m glad I could help. I only wish I could have done more. How many people died all together?”
“Nine. I just can’t figure it out. Teresa and Ruth both died but Samantha, whose condition was worse for quite some time survived. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it.”
“Sometimes things are like that.”
“Tim I know you’ve felt that I have neglected you as my partner and I have to agree. I always assumed that Colleen and Andrew would work in my clinic with me. I never gave any regard to you being there. And I’m sorry.
“Michaela…”
“Please let me finish. I was ignorant and treated you badly. I’m asking you to give me another chance.”
“Michaela working with you all these last few weeks has made me realize that I was also wrong. You and your family are some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. I should have been proud to work with such fine doctors.”
“Then you’ll stay?”
“I’m sorry Michaela but I can’t. My life is leading me in a different direction. I have obligations in Denver now. I have to return.”
“I understand. But remember you’ll always be welcome here. You’re a great doctor Tim. Colorado Springs will miss you.”
“Thank you Michaela. I’ll remember that.”
*********
“Hank I appreciate all you’ve done for me these last few days.”
“I haven’t done nothin.”
“You were here with me. You let me know that you cared when I thought no one did.”
“Yea well…”
“Hank we both know we love each other now. Where do we go from here.”
“I guess we start with courtin.”
“That sounds like a wonderful place to start…a bit odd coming from Hank Lawson..but wonderful just the same.”
*********
“Colleen you know we’ll try again…for another baby.”
“Of course Andrew. But still I feel so empty inside. Like part of me is missing.”
“That’s something I can’t relate to. But I am here for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t approving of you working these past few weeks. I just got overwhelmed with everything. I wanted you to be safe.”
“I’ll be fine Andrew. As long as you stay by my side and support me.”
“Down every path, wherever life leads us, I’ll be here. I promise you that much.”
***That's the End! Go visit the message board! Tell me what you think!***