the name and number of the top neurospecialist in the country. Now.”
“Hank, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? What’s wrong is, because of my greed, my wife may die and our baby may die with her. All because you had to push for that damn movie deal! Get me that fucking phone number and a name right now.
“By the way, you’re fired. Your severance pay will be wired to you as soon as I can get it done. Goodbye, Jackie.” He hung up and paced the floor as fear for his wife and unborn child coursed through him, threatening to rip him apart.
After Jackie finally sent him a name and number via text, he spent the next half an hour on the phone with a doctor who knew another doctor purported to be the best neurospecialist in the world. He was the guy to contact if a patient had sustained a serious head injury.
“Hank, someone would like to speak with you.”
Dr. Radcliffe was suddenly on the phone. He explained that he happened to be in town for a medical seminar and had overheard a colleague speaking to Hank on the phone.
“I’d like to offer you and your wife my services. You could say, heads are my thing. When dealing with a head injury, especially one of this magnitude, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Dr. Radcliffe went on to explain the different scenarios and possible outcomes to Hank.
“Of course, all of this is from a sight-unseen point of view and I’m not trying to overwhelm you, I just need you to understand how delicate the situation is.”
Hank couldn’t refuse the doctor’s offer to take care of Kallie. He’d do anything to save his wife and baby.
“Mr. Fogle, I know you’re upset. We’ll talk more about this as soon as I get there. Try to stay calm. I’m about ten minutes away.”
Hank hung up and rushed back to his wife’s side, where he waited for what he hoped was another miracle.
When Dr. Radcliffe arrived, Hank shook his hand and thanked him for coming. Out in the hallway, they spoke in hushed tones as Dr. Radcliffe went over the hospital’s report and what kind of outcome they could expect for Kallie and the baby.
“I understand your pain, Hank. Just think positive thoughts. Why don’t you go down and grab some coffee while I go over these charts with the attending physician and we’ll talk again in a little while.”
Hank walked back into his wife’s room and kissed her on the lips. Her face was virtually unharmed aside from the black eyes caused by the massive blow to her head. Those would heal quickly. However, she had multiple fractured ribs and the doctor said her body was bruised from neck to ankles. It was killing him to see his wife lie there unconscious and broken!
“I’ll be right downstairs, Kal. I love you. Please wake up,” He whispered as he touched his lips to her forehead which was covered in a massive pile of bandages
He left the room with his head bowed, not wanting to see the looks of pity from the hospital’s staff. Hank ventured down to the cafeteria and stared into a cup of coffee. He couldn’t drink it. Not while his wife lay motionless upstairs in a cold and sterile hospital bed. Visions of Kallie’s beautiful face when she’d spoken her vows, how she’d cried when he’d spoken his filled his thoughts. He’d sworn to protect and love her. He’d already failed miserably.
After he’d sat there for what felt like hours, Dr. Radcliffe slid into a chair across from him.
“Hank? Are you going to be okay? You’re looking a bit peaked.”
“No, Doctor, I don’t think I am. Not until I know my wife and child will pull through this.”
“Well, I have some good news for you. It isn’t the best, but it’s positive.”
“I’ll take any good news you can give me, Sir.”
Dr. Radcliffe went on to explain the extent of Kallie’s injuries. Yes, the attending physician had been right. It would take time for Kallie to heal, but her prognosis was very good. Being young and healthy was hugely in her favor and the