Cracks in the Sidewalk(78)

“Then Elizabeth does hear us?” Charlie repeated. “But she’s unable to respond?”

“It’s feasible that she hears your voice, but as far as the degree of perceptive awareness, well…” Doctor Sorenson ended with a questioning shrug.

“Is Elizabeth experiencing any pain?” Claire asked, recalling all the tearful nights she’d spent beside her daughter.

“If she is it’s unlikely the pain is intense or prolonged. Without a response, it’s impossible for me to give a definite answer. But I’ll set Elizabeth up with a timed morphine drip. That way she’ll have the right amount of medication to keep her comfortable. At least pain will be one thing she won’t have to deal with.”

“Thank you,” Claire said wearily.

Charlie rubbed his fingers back and forth across his forehead several times. Then he spoke slowly and with sorrow. “How bad is Elizabeth?”

“I wish I could say she’s getting better,” Doctor Sorenson said. “But the truth is she’s failing.”

Failing? The word hit Charlie like a bucket of cold water. He’d never been good at comforting someone, so he’d left that to Claire. When he arrived home from the office Liz was generally sleeping. He’d tiptoe into her room, plant a kiss on her cheek, and whisper how much he loved her. He’d concentrated on making enough money to pay for her care, and until now he’d turned a blind eye to the inevitable.

But Claire had lived with it for months as she’d watched Elizabeth lose a bit more mobility each day, as she listened to the soft moans that came when the headaches grew worse, and as she prayed for her daughter’s pain to give way to restful sleep. Yes, Claire was aware, constantly aware, of her daughter’s failing health. It was a dark shadow hovering night and day, an evil voice hissing in her ear, a heavy weight crushing her spirit and pulverizing bits of hope.

But she was far from ready to acknowledge the terrible loss that lay ahead. How could a mother ever be ready for such a loss? Claire lowered her face into her hands and began to weep. Charlie moved closer and tried to provide the comfort of his arms, although his heart was also shattering.





A Change of Plans


On a Sunday David rolled a racecar across the living room floor and announced he didn’t want to go to Grandma’s house.

“Too bad about what you want,” Jeffrey snarled. “I don’t feel like being hauled into court again, so shut up and put your jacket on!”

“No!”

Jeffrey threw the jacket in the boy’s face. “Put it on!”

David batted the jacket away. “I’m not going.”

Jeffrey grabbed the boy by the arm and yanked him to his feet. “You’re going whether you like it or not! If you don’t want to go see your mother, tell her!”

“I can’t,” David sniffled, rubbing his arm.

“Why?”

“Because she’s dead.”

“Dead?” Jeffrey stared at the boy in disbelief. “What do you mean dead?”

“She doesn’t wake up anymore.”

“He’s lying!” Kimberly screamed. “Mommy’s not dead, she’s sleeping!”

“She doesn’t wake up anymore?” Jeffrey repeated. “Ever?”

“Never,” David answered glumly.

“So what do you do when you’re there?”

“We watch TV or play with stuff. Grandma gives us cookies, but we’re not allowed to go in Mommy’s room.”

“Because Mommy’s sleeping!” Kimberly squealed.

“Yeah, I bet,” Kelsey commented snidely.

“You keep out of this,” Jeffrey growled. He turned back to the children. “When was the last time you actually saw your mother?”

David shrugged but avoided looking into his father’s face.

“Was it last week?” Jeffrey asked.

“Yes!” Kimberly shouted.

“No, we didn’t!” David said eyeing his sister.

“Did so!”

“Did not!”

“Enough!” Jeffrey screamed. “Kimberly, shut up and let your brother answer.” He turned back to the boy. “Have you seen your mother since Christmas?”

David nodded but didn’t look up.

“Since Valentine’s day?”

“I don’t know.”

“He’s lying!” Kimberly shouted. “Mommy made Valentines.”

Jeffrey gave her a silencing glare, then turned back to her brother. “Is that true?”

David nodded again.

“Have you seen your mother since then?”

“Yeah, in bed.”

“Awake in bed? Or sleeping?”

“She used to be awake. Now she’s asleep.”

“So you haven’t seen or spoken to your mother for a while?”

“I told you, we’re not allowed in her room.”

“And she never comes out of the room?”

“No!” David answered emphatically.

“Ain’t you the chump,” Kelsey chided. “You been suckered into hauling the kids over there to visit your in-laws!”

“Shut up!” Jeffrey screamed. “It’s enough I gotta deal with them without having to listen to your stupidity!”