Page 39 of Rescue Them

“Okay.”He shifted in the uncomfortable chair.

“There’s a surgical waiting room you can use once they take her out of the ER.They’ll contact you there, and after that she’ll be admitted to a room.The staff there can tell you where she’ll be.”He left, and Lyle turned to his mother who hadn’t moved, other than the slow rise and fall of her chest.

Lyle stood and went down the hall to use the bathroom.He passed a number of rooms, including one that made him stop in his tracks.A man lay on the bed, holding his arm, which looked a bloody mess.He glanced at his face and tried not to react.He continued on, used the restroom, and headed back to where his mother still lay without any change.

A nurse came in to check on his mom.“Can I ask you something.That man down the hall, the one with the injured arm.Was he bitten by a dog?”

Her eyes widened slightly, which told Lyle all he needed to know.“Are you some sort of injury reader?That’s what we all thought happened, but he made up some story about being attacked by a bear in woods.”

“He’s a dogfighter.So yeah.He could very well have been bitten by one of his own dogs,” he told the nurse, who bit her lower lip.“And let me guess, the guy is a bit of an ass.”He had that feeling about him, even though he had dealt with him only the one time.She nodded and finished checking his mom’s IV.

AFTER WHATfelt like forever, they came in to take his mom to surgery.Lyle left to head for the waiting room, where he found James sitting in one of the chairs.“How long have you been here?”

James closed his book.“Maybe half an hour.I asked someone tell you that I was here, but I guess they didn’t feel the need.”He met the gaze of the woman behind the counter with a scowl.“What’s going on?”

“She’s being taken to surgery, and that’s about all they know now.It’s not the cancer, but what’s causing the infection may be because of the cancer.They don’t really know, but they think if they get the procedure done, it will help on both counts.I don’t really know.”Thankfully, James opened his arms, and Lyle went right into them.“I’m scared to death.”

“It’s going to be all right.She’s a fighter, you know that.And they’re doing what they were going to do in a few weeks, so hopefully this will all be over.”From his lips to God’s ears.

Lyle leaned against James’s shoulder, his leg bouncing with nervous energy.“I thought you had to study for an exam tomorrow.”

“I was just about done, and….”

Lyle sat up straight.“I don’t want to be the cause of you not getting the marks you deserve.There’s nothing you can do other than sit up with me until God knows what time.”He closed his eyes and then snapped them open.“Oh yeah, I didn’t tell you.The dogfighter guy, he was in the ER while Mom was.Apparently his arm was ripped up by a dog.”

James sat up straighter.“Did you call the police?They are probably looking for him.”

“No.I mean, at this hour?”

James pulled out his phone and made a call.Lyle leaned against him once more, just listening to his voice as he spoke softly into the phone.“Yes, I’ll hold a minute.”He sat still and quietly.“Sure.”He gave his number.“He can call me back.”James ended the call and set his phone on the arm of the chair.

“Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” James told him.

“I can’t until I know if she’s okay,” Lyle said.“I’ll just worry.”He checked the screen for his mother’s surgery status.There was only one going on, so it wasn’t difficult to know which one was hers.He found himself staring at it, willing something to change.But the procedure was still active.

James’s phone vibrated, and he answered right away.“Thanks for calling back.”He spoke for a few minutes and then handed the phone to him.

“Hello?”Lyle was a little blinky.

“This is officer Redmond Markham.We have not been able to contact the suspect you referred to in your report.I understand that you’re at the hospital.”

“Yes.Out on Alexander Spring Road.My mother is having surgery, and I was in the ER with her.I saw him here.I think a dog ripped up his arm.I left that area maybe an hour ago.He was still in the ER then.”

“Thank you very much,” Red said and ended the call.Lyle handed the phone back to James and went on watching the screen and worrying about his mom, glad James was here with him, but concerned that he was putting his exams in jeopardy.

“You should go,” Lyle told him as the time kept ticking by.“There’s nothing you can do here, and you have work to do for tomorrow.”Lyle lightly stroked James’s cheek.“I love you for doing this, but I don’t want you to blow a test because of me.”

“Hey.I’m not going to blow it.I was going over material that I already had more than once.Anyway, as soon as we know your mom is out of surgery, I’ll head home and go to sleep.What about you?”

“I’ll be okay.If I have to, I’ll call in for tomorrow.”He closed his eyes and once again rested his head on James’s shoulder, knowing he would support him.

“LYLE,” JAMESsaid, pulling him out of his doze.

“I’m Dr.Ramirez.The surgery on your mother went as well as could be expected.We believe we got the entire tumor.Lab tests will confirm it over the next few days.Just as importantly, we were able to remove the source of her infection.She’s in recovery but will be moved to ICU for a day or so.The infection has taken a real toll on her, and you quite possibly saved her life by getting her here when you did.”

“Thank you,” Lyle said softly.“When can I see her?”

“Tomorrow would be best.She is still sleeping, and that’s the best thing for her.I suggest you go home and get some rest.Let her do the same.”He smiled and left the room.