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“He’s at the animal hospital. He had surgery too,” said Charlie.
“Dr. Stephenson said it’s a miracle a Wolfhound his age survived the trauma. We’re going to visit him later today,” said Emily.
“I think I really messed up Thanksgiving for everyone. I don’t suppose my car survived?”
“I don’t know, Dad, but it was probably totaled. That was a huge accident. It started to rain, and the bridge iced over. Ten cars or maybe even more were involved. You’re lucky to be alive.”
“Does it hurt much?” asked Emily.
“I feel kind of like I got tossed into a dryer with some rocks and knives.” He chuckled. “Ow! It even hurts to laugh.”
“You had surgery. I bet your stomach is going to hurt for a while,” said Anne.
“Yep. Nurse Brume Hilda over there told me all about what they did to me.”
“Dad, be nice. She’s just trying to do her job and keep you alive. I heard you were fussing about that tube.”
“Oh and she’s a tattletale too.”
Charlie giggled. “Grandpa’s grouchy—he’s back to normal.”
The girls sat in the room with Grandpa and chatted until the nurse came in again. “He needs to rest now. You can come back this afternoon.”
“I don’t feel like resting.” His pouty attitude was heartening.
“You’re not going to give me any more trouble for a while.” She smiled as she injected into his IV tube. Before he could even protest, the medicine began to take effect.
“That does feel better.” He winked at the nurse before he fell asleep.
Anne asked, “Do we know when he’ll get to move to a room? Are we going to talk to a doctor?”
“The surgeon was in earlier to check his stats. He’s in surgery now, but he’ll be back to talk to the family this afternoon. I’m guessing your dad will be out of ICU by Thursday.”
On the way to see Gandalf, Anne noticed Steven had called twice while she was
in the hospital. She listened to her messages.
“Anne, I hope you’ll call soon. I’m worried about you. I hope your dad is okay and… and I hope you’ll call me.”
Then the second message. “Anne, I guess you can’t talk because you’re in the hospital. Please call me as soon as you can.”
Just as Anne was tucking her phone away, he called again. Her heart started pounding, she turned the ringer off and stashed her phone in her purse.
Charlie raised her eyebrows. “Who was that?”
“I don’t know. Probably a wrong number.”
Emily’s phone began to ring, and she answered it on the hands-free system of her car. “Hello?”
“Hi this is Steven Gherring.” His voice sounded relieved. “Is this Emily?”
Anne waved her hand in a desperate attempt for her daughters not to reveal her presence.
“We’re all in the car,” Emily said. “Mom’s here, too.”
“Anne, I’ve been trying to reach you.” His voice went husky.
“Hang on a minute.” Grinning, Charlie dug her sister’s phone out of her purse and pressed the button to transfer the call from the car speakers to the phone. “Now, you can talk to him.”
