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Je
Her only thought was to get to Lee as soon as possible.
* * * *
Je
There was a crush of reporters in the lobby of the hospital, and she pushed past them impatiently. A hospital spokesman was dealing with them, handing out the usual party line about “resting comfortably” and “everything possible being done.” Je
But she soon discovered that no one would tell her anything. She wasn’t a member of the family, or part of the team’s staff, and she couldn’t even find out what floor Lee was on. She was standing in the reception area, terrified, frustrated, when she saw Joe Thornridge speeding in a side door, dodging the press, his face hunched into his collar. They were listening to the administrator and didn’t see him.
Je
He jumped when she grabbed his arm, whirling to face her.
“Joe, it’s me.”
His eyes widened. “Je
“I didn’t want the reporters to see you. How is he?”
Joe’s plain face darkened with concern. “Not good, sugar, not good. He’s still out, and these doctors here can’t seem to figger why.”
The knot forming in Je
“I screwed up, is what happened,” Joe said miserably. “I overshot him by a mile, but you know he’s always got to try for ‘em, even if they’re twenty feet over his head. Banks never woulda been able to nail him like that if he hadn’t been reachin’ for the moon.”
“Where is he?”
“Third floor. Intensive care.”
“Intensive care?” Je
Joe put his arm around her and steadied her against his side. “Hey, hey, li’l lady, take it easy.” He turned her to face him and put his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her. He didn’t say anything for a few seconds, just studied her expression. Then he stepped back and took her hand. “C’mon, sugar,” he said quietly. “We’ll go up and see what the story is.”
The ride on the elevator seemed endless. Je
The scene outside intensive care was grim. Roy O’Grady and Coach Rankin sat on one of the visitors’ benches, furiously puffing cigarettes and whispering. They reminded Je
Mrs. Danbury took one look at Je
Joe obliged, walking to a water cooler at the end of the hall, and Mrs. Danbury extended her hand. “You must be Je
Je
Mrs. Danbury led her to a seat next to Dawn and then sat herself, putting Je
“Did you call Sal Barbetti back?” Rita asked him.
Joe nodded.
“Is that the man who owns the restaurant?” Je
Joe nodded again.
“When I was there with Lee, he said something about a favor Lee did for his son. Do you know what that was?”
“Oh, his kid got into some trouble with the police when he was out to see his cousin Angelo. Lee vouched for the kid to the cops, took him in to live with him while the kid was on probation, saved him from a juvenile home, certain. Sal would do anythin’ for Lee.”
So would I, Je
A doctor emerged from the private room, and everybody stood. He shook his head. “I’m sorry. He’s still unconscious.”
Everybody sat down again, dispiritedly. Rita Danbury patted Je
Dawn spoke up. “May I see him, Doctor?”
The doctor nodded. “Just for a minute,” he said. “Since you’re family.”
Je
Dawn met her glance. “I am a distant cousin,” she said. “But since the rest of Lee’s relatives are in Montana, I am taking responsibility.” She followed the doctor into the room.
Je
When Dawn came out again after a short interval she said, “Would you let this young lady see him, please?” She indicated Je
The doctor hesitated, and then agreed, reluctantly. “All right. But be quick about it.”
Je
She paused at the foot of the bed, as the doctor gently pulled the door closed. At first glance Lee looked asleep, but closer examination revealed an unhealthy pallor beneath his coppery skin. His black hair was like an ink stain against the stark whiteness of the pillow. Traces of the blackout he had worn during the game remained under his eyes, making the sockets appear hollowed and sunken. His big hands, which could play Chopin, catch a football from any angle, and make love to Je
Je
“I love you,” she said, because she knew he couldn’t hear it. “Please wake up, and get well.”
Then she marched out of the room and down the hall to the lounge, pushing through the swinging door and walking straight to the window overlooking the parking lot. She cried silently, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
She turned at a slight sound behind her. Joe was standing against the wall, his hands in his pockets, watching her. He held out his arms, and she ran into them.
“Oh, Joe,” Je
“No, no,” Joe murmured soothingly, rubbing her back as if he were burping a baby. “Course not, course not Need more’n a li’l ol’ bump on the head to take that Injun out.” Joe’s drawl was becoming more pronounced as the evening wore on. But it came and went, like the tide.
“But he looks so...still,” Je
“Why, sure he does. That’s just because you’re not used to seein’ him stayin’ in one position that long. He’s always ru
Je
* * * *
They kept vigil all night long. Rita Danbury went out for coffee at about 3 AM., and Joe called his wife twice, for moral support, since there was nothing to report. Je
Carl punched Joe on the shoulder. Rita gestured to the rising sun through the window, and said, “Amen. Joy cometh in the morning.”