The Legacy: Making Wishes Come True

by Lurlene McDaniel

  The nurse rifled through some papers. “There’s a hold order on her case.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning that her family has requested that nothing be done until another doctor’s been called in for a consultation.”

  Richard pondered the news. Marian Crawford must be seeking a specialist for Jenny. He thought it was a good idea, but it also made him feel uneasy. What kind of specialist, he wondered. His watch indicated that it was eight A.M. He’d half expected Marian to have arrived by now. Something was going on; he wished he knew what.

  He had checked on Jenny throughout the long night, sleeping in spurts, and although she had slept soundly, he could tell by looking at her that she wasn’t any better. He was positive that she’d valiantly attempted breakfast only because he’d forced the issue.

  When he returned to Jenny’s room, he found that she’d fallen back to sleep. He was relieved, because he didn’t have anything to tell her and he didn’t want her to worry about torturous tests that probably involved needles and unsympathetic lab technicians.

  An hour later, she was still asleep and he was reading the morning paper in the lounge when the elevator opened and Marian Crawford stepped out.

  “How’s Jenny?” she asked anxiously. Concern lined her face, and in spite of her fresh appearance, Richard guessed that she’d not slept much either the night before.

  “Jenny had a good night. She’s sleeping now.”

  “Thank you for staying with her.”

  “I stayed because I wanted to.”

  She lifted an eyebrow, but he didn’t flinch. “I’ve been on the phone half the night with my personal physician in Boston and several specialists he recommended.”

  Richard pictured doctors all over Boston being routed out of bed in the middle of the night to take Dame Marian’s calls. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re flying back to Boston this afternoon.”

  His stomach tightened. “Where will you put her?”

  “In Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s the best facility in the region for her perceived medical problem.”

  An alarm went off in Richard’s head. “They know what’s wrong with her?”

  “I insisted that the results of last night’s lab work be sent directly to my doctor. He called me at midnight, and we made the decision to move her.”

  Richard felt suddenly alert as adrenaline pumped through him. All his life, he’d thought Marian very intimidating, knowing her to be a tough businesswoman, but also soft as a marshmallow when it came to Jenny. He’d always shown her deference, yet now he refused to be cowed by her. “Mrs. Crawford, please tell me what’s going on. Tell me what’s wrong with Jenny.”

  She didn’t speak immediately, as if she was weighing her options. Finally, she said, “Last night, Jenny’s white blood count was over two hundred thousand.”

  He wished he’d paid more attention during biology class. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means.”

  “I didn’t either. I asked and was told that normal is about ten thousand.”

  He gave a low whistle. “She’s twenty times normal.”

  “I had my physician call the ER doctor, and afterward, when we discussed their conversation, he suggested that I get her to a specialist as quickly as possible.”

  “A specialist at Boston Children’s,” Richard said with a nod. “What kind of specialist?”

  “A pediatric oncologist.”

  Before Richard could ask, Jenny’s grandmother told him, “A cancer specialist,” Marian’s voice caught. “They believe Jenny has leukemia.”

  Five

  “LEUKEMIA?” THE WORD tasted foreign on his tongue, and he didn’t like it.

  “It’s a type of cancer of the blood.” Richard knew what leukemia was. Marian continued, her voice trembling and her face lined with worry. “They’ve told me there are several kinds, so her specific variety must be determined by specific testing. Children’s Hospital is the foremost facility in the Northeast for treating cancer in the young.”

  “Cancer? Jenny has cancer?” Richard felt as if he’d been hurled against a stone wall.

  “Very probably.”

  “But … but that’s impossible.” He couldn’t absorb it, couldn’t accept it.

  “I’ve spent the longest night of my life over this,” Marian said. “I’m prepared for the worst, but I’m holding out hope that her problem can be explained in some other way.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know what to say …”

  “Don’t say anything,” Marian directed in her best no-nonsense tone. “Especially to Jenny. She must not know what she’s being tested for.”

  Richard jerked up his head and leveled a long look at Marian. “You can’t hide the truth from her.”

  “I can, and I will. And so will you.” Her shoulders slumped slightly, and she continued in a kinder voice. “There’s no need to alarm her at this point. After all the test results are in at Children’s, then I will do whatever her oncologist recommends.”

  Richard agreed with her logic. Of course, there was no need to say anything to Jenny at this stage. If it was a mistake, then no harm would have to be undone. Why, they might actually laugh about it. He’d take her sailing and tease her with, “Remember the time they thought you had cancer?”

  She would laugh and say, “How could they have been so dumb? Imagine, a few bruises and a high white blood count, and they misdiagnose leukemia.”

  If it was true—Richard halted his train of thought. It couldn’t be true. “What do you want me to do, Mrs. Crawford?”

  “I want you to act as if you know nothing.”

  “Won’t she wonder what’s going on when you head back to Boston?”

  “Probably. But I intend to continue playing the eccentric old grandmother who won’t allow local medical personnel to handle my beloved granddaughter’s case. She’ll accept that. She’s seen me in action before.”

  Richard felt a grudging respect for the woman. She was sharp and clever, and most of all, she loved Jenny with a vengeance. Nothing would get past her when it came to any treatment that Jenny might need. “I’ll help however I can. In fact, I’ll fly over with you.”

  “That’s one sure way to tip her off,” Marian replied. “She will expect you to stay put if there’s nothing seriously wrong with her.”

  “Jenny knows I’m due at my father’s law offices at nine o’clock Monday morning to start work. I wasn’t planning to show up.”

  “You were going to defy your father?” Marian looked aghast.

  “I wasn’t going to let him force me into doing something I didn’t want to do.”

  She gave a short, cryptic laugh. “Yes, I heard the same words from my own son, Jenny’s father, some eighteen years ago.”

  Warren Crawford had defied his mother? Richard thought the information amazing. He returned to his original train of thought by saying, “My decision not to show up has changed now. So long as Jenny’s in the hospital in Boston, I’ll stay in the city and work for my father. I’m pretty sure he’ll give me time off to visit her whenever I want.”

  Marian looked as if she might say something about his plans, but for some reason, she changed her mind. She straightened and turned to leave the visitors’ lounge. “I’m going to check on Jenny now. I’ve already informed the administration that I’ll be moving her to Children’s. Our flight leaves at four this afternoon. I only hope I can convince her that this move is purely routine.”

  Routine. It was the second time that morning he’d heard the word. A sixteen-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her may be about to learn she has cancer—what could possibly be routine about that? Richard clenched his fists. “I’ll call home and let mother know my plans. She can pack my things and probably get me on the same flight.”

  “Very well,” Marian said. Richard couldn’t help noticing that her inflection sounded more like permission than acceptance.

  Jenny felt as if a curtain of secrecy had
descended around her while her grandmother busied herself with plans for returning to Boston. Even Richard seemed to be a part of the conspiracy of silence. While she was thrilled to know he’d be coming to Boston with them that afternoon, he was acting far too casual about returning in order to work for his father’s law firm. She remembered how angry he’d been about it at the country club. Was there more going on than he and Grandmother were telling her?

  They left the hospital and rode in Grandmother’s Lincoln to the airport, where the chauffeur unloaded their bags and they boarded a plane for the bumpy flight over the water to the metropolitan Boston area. Another chauffeured car met them and took them directly to Children’s Hospital.

  Jenny felt overwhelmed by the enormous facility, so totally different from the tiny community hospital on Martha’s Vineyard. The new hospital soared ten stories and sprawled over two city blocks. Once inside, she was whisked up to a top floor and ushered into a private room with windows overlooking downtown Boston. The room held not only a bed, but a sofa, TV, and stocked refrigerator.

  “Grandmother!” Jenny exclaimed. “This place looks like a hotel suite.”

  “Money can buy some amenities, dear. I want you to be comfortable.”

  Richard caught Jenny’s eye and flashed her a look that said, Don’t fight it.

  “I really don’t need all this.”

  “Nonsense. This ordeal is stressful enough.”

  “I didn’t know hospitals had rooms like this,” Richard commented. “Especially a kids’ hospital.”

  “Children of celebrities become ill too,” Marian replied, opening dresser drawers. “Did you think they weren’t given preferential treatment?”

  “I’m not the queen of England.”

  Marian brushed off Jenny’s remark. “Your doctor will be in later this evening to meet you. His name is Jason Gallagher, and I’m assured he’s one of the best.”

  “The best for what?”

  Marian barely missed a beat before answering, “The best diagnostician in the area. He’ll get to the bottom of what’s ailing you.”

  “So I will have to go through a bunch of awful tests after all.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Marian took Jenny’s hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you through each one of them. And so will Mrs. Kelly.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “The private-duty nurse I’ve hired to stay with you.”

  Jenny glanced furtively toward Richard. Of course, it would be impossible for him to remain with her. He looked dead on his feet anyway.

  “I’ll be over to see you as soon as I get off work tomorrow,” he told her.

  “Why don’t you get into bed, my dear,” Grandmother said. “You must be exhausted.”

  She was tired. She felt sick again too. The doctor at the other hospital had given her plenty of medication, but the effects had worn off. Richard stepped out of the room, and she changed into a white lacy cotton nightgown her grandmother had purchased for her. “Nothing like something new to make a girl feel good,” Grandmother remarked cheerfully. “You look very pretty, Jenny.”

  “I look awful,” Jenny said. “The gown looks very pretty.” She snuggled beneath the crisp, clean sheets. “I wish I were home.”

  “Me too.” Grandmother kissed her cheek. “You get some rest, and I’ll see to it that Richard gets to his place. He’s had a long couple of days.”

  Suddenly, Jenny didn’t want to be left alone. “You’ll be back?”

  “Absolutely. I want to meet this highly touted young doctor who’s supposed to take care of you.”

  “Be nice to him, Grandmother.”

  “Don’t lecture me, dear. I expect top performances from the people I hire.”

  Jenny sighed in exasperation. “Sometimes you have to play by other people’s rules.”

  Grandmother scoffed and unpacked Jenny’s things.

  When Jenny was finally alone, she hated it. The room was too big, too quiet. As if in response to her yearning for company, the door swung open and a woman dressed in a white uniform entered. “Hi, I’m Alice,” she said. “I’ve come to draw a little blood for the lab boys.” Jenny swallowed hard. For a moment, she’d forgotten where she was. “Are you Jenny?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes grew wide at the sight of the needle.

  “I’m really pretty good.” Alice said sympathetically. “Some people tell me they don’t feel a thing.”

  Jenny wanted Richard with her, then realized that even if he were, she’d still have to give her blood. She bravely held out her arm. Lesson number one, she told herself. Some things you have to do on your own.

  Six

  LATER THAT NIGHT, Jenny met Dr. Gallagher. He was a large man with flyaway copper-red hair, freckles, and a big, booming voice filled with enthusiasm. Jenny liked him instantly. “I want you to know, Jenny, that I’m absolutely honest with my patients. I won’t lie to you, and I won’t hide information. But I also expect my patients to level with me and do what I tell them.”

  Taken aback, Jenny nodded. Why would she have a reason to lie to him? And why would a doctor conceal information? “I’ll try,” she said.

  “I’m sending you down for a battery of tests starting first thing in the morning. Some won’t be too pleasant, others will be a snap. Once the results are analyzed, I’ll give you a full report and map out a medical protocol for you. Fair enough?”

  Bewildered, she nodded. She didn’t even know what they were testing her for. She started to ask, but her grandmother entered the room with an older woman, the private-duty nurse, Mrs. Kelly, and Dr. Gallagher hurried off to see other patients. “I wanted to talk to him,” Jenny told her grandmother.

  “He’ll have a long consultation with you when the test results are in,” Grandmother assured her with a smile that never made it to her saddened eyes.

  The next morning, after her blood work, Jenny was taken down to radiology for a round of X rays and then to a room with a lab table. Dr. Gallagher greeted her as he pulled on latex gloves. “Hop up,” a young intern assisting him said.

  “Why?”

  “We’re going to do a bone marrow aspiration.”

  “What’s that?”

  Dr. Gallagher explained, “I told you last night I would be open with you, and I will. We’re going to put you on your stomach with a pillow under your hips. I’ll paint some Betadine—that’s an iodine-based antiseptic solution—on the skin to kill bacteria, then I’ll give you a little shot to numb the area. Next, I’ll insert a special syringe through the skin, into the pelvic bone, and draw out some bone marrow.”

  Jenny gasped. If she could have jumped off the table and fled the room, she would have. “Will it hurt?”

  “You’ll feel a sensation of pressure, maybe some pain. It’s different for every patient. But I won’t take long, so it will be over quickly. Maybe five minutes.”

  The five minutes seemed like an eternity to Jenny. She tried to ignore the smells and sounds, refusing to watch the procedure by keeping her gaze focused on a small dark stain on the wall in front of her. She attempted to keep track of Dr. Gallagher’s rambling, constant conversation, but when she felt the pressure deep inside her hip, the pulling sensation as the spongy marrow of her bones was sucked into a needle, she felt nauseated and lightheaded. For a second, she thought she might pass out.

  “All done,” Dr. Gallagher announced. “You did well, Jenny.” He patted her arm, and she let out her breath and blinked back tears. “You’ll probably be sore there for a few days, so take it easy.”

  “Now what?” she asked.

  “Now I send everything to the lab. We’ll have some definite answers by tomorrow.”

  At the end of a grueling day, Jenny was glad to be back in her room, even though she was lonely. Mrs. Kelly was nice enough, but Jenny didn’t have much in common with her. When Richard showed up right after supper, Jenny threw her arms around him.

  “Nice greeting,” he said, hugging her in return.

&nbs
p; Self-conscious about her childlike display of affection, Jenny pulled away. “They stuck needles into my bones, Richard.”

  He blanched. “I’m sorry.”

  “I hate it here, and no one’s telling me anything.”

  He glanced about evasively. “I’m sure they’ll tell you everything once the results are in.”

  “It’s my body. It’s me this is happening to. Why won’t they tell me anything?” Richard paced to the window and stared gloomily out onto the city below. Jenny caught herself and said, “I don’t mean to take it out on you. It’s just been a long day.”

  “You can take it out on me all you want,” he said moodily.

  She sighed. “Let’s start over. Come here and tell me about your first day on the job.”

  He came back to her bedside, but she could tell he was tense and uneasy. “It went all right. My father was in court most of the day, so one of the junior partners took me under his wing. I’ve got a lot of research to do in the law library for a case he’s prosecuting.”

  “Looks like neither one of us is doing what we wanted to do this summer.”

  He reached out and brushed her cheek. “So it seems.”

  Just his touch set butterflies into motion in her stomach. “When they figure out what’s wrong and I get out of this place, we’ll go spend an afternoon in our cave, all right?”

  “All right.” Their gazes held. Richard hated himself for keeping the truth from her. Why had he made such a promise to her grandmother? Why didn’t Marian realize that sooner or later, Jenny would discover the truth and maybe hate them both for keeping it from her? He cleared his throat. “I should be going.”

  “You just got here.” She looked hurt. Richard was afraid to stay much longer. He was afraid he’d blurt out something he shouldn’t.

  “I’ll be back tomorrow when I can stay longer.” Besides, he told himself, by tomorrow, she might know the truth.

  Marian came by right after Richard left. “What’s the problem?”