Rollover

by Susan Slater

  “Well, I’m going to start by saying, I’m guardedly optimistic. Here, I think you can see for yourselves.” He turned to the X-rays. “On the left is the first picture taken Monday. Compare it to the one taken this morning. Notice the areas here and here.” He traced a darkened area to the right side and along the internal edge of Dan’s skull with the tip of what looked to be a very expensive gold ballpoint.

  “I’ll try to put this in layman’s terms but stop me with any questions.” Elaine thought his smile was a little condescending. “An epidural hematoma may occur with trauma to the temporal bone located on the side of the head above the ear. Aside from the fact that the temporal bone is thinner than the other skull bones—” Here he stopped and pointed to a life-sized plastic model of a head on the desk in front of him. After noting that these were the three areas he was referring to, he removed the frontal, parietal, and occipital pieces to show the brain and several arteries underneath. “This is also the location of the middle meningeal artery that runs just beneath the bone.” The gold, monogrammed pen traced the area. “Fracture of the temporal bone is associated with tearing of this artery and may lead to an epidural hematoma. Or blood clot. If there’s nowhere for the blood to accumulate, pressure builds quickly—without almost immediate attention, death is a certainty. There have been a couple pretty high-profile cases in the last few years.

  “But I think we were lucky in Dan’s case. He was able to make a 9-1-1 call before he lost consciousness, and he was airlifted to the hospital in less than an hour and a half of the accident. In addition to lucking out on the time side of things, there seems to be a series of smaller, tiny actually, epidural blood clots instead of one large hematoma pushing against brain tissue. These seldom require surgery but require monitoring. We’re forty-eight hours in and I think doing remarkably well. Our guy’s a fighter. We were able to remove his breathing tube this morning.”

  “So why is he still in a coma?” Carolyn asked exactly what Elaine was thinking.

  A pause. “I’m going to say the very thing that you don’t want to hear…I don’t know. I suspect it will be short-lived. I see no medical reason for prolonged unconsciousness. But this is a head injury and all bets should be off. These things can surprise us.”

  And not in a good way, Elaine thought. “Can there be damage? Motor control, speech…?”

  “Highly improbable because of the area affected.”

  Elaine waited, but Dr. Zimmerman didn’t seem to want to elaborate; he was checking his notes. “Oh, I almost forgot. A Sheriff Howard called. He needs to interview Mr. Mahoney about the accident. I took the liberty of giving him your number and briefing him on Mr. Mahoney’s condition.” This directed at Elaine.

  “That’s fine. I’m sure with a death, there needs to be an investigation.”

  “Well, if there are no further questions…” He looked at each of them, “I’ll excuse myself. Let me reiterate I think we have a lot to be thankful for—I really think this one is going to have a happy ending.” A forced smile that didn’t reach his eyes and he was gone.

  Elaine finally broke the silence. “I need to walk Simon.”

  “I think we’ll just peek in on brother dearest and then get something to eat. Can we bring you something?”

  “No, I’ll go out later. There’s a McDonald’s about a half mile from here—I think Simon has earned a cheeseburger.”

  Carolyn paused by the door. “I decided against trying to get Mother here. You know, it seems a bit premature. Not really knowing…”

  “Besides it’d be tough to get her off that bridge-playing cruise to Barbados.” Phillip chuckled. “That woman is a mover. Does Dan know she’s still seeing Stanley?”

  “My mother’s love life is no one’s concern but her own. You make it sound like she doesn’t care about Dan.” Carolyn turned to Elaine. “She’s called every day for an update.”

  That would be twice, Elaine noted, but still certainly a show of concern.

  “Carolyn, we need to go.” Phillip opened the door, then added, “Elaine, I’m meeting with the state’s attorney general this evening. A little strategy planning for the big run, you know. It’s just a year away. I’d like Carolyn with me—think you can hold down the fort on your own?”

  “Of course. Have a good evening. I’ll call if anything changes.” The “big run”—for governor, she presumed. Phillip always seemed to be in campaign mode. And Elaine was actually relieved that she wouldn’t have to make small talk and put up with the pompous Phillip or listen to family squabbling. Families. She’d lost hers at an early age—mother and father in a car accident—raised by a grandmother. And she was never quite sure she didn’t idealize what she’d never had. Being around Carolyn brought her back to Earth.

  After a quick walk around the outskirts of the grounds, Elaine put Simon back in the car. Maybe after the cheeseburger run she’d take Simon to see Dan. It couldn’t hurt and might really help. She was certain they didn’t allow dogs, but the worst they could do is tell her to take him out. One of the night nurses seemed really sympathetic and had asked if she’d found Simon.

  ***

  Maybe she was grasping at straws or maybe it was because the breathing tube had been removed, but Elaine thought Dan’s color was a hundred percent better. Aside from the stubble of a three-day old beard, he looked…rested. Yes, that was probably the word that worked best…tanned, rested, and vital. He carried his fifty-two years extremely well. No one would guess there was a six-year difference in their ages. Prominent cheekbones, only laugh lines combined with crinkly ones around his eyes to mar an otherwise smooth face. And the longest eyelashes—why was it that men got them somehow as a birthright and women got them via Latisse—at a hundred and twenty dollars a month?

  She dragged a low-slung leather and wood chair to the side of the bed and sank back. She just needed to rest a moment. Quiet time seemed a luxury. She never realized how tired she was until she sat down. She stretched long legs out in front, then turned on her side and tucked one leg underneath her. She raised slightly to glance at Dan before crooking an elbow and resting her head on her arm.

  Long shadows had pushed into the room when Elaine awoke. Her watch said five-thirty. And her stomach signaled it was long past time to put some food in it. Had she even eaten that day? Not that McDonald’s would be her usual choice of restaurant, but she had a furry dinner partner waiting on her, which greatly narrowed dining choices.

  Simon seemed thrilled with the attention and a cheeseburger but was ecstatic when he realized he wasn’t being left in the SUV after they got back to the hospital parking lot. Elaine clipped the leash in place, admonished him to be quiet, then led him around to a side door. So much for trying to sneak in, they almost literally ran into the floor nurse going off duty.

  Elaine started to explain, but the nurse simply shrugged, “I don’t see a thing. Just keep him quiet and in the room with you.”

  Easier said than done when it came to keeping Simon quiet after he’d seen Dan. Pulling him back from putting both paws on the bed, Elaine finally let him rest his head next to Dan’s left hand and watched as Simon repeatedly nudged it with his nose.

  “Easy, Simon. I don’t think your master’s quite ready to play yet.” There was no way to dampen his enthusiasm and the squeaky whining seemed a little loud. Elaine walked to the door and shut it all the way. No need to attract attention. When she turned back, she caught her breath. There was a hand on top of Simon’s head gently patting the big dog and stroking his ears.

  “Hi.” The grin was a little lopsided and the voice thick.

  “Hi, yourself. I’ve spent a night on a lumpy cot by your side and it takes a dog to wake sleeping beauty?” It felt so good to tease again.

  “Your nose probably isn’t as cold or wet.” Dan’s laugh ended in a fit of coughing.

  “Easy. How ’bout a drink of water?” At the affirmative n
od, Elaine quickly put the bent straw in the glass on the side table and poured water from a small plastic pitcher. Hoisting the bed higher by stepping on the electric pedal on the floor, she held the glass while he drank. “Better?”

  “What’s better is seeing you.” He caught her wrist with his good hand. “I’m sorry about Ireland…again.”

  “As we keep saying, it’ll wait on us.”

  She bent down, kissed his bandaged forehead, and then pressed the red buzzer pinned to the bed sheet. “Need to let some people know you’re back among us.”

  ***

  She took a protesting Simon back to the SUV but this time climbed into the backseat beside him. Dan’s room was going to be crowded for awhile—adjusting or removing machines, running several tests—she’d go back in an hour.

  “I think we’ve won this round, Buddy.”

  She caught herself. She’d just called Simon, Buddy, the name of her black Lab that she’d lost last summer. Was Simon a replacement? Well, as much as one animal could replace another, she guessed he was. She hugged him tighter and he didn’t protest.

  She’d get a motel for the night after one last check on Dan and picking up her luggage. A good night’s sleep was in order and a shower—none too soon. They could talk plans in the morning if Dan was up to it. She knew him; he wouldn’t take it easy but would want to continue to Wagon Mound and the investigation. She couldn’t change him and what was another two or three days? Ireland would still be there next week.

  Chapter Four

  The woman standing in the doorway to Dan’s room could have been a Bette Davis stand-in—with an Audrey Hepburn pixie haircut—in red…bright, almost neon, red. Stonewashed boyfriend jeans rolled to mid-calf, a black leather boyfriend jacket over the boyfriend white shirt, tail out, and silver ballet slippers which matched the big silver hoops at her ears—had she missed dressing for effect in middle school? And now at seventy-something, she was making up for it?

  Elaine had never met Margaret Mahoney but had gotten an earful from a critical daughter and a much more forgiving son. And this was not a woman who was going to slow down anytime soon. No surprise that there was a boyfriend—maybe this Stanley had inspired the clothes. But how neat that she’d probably literally jumped ship to get here. Elaine knew Dan would be grateful.

  “I’m Elaine.” She held out her hand.

  “Maggie Mahoney. Is a hug not appropriate?” Before Elaine could decide either way, she was wrapped in a bear-grip that belied the woman’s slight frame.

  “What exquisite taste you have, my darling son. She’s just what I imagined.” Maggie called over her shoulder and then took a step back to survey Elaine. “She’s perfect for you.”

  Elaine knew her face was crimson, but at least it matched Dan’s. He was sitting on the side of the bed in slacks and shirt, sans shoes and socks. He caught Elaine staring at his bare toes.

  “Too many ‘can you wiggle these’ tests.” He pointed to his bare feet. It was obvious that he was choosing to ignore his mother and her comments on the girlfriend. The turban-bandage on his head had been replaced by a four by four-inch square gauze pad anchored by adhesive tape on his barely showing stubble of hair. “Like it?” He pointed to his shaved head.

  “It’ll grow back. But, yes, I kinda do. You have a great-shaped head.”

  “Better than Carolyn’s.” His mother chimed in. “I had a much easier time giving birth to my son.”

  “That’s a terrible thing to say.” Elaine noticed Carolyn sitting on the cot in the corner, but no Phillip. She vaguely remembered that mother and daughter were a little challenged when it came to getting along. Guess this was proof.

  “So, when are they going to give you your shoes and spring you from this place?” Elaine walked to the bed and gave Dan a peck on the cheek. Funny how even at her age, she was self-conscious in front of Mom.

  “By noon if they keep their promise. I’ve convinced them I can recoup just as well on the outside and simply check in every once in awhile.”

  “How long will you be under observation?”

  “A month.”

  Elaine tried not to react. A month? Here in northern New Mexico? Not Ireland? She realized Dan was watching her, and she quickly smiled hoping he hadn’t noticed her hesitation. “Great. I’m glad they’re being careful.”

  “Damn.” The expletive came from the cot where Carolyn had dumped her purse and was pawing through its contents. “I must have left my phone in the car. Phillip’s expecting a call—needs to know when to pick us up. It’s a long drive; I don’t want to get home too late.”

  The “us” must include Mom, Elaine thought. That would make sense; she was probably going to stay with them for a while.

  “Here’s mine.” Maggie fished in a pocket of her jacket and handed over a snappy looking iPhone in a red case.

  “Thanks.”

  The shriek caused Dan to hop off the bed and take a step toward Carolyn as the iPhone skittered across the floor.

  “What the—”

  “Oh my God. I can’t believe it.” Carolyn looked like the wind had been punched out of her as she steadied herself by slumping against the foot of Dan’s bed. “My own mother. There’s no excuse for this kind of lewd behavior.” Spittle sprayed from the corner of Carolyn’s mouth. “What if someone found you by the side of the road…found your phone—”

  “Ah, Carolyn, always the melodramatic. It’s called sexting, my dear. And that’s a picture of my birthday present.” Maggie seemed barely able to keep a straight face. “I would have assumed you’d seen something like that before. I do have a grandson. But, of course, I could be wrong.”

  Elaine bent down and retrieved the errant phone and there it was—the offensive picture, a stiffy with a bow on it. Stanley’s, she presumed. She handed the phone to Dan.

  “Hey, I’ve given that sort of gift before.” Dan sneaked a sideways look at Elaine. Elaine quickly looked away biting her bottom lip to contain the laughter.

  “You’re not seventy-plus and you didn’t advertise it. What happened to decorum? Don’t encourage her. This is juvenile behavior. The kind of behavior that could wreck Phillip’s chances to lead this great state.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to make the front page of the Albuquerque Journal.” Dan sighed. Carolyn always wore him out—her view of the world and his had never meshed.

  “Exactly. Just a little harmless fun.” Maggie took back her phone and dropped it in a pocket.

  Elaine held out her cell to Carolyn and couldn’t resist pointing to the wallpaper, “Sunflowers. Stems covered.”

  Carolyn glared at her, lips pulled into a straight line. “Not funny, but thanks.”

  Conversation was strained until Phillip got there. Then, there were assurances of all getting together again before Maggie had to go back to Scottsdale. She was here for a week and had already said she wanted to come back to Santa Fe to shop—under much happier circumstances, she added when Dan was back in the peak of health. They’d keep in touch but maybe midweek next week? A quick hug for Elaine and more comments about how she was so “right.”

  Finally the room was empty, only Dan and Elaine left. A crisis averted? Or would Maggie pay for her indiscretions? Carolyn sulking, taking Phillip aside to enlist a comrade-in-arms. Elaine didn’t think for one minute that Maggie couldn’t take care of herself, but she didn’t envy her long ride by car with the two of them.

  “I like your mother.”

  “Me, too. I hope she’ll survive to old age in spite of her daughter.”

  Any further discussion was interrupted by Dr. Zimmerman pushing open the door. “Well, looks like you’re anxious to get out of here. I have to say you’ve done a real turnaround in four days. Almost like new. I’m a little reluctant to let you go, but I agree with the general populace—you can get sick in places like this.” His laugh was more of a chortle.
“But what I’m saying is if you follow some rules, I think you’ll be fine—shall we go over them?”

  He turned to Elaine. “I don’t want our guy here to overexert—no foot races or mountain climbing.” He looked meaningfully at Elaine, then chuckled and turned back to Dan. “Rest, rest, and then some more rest. Just take things easy. There’s still a little swelling. No driving until I say so. Keep the bandages dry, and the cast, only take a painkiller if you absolutely have to—you probably know the drill. I’ll need to see him Saturday morning.” This directed again at Elaine. “Make an appointment on the way out.” He turned back at the door, “I like happy endings—don’t disappoint me. Take care of yourself.” And with that he was gone.

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Shoes an’ socks?”

  “Try the bottom drawer under the TV.”

  ***

  “Where to? Are you hungry?” Elaine pulled the Flex out from under the hospital’s covered entrance to Emergency. Dan had refused a wheelchair ride from his room, much to the consternation of the floor nurse. And he didn’t need help climbing into the SUV’s front seat, even though Elaine saw the grimace before he settled back.

  “Yeah. But I’m not thinking restaurant. Maybe back to the motel?”

  “And that wouldn’t be overexerting? I thought Dr. Zimmerman’s reference to ‘mountain climbing’ was just a euphemism for sex.”

  “Can’t let Stanley get ahead of me…figuratively speaking.”

  He grinned and Elaine couldn’t help thinking how terrific it was to have him back—innuendo and all. The grin was the same, a little lopsided, infectious, probably hadn’t changed any since fifth grade. The bandage gave him a rakish look—like he’d been in a really bad fight but had won. Come to think of it, that wasn’t too far from the truth, she decided.

  She grinned back. “Sounds like a plan.”

  She’d chosen a motel on Cerrillos Road—plain, not too expensive but it took pets. She carried the luggage inside while Dan turned on the shower. She looked the other way when Simon hopped onto the queen-sized bed closest to the window. There was a dog who understood creature comforts. She filled his water bowl and put it under the vanity’s counter. She wiggled out of jeans and pulled the shirt over her head, dropped the silk undies on top of the pile and headed toward the bathroom.