A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel

by E. Ayers

  “We need to go back to Shawn.”

  Trent nodded.

  The short walk back to Shawn’s room, gave Trent the time to compose himself. He smiled at his son playing with his new stuffed bear and his very old stuffed dinosaur.

  “You need to settle down and get some sleep,” Trent said, while tucking the sheet and light blanket around his son.

  “I don’t want to go to sleep.”

  “Don’t be scared.”

  Shawn ignored his father.

  “Sweetie, when this is over, we’re going to take you back to the beach. The water will be warmer, and so will the sun. You and Daddy can play in the waves and have a grand time.”

  “Daddy can’t get wet.”

  “That’s just for now. He’ll get that cast off before you’re out of the hospital. They’re only doing it to keep him from moving his shoulder and arm while he heals.”

  “Are they going to put me in a cast?”

  “No, son. The doctor told you they are going into your heart through a little hole they are going to make right here.” He touched the spot on the top of Shawn’s leg. “Now, say your prayers. You need your sleep.”

  Trent listened to his son, and then they all tried to get some rest. The reclining chairs in the room were not exactly comfortable, and the nursing staff seemed to come in every few minutes to check the monitor they had connected to Shawn.

  Cassie opened her eyes and stared at her watch, and then at the nurse who was hooking an IV to the line they had put in Shawn’s hand when he first arrived at the hospital. She reached over her head and stretched. Her neck, shoulders, and back ached from the functional, but uncomfortable chair in which she had slept. Trent’s eyes were open. She knew he had to have been twice as uncomfortable with the cast that wrapped his chest and arm. She stood and stretched again, this time going on her tiptoes and extending her arms towards the ceiling. She whispered, “Coffee?”

  “Thanks.”

  “At the end of the hall by the main nurses station, there’s a room with coffee. You’re welcome to have some,” the nurse said in a soft voice.

  As Cassie walked down the hall, she was more than aware of her new piercing. With each step it seemed to pull and tug, sending little bolts of pain through her. She fixed two cups of coffee, then made the decision to take an extra cup and a dozen small packets of salt. It wasn’t sea salt, but it was salt. She had to do something, being she had forgotten her little squirt bottle.

  As soon as she got back to Shawn’s room, she grabbed her purse and went into the small bathroom. Using her compact mirror, she could see that she was red and swollen. Mixing the salt into hot tap water, she sat on the toilet and dribbled it over her swollen labia into the water below. At first it burned, causing her to suck in her breath as she did it, but then the pain subsided. She poured the rest of the saltwater over her and attempted to pat the area dry.

  She could tell they were getting Shawn ready for surgery, as there was more noise in the room. Quickly she exited the bathroom and stood next to Trent.

  As the nurses switched Shawn from his pajamas to a surgical gown, they started to giggle. Shawn was covered in funny little drawings, signs, and good luck wishes. Cassie reached into Shawn’s bag, produced the body crayons, and handed them to the one nurse, who wrote her own message and smiley face. Dr. Ramsey came in with Dr. Zaro. They did a few last minute checks and offered to answer any questions.

  As the doctors were leaving, Buck Zaro put his arms around Cassie and whispered in her ear, “You’d better call my daughter, or she’ll never forgive either one of us. She's got the whole pack there.”

  “I will.” She smiled although she could feel the tears welling in her eyes. “Keep him safe.”

  He hugged her a little tighter, then let go before he extended his hand to Trent. “He’s in top notch hands. We’ll keep you informed. The press is already in the lobby.”

  “Thanks.”

  Shawn was awake, but groggy as they lifted him onto the gurney. Trent and Cassie followed Shawn until they reached a set of doors.

  “This is it. There’s a waiting room over there,” the man, who had been pushing Shawn, said.

  “We’ll be here for you, sweetie. I love you.” She planted a kiss on his little cheek.”

  Trent leaned over and kissed his son. “Yes, we’ll be right here. You’re my boy, and you’re going to do just fine. Go to sleep and when you wake up, we’ll be waiting for you.”

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Shawn raised his hand to wave as they pushed him through the big doors.

  Trent battled tears that were determined to spring forth. His hand flew over his eyes as his thumb touched one temple and his fingers touched the other. Cassie’s arm wrapped his waist as she gently pulled him from where he was riveted.

  “Don’t wander off, you don’t know if one of the doctors will want to speak to you.” She kissed his good shoulder. “Want something to eat? I’m going to go to the cafeteria. It should be open soon.”

  “Just coffee.”

  She went down the hall and into the elevator. She knew the whole trip probably didn’t take sixty seconds, but it seemed like forever. Standing by the door to an enclosed garden, she called Tate.

  “Hi. Hope it not too early for you.”

  “Not at all. I’ve got you on speaker. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, they just took him to surgery. Trent’s upstairs in the cardiac-surgical waiting room, and I just wandered down to the cafeteria. It’s not open yet.” She stared at the fancy metal gate that covered the entrance.

  “Oh, they should open at five thirty.”

  “That’s what the sign says.”

  “How’s Trent doing?”

  “Lousy. Dr. Ramsey and your dad stopped by before they took him to surgery.”

  “Cassie, I don’t know if this will help, but I know Dad is very positive about this surgery.”

  “Yeah, it helps.” She watched a young woman open the gates to the cafeteria. “They just opened the door. I want to get some coffee and get back to Trent. I’ll call you when I hear something.”

  “Thanks. Katie is here, Dallas and Becky should be here soon, Amy and Amanda are coming, and so is Allison Conway.”

  “It does sound as if you have the whole pack.”

  “Amy is going to early Mass and is lighting a candle for Shawn.”

  “Tell her I appreciate that. I’ve got to run.”

  “Okay.”

  Cassie pocketed her phone and went into the cafeteria. She fixed coffee and looked at the breakfast selection. She didn’t feel hungry, but the scrambled eggs and bacon looked delicious. She bought several things and, as she turned to take everything upstairs, she ran into Jim from River Lights.

  “Hi, Dr. Jones.”

  “Hi, Jim. I heard the press was here.”

  He smiled at her. “Everyone is being very polite. The hospital won’t let us near you.”

  “Really?” She grinned.

  “You know what I mean. There are six TV news crews here on last count.”

  “Six?”

  “The big boys got wind of what is happening.”

  “Jim, I’ve got your cell phone number programmed into my phone. I’ll try to call you.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Please keep the cameras away from Trent. In fact, the best place for you is at Tate Bia’s.”

  Jim raised his eyebrows.

  “I’ve promised to keep Tate and the gang informed.”

  “Thanks. I’ll call Tate. Maria and Jack from the newspaper are here with me. I doubt they’d miss me if I went to Tate’s.”

  “Jim, the doctors are all very optimistic about this surgery.”

  “Dr. Ramsey spoke to the press this morning. That was the impression he gave. Tell Trent the whole city is praying for Shawn.”

  “Thanks. I will.”

  She scooted back upstairs and found Trent with his legs stretched out in front of him and his
eyes closed. Carefully, she tiptoed into the room.

  “Don’t bother sneaking around. I’m very much awake.”

  She handed him his coffee. “I brought some food. It looked too good to pass up.”

  He sighed and took the clear plastic containers.

  She handed him a fork and popped the containers open.

  “I can do that.”

  “Not that well one-handed. Does your hand bother you? It still looks swollen.”

  “The hand is fine. I’d like to rip the cast open and claw my shoulder.”

  She grimaced. “I think that’s supposed to be a sign of healing.”

  “It’s driving me nuts.” He stuck a forkful of eggs in his mouth.

  She watched him eat his eggs, every strip of bacon she had bought, and then start on the donuts.

  “For a man who only wanted coffee…” She smiled.

  “It tasted good.” His tone was flat.

  She finished her eggs and gathered up the empty containers. She tried to sit still, but she was never one to wait patiently for anything. Trent stretched out, but she couldn’t find the same idleness.

  “I can’t do it. I can’t sit and do nothing. There’s a small chapel downstairs. I’m going there.”

  As she stood, so did Trent. “I’m coming with you.”

  She was fine until she kneeled to pray. With that, the tears began to flow uncontrollably. Trent pulled her next to him and held her tightly. Every fear and doubt seemed to surface, every negative thought ran through her mind as she leaned against Trent’s cast-covered chest.

  Fishing through her purse, she found a small packet of tissues. She tried one more time to pray, but nothing coherent came. Deep inside of her she could feel her heart breaking. Come through this, Shawn. We love you.

  ***

  It was after eleven when Shawn’s pediatrician came out to them. “They’re finishing up. I’m sure Dr. Ramsey will be out to talk to you. That was the most amazing surgery I’ve ever seen.”

  “Is he okay?” Trent asked.

  “So far he is.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  “It’s too soon to tell. The repair is complete.”

  Trent sighed. “When will we know if everything is successful?”

  “I’ll let Dr. Ramsey answer that. This is way out of my league.”

  Trent leaned back and stretched his legs out as a deep breath escaped. “Thanks.”

  Cassie knew Trent wanted something more concrete. She smiled at the doctor. “Thank you so much, Dr. Agonies, for what you have told us. I’m sure Dr. Ramsey will give us the details.” She paused for a moment and then asked. “How much longer do you expect it will be before we’ll see Dr. Ramsey?”

  “I don’t know, maybe another half hour or so.”

  “Thank you,” Cassie said. She watched as Dr. Laura Agonies strode down the hall and vanished out of sight. “I’ll call Tate. It’s not much, but it is positive.”

  Trent had his eyes closed, but she could see the tiny nod.

  She looked at her cell phone, then picked up the landline in the waiting room and dialed the number.

  “Hello.”

  “Tate, it’s Cassie. We don’t know much, only that they are finishing up and that the repair was made.”

  “So it’s successful?”

  Cassie was grateful that Trent couldn’t hear all of the conversation. “So far. We won’t know anything specific until we talk to Dr. Ramsey.”

  “How’s Trent holding up?”

  Cassie didn’t answer.

  “That bad?”

  “Yes. I don’t have any more news.”

  “Jim is here.”

  “I know. I sent him.”

  “He said you did. Selena went to work this morning for a few hours, and then came home. I’ve got a houseful. Want some lunch?”

  “No thanks. I appreciate it, but I’ll go to the hospital cafeteria.”

  “Oh gag.”

  A little giggle rose in Cassie’s throat. “We’re fine. Neither one of us is that hungry.”

  “I understand.”

  Cassie terminated the call and sat with Trent, waiting for Dr. Ramsey to appear.

  Another family arrived and the waiting room was no longer a quiet sanctuary. Trent extended his hand and placed it palm up on his knee. Cassie smiled as she put hers in his. She hoped he could feel her love flowing into his hand. Minutes felt like hours, but as the room grew noisier, the passage of time seemed unbearable.

  ~~22~~

  Dr. Ramsey came through a set of doors, still wearing scrubs, booties on his feet, his cap on his head, and his mask hung over his chest. He motioned to Trent. Immediately, Trent and Cassie sprung to their feet and met the doctor in the hallway. Trent searched the man's face for some shred of news.

  "The surgery has been successfully completed." Dr. Ramsey's quiet, no-nonsense attitude merely confirmed what Dr. Laura Agonies had told them earlier. The only thing they could do was wait for Shawn.

  "Medical science has done its part, and Shawn had to do his." The doctor explained that they would leave Shawn in a drug-induced coma for at least twenty-four hours, as they wanted him to remain very quiet with little stimulus.

  “May I see him?” Trent asked.

  “Yes. Follow me.”

  Shawn was in a small glass encased room, and there were two nurses and another doctor attending to him. The tiny IV in his hand was gone and there was another in his neck, with several tubes flowing into a large round casing. A tiny white body lay motionless, except for a steady rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. Trent squeezed Cassie’s hand, as his heart seemed to fall into his belly. His knees wanted to give out and his stomach lurched.

  “What’s that?” he whispered, pointing to the child’s leg.

  “A cool sandbag. It keeps the bruising down,” the nurse replied in a tone that was barely above a whisper. “He’s doing beautifully.”

  Dr. Ramsey motioned for them to leave.

  “As soon as we’re sure he's ready, we’ll send him back upstairs.”

  Trent nodded. He walked out of the room and tried to find some composure as he took several deep breaths. He and Cassie went back through the big doors where he paused one more time to inhaled deeply.

  “You, okay?” she asked.

  “I wasn’t prepared for that.”

  “Neither was--”

  “There you are. Dr. Ramsey has talked to you?” Buck Zaro asked, with a big grin on his face.

  Trent nodded and smiled back.

  “It went like clockwork. Absolutely perfect.”

  Dr. Zaro's attitude and bright smile fueled a spark of hope within Trent. “That’s good.”

  “That kid is a fighter. He had the best possible team, and we had the best possible patient. Seems as though my son-in-law is going to have another soccer player.”

  Cassie smiled, but Trent was still trembling inside.

  Buck reached out and put his hand on Trent’s good shoulder. “Are you all right? You look a little green around the gills.”

  Trent tried to find words. “H-he looked--”

  “As if he’s been through major heart surgery. Follow me. There’s a doctor’s lounge around the corner.”

  A cup of coffee and listening to Dr. Zaro helped. He talked about the various monitors and what they were doing. He explained more than Dr. Ramsey, and Trent appreciated the information.

  “He’s going to be fine?” Cassie asked.

  “It’s too soon to tell, but for now, he’s doing great. The surgery was a success. Shawn has to do the rest, and we must hope that nothing goes wrong.”

  “Meaning?” Cassie asked.

  “There is a myriad of things that could still happen, the worse being his heart could stop, or he could throw a clot.”

  Trent flexed his swollen fingers. “When will we know?”

  “If there is any event, we'll know it instantly with those monitors. That’s why they are there. Once he recovers, they will run some mo
re tests, maybe a couple of echoes, and then slowly allow him to resume activities. We want him running and playing like other children his age.”

  Trent nodded. “So we wait.”

  “Precisely. You got your miracle. He needs time to heal, and all that equipment will be there for a while.”

  “That thing in his neck…”

  “It’s like an IV, but it allows us better access. I know it looks terrible. Everything is there for a reason.”

  Trent nodded, but he still wasn’t completely reassured. Shawn was more than just body parts. He's my son and he deserved a chance at life.

  “There’s one more thing to keep in mind. Most people in a coma seem to be aware of things around them. Keep your thoughts, actions, and words positive when you are with him.”

  “I will.”

  “We’re going to have a press conference around three this afternoon. There’s no need for you to be there, but you are welcome to come.”

  “No thanks.” He couldn't stop the quaking inside of him. It wasn't really over, and Shawn wasn't a normal child sleeping peacefully in a bed.

  ***

  Cassie put her hand on Trent’s knee. “I should call Tate.” She looked at Buck and asked, “May I use this line?”

  She dialed the number and the phone was answered immediately, but all she heard was Pamela Wendy wailing.

  “Hello, this is Katie,” a voice said, as the wailing drifted further away.

  “Oh, Katie. It’s Cassie. Is that Pamela Wendy?”

  “Yes. She fell and wounded her pride.”

  “Oh, that’s good. I mean, it’s good that she’s not hurt.” She looked at Buck and smiled. “You’re granddaughter fell, but she’s fine, just complaining loudly.” She went back to talking to Katie. “We’re sitting here with Tate’s dad. Surgery is over and Shawn is in recovery. He’s doing well.” She hoped the quiver in her voice wasn’t apparent.

  “Put Dad on the phone,” a voice from a distance said. It was obvious that Tate’s daughter was no longer crying.

  “Tate wants to speak to you.”

  He took the phone and then looked directly at Trent. “May I discuss your son with those on the other end of this conversation?”