Dr. Ian Davidson adjusted his glasses as he walked down the corridor of the hospital.
He had been in his office when a nurse paged him over the intercom, informing him that a patient of his was being admitted with a stab wound. When he saw that it was Andi on the gurney his blood ran cold. He had been Andi’s doctor since her family had moved to California in 1959, when she was twelve. When she had moved to her forest he had seen less of her, but she had still managed to make the occasional trek to see him.
And now this . . .
He stopped at the nurses’ station. “Claire, where are Ms. Dellin’s companions?”
“Just down the hall, Doctor. They haven’t moved since she was brought in.”
Davidson continued on his way. As he rounded the corner he spotted what could only be the young men Andi referred to lovingly as The Monkees.
The one with the wool hat was most immediately visible. He was sitting Indian-style with his forearms resting on his knees, staring down listlessly at his bloody hands. The others were behind him, leaning against the wall and staring worriedly at their friend.
“Mike?” Davidson said gently. A pair of haunted brown eyes focused on him. “We just finished operating on Anna,” he said softly. They all gazed expectantly at him, anxiety and worry apparent on all their features--especially Mike’s.
“She’s going to be fine.”
There were four audible sighs of relief.
“The knife--we’re assuming that’s what she was stabbed with--missed her vital organs, but it tore through most of the muscle on that side of her body, and there is some temporary muscle damage to her right leg due to blood loss. She’s going to need a lot of rest and she cannot do any kind of physical work for at least two weeks, maybe more.”
“Can we see her?” Mike asked.
“Yes, I think that will be all right.” He gestured to the dried blood caked on Mike’s hands and shirtfront. “First, though, why don’t we clean you up? We wouldn’t want you to send her into shock for the second time today.”
~ ~ ~
Mike peeked into Andi’s room cautiously. She was lying perfectly still on the bed, dressed in a simple white hospital gown, her long hair even blacker against the white pillow and sheets. He came up to her bedside and kissed her gently on the forehead. She smiled.
“Oh, I know who that is . . . ” she murmured. Her eyes opened and she grinned. “Oh, hello, doctor. You really should go. My boyfriend will be here in a few minutes, and if he catches us together . . . ”
For a moment Mike didn’t know what she was talking about; then he looked down at the borrowed surgeon’s shirt he wore and chuckled.
“At least your sense of humor’s intact,” he said. “How’re you doing?”
“I’m tired, and my whole side hurts. Mike, what happened?” There was a small note of panic in her voice when she realized that she really couldn’t remember what had happened.
“You were attacked. One of them . . . stabbed you.” He couldn’t keep the fury from his voice as he spoke.
Andi’s brows drew together. “Yes . . . now I remember. It was stupid. I left my whole side unguarded and didn’t even see it coming. Stupid!” Andi had always prided herself on her defensive capabilities.
“Hey, hey, calm down, now,” Mike scolded gently. “Doctor says you’re not supposed to strain yourself.”
She slumped back against the pillow with a sigh. “You’re right. I HATE it when you’re right, you know. Where are the others?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Outside.”
“Well, send ‘em in. I’m not a leper, you know.”
Mike chuckled again. He called out to them, knowing only too well that they were all pressed up against the door. It swung open violently and Micky stumbled in. The others pushed their way in, and it took a few moments for them to regain their composure.
“Hey, Andi!” Micky said, bounding over to her bedside. “You’re okay!”
“Yes, Micky, I am. Your powers of observation are obviously undiminished.”
“So’s her sarcasm,” Micky muttered to Mike.
Peter was unusually somber as he looked down at Andi’s pale form. He silently took in the IV in her arm and the bandages on her side, his mouth forming a grim line.
“I’m sorry,” he said, unable to keep the sorrow out of his voice. “We should’ve--”
“Hey!” Andi snapped. She knew only too well where this conversation was going. “There is NOTHING you could have done to prevent this. I don’t want you guys feeling guilty. It was my fault, and I don’t want you arguing with me. Dig?”
“Dig,” they all replied.
She slumped back against her pillow with a sigh. “Good. I just have one question. How did I get here?”
Mike opened his mouth, but Micky provided the dialogue. “Mike carried you across the beach and we brought you here in the car.”
Andi looked at Mike, her eyebrows raised so high they seemed to disappear into her hairline. “You carried me?”
He looked down at his shoes. “Never underestimate the power of fear.”
She reached up and squeezed his bicep. “You’ve been working out behind my back, haven’t you?”
Mike blushed and the others shared a very welcome laugh.
Andi returned her gaze to the ceiling, her expression growing somber once more. “I want to go home.”
Mike looked at his friends. “Can we have a minute alone, guys?”
“Sure, Mike,” Peter said. He leaned down and kissed Andi on the forehead. “I’m glad you’re okay, Andi.”
“So’m I,” she said. “Thanks.” Micky and Davy followed suit, and after a few moments she and Mike were alone.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said. “You’ll be home in a few days, and we’ll take care of you until you get better.”
“I know,” she said, her eyes misting over.
There was a gentle knock on the door and Davidson peeked in. “How are you feeling?”
Mike sighed. “Well, I’m a little bruised, but--oh, you meant her.” Andi giggled and Davidson shook his head.
“Now I know what you see in him, my dear.” He scanned her chart quickly, then quickly ran his hands over her right leg. “Try to push against my hands.”
Andi grunted, trying to move the obstinate limb. “I can’t. What does that mean? It will go away, right?”
“Yes, it will. Don’t worry. It might take a little time, though, so you must be patient.”
Mike snorted. “Patience is not one of her strong suits, Doc.”
Andi poked him. “Oh, like you would know!”
Davidson held up his hands as Mike got ready with his retort. “All right, now. No fighting with the patient who’s just out of surgery. Andi needs her rest.” He turned his back respectfully as Mike gave her a short, tender kiss, then the two left together.
Once outside, Davidson reached out with a staying hand. “Mike, I need to talk to you. When Andi gets home there might be a period of adjustment that will be rough not only on her, but on all of you. I just want you to be aware of this.”
Mike frowned slightly. “Look, I know you’re her doctor and all, but Andi’s tough. She can handle anything, and we’ll be there for her.”
Davidson looked doubtful, but from all Andi had told him about Mike, he knew better than to press the issue. “Well, Mike, all I can say is, I hope you’re right.”
On to Chapter Five
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