Gabe Darby - 5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Gabe and Brad drove into Arlow but instead of going shopping as they planned; they decided to stop at the hospital and check on the Barrett family. When they got there, Brad used his connections as a Sheriff's deputy to find out what the condition of the Barrett’s were and where to find the kids.

Mrs. Barrett was in surgery; she had a subdural hematoma and lacerated liver. Justin did have a broken wrist, a badly bruised ankle and a small laceration to the scalp above his right ear that required four stitches. Connor had a hyper-extended his right knee and was in a knee brace and would be for several weeks, but other than that was in good shape. As for the two youngest they had just bruised here and there, the car seats having done their job of protecting them. The older boys were together in a room with their younger siblings in an adjoining room on the Pediatrics floor, and a nurse's aide was assigned to keep an eye on them. Brad also found out that Mr. Barrett was flying home from a business trip to Chicago and would be there later that day.

As Gabe and Brad left the elevator the nurse at the floor desk eyed them suspiciously .

“How can I help you gentleman,” she asked with a friendly yet, wary smile.

“Yes I’m Deputy Jacobs and this is Gabe Darby we are here to check on the Barrett children,” said Brad holding out his badge and ID for her to inspect.

“Well… I’m very sorry, but only family members are allowed to visit without prior authorization, “ said the nurse in a very official tone.

“But we assisted at the accident this morning and thought we would look in on them,” said Gabe

“I’m very sorry but it is Hospital policy,” she said adding emphatically “ you’ll just have to leave.

Just as Brad was going to argue with the young nurse, another nurse walked up to the desk.

“Hey you,” she said with a broad smile. “Is it such a burden to call a girl now and then?,” said Sandy Jacobs-Burwick, reaching up to give her little brother Brad a big hug. Sandy then stepped over to Gabe and gave him a hug and a sad look whispering, “ How’s Mom doing I have been working over time and have not gotten over to see her,” asked Sandy.

“She is sedated but will make a full recovery her ribs on the left side were crushed by the impact with the steering wheel,” replied Gabe.

“You know these two?” asked the desk nurse.

“Yes I do,” said Sandy. “Amy Dillson, i like you to meet my little brothers Brad Jacobs and Gabe Darby,” she said with a smile.

Amy said, “brothers … Jacobs? … Darby?,” with a look of pure confusion.

“Yes long story…” said Sandy waving off Amy and turning back to Brad and Gabe “so what brings you two here.”

“We came by to check in on the Barrett kids,” said Brad “We helped out at the accident this morning.’

“We were hoping to see them Brad and I helped them get out of the van,” Gabe said

“Well it is supposed to be family only but your my family and I think that counts,” said Sandy with a chuckle. “They are in room 321...left hallway third room on the left.”

Gabe lead the way with Brad and Sandy following.

“Hey buddy,” Gabe said as he walked into the room.

Justin’s face lit up with a smile, “Hey Gabe.”

Sandy gave the ok sign to the nurses aid as she stepped in from the adjoining room, so she smiled and went back to the little ones.

“I stopped in to see how you and your family was doing.”

“I’m good, and so are Connor and the little ones, but all they tell us about Mom, is that she is in surgery,” said Justin.

“But we got to talk to daddy on the phone” exclaimed an excited Connor “He will be here before we go to sleep tonight.”

“Well, that is just great news about your Dad, and I’m sure they will tell you about your Mom as soon as they know something,” said Gabe “Can I sign your cast.”

“Yeah, sure,” replied Justin. “Can you stay for a while I’d feel better with you here?”

“Well, I can’t stay all day, but I can stay for a while,” Gabe said, sitting in a chair next to the bed that Justin and Connor were sharing, facing each other on opposite sides of the bedside table while playing Winnie the Pooh memory.

Gabe motioned for Brad to come over and he introduced him to the boys.

“Justin, Connor this is my best friend Deputy Brad Jacobs,” said Gabe “He helped at the accident too.”

“I remember you,” Shouted Connor “you’re the guy that got me untangled from my booster seat Thanks, Brad, I thought I was going to fall.”

“You’re very welcome Connor,” Brad said as he shook the small boy's hand. “Can I ask how you ended up like that?”

Connor ducked his head and started turning red as his older brother laughed at him.

“That’s because he thinks he is too big to have to sit in a booster seat,” stated Justin. “He is constantly slipping off the shoulder straps.

“Now I see how you ended up like that,” said Brad shaking his head lifting Connor’s chin so he could look him in the eye. “I hope you learned your lesson you got very lucky today; you could have been very badly hurt.

Connor’s eyes welled up with tears. “I am really sorry” was all Connor could choke out.

Justin patted his brother's hand across the bed table as Brad leaned in and hugged Connor in a one-armed embrace. “I know you are and I am glad you're safe.”

“So, who’s winning,” said Gabe changing the subject and redirecting the boys' attention.

“I am,” said Justin with a broad smile

“Only by one pair!” Connor emphatically stated, “and that’s because I started and you got to see the first two cards turned over and got lucky finding one to match Piglet.”

Gabe laughed and told the boys to settle down and go back to playing. Then he whispered to Brad “why don’t you go to your place and get a change of clothing for tomorrow and then meet me back here and then we will get some lunch.”

Brad smiled his approval and left Gabe with the boys.

**************

Brad drove to his apartment got clean clothes and his uniform for the following day. He checked his messages on the answering machine before heading to the Sheriff's office to file his report. While he was there he checked the dates for the intra-department basketball league and chatted with team mates about the upcoming practice on Saturday and game on Sunday Once he had that done, he stopped and got a couple of doughnuts for the boys and headed back to the hospital.

Brad had been gone for just over two hours, and as he entered the room, he found Gabe sitting on the bed reading a book to the boys. Gabe in the middle and Justin on the left and Connor on the right. Brad stopped short in the doorway at seeing this, all he could do was a smile. Brad thought to himself how Gabe was going to be a great dad someday. Brad stood there for a few moments just watching and listening. he noticed how Connor was fighting to stay wake and Justin was enthralled by the sound of Gabe’s voice as he read aloud from “Ender’s Game”. That’s when Gabe looked up and saw him. Gabe paused in his reading for just a second or two to give him a loving smile then went right back to reading. Brad walked slowly into the room and sat in the chair, holding the bag of doughnuts in his lap. Listening as Gabe continued reading for another ten minutes or so, till he finished the chapter. Connor was totally asleep on Gabe’s chest, Brad stood and helped Justin move to the other bed in the room and then helped Gabe extract himself from under Connor without waking him. He handed the bag with the doughnuts in it to Justin.

“Shh…” Brad admonished as Justin started to thank him loudly, after peeking into the bag “don’t wake your brother, but you have to save him one.”

Gabe gave Brad a questioning look, then peeked into the bag. Gabe looked up at Brad and smiled approvingly.

“Let’s get some lunch,” Gabe said, looking at Brad, “the boys, got theirs a while ago when I started reading to them.” Then patting Justin on the shoulder he continued “I’ll check on you tomorrow, I need to go see my mom who in the hospital too. “

Gabe leaned in and gave Justin a hug and then turned to Connor and gave him a gentle kiss on the head. As he turned towards the door, a man in a business suit stepped through the doorway.

The look on the Man’s face was both questioning and scared at the same time.

“Who are you?” said the Man, looking between Gabe and Brad

“Dad!” cried Justin as he squirmed to get off the bed and go to his Father

“Hey, big guy you ok?” the man said to Justin who was hugging him tight around his waist.

“Yes Dad, I’m OK, just a broken arm, a small cut on my head and some bruises, Connor, has a hurt knee and some bruises, and the little one are all OK. Oh! And this is Gabe and Brad they rescued us from the minivan.” replied Justin excitedly happy to see his Dad. “Have they told you anything about Mom? They won’t tell me anything.”

“Whoa, slow down their Buddy,” said his Dad. He squatted down and got a proper hug, then looked Justin in the eyes. “Your Mom is out of surgery and doing OK, but, she will be very sick for a long time, several months they think, we will go and see her later when your Grandma and Grandpa get here.”

“Hi, I’m Greg Barrett, I’m Justin’s father as you probably guessed,” said Greg as he stood and shook hands with Gabe and Brad, each introducing themselves in turn.

“I want to thank you for all you’ve done for my family,” said Greg. “From what they have told me it was your quick actions that helped prevent any additional injuries to my kids and wife.”

“It was just doing what we needed to do,” said Brad. “We are glad we could help.”

“Yeah, It happen right in front of us, how could we not help,” said Gabe.

“Well, thank you again,” said Greg while looking down and smiling at Justin then walking to Connor’s bed and checking on him as he slept.

“Well, we need to get moving I still need to go to the Indian Creek hospital and check on my mom,” said Gabe “We will check in again in a few days, you take care of your brothers and sister Justin.” with a wave, he and Brad walked out the door.

**********

Brad looked across the table at Gabe he wondered at his friend and brother. Gabe seemed to be so untroubled by all the changes that were occurring in his life. Gabe just seemed to be taking it day by day.

Gabe stared at the half eaten Monte Cristo sandwich on his plate. Hunger wasn’t the issue, what was, is Jason’s comment. “You would make a good Firefighter.” Echoing again and again in his mind. What was it that made Jason say that? He had just met me, he thought. What did Jason see in me that I didn’t see in myself? Sitting there lost in thought he hadn’t noticed Brad watching him.

“OK, what’s up?” Brad asked. “You have been staring at that sandwich for the last five minutes.”

“UH… Oh yeah… sorry, I was just thinking,” Gabe said sheepishly

“So, what can get your total attention like that other than Me!” chuckled Brad with the raised eyebrow of a lascivious leer.

“Well… See… I was thinking about what Jason the Firefighter said to me,” Gabe replied returning to awkwardly stare at his sandwich.

“Oh?... said an intrigued Brad.

“Jason said I would make a good Firefighter because of how calm I was while helping at the accident this morning,” Gabe confessed sheepishly.

“I can see that,” replied Brad thoughtfully “are you thinking about it seriously.”

“Yeah, I am, and it might be the answer to the “Darby Tradition” that I “Skipped” as Dad says.”

“It might just be, but are you really going to quit your job as a District Manager and leave your company?

“yeah I think I will have to. I talked with Gordon my boss, he said there really isn’t a place for me in this area with the company.”

“Alright I can see you being at least an EMT or Paramedic, not sure how you would react in a fire, though.”

“Well, there is only one way to find out,” said Gabe raising his hand to get the waitresses attention to bring the check.

Oh? and how do you do that?

“Let’s make a stop at the Indian Creek Substation before we swing by the hospital to see Mom.”

“And we better check in with Pop to see if Mr. Fredricks is ready also.

Brad and Gabe left the restaurant getting into the Bronco. While Brad drove toward Indian Creek, Gabe used the mobile phone and called his Dad.