Sweet Carolina Girls Part 19

"Alicia said she didn't and is waiting in Critical Care at the hospital, with copies from her office." Abby paused, "It's bad Lauren, real bad. She might not make it."

Harper answered for Lauren, "We're on our way."

On the way to the hospital, a short drive away, Harper held Lauren's hand, listening as Lauren went from fear to anger to guilt and back again. How could she have let Shelby drive away drunk like that? How injured was she? Shelby had only herself to blame. All the different thoughts, cascading through her mind came tumbling out. Harper listened, knowing that was all Lauren needed her to do right now. Outside of the hospital doorway, Harper stopped Lauren.

She looked into Lauren's worried face, "Lauren, do what you need to do. I'll be here when you need me."

Lauren hugged Harper whispering, "I love you," in her ear.

When they rounded the corner, on the Critical Care Unit hall, Alicia saw them and headed straight for Lauren, "Thank G.o.d, you're here. The doctor needs to talk to you. There are some things that have to be decided about Shelby's care."

"Alicia, how bad is it? Is she dying?" Lauren had to sit down.

"No, not now, anyway. They were able to stop the bleeding and patch her up inside. She has a head injury, broken leg and arm and a fractured pelvis. The pelvis is the biggest worry."

Lauren fell into Harper. Harper put her arm around her for support. Harper asked, "Is she conscious?"

"No, and she will not be for a few days. They put her in a coma to deal with the pain and swelling in her brain." Alicia saw how devastated Lauren was. She knelt down in front of Lauren, "Oh baby, I'm so sorry. I know this is a lot to lay on you, but you were all Shelby had. She told me so. If you want me to try and find her family I will, but right now you have to make these decisions."

Lauren sat up, sniffling, "No, don't contact her family. She would hate that. I'll do it. Just give us a minute here."

Alicia stepped away. Lauren's eyes filled with tears and slid down her face, when she turned her head up to Harper. "I don't really have a choice here, do I?"

Harper wiped the tears, from Lauren's cheeks, with her thumbs, "No, you don't."

Lauren shuddered from the crying. "Will you stay with me?"

Harper kissed Lauren on the lips lightly, "I will never leave you. You're stuck with me. You couldn't beat me off with a stick."

Lauren smiled at Harper, "I meant right now, will you stay with me. You might understand the doctor better than I can."

Harper looked sheepish, "Oh, yeah, sure, I'll stay with you."

They stood up together and made their way down the hall to Alicia, who was standing at the nurses' station. Lauren winked at Harper, "With a stick, huh?"

Alicia, Harper and Lauren met with the doctors together. There was more than one, considering the number of injuries to Shelby's body. Lauren gave them Shelby's medical history, as best she knew it, and the name of Shelby's family medicine doctor. Harper listened to the doctors, as they described Shelby's injuries. She was very lucky to be alive. Lauren asked Alicia and Harper's advice on every decision. Harper knew Lauren didn't want to bear this burden alone.

After leaving Abby's last night, Shelby had flipped her car several times on Hwy. 15/501. She had been travelling at a high raid of speed when she hit the guardrail and became air born. No other cars were involved, but Leah had been killed when she was ejected from the car. She wasn't wearing a seatbelt, but Shelby had been. It saved her life.

The cops showed up later to inform Alicia, as Shelby's lawyer, that Shelby was going to be charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter, if she survived. The cops made this announcement in the waiting room that was now crowded with most of Shelby's teammates. Ellen took offense at the "if she survives" part of their statement.

"If she survives...Get those negative thoughts out of here, just get!" Ellen chased them out of the room, where they lingered in the hall.

The friends huddled around Lauren and Harper, in the corner of the waiting room. Lauren gave them all the information she had concerning Shelby's injuries and prognosis. It would be touch and go for a few days, but the doctors said she was strong and would probably pull through. The worst part would be the rehabilitation a.s.sociated with her broken limbs and pelvis. She would need around the clock care for at least several months, until her arm healed enough to become useful and the fixator to stabilize her pelvis had been removed. She had a stable fracture that would eventually heal, and once they were able to manage the bleeding, the real concerns were nerve and blood vessel damage.

Always the downer, Julie added, "And then she's going to go to prison."

Alicia shot back, "We don't know that."

B.J. chimed in, "She's lucky only one person died. I'm so sad for Leah's family. My G.o.d, one day you have a kid and then one day you don't." B.J.'s pregnant belly was popping out much more these days and the hormones were too. She added quickly, "Sorry, Harper."

Harper didn't want this to go on every time the topic of alcohol and death came up together, "Everyone present is aware of how my parents died. This is not about me, so quit treating it like the elephant in the room."

Harper walked to the door outside the critical care unit. They were going to let Lauren see Shelby for a moment. Harper stayed outside the doors waiting for Lauren's return. So many things were going through her mind, her parents' accident, the last time she saw the drunken Shelby, Leah's face the night she tried to pick Harper up, and how Lauren would handle all this? The entire cacophony of sound and emotion was cras.h.i.+ng around inside her head. Lauren finally came through the doors and straight into Harper's arms.

"She looks awful Harper. Her face is so swollen," Lauren cried, into Harper's shoulder.

The only thing Harper could think to say was, "She's alive. Just remember that, she's alive."

Harper held Lauren while she cried, until she regained her composure. Lauren told the anxious women in the waiting room what she had seen. Shelby was in a drug-induced coma and connected to so many machines Lauren couldn't count them all. Tubes ran everywhere and she was on a ventilator, for now. Her vital signs were stable according to the nurse and she should not be feeling any pain. They just had to wait now and give her body a chance to help itself heal.

Harper's main concern was Lauren. She offered to go home and get Lauren some more comfortable clothes and necessities, while Abby could stay at the hospital with her. The team made a schedule of when they could be there to relieve Lauren. Only no one left. They sat about on the furniture and talked quietly amongst each other. Dee and Chita left to get sandwiches and coffee for everyone. They took Shy Lynn to help carry the cups. Becky and Ellen volunteered to take Harper home so she could bring back her vehicle and leave Lauren the Tahoe.

The first thing Harper did when she got home was take off the high heels she had been wearing all day. She put on her most comfortable pair of jeans, a tee s.h.i.+rt and pulled a sweats.h.i.+rt over her head. She grabbed her overnight bag putting in clothes for work tomorrow and a few personal items. Lauren had decided to stay until Shelby woke up, so Shelby would know someone was there with her. This might be three or four days, at least, so Harper packed Lauren's overnight bag with what she thought she would need. She found an old backpack in the garage and put Lauren's sketchpads, her pencil case and journals inside. Before she added the last sketchpad, she opened it up and wrote, "You're the reason G.o.d made Carolina," on the first blank page.

Harper waved to Becky and Ellen on the back porch. They were throwing the ball with Jasper under the outdoor lights. All three joined Harper in the house. The two women volunteered to come over and play with Jasper, while Harper was tied up at the hospital. Ellen and Becky left to go by Shelby's and pick up the dogs. Becky would take care of them until Shelby came home. She was their regular baby sitter and had several labs herself. Harper would meet them back at the hospital. Jasper sat on his blanket on the couch and Harper left the TV on for him. She didn't know if that made a difference to him or not, but she wouldn't want to be in the house all alone for hours with no noise. She patted Jasper and told him she would be back as soon as she could.

Harper arrived back in the waiting room, just in time to see the women in the corner burst out laughing. She understood when she sat down that they were telling funny Shelby stories like people do when someone is dead or gravely injured. Harper didn't have any funny Shelby stories, so she followed Lauren to the bathroom and helped her change in the big handicapped stall. Lauren was exhausted. The crying and the stress had taken a toll on her. Lauren was quiet while Harper dressed her like a child.

Lauren sat on the toilet while Harper tied her tennis shoes. She wrapped her arms around Harper's neck and kissed her on the top of the head. Harper looked up and Lauren kissed her, Lauren's tongue parting Harper's lips, in a slow, sweet, gentle kiss. When she pulled away, Lauren smiled that smile, the one that melted Harper's heart.

"You're too good to be true," she said.

"Nope, that's my line and if I remember correctly you pinched me, so I'd know I wasn't dreaming," Harper said, finis.h.i.+ng tying Lauren's shoe.

Lauren and Harper stood up. "Kiss me again, so I know you're real," Lauren said.

Harper kissed Lauren long and deeply, holding her body against hers, as tightly as she could. She wanted Lauren to feel how Harper felt about her, not just hear her say it. This kiss wasn't s.e.xual, it was pa.s.sionate and slow, still a small moan escaped Lauren's throat. That moan made Harper weak in the knees. G.o.d, she loved this woman. She would do anything to make her happy, anything. The journey they were about to embark on wasn't going to be easy, but she was going to stand by Lauren, no matter what. Harper could never imagine going another day, without loving Lauren.

Harper and Lauren returned to the waiting room. The others were losing their enthusiasm for the hospital furniture, and since Harper was staying with Lauren, they were all going home. Jordan was scheduled to be the first to come back for a s.h.i.+ft with Lauren, at six a.m., just a few hours away. Harper and Lauren settled on the couch in the corner. They fell asleep leaning on each other with Harper's arm around Lauren.

The next morning, Shelby's condition had not changed. Harper left at six when Jordan came and even though she had her bag with clothes for work, she went home to spend some time with Jasper. He had never spent a night alone before. She took him on a short run and played ball with him until she had to take a shower and head to work. She ate a power bar on the way to the lab. She needed the energy more than the food.

The lab was abuzz with stories of Shelby's crash. The quant.i.ty and versions of what had happened astounded her. Harper wondered how these people got along without someone or something to gossip about. Only the people, in her own lab, asked her what happened right out. The rest just stared and whispered, as Harper walked by.

There was a sign in the lounge indicating where to send donations for Leah's family, even though she worked in Abby's department. The word had spread all over campus. A faculty member had killed a grad student in a drunk-driving accident. Shelby's career was ruined. She faced months of rehabilitation and these people were gloating at her fall from grace. They made Harper sick to her stomach.

Although she kept in touch with Lauren through texts, during the day, Harper rushed to get back to the hospital, as soon as possible. When she entered the waiting room, Lauren stood up immediately and practically ran into Harper's arms. She kissed Harper on the cheek and held her hand on the way back to the corner. Ellen was waiting there, having relieved Jordan at noon. They were joined soon by Abby and Julie, who were scheduled to sit with Lauren next. They convinced Lauren to let Harper take her home for a little while. Abby promised to stay until midnight and call if anything happened.

Harper took Lauren home, where Jasper nearly knocked them down with excitement. He had gotten used to Lauren staying with him during the day and had missed her, evidently. He followed them closely as they walked up the stairs, where Harper undressed the exhausted Lauren and placed her in a hot steaming shower. Harper went downstairs to make soup and salads and had the table set when Lauren came down from the shower.

Lauren ate sparingly. Harper could see how exhausted she was. Lauren finally asked, if they could just go lie down in the bed and sleep. She wanted Harper to hold her while she slept and Harper complied, setting the alarm for eleven. They were asleep in moments with Jasper spooning Lauren on one side and Harper on the other. They slept hard and were surprised when the alarm went off. They dressed again and went back to the hospital, Harper telling Jasper she would be back soon. She left the TV on again, just in case it made him less lonely.

On the way back to the hospital, Lauren wanted to know, "Are you okay with this? I mean this is a h.e.l.l of a way to start a relations.h.i.+p, taking care of your new lover's ex. "

Harper didn't want Lauren to worry about her, "I wouldn't have you do anything else. Shelby needs you right now and you need me to be strong for you, so we've both got a job to do."

"I found your note on the sketch pad," Lauren said showing her dimples. "I love you, too."

They exchanged a kiss, before leaving the car and walked hand in hand into the hospital, taking the elevator up to the waiting room. They found Abby and Julie, both engrossed in novels, still sitting in the corner. Leftovers from the Tarr Barr littered the table in front of them and were scattered about the room.

Abby answered Harper's questioning look, "Jane came by, with B.J. and Ronnie in tow, carrying enough food to feed a small army. We shared with everyone in the room and there is still some down in the refrigerator at the nurses' station. Dee, Chita and Shy Lynn dropped by for a couple of hours."

Harper started cleaning up and Julie helped her. Other waiting people joined in to clear away the trash. Harper just couldn't sit still. Waiting rooms were not one of her favorite things, having sat in the hospital in Oklahoma City, while her grandmother died a slow death from cancer. Abby and Lauren talked about Shelby and what needed to happen in the next few days.

Lauren was finis.h.i.+ng up when Harper and Julie came back to sit down, "So, she isn't as critical as she was. This afternoon, the neuro guy said he was going to bring her out of the coma tomorrow to check for brain damage. She had a few more scans and x-rays today. They seem to be amazed at how well she is doing, considering what she's been through."

Julie had some more practical things to bring up, "What happens when she leaves the hospital? Are you going to hire someone to take care of her?"

Lauren looked at Harper and then said to Julie, "We haven't had a chance to talk about long term care, yet."

Harper spoke without hesitation, "Yes, we will hire a nurse, or two, if that's what it takes. If Lauren wants to take care of Shelby, then it's what we'll do, but the nurses are necessary. I don't want Lauren to have to do it all by herself. I can only help so much and we still don't know how Shelby is going to feel about me being around to help, anyway." Lauren smiled, pleased with Harper's response.

"I don't think that's fair to Lauren or you," Julie said, completely shocking Harper. "Shelby is not Lauren's responsibility anymore."

Abby agreed, "We're all a little responsible for Shelby, in our own way. She would definitely do the same for any of us."

Julie continued her positive input, "Then maybe we should meet here after the game tomorrow night and figure out what days each of us could be available and what nights, too. Then Lauren and Harper won't have to bear the brunt of Shelby's care."

"Well, it only makes sense that I take most of the daycare, because I don't have a job, per se," Lauren said.

"Every day for months will get old fast. You're going to need breaks. You and Harper have lives to live to," Julie countered. It appeared to Harper that Julie might have a heart, after all.

"Okay, but in the beginning, I think I should be there most of the time, until she gets settled into a routine," Lauren answered.

Abby yawned, "We'll work it out tomorrow. I'll tell everyone to bring their calendars with them." She had early cla.s.ses, so she and Julie said goodbye.

Lauren was summoned by the nurse for her nightly visit to Shelby's side. She was gone for twenty minutes. After the first five minutes, Harper had to do something so she called J.R. Luckily he was awake and able to talk. She told him everything that had happened with Shelby. He told her that he was not on the roster this week and was spending the time in Durham rehabbing his shoulder in the training room. The team was going out of town in the morning, so he could stay at her house at night when she wasn't there. He too didn't like the fact that Jasper had to stay alone so much. He had a key and a rental car, so transportation was not a problem, in fact he would go out to the house right now. He was such a good friend. Harper felt tons better when she hung up with him.

When Lauren came back to the waiting room, Harper told her about J.R., which relieved Lauren, too. She already loved Jasper as much as Harper and hated him being alone all night.

"I have to say you have good taste in men, Harper." Lauren laughed.

"How's Shelby?"

"The same, as far as I can tell, but the nurse thinks she's doing much better," Lauren said, as she fell back onto the couch. "She said they would probably upgrade her from critical to intensive care in the morning. It's a small step, but it's a step forward anyway."

Harper had spent the day at work thinking about how she could help Lauren. She sat back with Lauren and held her hand. "I'm going to talk to Dr. Bell in the morning. He's my direct supervisor. I'll explain the situation. I'm not required in the lab every day or even every minute of the day. I can do much of my work on my laptop, communicating with the lab through email. I'll be able to stay with you more, so you don't have to do this alone."

Lauren turned her whole body, pulling her knee up on the couch, to face Harper, "Are you sure? I don't want you to mess up your grant."

"All they want from me is data and I can give them that from anywhere. I've trained my lab a.s.sistants to collect the data. I'm not involved in that aspect anymore. I just crunch numbers now," Harper answered.

"Thank you. I hate sitting here watching the clock until you come back. The girls are good company, but you're my rock. I hope I don't lean on you too hard." Lauren moved under Harper's arm, leaning her head on Harper's shoulder.

Harper sang a little bit of "Lean on Me" quietly, so only Lauren could hear. Harper got the blanket and pillow they brought from home and covered them up. They read a magazine together before sleep took over and once again they slept in the waiting room. Thirty feet away, Shelby fought for her life.

Chapter Twenty-Two.

Harper called the lab in the morning to tell them she would be in late. She wanted to be with Lauren when they brought Shelby out of the coma. At eight a.m. the doctor came in and started the process of slowly waking Shelby up. He said it could be awhile before she woke up, so Harper went to the lab and talked to Dr. Bell. Harper knew, from their interactions at the department dinner, that he was receptive of Lauren as Harper's partner, and not a h.o.m.ophobe. He agreed that Lauren needed her. He knew Shelby and Lauren well and sent his best wishes. Harper could do her work away from the lab, for the most part. She would check in frequently and stay in almost constant contact online.

Lauren texted Harper, around lunchtime, that Shelby may be coming out from under the sedation. She had not been placed in a deep coma and was responding well. Lauren would not be allowed in until the doctors and nurses were finished with their tests. Harper brought lunch and they ate it, while waiting edgily. Harper worked on her laptop and Lauren sketched on a pad. Finally, a nurse came for Lauren, late in the afternoon. The doctor met them in the hallway, outside of the waiting room. Lauren had to be anxious. Harper could tell by the way Lauren squeezed her hand.

"Lauren," the doctor and Lauren were on a first name basis by now, "Shelby is awake. She is in a lot of pain, but we are getting that under control. She is still very foggy from the meds. She has no apparent brain damage, at this point, but her memory is a little shaky."

Lauren wrinkled her brow, "Does she have amnesia?"

"No, but she's got some holes in her memory. She doesn't remember the wreck. The last thing she remembers is driving to somebody named Abby's house. These memory lapses may or may not come back, but she is very lucky and should recover fully in four to six months." The doctor patted Lauren's shoulder, "You can go in now."

Lauren hesitated. She looked up at Harper, who smiled at her, "Go on, and let her know you're here."

Lauren came back ten minutes later. She had tears on her face. Harper waited until she was ready to talk. After a few minutes, Lauren gathered herself on the couch.

"She's in so much pain. She could barely speak, but all she wanted to say was she was sorry she wrecked the car. Then she went back to sleep. She's not really here yet, but at least she knows who I am."

"That's a good sign. I think she's through the most critical part. Are you okay?" Harper asked Lauren, who was staring at the far wall.

"We shouldn't tell her about Leah, for a few days." Lauren turned to Harper, "She has surgery scheduled tomorrow on her pelvis. She should get through that first."

B.J. walked in just then, for her s.h.i.+ft sitting with Lauren. Since she was pregnant and not playing softball this season, she was the obvious choice for the time slot. They caught B.J. up on Shelby's condition and chatted for a few minutes, before Harper had to leave.

"I hate to go, but we're down two players already. Will you be okay?" Harper said, as she and Lauren said goodbye at the elevator.

Lauren grinned at her, "Hit me a homerun and hurry back." She kissed Harper sweetly and when Harper got on the elevator, she stayed to watch the doors close.

Harper went home to change. She could tell that J.R. had been there, because his bag was in the downstairs bedroom. Harper decided to take Jasper with her to the ballpark. She'd seen other dogs out there and she really needed to spend some time with him. He was only a year old now and still a puppy. The conversation upon her arrival was all about Shelby's accident and how she was doing. Harper was glad when they started playing the game. She could finally concentrate on something else.

Harper hit a homerun the first time she came to bat. It was okay with Jane, because there were two runners on, but after that the other team walked Harper every at bat. They ended up losing by two runs, but it didn't seem to bother anybody. They had other things on their minds. Shelby's predicament had made it to the ballpark and as they shook hands with the other team, several players said they hoped she got better soon. The fact that she had killed someone was unspoken, but apparent in the players' eyes on both teams.

It struck Harper as odd how everyone, including her, had put Leah's death on the back burner for now. Shelby's recovery was the focus. What Shelby faced afterward was going to be bad enough when it happened. Harper thought worrying about it now only lengthened the time they would have to deal with it. Shelby didn't even know Leah was dead, yet.

The entire team including Jane and the husbands all gathered in the waiting room outside the critical care unit. Everyone had out a calendar or phone checking availability for sitting with Shelby. After an hour, Ellen announced she had enough information to take home and put on a spreadsheet. She would have a schedule in no time and no one doubted it.

Abby didn't have any cla.s.ses on Wednesday so she volunteered to stay at the hospital overnight. She went home to take a shower and grab some things. Besides Lauren, Abby was the closest friend Shelby had. If she woke up, she would be glad to see Abby. This would give Lauren and Harper a night off, which was desperately needed. Lauren would come back at eight o'clock when Harper came to check in with the lab.

Before Alicia left, Lauren pulled her to the side in the hallway. Harper was standing there holding all of the things Lauren had acc.u.mulated at the hospital. She could barely see Lauren over the pillow she balanced in front of her face.

"Alicia," Lauren began, "I want Shelby taken off my medical power of attorney. Change it to Harper, okay."

"Sure, if that's what you want," Alicia said.