Maria twiddled her thumbs and continued her pacing. She tried to convince herself that she wasn’t nervous, but that didn't help matters much when she was outside her realm. She handled herself with ease and command in the hospital but this was far away from that realm. She may have worn a stethoscope, but police badges, or at least the people behind those badges, intimidated her. She thought she'd have to spend the rest of the afternoon staring at Elise Jarrett's cubicle, and the day was fast turning to night.
When this is all over I am going to see to it that this…
Maria wondered, that perhaps Jarrett could read her mind. She gathered her jacket and walked away from the cubicle into the hall.
Now that Maria was finally allowed to make her call, she had to act fast. Preferring not to bother anyone at the hospital, she had one lifeline left.
Yes, Regis. It's my final answer.
She nervously picked up the receiver and dialed the number of the only person she could remember at the moment, her lawyer brother Ramon.
After holding on for over a minute, she'd almost hoped that he wasn't there.
“Hello?” Maria hesitated and had to take a deep breath before she responded.
"Ramon? It's me. Maria. Your sister, remember?"
“Yes, what is it?” Ramon tersely replied.
“Well, buenas noches to you too. Long time, no parlez-vous. How the hell are you?” Maria sarcastically replied. She soon sensed it would be one of those conversations. The sooner she finished this one, the better.
“What is it you want? The storm out there is picking up and I've got to pick up my daughter before she gets stranded at school. Make it snappy."
“You thought you'd never hear this from me, but I'm in trouble with the police. They're trying to charge me with obstruction of justice. I’ve been here since this morning and they finally let me make my phone call, the sweethearts. I really need you to come and get me out of here.” Maria spoke rapidly, then held her breath, hoping her brother wouldn't dismiss her so quickly.
“So, you finally went and killed one of your patients. Did you imagine that it was me so as to make it easier when you stuck the poor fellow? Or did you think you were Dr. Kevorkian?” Ramon cackled. “I don’t get it. What the hell are you doing calling your brother for help? I'd have thought you'd appoint some high powered angel of mercy in an Armani suit. Wait a minute. You like Versace, don't you? That's it. He'd wear Gianni Versace. Just because you have doctor before your name, you think you’re God. My, my, how the mighty have fallen.” Ramon was relishing having his sister in this vulnerable position. He was now calling the shots.
Maria was growing annoyed at her brother’s snide remarks.
“If you don’t want to come down and get me out, fine. Maybe I will find someone who wears Versace. I shouldn't burden you, after all…you’re my brother. ” Maria was about to slam down the phone on him.
“Oh, wait a minute, I am not about to miss springing my brilliant sister, the doctor, from prison. Mind if I bring my camera and snap some pictures of you in handcuffs? They would make excellent Christmas cards.”
“I don’t care if you want to bring along a whole camera crew from CBC. Just hurry and get me out of here.” Maria's desperation was now obvious .
“Well, you are going to have to cool your expensive shoes in that police station a little while longer. I have to get my daughter from school. I will be there as soon as possible.” Ramon replied.
Expensive shoes? What does he know? I'm wearing a pair of cheap sneakers which are wearing out very fast. Who does he think I am? Imelda Marcos? If I have to pace this floor any longer, I may as well be walking barefoot on the ice at Corel Centre.
“Elena comes first. You are not in any danger. You can wait a few more hours. You got yourself into this situation. I will be there shortly.” Ramon hung up the phone on Maria without saying anything further.
As she hung up the phone, Maria felt Rene Gauthier's large hand grabbing her shoulder.
“I am sorry ma’am, but you ‘re allowed only one phone call. We'll need this area to monitor other incoming cases. We'll have to move you into one of the other rooms. I promise, you'll be all right. We can’t have you walking around here. Security reasons.”
He led her into a bare interrogation room which had cinder block walls, and a lone, well used table and chair. The room had no windows, which made Maria feel even more confined.
“Wait just a minute. I don't remember you reading any charges against me. I thought all you were going to do was ask me a few questions, then send me on my way. You're not arresting me, are you?"
Please, Ramon. I know the storm's bearing down and Elena needs you. But I need you, too.
Maria took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down. She'd relied on these techniques while calming her patients during trauma.
Imagine yourself in a quiet, peaceful place.
Who'd have imagined that she'd use those same techniques to get herself out of a sticky situation?
When she finally did calm down, Gauthier interrupted it all. Maria jumped up from her chair and had to struggle to focus her vision. Ramon finally arrived, and he was no more joyful to see his sister again than she was to see him. It had only been a half hour since she was led into the room, but Maria felt a strange feeling of rejuvenation.
"I may be a lawyer, but I never thought I’d see the day I’d be defending my own sister.” Ramon laughed loudly.
"The doctor here has not been charged with any crime and therefore has not been processed. If, after further questioning, she is presented with a charge, she may request your presence at her defence, ” Gauthier once again spoke as if he were merely reciting from his policy and procedures manual.
Ramon’s smirk disappeared when Gauthier referred to Maria by her title. Ramon was quickly reminded of his sister’s degree. He, too, may have earned a degree of juris doctor, but when does anyone refer to him as such? Maria felt like the balance of power in their relationship was realigned in her favor. Once again she towered over her brother and she could sense that he was uncomfortable.
“Why am I still being held here?” Maria enquired.
“Well, doctor, it looks like today’s your lucky day. We reviewed all the files, and we really can’t see a reason why we should make you stay here. You’re free to go, but we are releasing you to your brother’s custody. We'll still need to talk to you some more. We can do that from your office. Plan to see us again tomorrow morning. ” Gauthier turned and walked away to leave Maria and Ramon alone to solve their little tiff.
“ I suppose I have to thank you for coming down here.” Maria said to Ramon, who had replaced a pad of paper in his briefcase.
“Why don’t you say it with some sincerity, doctor!.”
“You are correct, and I thank you for coming here. Was that better?”
“About as sincere as you’ll ever be.” Ramon coldly responded.
“I thought you were going to pick up Elena. Where is she?” Maria was genuinely concerned about her niece’s whereabouts given the current snowstorm.
Ramon softened a little, but not before getting in a last jab.
“She's with her friend Rachel. Rachel's mother picked up both the girls. They're doing OK. She sends her love. You should really see her. She has blossomed into a pretty little lady. Of course, your life is much too busy to be bothered with mundane details, like a family. You’re off saving lives and playing God.”
Those words stung Maria. Not once did Ramon ever say to her how proud he was about her accomplishments. That deeply hurt Maria more than anything else. She was tired of being told she wasn't good enough, that she'd never amount to anything.
Well, big brother, I'll show you.
******
One suitcase rested on the floor, opened and empty. Thérèse staggered towards the bed with an armful of clothes. They spilled onto the bed, and she was unconcerned about any order they may have had. . Feeling her heartbeat pick up, she once again picked up the receiver and hit ‘redial’.
Another busy signal. Though the gathering storm gained strength, Thérèse knew the radio and TV would update her on airport closings. She threw the clothes without regard of where they would land. The mountain of laundry could have turned into Everest, as far as she was concerned. Like a child obsessed with video games, she kept pressing the redial button and drummed her fingers on the nightstand next to her. Still busy.
Stephane entered the room and picked up a blouse that had not made it into the suitcase. Thérèse smiled at her husband and pressed the redial button for what seemed like the hundredth time. Finally she was able to get through.
“Hello, and thank you for calling. In order for us to serve you more efficiently, please wait for the next available agent.” The announcement repeated in French, and she was bombarded with vacation commercials, hold announcements and insipid canned music.
Stephane folded the blouse and carefully placed it in the tattered suitcase. He took out the rest of the garments and folded them with care before returning them back into the suitcase. Thérèse stroked his forehead and bowed down to give him a kiss.
She pulled away after finally hearing the human voice that broke through her perma-hold.
“Oh thank God, yes, I need a round-trip ticket to New Orleans. Is there anything available from Toronto?” Thérèse almost lost her breath.
Stephane sat on the bed with his legs crossed. He was staring down to the floor, unsure of what to say to his wife. He didn’t want her to leave, but Thérèse had already made up her mind. She had to do it..
“Oh dear! No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean you. I was unaware that airport was closed, too. How about Montreal? Can I get a flight to New Orleans from Montreal?”
A brief silence interrupted their conversation as she heard the agent tap into the reservations computer. “All of our flights out of Montreal are booked. If you can call back and check with us this evening, we may be able to get you onto a nonstop from Toronto tomorrow morning."
With a faint glimmer of hope, but more discouragement, she agreed. “ I understand, thanks.” Thérèse replaced the receiver.
She walked across the room, biting on her nails and muttered to herself gently.
“Perhaps this is a way of telling you that you shouldn’t go” Stephane offered sheepishly.
“I’ll get a flight into New Orleans. I should be able to get onto that nonstop. The airport in Ottawa may be closed, but I heard on the radio Toronto should be opening up again. S’il vous plaît , Stephane, I don’t want to talk about it any more.” The tension in her neck was getting worse.
“ You’re being so quiet, cher. I hope you understand why I have to do this. Why don’t you come with me? We can have a few days to ourselves. Maybe we can do some sightseeing around New Orleans. Then we can go on to Lafayette and meet the family. What do you say?”
“I can’t just pick up and leave at a moment’s notice.” Stephane responded with annoyance.
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth. We already discussed this and you’ve already decided to go alone. Good luck!”
He walked away to clear his mind a little, then came back and sat down on the edge of the bed. From the suitcase beside him, he picked up a blouse. He held it close to his cheek, inhaling the scent of fresh laundry detergent and lavender fabric softener. He may have been angry at first, but he really would miss that when she goes away.
Thérèse sat down beside him but didn’t say a word. What could she say? They stared at each other for several minutes before Stephane spoke.
“I’m sorry for storming out on you like that. I’m just trying to understand why you have to leave right away, this very minute. I’m having trouble sorting it out. You’re not doing anything wrong. If anything, I’m the one who did something wrong one for hurting your feelings. I love you so much. I just don’t want anything terrible to happen to you. We’ve had too many terrible things happen to us.”
They embraced, and Stephane whispered in Thérèse’s ear. “Please be careful. Please.”
She picked up the phone again. This time, the agent answered almost immediately. There was a space available on the nonstop from Toronto, but the plane had an early morning departure. Since she was so determined to visit her family, she wouldn’t mind waking up in the middle of the night.
“How about calling Noelle and letting her know about this?”
“Well, you’re the one who usually talks to her, but I can do it this time. Maybe she can join us for breakfast before we head out,” Thérèse replied.
She was actually nervous about calling Noelle. She didn’t want to upset her, but she didn’t want to leave without first talking to her. Thérèse’s fingers missed several numbers because they were shaking. The phone rang twice before Noelle picked up.
“Hello?”
“Bonsoir, Noelle. C’est maman. Comment ça va?” Thérèse calmed down when she heard Noelle’s voice. “Remember when I told you I was going to Louisiana? I finally got a flight. I’m leaving tomorrow morning and I was hoping that we can all have some breakfast before I fly out. How does that sound?”
Noelle could not believe her mother’s timing. The last thing she wanted was to have a family meal. Since the attack she had wanted to alone, of all things. Since she just now started to put her life back together, all she needed was some space.
“I don’t think I’d feel up to it. I’ve a twelve hour shift tonight, and I have classes almost immediately afterward. I don’t think I’ll even have time to brush my teeth. Have a nice trip, though. May I speak to papa?”
Noelle did not do very well of concealing her annoyance with her mother but she was not going to apologize. Thérèse could sense the tension in Noelle’s voice. Whenever Noelle was upset with her mother, she would ask to speak to her father. Thérèse felt like the worst mother in the world. But she couldn’t bring herself to cancel her plans. There was something that was pulling her to take that trip to Louisiana. She couldn’t put her finger on it but the feeling was strong.
They finished their conversation, and the two parents smiled at each other. Thérèse would have a life changing day ahead of her.
******
Seth enjoyed working in the vineyards, even though the snow was falling heavily. All the ice on the ground made the conditions perfect for picking grapes for the MacPherson winery’s famed ice wine. After all, the grapes had to be frozen for making this very special dessert wine. There was nothing better for him than to put on a well worn pair of overalls and one of his favourite comfortable flannel shirts. They were certainly a change from the suits and ties he was accustomed to wearing during high powered corporate meetings.
Louisa enjoyed having this time with him, as she hadn’t had a real chance to spend any time with him since the Vineyards Inn opened last summer. This would give them another chance to unwind and strengthen the growing bond between them.
He was just about to place some grapes in a basket when a sharp pain shot up his left arm. The pain was so strong that Seth felt breathless. Seth managed to get back into the office, where he quickly called Louisa over.
“I’m not sure about this, but I’m really hurting. Can you call a doctor?”
Seth felt the pain had subsided but there was still a residual effect. His left arm felt heavy and he felt at a loss for breath.
Louisa wasted no time. “I don’t think there’ll be enough time for that. I’m calling 911 right now.”
Seth winced and grabbed his chest. His pale look scared her. From what she remembered, it seemed like he’d never even suffered a cold. She’d stayed by his side to comfort him, but the false bravado was just that: a mask, and not a very pretty one. Life-threatening situations were new to her, and Louisa’s worry became obvious. A tear streamed down her cheek as Seth tried to reassure her.
“I’ll be OK. You can’t get rid of me this easily.” Seth tried to smile but it was apparent that the pain was coming on stronger.
Even in his pain he was trying to comfort someone else. Louisa didn’t want to cry but she was scared that Seth might die. It seemed like a miracle but the ambulance was making its way up the driveway.
Dinner would have to wait.
“Dad? Can anyone hear me out there? It’s me…Ryan!”
Louisa shouted at him to meet her where his father lay. Ryan, still on his ER rotation, had to take this day, of all things, to take his required paramedic ride-along. His cell phone and pocket computer were at the ready.
“Can you tell me what’s wrong? When did this start happening?”
“He said something about a pain in his left arm, and I saw him grab his chest just now. I’d say about five minutes ago.”
Ryan ran into the study in search of his father.
“Dad?”
He walked around the desk and gasped at the sight of his father sprawled out on the floor, white as the snow that was quickly covering the area.
“Oh God. Dad? Can you hear me? Please answer me!” Ryan desperately tried to revive his father. He quickly put a stethoscope to his ears and listened for vital signs. He motioned to the paramedics to start CPR . One counted, while the other began resuscitation.
Writing down the numbers he took, Ryan quickly placed a call to University Hospital.
“We have a male, 53 years old, complaining of chest pain. BP is...”
Ryan relayed the instructions to the two paramedics. Portable EKG equipment and IV bags flew everywhere as the three started administering to Seth. Seth tried to help but he started to slip out of consciousness. Louisa pulled him away to confide in him.
“Look, you’re doing the best you can. Your dad’s a strong man and he’ll come out of this. And you’re helping him. Pretty soon he’ll be back to normal.”
“Please, Louisa. I can’t talk now. We have to transport him immediately.” He stood at his father’s head while the paramedics were at his feet. “On my count. 1, 2, 3…”
The paramedics placed Seth on a stretcher and began wheeling him out. Seth still had not regained conscious and his color was still pale. The oxygen mask gave Seth an out of this world look.
“What happened to him? He’ll be OK, won’t he?” Louisa tried to get information but the paramedics were moving to fast to get Seth into the ambulance.
“Ryan, what is it?”
“We won’t know for sure until we get him to the ER. He is in good hands now. Let’s go.” Louisa and Ryan scrambled into the ambulance after Seth and the paramedics.
“You see, in no time he’ll be back to giving orders around here. Both of you will be back to watching Hockey Night in Canada before long,” Louisa reassured him.
“I’ve seen this more times than I care to count, and I’ve worked on more cases than I even want to mention,” Ryan told her. “It’s all touch and go. It’s one thing when it’s a stranger, lying there on a stretcher, depending on you to save his or her life. But when it’s my father lying there on that same stretcher…” He faded away.
“What is it, Ryan? Please tell me.”
“It scares the hell out of me.”
