Looks like there’s more damage than the x-ray initially showed. He’s going to have to have knee replacement surgery. Will you give consent? he asked.
I’ll give it. He’s my nephew. I can’t let him suffer like that. She said staring at Ben. Daniel nodded.
I’ve already sent for a replacement joint. It should be here soon. He said. She nodded. “How is Alexandra?”
She’s fine. Ricky is watching her now. She said. She turned to Daniel finally. “You’re going to do the knee replacement now?” she asked suddenly realizing what he’d said a minute earlier.
Yes. Reopening wounds make healing a more complicated process. We have several joint replacements in stock now for cases like this so we can act much more quickly. The patients heal faster and get on with their lives sooner.
She was amazed. No doubt the hospital was doing very well since the new administrator took over.
How long would a replacement take to get here if not in stock? she asked.
Overnighted in most cases but we can’t leave anyone opened up like that for the time it would take. We order only from the certified supply house in New Jersey. Other than that, we have to have four each of the most common joints needed. Ben’s build is relatively standard so… he stopped when he saw her turning to leave. “Where are you going?” he called after her.
To make an idea a reality. She said as the door closed behind her. Daniel looked after her, confused then shook his head. He scrubbed his hands thoroughly at the sink and donned surgical gloves once again with the help of an O.R. staff person before returning to Dr. Brandon”s side.
A few minutes later the new replacement joint arrived. During this time, she and Alexandra chatted about Ben and Jean’s idea. A little over three hours was needed to do the knee surgery then Ben was wheeled into recovery for observation. During this time, Alexandra sat quietly contemplating Jean’s medical warehouse idea. She fidgeted until Jean was done explaining why it was needed. When Dr. Reynolds came into the waiting room, he wore a smile. Jean knew that smile because it reached his eyes. She waited expectantly for him to report on Ben’s condition.
He’ll be fine. He’s in recovery now and everything is going well. Alexandra stood and clasping her hands together interlacing her fingers, breathed a sigh of relief. Jean turned to her and gave her a hug. “Not sure what all the fuss is about. It wasn’t life threatening or anything. The two women looked at him incredulous. His eyebrows shot up. “What?” and held his hands out in supplication. Jean gave him a look then he smirked. She raised an eyebrow of her own.
“He’s my nephew and the only one I have left. I’ll fret over him if I want.” Jean stated.
Me too. Piped in Alexandra taking a cue from Jean. “About the fretting I will do I mean.”
Dr. Reynolds mouth worked but nothing came out as he tried to figure out what was happening. Jean advanced on him. Just then, he was being paged to Xray-2. He gave the two women a wink, turned and left. Jean and Alexandra glanced to each other.
He’ll be in recovery a couple of hours while he comes out of anesthesia. Let’s go to the cafeteria and get something to drink/ Jean said. Alexandra nodded and they headed for the cafeteria.
After the two got a sandwich, something that looked like Jell-O and a cup of coffee each, they sat at a table near the exit by the windows.
So what’s this hotel thing Ben mentioned? You really design and build them? Jean asked, trying to keep the mood light. She also wanted to know the woman’s business knowledge and the extent of her talents.
Alexandra took a bite of her sandwich and nodded. After swallowing and taking a drink, she spoke.
After Kosovo, I went home to an arranged marriage. I had already been studying mechanical drafting as well as architectural drafting. I liked architecture best so I went to university to get my Masters. When my husband found an investor for a building, it was up to me to design it. He would contract it and we would make money. She said then took another bite.
So this arranged marriage was more of a financial marriage between families? Jean asked. Alexandra nodded while she chewed. Jean thought a moment. “Please pardon me if this is a rude question but why?” Jean asked with the look of skepticism or disbelief.
It was to marry my family who owned mills with his that owned farms. His family supplied the raw material while my father processed it into finished products. By combining the two families, we would keep more of the profits as we would also co-own the transportation company my ex-husband built. After that, the whole system became self-sufficient. I had designed the buildings used by the transportation company. My ex-husband acted as contractor and built them. Alexandra explained.
Jean thought for a moment before speaking. “So your husband then started looking for building opportunities so make money on your design skills and make money on his contracting thus holding the profits within the family in a new venture.” Alexandra nodded but didn’t smile at Jean’s revelation.
It was good for a time but he didn’t have time for me from the start. The whole relationship was based on profitable business ventures. Alexandra explained. “By the time our second anniversary came, I was nothing more than a designer for him to hire. His ego became very big with each successful venture and I became less than a slave to the company. When I complained about it his solution was to come to America and begin a new life. He promised things would change here and we would be happier. So I left my family, my home and what life I had to come here. We became citizens because he knew how to get citizenship quickly. As developers, it was easier to obtain dual-citizenship. I had already learned English because I wanted to build things in English speaking countries.” Alexandra said.
While she talked Jean thought about the arranged marriage and how hard it could have been to be with a man you didn’t really love. From her descriptions, Alexandra tried to love the man but his only interest in profits and money negated any love she might have had for him. When she finished, she realized Alexandra was looking at her.
Oh. I’m sorry Alexandra. My mind was about Ben. What was the question? Jean said.
I asked if you had such dreams to build things. Alexandra said.
Jean nodded. “Yes. I was thinking of the medical warehouse and how it might work in a network of medical supply houses.”
The two talked and brainstormed for another hour laying out ideas and strategies and used several napkins to make notes on. Susan came into the cafeteria, saw the women and headed straight for them. Jean looked up.
Hi Susan. Jean said cheerily. Then her smile vanished and alarm filled her. “Is Ben-”
Ben is fine Jean. There’s someone up front to see you. He says it’s urgent. Susan said, her hands fidgety.
Jean glanced at Alexandra then rose quickly. Alexandra snatched up the napkins and followed the other two women. Susan was walking quite quickly and Jean and Alexandra practically had to jog to keep up with the tall woman.
When they reached the front desk, a policeman and a Fire Marshall were waiting. Jean was trying to figure out why the Fire Marshall was there. She figured she might have gotten caught speeding to get to the hospital and would have to face the police but a Fire Marshall?
Ms. Logan? the policeman asked as he held his hand out to her. She took it and gave a quick firm shake.
Yes. I’m Jean Logan. She said. “What’s this all about?”
Ms. Logan, I’m Officer Kaine. This is Deputy Fire Marshall Hayden. He said making the introductions. Hayden held his hand and she gave him a firm quick hand shake as well.
Hayden then spoke. “Ms. Logan.” He began and took a deep breath then started again. “Ms. Logan. I regret to report that your little cottage had caught fire.” With those words, Jean immediately remembered the casserole she left in the oven. As Hayden gave a summary of the initial fire investigation she felt tears streak down her face. In seconds, she was sobbing into Hayden’s shoulder as he held her, trying to comfort her. All her childhood memories of the place began running through her mind like a movie. Alexandra put a hand on Jean’s shoulder.
After calming a bit, Jean was offered a seat and she and Hayden talked while Officer Kaine took notes. Alexandra held one of Jean’s hands in comfort the whole time as Jean explained the events that led her there.
Well Ms. Logan. Officer Kaine started. “It seems that with the duress you were under regarding your nephew’s injury, I would have forgotten the oen too.” Jean looked up at him and returned his smile. “I’m sorry Ms. Logan. I don’t see any reason to question you any further on the matter. Please accept my deepest regrets on the loss of your cottage.” He said with compassion in his voice and on his face. Jean nodded.
Thank you Officer Kaine. At least nobody was hurt. Jean said in a slight daze. Officer Kaine nodded, smiled then spoke a few words with Hayden then turned to speak with Jean before leaving.
I hope your nephew will be alright Ms. Logan. he said.
I think he’ll be okay. Just physical therapy left and then we’ll rebuild the cottage. She said. The officer nodded and smiled before turning to leave.
Hayden stayed.
Ms. Logan, how is your nephew doing? Hayden asked.
He had knee replacement surgery. He’s in recovery now. She said looking at her watch.
How much of the field burned Mr. Hayden? Alexandra asked. Hayden turned to her to answer.
By the time we got there, the whole structure was engulfed and had worked its way to the edge of the trees closest to it. Fortunately it was green and didn’t flare so it pretty much burned in a low, forest floor clearing fire through the trees. It’s not as bad as it sounds as you’ll see when you are able to. Hayden explained. Jean was nodding.
How did you get your trucks in there? Jean asked.
We knew about the bridge replacement and the ingress point. It’s quite narrow but we were able to get our equipment down the ramp and take the utility service road. If it hadn’t been for that, I think it would have taken much longer and more of the forest and field would have burned. Hayden said.
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