Chapter 25
Don was riding high above the clouds, about 2500 feet off the ground. His spirits were also very high. The convention in Salt Lake City had been a gold mine of information. Don was elated by the miracles of modern technology which had been demonstrated. In the field of orthopedics, Don had viewed equipment which made him feel as if he were living in The World of Tomorrow.On a personal level, Don had acquired startling information about three members on the staff at Mercy Hospital. There had been an eye-opening conversation with a professor from the medical school which had been attended by Dr. Morrow and Dr. Kent. The professor had enjoyed a few drinks and was very garrulous.“Several of your men have been doing outstanding work for us at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis,” Don volunteered.Dr. Garth beamed. “Really! Who, may I ask?”“Alan Morrow and Jack Kent. Dr. Morrow has received national acclaim for his work in heart transplant surgery.”“Oh, yes,” Dr. Garth nodded. “We’ve been hearing and reading about Alan Morrow. Also about Jack Kent.”“Both wonderful surgeons,” said Don. “Dr. Morrow’s work has received more publicity.”“Yes, and you know,” Dr. Garth’s voice dropped to a lower, more confidential tone, "this has surprised us greatly.”“Is that so?” Don inquired.“In college young Morrow was quite bright, but not brilliant. Higher mathematics was his nemesis. Jack Kent, his roommate, was brilliant. A veritable genius. Every evening they studied together, and Jack gave Alan Morrow a tremendous amount of help in his academic career.” Dr. Garth paused, then added reflectively, “Of course, Alan Morrow also helped Jack --- in a way.”“How was that?” Don inquired.“Well, Jack was a timid sort. The only son of professional parents. He didn’t have much social life until he roomed with Alan. Alan taught him how to play poker, introduced him to fraternity life, and gave Jack the social skills he needed.”“Jack is still rather timid,” said Don. “He performs some amazing surgical feats, but he shies away from all publicity. Alan Morrow thrives on it.”“I’m not surprised.” Dr. Garth accepted another cocktail from the hostess, then looked around to see if he was being overheard. “There was something rather peculiar about those two lads.”Don leaned forward to hear Professor Garth’s low tones. “If Jack Kent bought a leather jacket, in a few days Alan Morrow would have a leather jacket. If Jack bought western boots, Alan Morrow bought western boots.”“That’s rather typical of college friends, isn’t it?” asked Don.“Not to the extent they carried it. Every time Jack Kent dated a certain girl, Alan Morrow would ask the same girl to go out with him. Most of the girls found Alan irresistible. Some of their friends called them the Heartbreak Twins. They really weren’t at all alike. Alan Morrow craved excitement and being in the limelight. Jack preferred to stay backstage.”“Didn’t Jack resent Alan’s infringing on his dates?” Don asked.“He probably did, but he pretended to be amused. Once when someone asked Jack Kent why Alan behaved in a certain way, Jack replied, ‘Don’t ask me to figure out what goes on in that mind’.”The conversation of Don and Professor Garth was interrupted by one of the hostesses who insisted that they partake of the elaborate buffet luncheon. At the buffet table, they were joined by colleagues of Dr. Garth. The conversation turned to the convention’s display of some fantastic computerized equipment, which lent mobility to persons who are unable to move on their own power.On the second evening of the convention, Don had received more intriguing news. At a musical program, Don was seated next to a very attractive doctor. Don introduced himself, “I’m Don Magill from Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.”Dr. Alice Winston introduced herself as a doctor practicing in a hospital “right here in Salt Lake City.”“We have a nurse from your hospital working at Mercy now. Her name is Gloria Lindsay.”“Gloria Lindsay!” Alice Winston looked shocked. She lowered her voice almost to a whisper. “Is she still single?”“Yes, she is,” replied Don. “Did you know her well?”“Too well.” Alice Winston said grimly. "If my husband and I hadn’t known Gloria, I would still be Mrs. James Winston ----- if you know what I mean.”At that moment the curtain rose, the orchestra began to play, and the musical program began. It was very entertaining, but Don’s thoughts kept returning to Alice Winston’s enigmatic statement.Chapter 26
A group from Mercy Hospital were attending a party given at the Adam’s Mark Hotel by the Delaneys. The party was given in honor of Sue’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brent, on their fortieth wedding anniversary.After Don extended his best wishes to the Brents, Sue’s mother asked, “What’s new and exciting with you, Dr. Magill?”“Our new MRI machine,” Don answered without hesitation. “It’s a wonder, a two-million dollar wonder. It’s fantastic for cancer detection. It’s also great for examining the brain, the nervous system, and …….” Don’s words were interrupted when an acquaintance tapped him on the shoulder.As Don turned to speak to the friend, Dr. Emerson told the Brents, “The patient is placed inside a giant tube, and magnetic waves are sent through the patient’s body. The body’s reaction and any variations in the molecules are detected by a computer. The computer relays all this information to a color image on a screen.”“That’s why it’s called Magnetic Resonance Imaging,” said Dr. Delaney.“Each new invention is a gift from Heaven for our patients,” said Jack Kent. “The inventions of Dr. Michael De Bakey alone have contributed a great deal to the amazing progress we’ve made in heart surgery.”While the others were engaged in conversation, Alan’s eyes restlessly searched the dance floor for a glimpse of Victoria, who was dancing with Dr. Lacey.Impatiently, Alan turned to Carol. “Carol, are we going to dance, or are you going to just keep sitting here listening to Jack expound on Dr. Michael De Bakey?”After giving Alan a gentle kick on his shoe, Carol said softly, “This dance is halfway over. We’ll dance the next one, Alan. Dr. De Bakey is fascinating.”Alan groaned. “This isn’t a hospital. There’s a party going on, or haven’t any of you noticed?”“I’d like to dance now, Alan,” said Gloria.“I’m glad someone hears the music,” said Alan as he led Gloria onto the dance floor.After they had danced for several minutes, Gloria said, “I get tired of hearing Jack rave about Dr. De Bakey, but I was interested in hearing Don tell about the new MRI device.”“You’re being brainwashed by that clique of dull doctors. You don’t have to pretend to have a brain, Gloria. With that face and figure, you don’t need one.”Gloria gave her little tinkling laugh. “With your face and figure, Alan, I guess you don’t need good manners.”While they were dancing, Alan’s eyes traveled over the dance floor. When he saw Victoria and Dr. Lacey, Alan maneuvered Gloria to be close to the Lacey’s.As the music ended for that dance, Gloria said, “Didn’t Carol say she would dance this next one with you?”“Oh, she’s happy over there chatting with Donny Boy and Jack. Here’s Vicki and Dr. Lacey. How about exchanging partners?” suggested Alan.Dr. Lacey didn’t respond, but Victoria stepped right into Alan’s arms.When they were out of the hearing range of Dr. Lacey and Gloria, Alan asked, “Are you playing that Julio Iglesias compact disc I sent you?”“Every day, and I like to imagine that you’re the one singing, Alan. With your great voice, you could have been a famous singer instead of a famous surgeon.”“I used to sing with my college band. Unfortunately, that lasted for a very short time.”“Really! What happened?”“I received a telegram from Grandfather Morrow. It read, ‘Buckle down. Forget the singing, or you’re out of the will.’”Victoria laughed, “You’re joking.”“No. He sent me about four of those ‘out of the will’ telegrams every year.”“And were you eventually out of the will,” asked Victoria.“Oh, no. The old man left me a bundle. It helped that I looked just like him.”“How can two people be that lucky!” exclaimed Victoria.Just then the music changed, and Victoria sighed, “0h gad, it’s a polka. Do you want to sit this one out?”“No. We’ll just pretend I'm Lawrence Welk and start hopping.”“My husband loves Lawrence Welk music,” said Victoria with a deprecating smile.After the polka, Victoria said, “Uh-oh, here comes my loving spouse and Gloria.”“Gloria is a wonderful dancer, and I really enjoy doing the polka,” said Dr. Lacey, “but it wears me out. I think I’ll have to get a cool drink.”“I’ll dance with Alan, Vicki, so you can join Richard for a cool drink,” volunteered Gloria.“That’s really nice of you, Gloria,” said Victoria coldly.As Gloria and Alan were dancing to the strains of a waltz, he asked her, “Are you enjoying your Julio Iglesias CD?”“I love it,” purred Gloria, “especially Amor, Amor. I find myself humming it all the time.”“I’ll sing it for you some evening, Gloria. I’ve been told that I have a better voice than Julio.”Gloria laughed and asked sweetly, “Did you ever think of having a group picture made of yourself, Alan?”A gleam came into Alan’s eyes. I love it, he thought, when this gorgeous blonde becomes her true self and forgets about being Miss Cotton Candy.Chapter 27
Early morning light filtered through the Venetian blinds, and the white-haired patient in Room 213 stirred restlessly in her bed. Her faded blue eyes scanned the room looking for some familiar object. I’m in the hospital, she remembered. What day is it? It must be Tuesday. April lst. April Fool’s Day.April Fool. That’s what Kathy, her daughter, had called herself thirty-one years ago, April 1st, 1958. Beautiful Kathy had been radiant that morning. She was carrying the child of the young medical student with whom she had eloped in January. At about noontime the telephone had rung. I watched anxiously as Kathy listened, then looked stunned by the message she was receiving. She kept saying softly, “NO, no, no.” When Kathy replaced the receiver, she seemed to be in shock. Her face was drained of all color.“Is something the matter, Kathy?” At the bitter memory of her own words, the white-haired lady in Room 213 wiped away a tear.“I’m an April Fool, Mom. That was Greg. He called to say his parents are having our marriage annulled. They say our backgrounds are too dissimilar.” Bitterly, Kathy had added, “In other words, I’m not good enough for their son.”“Kathy, your father was an educated man. The members of my family are nice, refined people.”“Mom, the bottom line is MONEY. His parents told Greg that if he insists on staying married to a pauper, he’ll become one too, because then they will no longer finance his medical school education or his living expenses.”Pauper. God, how I hated that word. The patient in Room 213 shuddered as she recalled that term. Poor, yes, we were very poor, but after Kathy’s father died twelve years ago, I had supported the two of us with no handouts and no help from any source,A week later when Kathy arrived home from her visit to the obstetrician, I knew something was wrong. Kathy’s eyes were bright with unshed tears. All day she was extremely quiet. At dinner my chatterbox, Kathy, barely spoke. Finally I had asked, “Is everything okay, Kathy?”“Mom, I told Dr. Griffin that my marriage is over, and that I was the one left with the souvenir of our romance.” The patient in Room 213 remembered Kathy’s cynical emphasis on the word “souvenir.”Souvenir. What a jarring word! “A baby is a very precious souvenir, Kathy.”“That’s what the doctor said. Then I began to cry, “Who’s going to take care of this baby? My father died when I was five, and my Mom has worked all these years to support us. She can’t support another one. I might be able to get a minimum-wage job, but I would have to pay someone to take care of the baby.”The white-haired lady in Room 213 remembered patting Kathy’s arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll manage, dear. We always have.”“We won’t have to, Mom. Kathy had a steely look in her eyes, and a cold, somewhat hard expression on her usually gentle face.“My God, Kathy, you’re not planning on having an....”“No, no, not that. When I explained my predicament to Dr. Griffin, he said he had to make a telephone call. When Dr. Griffin came back into the room, he told me he had this friend, a doctor. This doctor and his wife can’t have children, They’re interested in adopting a baby ---- my baby.”Thirty years had passed since then, but the patient in 213 still remembered her feeling of dismay. “Oh no, Kathy! You can’t give up our baby.”Kathy had said, “I don’t want to, Mom. But your health isn’t very good, and you can’t support all three of us. If I worked, I’d have to leave the baby in someone else’s care. Dr. Griffin swore to me that his doctor friend is very kind, very good. He said the doctor’s wife is a wonderful person.”“So are you. Please don’t do this, Kathy.”“When I told Dr. Griffin that I couldn’t make up my mind, he left the room and made another phone call. When he came back, the doctor said that his friends insisted that I must keep my true identity a secret from everyone, including my child, but they said that I could come to their house and visit as a friend several times a month. The time could be whenever I chose. It’s for the best, Mom. I know it is.”“It’s a mistake, Kathy,” I told her. Yet in my heart I had wondered. Was it?The little old lady in Room 213 stared at a flash of sunlight on the ceiling and gave a long sigh of relief. Kathy had made the right decision. Two weeks before her child’s fifth birthday Kathy had died from cancer. She had spent many happy hours with her little son. Kathy had died serene in the knowledge that her child was enjoying a very happy life.Chapter 28
The Mercy Hospital Auxiliary had held a very successful benefit bazaar, Say It With Shamrocks, on St. Patrick’s Day. Several weeks later, a party was held at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel to honor the committee members and others who had worked so diligently to make the bazaar such an outstanding event. Retired staff members were also invited to the party at the hotel.Dr. Anderson, who had retired from Mercy eight years ago, and his wife came over to speak to the group at Don’s table. Although they both looked elderly and rather feeble, Mrs. Anderson was very sociable. There were two empty chairs, and Mrs. Anderson timidly inquired if the two places “were taken.”Don Magill quickly responded, “No, they’re not, Marie. You and Dr. Anderson, sit here.” Don jumped up to offer a chair to Mrs. Anderson.Although Dr. Anderson had been well-liked and respected in his practice at Mercy, most of the group paid little attention to them. Only Don showed much interest in Mrs. Anderson’s fascinating stories of their travel experiences. Suddenly Dr. Anderson whispered something to his wife which seemed to distress her.Marie Anderson said quietly to Dr. Emerson, who was seated next to her, “Bill isn’t feeling a bit well, Jason. Would you mind calling us a cab? I don’t drive. Our son can pick up our car in the morning.”“Sure,” said Dr. Emerson as he rose somewhat, slowly from his chair.“Wait Jason,” Don said. “I’ll drive Bill and Marie home in their car. Then I’ll come back here in a cab.”While they were driving west on Lindell Blvd., Dr. Anderson let out a loud groan. “Marie, this pain in my cheat is getting worse. I think I’d better go to the hospital. What do you think, Don?”“I think that’s a good idea,” said Don.While Dr. Anderson was being cared for at the hospital, Don met Nurse Leahy at the second floor north desk. He was surprised by the fervor of her greeting.“Don, am I glad to see you! You know that little old lady, Ann Weathers, in Room 213. She keeps crying and asking to see you. She knows she’s dying, and she says there’s something she has to tell you. I doubt if she’ll make it through the night.”In Room 213 Ann Weathers poured out to Don the story of her daughter’s marriage and pregnancy, the marriage annulment, and the subsequent adoption of the baby. Don was eager to get back to the party, but he forced himself to listen patiently to the story of the white-haired old lady. Why is she telling ME all this, Don kept asking himself.Suddenly the little old lady beckoned for Don to come closer. Don bent his head to hear her whisper, “I promised my daughter I’d never tell you, but I can’t go to my grave with this secret in my heart.”This poor woman is obviously disoriented, thought Don. I’ll try to soothe her by allowing her to unburden to me her so-called “secret.”Trying to hurry the story along, Don asked gently, “Mrs. Weathers, what was it your daughter didn’t want to be revealed?”The old lady spoke clearly, “Your mother promised Dr. Griffin and the Magills that she would never reveal your true identity. But I have to tell you. My daughter, Kathy, was your real mother. Dr. Greg Morrow is your father!” Her voice rose at the end, but the effort was too much for the little old lady. She lay gasping for breath, half-murmuring, “Maybe I shouldn’t have .....”Don Magill took the little old lady’s hand in his. He spent the next few minutes expressing his overwhelming gratitude for her revelations. His tender, affectionate response toward the little old lady, who was his real grandmother, afforded her the comfort and assurance she needed to die in peace.As Don bent his head and knelt to say a prayer, he was startled to hear movement in the room. Turning around, Don’s heart gave a lurch as he saw Nurse Gloria Lindsay standing there. She had a very intent expression on her face.“Gloria! How long have you been in here?”Ignoring the question, Gloria asked in a solemn voice, "Is she gone?”Don nodded his head affirmatively. “Would you like to join me in a prayer?”“Of course,” Gloria answered. She continued to stand in silence as Don knelt. Don’s eyes were bright with unshed tears as he recited the Lord’s Prayer and several other prayers.Some time later Don returned to the hotel to pick up his own car. He was glad to get away from the loquacious cab driver. Don wanted to be alone with his thoughts, to review the evening’s dramatic sequence of events.Once back at the hotel, however, Don decided to return to the party which was still in progress upstairs. As he pulled out his chair and sat down, Carol asked, “How is Dr. Anderson?”“He seems to be okay, but he’s spending the night at Mercy. I drove Marie home before coming here.”He is so good, thought Carol. She gave Don a gaze of intense admiration.Sue Delaney reached over and touched Don’s arm. “It’s too bad you weren’t here for the entertainment, Don. It’s been a very exciting evening, and you had to miss it.”Chapter 29
Several weeks later the Delaneys invited the staff at Mercy to visit their new country home. The interior was lovely and spacious, but it was so crowded with wall-to-wall guests that Alan suggested to Carol, Jack, and Gloria that their foursome should go outdoors to view the grounds.“Mind if I tag along?” asked Victoria, who overheard Alan’s suggestion.Gloria glared at Victoria, but Jack said graciously, “The more the merrier, Vicki.”After the detailed near-perfection of the home’s interior, the exterior provided quite a contrast. The guests were unprepared for the neglected appearance of the acreage surrounding the house.“Because of the constant rain we’ve been having,” said Carol, “Sue told me that the landscapers have been unable to do any work.”“This grass must be ten inches high,” grumbled Alan. “They surely could get somebody to cut the grass.”“Stand over by the pool, Gloria,” said Jack, “and I’ll take your picture.” Jack positioned himself by one of the smaller trees.“I should have a tennis racquet to strike a pose,” declared Gloria.“Here, take this,” laughed Carol, as she handed Gloria a hoe that was leaning against the house. “Act as if you’re doing yard work.”Gloria rejected the hoe. “0h, no. I’ll stand on the ladder in the pool with just my upper half-visible okay, Jack?”“Fine.” said Jack. “It’s really the unfinished pool I’d like to capture on film.”Alan and Victoria had strolled over to the tennis court site, and they were engaged in intimate conversation. They seemed oblivious to what the others were doing.Gloria began to pose on the ladder, and Jack was waiting to take the picture. Gloria’s mouth, posed for a smile, suddenly widened as a terrible scream erupted from her throat.“Jack.” she screamed, “look out! There’s a snake!”Carol, who had been looking at Gloria, whirled around. On the tree next to Jack, a huge snake was slithering down the tree’s trunk, and it had begun to coil itself around Jack’s feet. Its ugly head was in striking range of Jack’s leg.Carol, still holding the hoe, rushed forward. With a mighty blow she severed the snake’s head from its body. Having done this, Carol grabbed Jack’s hand and pulled him a few feet away from the snake.Attracted by the commotion, Alan and Victoria came running over to see what was taking place. Jack, who was staring at the snake, looked as if he were going to faint.Without any warning, and to everyone’s horror, a second snake came slithering out of the tree and down its trunk.Gloria, who had boldly moved toward the tree to view the dead snake, began to shout, “Help, help!”Ignoring her cries for help, Alan grabbed Victoria’s hand, and the two of then hurried toward the house. Carol left Jack standing alone and ran toward Gloria. Gloria, however, ran past Carol, still shrieking at the top of her voice.Jack seemed to be in a state of shock. Carol put her arm around his waist and propelled his forward with as much haste as possible.Safely inside the Delaneys’ home, their story caused quite a sensation among the guests. Their hosts, the Delaneys, were very shocked. For the rest of the afternoon snake stories abounded. Many of the guests had suggestions for the Delaneys on how to rid themselves of this potential danger.Jack Kent had practically nothing to say. The color hat not returned to his face, and he seemed to be almost in a daze. Gloria sat pouting because Alan had ignored her cries for help, and Victoria’s husband sat glowering in a corner chair because she had not invited his to go outdoors and had returned holding hands with Alan Morrow.Jason Emerson made a feeble quip. “I guess your favorite attraction at the zoo, Jack, won’t be the snake house.”Everyone laughed, but Jack said in a serious voice, “This is the second time that Carol has saved me from disaster. She has probably saved my life on both occasions.”“Let’s just say that I’m good at shoving and hitting, and let it go at that,” laughed Carol.Sue Delaney lifted her cocktail glass and proposed a toast. “To Carol, for her bravery in the face of danger!”Victoria had a cynical smile, and she and Alan exchanged meaningful glances. This was noted by Victoria’s husband, Dr. Lacey, whose expression grew even more grim and outraged.“Carol was always swift to act in an emergency,” declared Don. “When we were children, our fathers took us to the Veiled Prophet parade. It was a cool October evening. We were sitting on a lawn on Olive Street waiting for the parade. All of a sudden, I saw Carol take her hand and brush something off her cousin’s head. A huge bat flew away. Carol’s cousin was petrified. She had seen it coming and ducked, but it was too late. If it hadn’t been for Carol, that bat would have entangled itself in Grace’s hair.”While Don was speaking, Gloria took a hassock and moved it over by Dr. Lacey. She seated herself on the hassock at his feet.“I can’t stop thinking how wonderfully you dance the polka,” Gloria said sweetly. “You are the best polka partner I’ve ever had.”Dr. Lacey’s face lit up with pleasure. “The music played by that German Waterloo Band certainly creates the desire to polka. Vicki doesn’t care for that type of music, and she despises the polka.”“Really,” Gloria purred. “I’m amazed to hear that. I’ve seen her dancing the polka with Alan, and they seemed to be in seventh heaven. In fact …….” Gloria stopped speaking as Dr. Lacey looked startled and stared at someone behind Gloria.Gloria looked up, and Victoria was towering over her. Her bright green eyes were narrowed, and her mouth was a straight line.“You had a narrow escape with that snake, Gloria. But you do seem to thrive on living dangerously.”“Up until now, Vicki,” Dr. Lacey said coldly. “I thought you and Alan Morrow were the only ones who enjoyed doing that.’”Chapter 30
At the annual Mercy Hospital Auxiliary dinner given at the Adam’s Mark Hotel on September 20, 1989, many of the guests were talking about Hurricane Hugo. It was acquiring incredible strength as it passed over the Caribbean Islands. The powerful storm had first appeared in the eastern Atlantic Ocean in early September.“They’re saying that Hurricane Hugo is going to be the worst hurricane since Camille hit in 1969,” said Dr. Kent.“It’s supposed to hit the coast of South Carolina with 135-mile per hour winds,” said Dr. Emerson. I heard that on T.V. just before we left the house.”Alan Morrow’s face brightened with excitement. “Gad, how I wish I were there! I love to watch storms. One night I was with a group on an excursion boat on Lake Michigan, and a terrible storm blew up. The waves were 30-feet high. It was great!”Everyone at the table stared at Alan Morrow in amazement. Dr. Delaney said dryly, “I think Hugo is a little stronger than a squall on Lake Michigan.”“I know that.” Alan responded. “So it would be a great deal more exciting. Let’s drive down there early tomorrow morning, Carol.”Carol’s eyes widened to register amazement. “Who, ME!” The incredulous expression on her face and in her tone of voice made everyone at the table laugh.“I love hurricanes too, Alan,” loudly announced Victoria, drawing the group’s attention to herself and away from Carol.A loud groan went up from those seated at the table. Victoria’s husband commented, “I was just thinking that Alan must be a little demented. Now I find my wife has also taken complete leave of her senses.”“I’m not going to drive into the middle of the hurricane or anything like that,” declared Alan. “Just close enough to view the blowing rain and the trees bending in the wind. I love the sound of the fury of the storm.”“That’s what I enjoy too, Alan,” said Victoria. Their eyes met across the table. It was a moment of bonding in their desire for excitement. “It’s such a thrill to witness the terrifying power of Mother Nature.”“A hurricane is an impressive sight,” said Carol. “I love to watch it on Channel 2, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Channel 11.”Everyone roared with laughter except Alan and Victoria.Gloria gave her little tinkling laugh. “My literature teacher told us that people who enjoy reading can experience their thrill vicariously. They don’t have to risk life and limb.”Don and Jack smiled at Gloria, but Victoria sent her a baleful glance.
Jack Kent commented, “There will always be the brave among us who climb Mt. Everest, plumb the depths of the sea, and search unexplored caverns.”Dr. Delaney asked dryly, “Have you ever noticed how often these brave souls have to be rescued by the not-so-brave?”“Often the rescuers are the ones who lose their lives trying to save the adventurous loonies,” declared Gloria.Alan Morrow was staring at Gloria with a speculative gleam in his eye. What game is this my gorgeous blonde is playing? Gloria returned his gaze with a provocatively bold stare. The expression in Victoria’s green eyes grew more malevolent. Victoria thought: Gloria Lindsay has her own way of living dangerously.Don switched the subject by announcing that it was Mary Emerson’s birthday. Don proposed a toast. After the toast and felicitations from the group, the conversation turned to birthdays.Later in the evening, Alan and Victoria engaged in a low-voiced, serious conversation with each other. From what Don overheard, it seemed that both of them were actually planning to drive south early the next morning. Victoria said she planned to leave about 7:00 a.m., and Alan said he would get started about 5:00 a.m.Mary Emerson said quietly to Carol, “Doesn’t it worry you terribly that Alan may drive down to Hugo Land?”“It does worry me, but it’s part of Alan’s make-up,” said Carol. “I guess that quest for excitement is what motivates Alan to undertake all those bold risks which have made him a pioneer in heart surgery.”Mary Emerson smiled and said, “Which is why Alan is so renowned as the great Dr. Morrow.”Later in the evening after Sue Delaney had had several drinks, she asked Jack Kent, “Would you say that Alan Morrow craves excitement?”Jack stared at her thoughtfully. After a few seconds, Jack answered, “Yes, I would say that. Alan Morrow is addicted to excitement!”Chapter 31
Five days later when Alan Morrow arrived home, Carol noted that he was experiencing an emotional high. For Carol and the Emersons, who were visiting at the Morrow home, Alan had exciting tales about Hugo’s aftermath. Alan told of fallen trees, of roads blocked by huge branches, and of the massive clean-up efforts being made by various agencies. Most exciting of all was Alan’s account of the life-saving techniques he had used when the director of one rescue operation had experienced cardiac arrest.“I was talking with this director, George Davis, about all the downed power lines. He was telling me what they were doing to restore power. Suddenly, without any warning, he collapsed at my feet. It will probably be on all the local T.V. news channels at five o’clock,” Alan concluded.Puzzled, Carol asked, “How would they get the story, Alan?”“I met Mary’s cousin, a cameraman with ABC News. I asked him to call the local television stations in St. Louis. NBC, CBS, and ABC were all there. They all have film of my saving the life of George Davis.”Dr. Emerson and Mary exchanged glances.At five o’clock Carol, Alan, and the Emersons gathered around the television set. After the lead story about Hugo’s devastation, Channel 2 reported that in the midst of all the turmoil, the director of one rescue operation had suffered cardiac arrest.The report continued with the news that Dr. Alan Morrow, well-known St. Louis cardiologist had been at the scene and had administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Dr. Morrow had also provided a clot-dissolving drug which he had with him.
“Quick turn to Channe1 4 or 5,” Alan ordered.Channel 4 also had a segment about Alan Morrow’s quick-thinking actions to save the life of Davis.Alan Morrow was visibly exhilarated by all the publicity. While Channel 4 was still giving its report, Alan told Carol to switch to Channel 5. On Channel 5 a picture of Jack Kent was flashed on the screen. They were all startled to see Dr. Kent being interviewed by a reporter. The interview switched to a Mercy Hospital room scene with a patient, Ted Barry, the famous host of a late-night talk show. Barry was crediting Dr. Kent with saving his life by performing emergency by-pass surgery.“Hey, Ted’s my patient,” Alan declared loudly. “I’ve been treating him for several years. Why wasn’t I called?”“His heart attack refused to wait for your return, Alan,” said Dr. Zuerson with a smile.“You were saving a life in Charleston, and Jack was saving one here at home,” said Mary Emerson.Alan persisted, “I should have been notified about Ted Barr.”“It wasn’t possible, Alan.” said Carol. “No one had a clue to your whereabouts.”“I guess that’s true,” conceded Alan. “Power lines were down all over the place. It was next to impossible to get a call through.”Alan’s disappointment was obvious to Carol and the Emersons. Alan Morrow’s moment of glory had been overshadowed by the Jack Kent / Ted Barry story.Chapter 32
Several days after Alan Morrow returned from Charleston, a group from Mercy was visiting Grant’s Farm to introduce several new staff members to outstanding places in St. Louis.“Every time I come to Grant’s Farm,” said Dr. Emerson, “I have a desire to burst out in song. ‘Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play’.”“When you look at this 281-acre tract of land with all these wonderful animals, it’s difficult to remember that we’re only a stone’s throw away from the busy life of the city,” said Jack Kent.“It’s like an animal Paradise,” declared Mary Emerson, “antelope, bison, camels, deer, elephants, goats, horses....”“Do you always think in alphabetical order, Mary?” laughed Sue Delaney.“It’s one of her many quirks,” Jason Emerson said as he looked at his wife and shook his head.Carol Morrow told Dr. Morris and Dr. Byron, “While we’re here, we’ll show you the cabin of Ulysses S. Grant. It was built in 1856.”“I understand that this estate is the ancestral home of the Busch family. It is certainly generous of them to open this beautiful place to the public,” said Dr. Morris.At Grant Station the Mercy Hospital group boarded a train for a fascinating tour. The train took them through Deer Park where they viewed different types of deer and a few zebras.“It’s a real joy to view these beautiful animals in such a serene and natural habitat.” commented Dr. Kent.Other highlights of the tour were provided by some exotic parrots, kangaroos, wallabies, and performing elephants. Baby goats were being fed bottles of milk by some children. The visitors were delighted with the antics of the baby goats.After the tour, as they walked to the Bauernhof, the hospitality center, Gloria sidled up to Alan Morrow and took his arm in hers. “I think the baby goats are so adorable,” Gloria said.“They look like lambs to me,” said Alan. Gloria gave her little tinkling laugh.Carol decided that before joining the others, she would take some pictures of the courtyard with the fountain in the center. As she was snapping pictures, Carol felt the presence of someone standing behind her. She turned quickly. It was Victoria’s husband.“Well, Alan was quite a hero in Charleston,” said Dr. Lacey. Although the words were kind, Richard Lacey’s tone of voice was unpleasant, with a trace of a sneer.Ignoring the tone of his voice, Carol answered, “Yes, Alan happened to be in the right place at the right time.”“Did you know that Vicki happened to be there with Alan--in the right place at the right time?” Richard Lacey’s voice was laden with sarcasm.“I guess they arranged to try to meet at a certain place in case Hugo’s problems proved too overwhelming for either of them. Did Vicki manage to call you? Alan said it was impossible to get a call through.”“0h, you can be sure that I didn’t hear from Vicki. I was informed by a little bird named Gloria. One of her ex-suitors is a cameraman with NBC News. He recalled that Gloria was at Mercy Hospital, so he gave her a call to tell her about Alan’s heroic deed. He mentioned that Alan was always accompanied by a stunning brunette. Of course, Gloria knew the identity of the stunning brunette, and she lost no time in informing me.”“It’s amazing how Gloria always scoops everyone else with the news,” said Carol. “We should call her Mercy’s Lois Lane.”“Vicki has another name for Gloria,” said Richard Lacey dryly. “I think it’s a little too harsh for your delicate ears,” he added as he turned to walk toward the rest of the group.A few minutes later when Carol joined the group, everyone was giving Gloria undivided attention.“Last night when I got home,” Gloria announced dramatically, “there was another threatening message on my answering machine.”“Do you think it was from the Forest Park rapist?” asked Sue Delaney.“It had to be,” said Gloria. “He said that although he had failed to kill me at the hospital, I could be certain that he would succeed in his next attempt.”“Have you informed the police, Gloria?” asked Sue Delaney.Gloria’s reply surprised everyone in the group except Alan Morrow. “No. I want to maintain my privacy. I don’t want the police or anyone else watching my every move.”“Be sure to save those messages,” said Jack Kent. “It’s possible that in the near future you will change your mind about informing the police. I certainly hope you do, Gloria.”After leaving Grant’s Farm, Victoria and Richard Lacey drove home in complete silence. He was still sulking about her being with Alan Morrow in hurricane territory. Victoria was busy with her own thoughts. They dealt with the death threat Gloria had received on her answering machine. That opens up a great deal of possible scenarios, thought Victoria. Her mind was engrossed with exploring each one of them.
