Part 10

In the hallway out side their daughter's emergency room cubbie, a young doctor reached out an shook Charlotte and Sam's hands. "Mr. and Mrs. Panchot, I'm Dr. Ried, a spinal cord specialist."

"Did you see Jenny fall?" The buzz of the codes and low hum of pained conversations faded into the background.

In unison, as if they had been practicing for months, they answered, "Yes."

"Did she hit a rock, how did she land? Can you tell me anything about the accident?"

Charlotte answered first. "She was happy, laughing with her sisters. She did the usual one, two, three run and then jumped into the leaves, feet first. It looked like her feet slipped out from underneath her whens he took off and she went up and then down."

Quietly Sam added, "I was out on the other side of the yard and only heard the thud when she hit the ground."

"From what I can tell, she landed hard, possibly crushing vertebrate, and the shock of the fall stopped her heart."

Charlotte leaned on Sam heavily, as tears formed in her eyes.

"Mr. Panchot, you saved your daughter's life."

But what kind of life did he save her for?

Almost as if he had heard the question, the doctor answered, "I don't know if the paralysis is permanent. I'd like to do xrays, cat scans to get a better idea of the damage.

The words catching in their throat, they shook their heads as a sign of permission.

"She's awake and has asked for you Mrs. Panchot..."

"Can I see her?" asked Charlotte, almost begging.

"Yes, and she knows her arm doesn't want to work, but let's try to keep her focus off of that."

Leaving the safety of her husband's side, Charlotte pushed aside the curtain that acted as a doorway for her daughter's emergency room bed, and made her way to her daughter's side. Taking her fragile little hand in her she leaned over and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Hi Sweetheart."

"Hi Mom. I hit my back, and I have a headache."

Charlotte dug up a reassuring smile. "You're going to be fine. Dr. Ried wants to take a few xrays and a cat scan."

Now it was Jenny's turn to smile. "Didn't you tell him, Sarah is allergic. We don't have cats." It was the standard Panchot joke, after Lovie's fall off the sled, split open head and Jenny's stomach virus could have been appendicitis hospital stints. Both requiring cat scans. Both put forth as a fun ride in a donut.

"It didn't come up this time, but I'll mention it."

Jenny's face turned serious. "Mom I can't move this arm."

Tears fought at the corn of Charlotte's eyes. "The doctor mentioned it. Said the xrays and cat scans will give us a good idea of what's going on. I wouldn't worry."

"Will you stay with me?"

"Of course."

"Like when I had my chest xray?"

Charlotte had forgot about that one. How could she? Jenny only two years old and with a possible case of pneumonia. The toddler squirmed so much Jenny had to hold her. Taking the radiation dose herself. It was a secret held between the technician and mother for all these years. "I shouldn't have to hold you sweetheart. You're a big girl now."

Jenny started to cry. "But I need you with me. Please."

The word pregnant flashed through Charlotte's head. No xrays. No radiation. No risks. But what of the child she laid before her? Is she less important? "We'll see sweetheart. I'll be there. No worries."