Chapters 21, 22, 23

Chapter 21

Matthew’s surgery goes well.  Dr. Gordon is pleased with the results and expects him to make a full recovery.  They decide that he will need to stay in the area for at least three weeks before traveling back home.  Tina tells them to stay with her.  Although Suzy must return home for work and wedding planning, Hazel and Matt stay along with Ellen and the kids.  Hazel explains the situation with Cole and the kids to Matt on the drive to Tina’s house.

Tina arrives before them and talks to Ellen and the kids about Matt.  She tells Isaac to be gentle with Matt while he recovers.  Isaac is excited to meet his grandfather.  So much so that he can’t sit still like Tina asked him to do when Hazel and Matt pull into the drive. 

Tina walks out to help Matt out of the car.  Isaac stands at the door, jerking with excitement.  Finally, he can’t take it anymore and rushes out.  Hazel grabs him up before he knocks Matt over.  “Whoa, there buckaroo!” 

Isaac hugs her.  “GiGi!”  Hazel turns to Matt.

“Matt, I’d like you to meet your grandson, Isaac.”  Matt smiles and gently takes Isaac in his arms.

“Hey buddy, I’m your PawPaw.”

Isaac hugs him.  “Hey PawPaw.  Sorry feel bad.  Be better?”

Matt laughs as he puts Isaac down.  “I will do my best but only if you help.”

“You got it!”  Isaac yells as he takes Matt by the hand and helps him up the porch.

Ellen is in the kitchen preparing lunch when they all come in.  Isaac rushed over to her.  “Nana Ellen, meet PawPaw.”

Ellen wipes her hands as Isaac takes her by the finger.  “Lead the way.”

Isaac pulls her over to Matt just as he comes through the door.  “This PawPaw,” Isaac says as he grabs Matt’s leg. 

“Pleased to meet you PawPaw,” Ellen laughs as she extends her hand.

“Matt Connor, ma’am and the pleasure is mine,” Matt says as he kisses her hand.

“Well, I see where Cole gets his charm and his good looks.  I’m Ellen Greene.”  Everyone makes small talk as they sit down for lunch.

After Lunch, Matt meets Laura and instantly falls in love.  “Tina, I can see why you took on these two.  They are precious,” he says as Laura giggles at him.  “Now, let’s talk about Cole,” Matt continues.  “What’s the deal?”

Tina looks at Isaac sitting in her lap.  He’s fast asleep so she lays him on the couch next to her.  “Matt, we really don’t know much,” Tina begins.  “He’s MIA but the way things look he probably didn’t survive.  We will may never know for sure.”

Tina has had so many emotions in the last few days.  She is so emotionally drained, her eyes don’t even water.  She sighs and leans back.  Finally she stands up.  “I can’t do this!  Please excuse me.”  Tina rushes out of the room.

“Poor girl, she’s been on a roller coaster the last few days,” Ellen says breaking the silence. 

“I’m sorry,” said Matt.  “I didn’t mean to upset her.  I just wanted to know.”

Hazel takes Matt’s hand.  “It wasn’t you hun.  I think everything is just taking its toll.  Us being here isn’t helping.  Maybe we should find a place to stay.”

“She won’t like that,” Ellen pipes in.  As hard as it is to have you here, I think she enjoys it as well.  Makes her feel like she’s helping Cole in some way.  Just give it a day or so and see how it goes,” she suggests.

Matt agrees, “She’s right Hazel.  I think she needs us.  Besides, I like being PawPaw!”

Hazel laughs, “Yes it is nice.  I am going to go check on her.”  Hazel leaves and finds Tina sitting on the floor by her bed, face buried in her hands.  She knocks quietly on the door.  “Tina, may I come in?”

Tina looks up as she wipes a few tears, “Please Hazel, Wanna sit?”

Hazel sits next to Tina on the floor and begins to speak.  “Tina, I am not sure what to do or say to ease your feelings but I do want you to know that I love you just like my own and that I am her to help in any way I can.”

Tian sighs, “Hazel, thank you.  That really means a lot.  I just don’t know anymore.  I have all these emotions that I don’t even know what to feel anymore.  I just don’t know.”

They both sit in silence for a few minutes before Tina finally speaks.  “I can’t raise these kids by myself.  What am I gonna do?  This is not the way it’s supposed to be.  I can’t do this!”

Hazel takes Tina’s hand.  “Believe me dear, I know how you feel.  I also know that God promises not to put more on us than we can bare.  He gives us His help and gives others around us to help as well.  Look T, I don’t care what they say, Cole IS alive and he WILL be back.  I just know it.  I don’t know how but I do.  Just hang in there.”

“Hazel, I don’t know how you do it.  “You seem so calm and together,” Tina says as she stands and walks to the window.

Hazel laughs, “It’s all because I trust the Man upstairs.  He gives me the strength and I know He’s in charge of it all.  It took many years of crying and emotions but I finally learned to give it to Him.”

Just then Tina’s phone rings.  “Dr. Carpenter,” she answers.  “Hey mom.  Yes I am doing ok and Matt is recovering.” … “Yes the kids are great and I can’t wait for you and dad to meet them.  You guys free for dinner Friday?” … “Great, say 6:00 at my place?”  … “ Ok see you then.  Love you.”  Tina hangs up and turns to Hazel.  “You and Matt up for dinner with my folks day after tomorrow?”

Hazel gets up and hugs Tina.  “Sure sweetie.  I’ll even help cook.  I can’t wait to see them.  It’s been ages.  You ok?”

Tina turns back to the window, “Yeah, just one more time I have to explain all of this.  I mean I told them some on the phone when I Got back but so much has happened since.  I know they are going to ask.  I am not sure how many more times I can explain things.  I relive it each time.”

Hazel puts her arm around Tina.  “You just leave that up to me.  I’ll have a mother to mother talk.  Friday night is just about relaxing and having fun with your family and those kids.  Don’t you worry.”

Tina hugs Hazel.  “You are too much!  Now speaking of kids, lets see what those two precious things are up too!”

Hazel and Tina walk back into the living room to find Isaac snuggled up to Matt who is holding Laura and watching cartoons.  They stand in the doorway and smile until Ellen announces lunch is ready.

Isaac pops up and runs to the kitchen.  “Come PawPaw!”

Matt laughs, “Be right there buddy!  Ladies could one of you come get Laura?”

Tina walks over and takes her and helps Matt up.  “Ya’ll go ahead and eat.  I am gonna feed her and put her down.  Hazel tell them about Friday!”

Over lunch, Hazel tells them about Tina’s folks coming for dinner.  She is interrupted by a knock at the door.  “Every one keep eating,” Tina says on her way out of the room.  “I’ll get it.”  Tina walks to the door while feeding Laura.  “Hey Pam, come on in and join us for lunch,” she says opening the door and hugging her sister.

“I can’t stay long,” Pam says.  “Just on my lunch hour and thought I’d stop by and see how things are.”

Isaac runs up and grabs Pam’s leg.  We great Aunt Pam.  Miss you!”

“I missed you too big guy,” she says picking him up and hugging him.

“Aunt Pam, Me PawPaw.  You see!”  Pam puts Isaac down as he pulls her into the kitchen towards Matt.  Tina puts Laura down for a nap and joins them.

“Hey Pam, got any plans Friday evening?  I mean I don’t know if you might have a hot date or something,” Tina laughs.

Pam punches her arm.  “As a matter of fact I do have a date but it’s on Saturday.  So what’s Friday?”

“Mom and dad are coming over for dinner and I thought you might join us,” Tina replies.  “About 6.”

“I’d love to,” Pam says.  “Now, what does a girl have to do to get something to drink?”

Pam joins them for lunch as they all sit down and just have a good time chatting and watching Isaac play.  Soon Tina all but forgets all about the emotions fighting inside her. 

Almost 3 weeks had gone by since Cole went MIA.  Tina was starting to return to her normal routine and Ellen was preparing to return to Jamaica.  Michael had called a few days ago and thought things were safe now.  He told them nothing had gone on since their last contact with Phiny and he felt sure she had moved on.  Tina had decided to hire a nanny to help with the kids after Ellen and Cole’s parents all leave at the end of the week.  They would all have one last dinner together along with Tina’s parents, Pam and Missy’s family.  It seemed life had continued and everyone was finally settling into the new normal.

Chapter 22

Michael was sitting in his office finishing some paperwork.  The last month had been the hardest.  He stared at the paper in his hand and knew he was making the right decision.  He read the title out loud, “Official Retirement Statement”.  He sighed.  “In 30 days I’ll be done.  Just desk work till then.  Fifteen long years.”  He continued to think out loud.  “I knew Cole was special and promised myself he’d be the last.  So he is.”  As Michael signed his name at the bottom, there was a knock at his door.  “Yes?”

“Sorry to bother you sir,” says his assistant, “but there is an urgent call for you on the secure line.”

“Thank you Debbie.  Patch it through,” he says finishing signing his name.  Michael picks up the phone, “Michael 1427.” 

He hears nothing but static.  “Hello?  Hello?”  He strains hard and hears a faint voice.

“Michael, its Cole.  You gotta find me.  I don’t have much time. “

Michael perks up and begins tracing Cole’s call.  “Cole, are you hurt?”

He hears the pain in Cole’s voice.  “Yes, very bad.  Not sure how long I have.  You gotta help.”

“Cole just stay with me.  I am working as fast as I can.  Can you give me any idea of where you are?”

Cole moans in pain.  “Trees but I hear a waterfall.”  Cole screams in pain.  “Please hurry!”

Michael hits the emergency button on the desk to summons the Operation Center.  “Cole, I am going to switch over to Ops mode so I can make my way to the center.  Just keep talking.  Tell me anything you remember, see or hear.” 

“Waterfall, birds, trees, the sun, birds.”  Cole stops and Michael knows he is fading fast.

He continues as he sits down at the Ops Center.  “Cole you said you see the sun.  Where is the sun to you?  Can you tell me?”  Michael calculates the time of day in Jamaica and knows that the info will help him determine which side of the island Cole is on.  Since Cole is calling on a burn phone, it is taking much longer to trace.  Michael asks again, “Cole, where is the sun?”

“Almost 3 o’clock,” comes a faint voice.  Michael punches the information into the computer which quickly calculates which side of the island Cole is on.

“Cole, listen,” Michael continues, “do you hear anything else besides birds and the waterfall?  I am trying to pinpoint your location.  Listen carefully.”

The line goes silent and Michael thinks he lost Cole.  “Cole!  Cole are you there?” 

After about 30 seconds of panic he hears faintly, “Choppers, lots of Choppers.”

Another agent in Ops feverishly punches all the information into the computer as Michael continues to talk to Cole.  They soon decide Cole must he near the old Bath Airfield that was turned into a helicopter training facility near the southern part of the island.

“Cole, I have a team in Kingston.  They are heading out your way.  They should be close to you in about 15 minutes or so by the chopper.  Do you have anything to signal them with?”  Michael waits for a response, hoping to get a good one.

After a few soft moans, Cole speaks.  “Not that I know of.”

“Ok, we are gonna do this the old-fashioned way,” Michael continues.  “I’ve got a general location through what you have told me and what we are able to trace through your phone.  When the chopper is in your area, I will have them fly as low as possible to the trees.  You let me know when you hear or see it.  Can you do that?”

“Yes.  Michael, what about T and the kids?  Tell me,” Cole says through pain. 

“Cole, they are safe.  They are all back in Texas waiting for you.  Don’t worry about them.  You just hang on.  Do it for them!  The chopper is approaching your area.  Do you hear them?”

Cole moans again, “I do hear a chopper that sounds closer than before.”

“That’s them Cole.  They are about there.  Keep listening and watching.  What about now?”  Michael says as the other agents relays the info to the chopper team.

“Starting to feel a breeze and hear louder,” Cole squeaks out.

Michael relays to the pilot to slow down as they are very close.  Cole squeaks out, “Chopper 100 yards to my 9.”

Michael continues, “Ok Cole, relaying to the team.  They should be right there.  You still hanging in?”  There is no answer.  Michael can only hear chopper noise.  “Cole you there?”  Still no answer.

Michael speaks to the chopper team commander.  “DogBone, have you located him?  I have no response from him.”

“Negative Sir.  Ground team still searching.”

Michael continues to try to get a response with Cole but does not succeed. 

“Command, this is DogBone, we have him in our sight.  Approaching now.  Command, he is unconscious but alive, barely.  Assessing before moving to chopper.”

Michael sighs, “DogBone you say he is alive?”

“Affirmative commander, alive but very weak.  Strapping him ho extraction board.  Needs immediate medical attention.  Condition very critical to grave.” 

Michael’s heart is racing as he listens to communications.  He says a silent prayer for Cole. 

The team loads him in the chopper and rushes him to the nearest hospital where the trauma team is waiting.  They rush him into the emergency room and then to surgery.  Michael never leaves the Ops center.  He waits to hear the news.  Finally almost 5 hours after the rescue, he gets a call from the doctor.

“Michael, he’s still not out of the woods yet.  I have no idea how he even survived this long.  He’s out of the first of many surgeries.  If he makes it through the next 24 hours, we will assess our options.  However, that’s a huge if.  I’d say right now he has about a 30% change of survival.  There is a lot of damage.  I’ll keep you updated.”

Michael sighs, almost in tears, “Thank you doctor.”  Michael ends the call, sits in his chair and prepares himself for the call he needs to make. 

Chapter 23

The entire family was gathered as Tina’s house for one last get together before Ellen, Matt and Hazel all head home.  Suzy flew in to help her parents on the trip.  Missy and her family are there along with Pam and Tina’s parents.  They are all there to enjoy each other’s company.  They chat and enjoy themselves all through dinner and well into the evening. 

Ellen finally helps Tina put the kids down as everyone moves into the living room to relax and continue conversation.  Just as Tina takes a seat on the couch next to Pam, her phone rings. 

“Dr. Carpenter,” she answers and then hears a familiar voice.

“Tina, its Michael.  Are Cole’s parents still at your house?”

“Yes,” Tina answers.  “As a matter of fact the entire family is her to see Ellen and them off tomorrow.  Why?  What’s up?”

“Well, I’ve got some news,” Michael says.  “I think they should hear it as well.  Can you put me on speaker?”

Tina is curious and laughs, “sure hang on.”  By now had gone silent as everyone knew who Michael was when Tina said his name.  She puts the phone on speaker, “Ok Michael, we are all listening.  Go ahead.”

Michael takes a deep breath and clears his throat.  “Ok well, don’t get your hopes up but we found him and he’s alive.”

Everyone in the room just stared at each other, stunned as Michael continued.  “He just endured five hours of surgery and if he makes it the next 24 hours, they will reassess him.  Right now they give him about 30% chance to live.  I know it’s not much but it’s something.”

By now there is not a dry eye in the room.  They are all holding hands.  Michael continues.  “Tina, I have you on the first flight out here in the morning.  I’ll send you the information.  I’ll meet you at the airport in Kingston.  That’s all.”

Through the tears, Tina answers, “Thank you Michael.  I look forward to finally meeting you tomorrow.  Thank you for everything.” 

Everyone just sits in stunned silence, not really sure how to act or what to say.  Finally, Matthew slowly stands and starts to speak through his emotions.  “Father God, we thank you for your love, mercy and grace.  We thank you for sending your Son to die in our place.  Father, we come to you now grateful that our precious Cole has been found.  We ask that you touch him right now and that he knows your presence.  We ask that your will be done in his life and if possible that you would heal him and bring him back to us.  Please be with Tina and Ellen as they travel to Jamaica and Hazel, Suzy and myself as we travel as well.  Keep us all safe and allow us too to continue your work.  Be with Isaac and Laura as they continue to grow and learn in you.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

Matthew sits as he wipes tears from his eyes.  “Thank you Matt,” Tina says.  “Now we have to figure out about the kids.  What are we going to do with them while I’m gone?”

Pam speaks up, “I can take some time off and stay here with them.  I can work from home a little while, at least till we figure out something.”

Tina hugs her sister, “Thank Pam.  You’re a life saver.”

“We can help out as well,” Missy says.  “I know my two love having them to play with.  We can make it work T.  Don’t you worry.  We’ve got this!”

Tina’s mom also chimes in, “We’ll do our part as well.  See all covered!”

Tian laughs, “Great, they are gonna be spoiled rotten, but well taken care of.  Thank you all.”

After visiting for a little while longer, everyone finally says their goodbyes as Tina’s family leaves and Ellen, Matt, Hazel and Suzy all turn in.  Tina is left in the quietness to pack.  In the silence, Tina thinks about Cole.  She prays for him and his recovery.  She prays for Laura and Isaac.  She prays for Ellen and James and Matt, Hazel and Suzy.  She prays for Michael and even Phiny.  She thinks about what a great person Phiny could be if she would only give her life to Christ.  She prays one day that will happen.  Tina finally finishes and lays down for a few hours of sleep.

Everyone is up early ready to travel.  Pam arrives just as they are finishing breakfast.  Tina sits down to talk to Isaac.  “Ok buddy, Mommy has to leave for a few days.  Aunt Pam is going to stay here with you and Laura.  You be on your best behavior, ok?”

Isaac hugs her, “Mommy where go?  Help someone?  When back?”

Tina choose her words carefully.  “Yes buddy, I am going to help someone get better.  I am not sure when I’ll be back but I’ll call you every day, Promise!”

They all say goodbye as Ellen and Tina leave.  They both got on the early flight to Jamaica and arrive safely to meet Michael at the airport.  Tina finds him holding a sign with her name and walks over, “Michael?”

He smiles, “Yes Tina, nice to finally meet you.  And this must be Ellen.”

Tina shakes his hand.  “Great to finally meet you as well.  Yes this is Mrs. Ellen.  She was heading home today as well so she just got on the earlier flight with me.”

They start to walk to baggage claim as Michael speaks.  “Great!  Pastor James is actually at the hospital with Cole so I’ll take you both there.”

Tina asks, “How is he?”

“He has made it so far,” Michael replies.  “No real change.  They are hoping to do another surgery in the morning.  They are doing test and prep this evening to make sure.  So far he has been unresponsive.”

Tina and Ellen both grab their bags.  “Let’s go,” Tina says.  “I have been waiting to kiss him for almost 3 weeks and not sure how much longer I can stand it.”  They all laugh as they head to the car.