The Mermaid of Santa Monica

Chapter 6

Over at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, Tommy was lying in a hospital bed and he was accompanied by a doctor. His lower left arm and elbow was amputated, leaving only a stump. Terry and Adrianna arrived in the hospital and entered Tommy's room. The doctor had called Terry over to discuss important matters.

"Tommy!" Terry exclaimed as she and Adrianna power walked over to Tommy and hugged him.

"Hi, Mom...Hi, Adrianna..." Tommy replied in a glum tone, trying to fight tears.

"How are you feeling right now, honey?"

"Lousy. They had to cut off my arm."

The doctor began glumly, "I'm sorry, Miss Fishbach. Tommy's lower arm was severely damaged. The shark attack left bones fractured and nerves severed. No amount of surgery would have fixed it. We had no choice but to amputate."

Upon hearing that, Adrianna looked at him with a concerned and remorseful expression. She already felt guilty over how she failed to protect Tommy, but to hear that his arm was so damaged beyond repair that it had to be cut off effectively left her internally distraught. Terry felt a similar way.

"Adrianna, please stay with Tommy while I speak with the doctor," Terry told Adrianna as she got up to speak with the doctor. While she and the doctor talked quietly in a corner, Adrianna and Tommy talked amongst each other. She grabbed his right hand and gently held it.

"Tommy, I'm so sorry this happened. This is all my fault."

"Don't feel bad, Adrianna," Tommy assured, "I know it's your job to keep me safe, but when I saw that robo-shark come for you, I wanted to save you."

And I thank you for that," replied Adrianna she gave him a small smooch on the forehead, "I'm just thankful you're all right."

"What am I gonna do? I don't wanna live with one arm for the rest of my life! I want to be able to swim!"

"I'm sure your mom will think of something, Tommy."

Terry and the doctor came up to Adrianna and Tommy. They had rather assuring expressions on their faces. Terry knew that Tommy having to live with only one arm would limit his ability to do things, but more importantly, she was worried it would severely damage his self-esteem. Fortunately, she came up with a solution.

"Don't worry, Tommy," Terry assured, "You won't have to be with only one arm. I will build you a new arm to replace it."

Tommy perked up with interest.

"Really? Will it be as good as my old one?"

"Possibly even better. I just need to get measurements on your arm to make sure I get a right fit for it."

Terry took out some measuring tape and got the necessary measurements on Tommy's right arm.

"There we go," Terry remarked, "I will have the arm ready for you tomorrow."

"Sweet. I hope it'll be something special."

"You won't be disappointed. Now let's go. The doctor has cleared you to return home."

With Tommy discharged from the hospital, Terry dropped him and Adrianna off at the apartment. Adrianna was instructed to watch over Tommy while Terry went off to the Sea Life Institute to begin work on a prosthetic arm. As she entered the building, she was greeted by Dr. Laguna, who was surprised to see Terry so soon.

"Terry!" The good doctor exclaimed, "What brings you back here? Is Tommy all right?!"

"He's doing all right," Terry replied, "but his left arm had to be amputated from the elbow down, and I'm here because I want to build him a new prosthetic arm to replace it. Can you help me, Dr. Laguna?"