Forlot: Thunder Will Come Down - Book Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Six

I thought that I would not get any sleep that night. I had sobbed so much that I grew tired and fell asleep in the waiting room. I woke up in the morning to my family and friends staring at me, and a few of my friends whispered to one another, hoping that I would hang in there. The only people who were crying were Caleb's parents, his sister, Joan, and Collin.

Collin was crying the least and comforting Joan. Joan had a couple tissues in hand and was blowing into them. My heart that was cracking went out to them. One of the most difficult obstacles for any parent is to watch your child suffer. Sometimes, you cannot do anything to help your child except pray and have faith. The child's soul is reaching you because it desires to feel you and is calling you. Mommy. Daddy. Cindy.

I uttered a gasp. "Caleb?" I said.

"Cindy." It was my mom, not Caleb. She and my dad were standing behind me. "The doctor who is caring for Caleb was here a few minutes ago."

I spun around in my seat. "What did he or she have to say? Is Caleb going to make it?"

"Caleb is in stable condition for right now," Dad explained. "The doctor's name is Dr. O'Fallon."

"'Dr. O'Fallon'?" I repeated. "I know who he is. He is a terrific doctor and Mr. Hawk's adoptive father. Margie told me so."

"Dr. O'Fallon was specific with the details, Cindy, so I am positive that Caleb is in good hands."

I wrapped a strand of my hair around my finger. "Has the police discovered what caused the car to flip?"

They shook their heads and said no.

Kara, Wendow, and Triso were sitting across from me and occupying my and Caleb's children by telling them stories and playing with them. North seemed uninterested in the stories and games and walked to me. His hands were hidden in the pockets of his tuxedo. I rubbed my eyes and put on a smile.

"Hi, honey. I mean, North." North does not like when I refer to him as honey or sweetheart or sweetie because I am not his biological mother. "Would you like to sit in my lap and cuddle with me?" I patted my empty lap.

He looked at my lap, and then back at me. "Would it make you feel better if I did, Cindy?"

"Only if you want to. But if you are uncomfortable with—"

He interrupted. "You need comfort. And so do I."

I helped him crawl into my lap and wrapped my arms around him. He laid his head on my chest. I laid my head on his head. I could not begin to imagine how he was feeling. Unlike his brother, Cal, North had just met his biological father. I did not even want to wonder what would happen if Caleb died.

"Why were you and Daddy arguing? You two keep telling me that you love each other."

"It is normal for couples to fight sometimes. You and Cal argue from time to time, however, that does not stop you from loving each other."

"Bleh!" He stuck his tongue out. "You are gross, Cindy."

"Hmm? Whatever do you mean?"

"Cal and I are not attracted to each other. I like girls. Plus, we are brothers!"

I giggled softly. "Love does not always involve romance. It can involve friends and family. You and Cal have brotherly love."

"Oh. I get it now. I wish that you said that instead. Stop spreading misinformation to me and the readers."

I giggled some more and tickled his belly. He burst out laughing and thrashed his arms and legs and begged me to stop. I promised that I would if he said that he loves me. He refused at first, but when I tickled him harder, he gave in.

"I love you! I love you, Cindy!"

I stopped and hugged him. "I love you too."

Just then, the doctor, Dr. O'Fallon, came out of a room that was not far from the waiting room and walked over to us. He had a clipboard in hand and adjusted his glasses.

"It is nice to see that lots of people love and support Caleb," Dr. O'Fallon remarked. "I am glad that you are awake, Cindy. Caleb is stable enough to have visitors. He is still not awake and probably will stay asleep for at least five more hours. But he might pick up what you have to say. As usual, family members go first. So who wants to go first?"

"Let his parents and sister and cousin see him," I suggested. "The kids and I will go next."

"We can wait a little longer, Cindy," Caleb's mom insisted. "You and the children need to see and talk to him as soon as possible."

"You sure?"

"The children need to see their father," Caleb's dad added. "They have gone on for far too long without him."

I pushed the stroller as the boys and I followed Dr. O'Fallon down the hall and to the room where my husband was being held. Dr. O'Fallon warned me and my sons to not trip on the cords lying on the floor. He opened the door, and I pushed the stroller in. Cal and North skipped into the room, and the doctor shut the door to give us privacy.

I picked up a chair and set it by the bed. I sat in it and stroked Caleb's cheek. He looked awful and was hooked up to three machines. He was breathing through an oxygen mask and had cuts and bruises covering his skin. A tear ran down my cheek, and I wiped it off and sniffed.

"Why is Daddy not awake, Mommy?" Cal asked.

"His body is tired," I explained. "Needs plenty of rest so that Daddy will recover faster."

North tugged on my dress. "Cindy?"

"Yes?"

"Are Daddy's eyes supposed to be leaking red stuff?"