Dr. Stone said...
“I recognize one of those men...but the other two... Are they your relatives?”
“The one in the middle is my elder brother...and the man standing next to him--he is a member of my Sect.”
Ona didn’t think it necessary to supply his name.
Dr. Stone said...
“I hope they don’t expect you to ride in the back of that cab. Not with the injuries you’ve had. And your leg cast...”
Dr. Stone pointed to her casted leg...
“You’ll need to stretch it out, and keep it elevated. City Cabs aren’t roomy enough for that.”
They were only a few feet away from the door; just out of the sensors range, and Ona could see the puzzled looks on Geff, and her brother’s faces.
Lucien said...
“Are you sure Angela? Is this a requirement for a discharge?”
“I thought I made that clear yesterday when we last talked Ona. I said that you’ll need to keep your casted leg elevated when you’re not walking. This will be necessary for a few more weeks--I also explained this to your doctors.” Dr. Stone pointed at the cab, then she said...
“You may not leave this hospital if you plan to ride to the dock in that yellow cab.”
“But...what am I expected to tell my family? They’re waiting for me.”
“You leave them to me. I worked too hard for all of my work to be ruined after on ill-advised cab ride.”
Before Ona or Lucien could stop her, Dr. Stone marched towards the glass door. The doors slid open, then close once she was on the other side.
Ona watched in horror, and she wondered what Caleb would say. Hands and arms were in motion. At one point, Geff opened the back of the cab, then he got in, simulating ways in which Ona could ride with them and still be safe. Then when he failed, each of her brothers took their turn. This went on for nearly five minutes, but to Ona, it felt like an eternity. But when Caleb threw up his hands out of frustration, Ona knew that the duel of wits was finally over.
Caleb walked inside with Dr. Stone, while Geff and Noah remained outside by the cab.
Irritated, her brother said...
“No one told us that we couldn’t take Ona home in a cab. Why is this the first time that we’re hearing this?”
Dr. Stone said...
“I specifically explained Ona’s condition. If the information was not clearly communicated, I cannot, nor will I be blamed for the miscommunication.”
Lucien didn’t want this exchange to get any uglier than it already had, so he thought it best to interject his suggestion.
“Will a limo suffice?”
His remark caught them all off guard.
Dr. Stone said...
“What? A limo?” She’d geared up to defend herself from false accusations, and now there was talk about a limo. She looked at Lucien, then she understood his remark.
“Yes... A limo would be fine. As long as Ona can stretch out her leg on the seat...a limo will be perfect.”
Caleb glared at Lucien, when he said...
“This has your fingerprints all over it.”
“Caleb!” Ona was shocked by her brothers overt claims, especially when he didn’t have any proof to back him up. Lucien sighed heavily, when he said...
“Mr. Zelle I’m just as surprised as you but, we must respect Dr. Stone’s suggestions. After all...until she leaves this facility, she is still Ona’s doctor. And as such...we must follow her orders.”
“So that’s it? She can’t leave unless we get a limo to take her home. Is that what you’re saying?”
Dr. Stone narrowed her eyes when she said...
“What I am saying is that Ona Zelle must extend her leg...and it is up to you to provide a vehicle that will allow for this.”
Caleb turned his back to them, then he stared at the cab. Noah and Geff appeared perplexed and it was clear that they wanted answers. He didn’t need to turn around to know what lie behind him.
While staring through the glass, Caleb made a decision.
He turned meeting Lucien’s eyes, when he said...
“Fine...Ona will ride to the dock in your limo. And I’m going along for the ride.”
Caleb turned to leave, and Ona wanted to stop him, but she muffled her voice when Dr. Stone began to speak, addressing her remark to her benefactor.
“Now that that’s settled...don’t be a stranger.”
Lucien replied...
“Thank you Angela for everything and I’ll see you at the next board meeting.”
“Goodbye Ona...it was lovely making your acquaintance.” Dr. Stone inclined her head, then she left.
Now that they were alone, Lucien wanted to fix things before being rejoined by her brother. He could see them talking outside, and they appeared locked in heavy debate. Ona said...
“I’m must apologize for my brothers behavior. He’s over protective and he only wants to do what is best. Especially with both of my parents out of the country. This is our way; the eldest brother assumes charge.”
“Is Caleb the eldest?”
“No...Noah is. But...Noah cannot come into the hospital so it had been decided that Caleb would be the family’s mediator on my behalf.”
Lucien grab the attention of one of the lobby doormen.
He said...
“Could you have my driver come around to the front of the hospital. And explain to him that we’ll be joined by my guest and her brother.”
“Yes...certainly sir.”
It didn’t take long, and Ona watched a long black limo driving up the horseshoe shaped hospital entrance drive. Lucien pushed Ona towards the door, then it slid open. She was greeted with a hug from Noah.
He stood back smiling while saying...
“Ona...we’ve missed you. You look well.”
She returned his smile, and she was genuinely happy to see him as well.
“I’m fine Noah.”
Geff clumsily ambled forward then he nodded in greeting. He said...
“It’ll be good to have you back at the commune. My parents are looking forward to that dinner.”
There were more awkward stares, and uncomfortable moments, then the limo pulled right up in front of the door.
Noah addressed Lucien.
“Sir...I hope you don’t mind, but my brother Caleb will ride in the cab with Geff, and I will join you and my sister in the limousine.”
Lucien didn’t have a problem with this happy change of events.
He said...
“You’re more than welcomed to join your sister as a passenger. As a matter of fact...may I pay for the cab? It wouldn’t have been an unnecessary expense if you’d known before hand.”
By Noah’s expression, Lucien knew that he’d offended him.
Noah said...
“It is a matter of pride that we care for our own sir. The expense is neither a bother or unnecessary. Ona is a member of our commune and we take care of our own.”
Two hospital assistants were helping Ona out of the wheelchair, and steadying her as she wobbled, negotiating with gravity and the use of her walking cast. When she was safe inside, Noah climbed in, then Lucien told his driver their destination. It was late afternoon, and the traffic was beginning to get heavy. This made for slow driving and the silence was a form of torture. When she spotted landmarks, indicating that the dock was near, Ona broke the silence.
“Noah...I’ll need special seating on the ferry.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that”
When the limo stopped, Ona leaned towards the door, to look out the window. Her eyes were drawn to her brother when he said...
“Thank you Mr. Delors. My family is deeply grateful for all that you’ve done for my sister and we apologize for any inconveniences.”
Noah extended his hand, and Lucien graciously accepted his handshake. Noah looked at his sister, and he said...
“Stay here Ona. I’ll need to talk to the boat master to secure special seating.”
Noah jumped out of the limo, leaving Lucien and Ona alone. There were so many things that he wanted to say. So many questions that he wanted to ask. But he knew that he only had five or ten minutes alone--at best. Lucien chose to address the most important question.