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Nichole was out with her friend Piglet when they bumped into Piglet's school mate, Porky, who looked like the world had come to an end. He was trotting down the main street not looking where he was going which was why they bumped into him and Nichole had to take hold of his arm or he would have tumbled over. "Why, Porky, What's the matter?" asked Piglet, " You look like the sky's fallen down. Are you sick?" A large tear started to roll down Porky's cheek and he sniffed loudly, " No. I'm not sick, Piglet. It's Dress, she was climbing a tree with Snorkel yesterday and fell off the branch she was on. They say she's really bad and they took her to the big Hospital over in Trelawny and that's MILES away and we can't go and see her because it's too far, and we don't know what's happening to her." Nichole and Piglet were very concerned on hearing this news and wanted to know how she was hurt and if Snorkel and his folks were with her. " No," said Porky, " They all went over when the ambulance took her yesterday but they had to come back because Snorkel had a special test to do at school last night and his Dad had to go to work today, and his Mom couldn't afford a motel to stay over night. Besides, the Doctor said that Dress wouldn't be able to talk for at least a couple of days and if there was any serious change they would call. He advised them to all go home and keep busy so they wouldn't be sitting around worrying. He said staying busy would keep their minds off Dress because there was nothing they could do at this time". As Porky was relating all this there was a flash of bright teal green and a sleek convertible came to a screeching stop close enough for the trio to touch the side of it!! " Hi Porky," came a cherry voice, " Remember me?" "Hey, Tami!" Porky said, "Are you back form your trip?" " Yes, I had a wonderful time and it was so good to see my friend again. Who are your friends here?" Porky introduced Tami to Nichole and Piglet and then went on to tell her about Dress. Tami felt badly about the accident and said, " Today's Saturday and there's no school, how about I drive you all to the Hospital? There's room enough for everyone if Snorkel and his folks want to come - I've gotten 6 in this car before." she grinned, " actually, we had NINE once when some friends and I went to a party!" The others laughed and got excited - they piled in the car and drove over to Snorkel's home. Snorkel was sitting on the front steps looking dejected and worried, and was scratching the ears of a brown and white cocker spaniel that was sitting next to him gazing up with big soulful eyes and looking like he knew exactly what Snorkel was thinking. Snorkel looked up as he heard the car driving up and his eyes brightened when he saw Tami and his friends. " Hey guys - hey, Tami, good to see ya again. Whaddya doing in town? Back from your vacation?" Everyone clambered out of the car and for a few minutes, Tami described the fun time she had had with her friend. Then she told Snorkel how sorry she was to hear about Dress's accident and NOT to feel guilty that it might be HIS fault she fell out of the tree. Snorkel went red in the face so he HAD been thinking that, but he looked relieved as Tami explained it had to be pure accident and there wasn't anyone at fault. When she made her suggestion of taking them all to the Hospital, Snorkel gave a whoop and cried, "Wait until I tell MOM, she''ll be so tickled. She's SO worried being so far away." He ran inside and after a minute, came back pulling his Mother by the hand. She smiled at Tami and said, "How kind of you, Tami, I would love to go and see Dress. My husband can't as he's at work today, but if there's room, Snorkel and I would love to come." So they all fit into the car, Snorkel and his Mom in the front with Tami, and Nichole, Piglet and porky in the back. There was plenty of room, and the car zoomed off down the road towards Trelawney. Nichole told them she had been a patient in Trelawny Hospital one time when she had her tonsils out. She had been six years old then, and she said she was given LOTS of ice cream and jello and had had a GREAT time. The nurses were really nice and played games with her when they could. Her friends felt better when they heard a lttle about the children's Ward and that the nurses were good to their patients. Piglet, Porky and Snorkel were silently hoping THEY would get some ice cream and jello but they weren't counting on it! When they arrived at the Hospital they found their way to the floor where Dress was and was glad to learn she had been moved from the Intensive Care Unit to the regular Children's Ward. However, when they got there they were told she had been taken to another place for some tests and wouldn't be back for an hour or two. Nichole said she would show them some of the places she had walked around with a nurse one day when she was getting better. Somehow it didn't seem at all scary, and they liked the feel as they went up in an elevator that quietly shot them up ten floors up to the Nursery. It stopped so suddenly they almost fell over. It was fun looking at all the newborn babies that were wrapped tightly in little blankets so only their scrunched up, wrinkled faces were showing. Some were crying, others sleeping and some, you could look through the window and see a nurse with a mask over her face feeding one tiny little baby with a bottle almost as big as the baby! They were fascinated as they watched, " Just think," said Nichole, "we were once that tiny." Porky tried to imagine how he must have looked when he was a baby but he couldn't picture it very well - especially being wrapped up in a blanket. As they left the Nursery, Porky said, " Where's Piglet?" Nichole looked around quickly. There wasn't a sign of him! Dresser's mom has stayed in the waiting room by the Children's Ward in case Dress came back early and she could see her mom there, and they wondered if Piglet had gone back to the waiting room. No, he wasn't there. Nichole said, " I can think of one place we might find him - guess where?" Tami grinned and Snorkel caught on real fast. Porky looked like he had a big question mark over his snout. " I don't know," he said, "Where would we find him?" Snorkel poked him in the tummy, " I am surprised YOU can't guess, Porky. What do you enjoy doing the most?" Porky's eyes widened. "Oooohhh - FOOD!" he cried, " THAT's where we'll find him - in the cafeteria." Knowing that Piglet couldn't read all the signs they guessed he must have asked someone the way because it was quite complicated going down all the hallways, but they finally found it and sure enough, they spotted Piglet sitting at a table with a boy and girl who looked like they might be ten and twelve, and guess what they were eating? You've got it - ice cream and jello! Piglet's ears turned pink when he saw his friends and he had the grace to look rather ashamed but covered it up by introducing the two youngsters he was sitting with. " This is David, and his sister Glenda. They are visiting their Uncle who had just had his appendix out. He's getting ready to go home so they're just waiting till they bring him down stairs" . The others introduced themselves and Piglet was wiping ice cream off his mouth and Porky and Snorkel were about to head for the counter and get some for themselves when David pointed through the doorway and said, "There is Uncle Stephen" A nurse was wheeling a wheelchair past the cafeteria in the direction of the Lobby and Glenda and David got up to leave. " Come and meet Uncle Stephen," Glenda invited them, " he's like to see you and he's lots of fun." Stephen Blair had reddish brown hair, green eyes and didn't look like he had had surgery just a few days ago. He was moaning at having to sit in a wheel chair when he said he could walk perfectly well but the Hospital rule was that all patients had to be wheeled to the front door in case anything happened, like falling and the Hospital would be sued. Affter they left, the could do what hey liked! When Mr. Blair stood up he was over six feet tall and Porky and Piglet felt they were looking up at a skyscraper. He shook hands with everyone, then when he shook Nichole's hand he held up a peppermint candy stick. "Well well, " he grinned, " Do you always carry peppermint sticks around with you Nichole?" Nichole looked astonished, " I don't HAVE any peppermint sticks." She replied. Then he reached over to Porky and pulled a ball point pen out of his ear. Porky gasped, Piglet squealed in delight, and David and Glenda grinned, " Uncle Stephen is a conjuror", they explained. He would frequently be invited to parties and other places to entertain adults and children. Stephen told them he and his niece and nephew would have to wait a while because he couldn't drive, and his wife wouldn't be free to come and pick them up for another hour or so. He had the nurse let him get out of the wheel chair and sit in one of the armchairs in the Lobby. She said that would be alright and then took the chair away and left. About two minutes after, Snorkels mom came into the Lobby looking for him. She was introduced to Mr. Blair and then she told them, " Dress is back in her room but hasn't opened her eyes yet. The Doctor said she needs to hear people talking and see if she will respond, I need you to come up and see if she can hear you," Snorkel asked if David and Glenda could come. " Dress might hear there's other kids around and wake up, mom. We need to do all we can to get her awake again, " Mrs. Hardy looked at Stephen, " What do you think, Mr. Blair?' she asked, " Would that be all right with you ? I really think the more stimulation Dress can have the sooner she will pull out of this, at least, that is what the doctor said. Stephen Blair, nodded, "Of course, and if I don't have that fussy nurse around me I can come up to the waiting room and sit there. There's a coffee machine there and I can drink some decaf while the children are together." So they all went up the speedy elevator again and Mr. Blair gave a little grunt when it stopped so suddenly but he didn't say anything. He sat in the waiting room and the others went into the room where Dress lay, looking like she was asleep in her bed. The youngsters tiptoed up to the bed and Nichole, Tami, and Mrs Hardy stood back and watched. Snorkel leaned over the bed and said, " Hey , Dress, it's Snorkel, wake up , We've a lot to tell you. Nichole and Piglet are here with Porky, and Tami's come back from her vacation, Wake up , we want to tell you all about things." Dress moved her head a little and seemed to be listening, Porky climbed up on a chair beside the bed and touched her hand with his hoof. " It's me , Porky," he said, "Wake up, Dress, we've got two new friends we want you to meet. Their names are David and Glenda. You've got to open your eyes or you wont see them. Come on , Dress, wake up - Nichole." Dress's eyelids fluttered and her eyes half opened then closed again. She sighed and murmured , Mom?" Her mother came to the bed at once, and took her hand, bending over and kissing her on the forehead. " I'm right here, Dress, and you're going to be alright." At the sound of her mother's voice, Dress opened her eyes wide this time and looked around. At first she seemed confused, but as she adjusted, she looked at her mother, then Snorkel and then the others - quite a roomful, but the doctor has said that it would not hurt to have lots of people, in fact the more the better. " Hey - where an I?" Dress asked. " how come you're all here, and who are you guys?" she added, looking at David and Glenda. The children all started talking at once explaining where she was and who their new friends were and Dress was tickled to see Nichole and Piglet. She remembered Tami, and her mother shed a quiet tear as she realized Dress's memory was going to be alright and that she would recover fully. Glenda spoke up, " Hey, Uncle Stephen is sitting in the Waiting room all alone. I'm going to get him - he would love to meet Dress." She disappeared and the others didn't tell Dress anything about him. Stephen came back with Glenda and walked over to the bed. "Pleased to meet you, Dress. My name is Stephen and I kind of have connections with these two young people." He smiled at David and Glenda. "Hear you took took a fall going down instead of up the tree!" As he bent over the bed to take dress's hand he plucked a very small stuffed puppy dog our from under her pillow ands held it out to her. "Do you usually keep your animals UNDER your pillow?" he inquired, Looking puzzled. Dress looked MORE puzzled, "Bbbut I don't HAVE a little dog. He's cute but he's not mine." " Looks like he is now, " said Mr. Blair." He was in YOUR bed so he must be yours! And what's this?" he touched her head and drew a blue and yellow and red silk scarf, pulling it out of her ear like a colored piece of spaghetti! " Oooooooh" the kids cried, " Huh!" said Snorkel, " Didn't think my Sis had brains - look what comes out of her ear. No grey matter at all- has to be blue and red and yellow!" He punched Dress lightly on the arm and grinned at her. After they explained that Stephen did conjuring tricks they clamored for him to give them a show right there and then, The doctor walked in at that moment and was very pleased to see Dress was not only conscious but talking and laughing with her family and friends. However, he said, that TOO much would not be good and they should let her rest for a little while now. Very reluctantly the youngsters followed Mrs. Hardy, Mr. Blair, Nichole and Tami out of the room, promising to come back as soon as they would be allowed to. Dress was asleep before they had all gone out of the room. This time, they all went back to the lobby to see if Mrs. Blair had arrived and found her sitting in an armchair waiting. She looked rather concerned to see her husband walking into the lobby - she expected him to be in a wheelchair, but he explained all the goings on and she was comforted to see he didn't appear worn out. " I've been sitting most of the time," he said " and besides, I am supposed to exercise. Have to keep the tummy muscles in good shape." He winked at the children. " Say before we leave, how about going to the Cafeteria and having some jello and ice cream?" " GREAT idea." enthused Porky, and kicked Piglet on his hock ( that's the equivalent of ankle in people persons) as he started to open his mouth. " We ARE kinda hungry, aren't we?" He looked fiercely at his friends. Nichole and Tami didn't say a word, and Mrs. Hardy, who didn't know if they had eaten or not because she had been waiting upstairs, agreed she could enjoy a snack. So they all went through the hallways again and into the Cafeteria and not only had jello and ice cream which Mr. Blair insisted on paying for, but they were allowed to choose one other item. Nichole had a cinnamon roll with extra topping, Piglet had a chocolate chip cookie as did Porky, Snorkel wanted a large piece of chocolate cake, Tami ate a roast beef sandwich because she hadn't eaten all day, yet, and Mrs. Hardy just wanted a cup of coffee. Stephen chose a sandwich too as said he had been given " slops" for food and it was about time he had something solid. Mrs. Blair said they needed to be getting home and Stephen needed to rest. He seemed to agree with this, and he WAS looking a little pale. However, he was supposed to come back for a check up in a few days' time and offered to swing by and pick up Mrs. Hardy and Snorkel if they would like a ride, and he said the others could come too if the wanted to . Tami said she only had a couple or so more days she could stay in Krumble and she would bring them to see Dress if they liked and probably she would be getting out of Hospital by then anyway , if not before. Because Dress was young and in good health she could spring back quickly and not be any the worse for the accident. So it was arranged that way , and Stephen promised that when he picked them up in three days' time he would give them all a show of all the tricks he knew. They could hardly wait. Actually that didn't happen, because Dress came home two days later in Tami's car and was doing fine. They called the Blair's and invited Stephen and his wife to come over for supper the following Friday evening when Mr. Hardy would be home so everybody could see the show. And what a show! It seemed that money, animals, pencils, crayons, other objects like nuts, oranges, candy, rings, broaches, ties and on and on, appeared out of nowhere or were pulled out of people's pockets, ears, from behind the cushions, under plates and saucers. The tricks went on and on and whoever had something appear from their person or whatever they were next to, could keep what was discovered. They had not had so much fun in a long time. Dress said, " It's a good thing I fell out of the tree or we'd never have met Stephen and all of you !" Her mother didn't quite agree with her but they were glad to have made some new friends. Nichole was walking home with Piglet and asked him, " What trick did you like best Piglet?" He snuffled a little, thinking and then said , " I liked it when Stephen pulled a watch out of my ear and now I can wear a real watch and best of all, it's a Pooh watch and he's sitting in the middle and his hands tell me what time it is - like right now, it's about time for some more FOOD!" ****************************** Goessoftly Retired Therapist www.goessoftlyishere.com (No Copies Allowed) | PIGMUS STORY 1. Heather | PIGMUS STORY 2 Nancy | PIGMUS STORY 3. Drew | PIGMUS STORY 4 Holly | PIGMUS STORY 5 Nobody | PIGMUS STORY 6 Mollie | PIGMUS STORY 7 Heidi | PIGMUS STORY 8 . Veronica | PIGMUS STORY 9. Nichole | PIGMUS STORY 10. Stephanie | Sunny | Merry Flipper | | THE HEALING PROCESS | DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER | POETRY | Biographical Entries | THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE | STORIES FOR LITTLES (Pigmus and friends) | |
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