30 minutes ago the Learner’s had watched their daughter make her way out onto that big HWA stage in front of thousands of fans as she had done dozens of time. Despite being life-long fans of the sport, their apprehension of her being involved in the business and the potential conflict it could have with her faith had been a hurdle. It had been tested with that Fallen incident last year, and then there was her budding relationship with Sean Parker at the same time, but their trepidation had diminished over time. Not only had her confidence grown in her abilities both personally and professionally, they had also met Sean and found him to be a respectable young man contrary to their original misgivings. Though, it was still hard to let go of their little girl, becoming her own woman.
There was nothing but their usual pride as they watched her walk the ramp in Buffalo, now being accustomed to a bit of gloating about their HWA superstar daughter in the community. When she first began this venture they only wanted her to turn around and come home. They didn’t imagine the powerful influence she would have as a practicing Mormon living in the modern world as a public figure. She was a true inspiration to the newer generation in ways that not only strengthened the church, but shed a positive new light on it. They didn’t think it possible a year ago when she said it was her calling, but she had thus far proved them wrong at every turn.
5 minutes ago their world was turned upside down as their worst fear they ever had became reality….that she would be hurt. Not the sprained knee, minor cuts, headaches and muscle aches she’s had before as an athlete…but really hurt. They watched helpless, none of her friends were there, Sean wasn’t there, her coaches were not there…she was alone. Stunned would be an understatement to what they were feeling. Leslie had wrapped her arounds around herself and was rocking back and forth in tears muttering prayers under her breath. She prayed as if her life depended on it. Havoc had ended and the television had switched to the next program and though his eyes were still on the screen, Gary didn’t see or hear any of it, he was frozen stiff. The house phone and both their cell phones began ringing snapping him out of the daze, and he stood up without a word ignoring the phones and disappeared into the bedroom to pack clothes.
One hour later it was just after 11:10 p.m. as they sat inside Salt Lake City International Airport and where typically they were on the opposite end…they truly felt the strength and power of their community. Friends, neighbors, and fellow congregants had rallied together booking flights, hotels, and transportation for both them and Michelle’s siblings to Buffalo. It was a remarkable feat, and they didn’t have words but to praise God. Their phones kept pinging and ringing, HWA’s main office had called, Sean had called, other family had called, but they didn’t respond.
6 hours later after a sleepless flight they all arrived in Buffalo, New York. Having only carry-on luggage they were out in minutes where a car was waiting to take them to Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Medical Center where Michelle had been taken last night. It was 7:30 a.m. NY time, Leslie would have just been getting up making the morning coffee, and opening the windows so fresh air could come through the house and start the day. Gary typically rose about 30-minutes later, grabbed the days paper from the front porch and sat at the dining room table for his coffee and a bite to eat as they listened to the Latter-day Saints Channel. By the time they got to the hospital, Leslie couldn’t contain herself anymore. She flung the car door open and ran inside the Emergency Room entrance. She was out of breath as she reached the counter.
(Leslie): My name is Leslie Learner…my daughter is Michelle Learner.
The nurse looked over their charts in the system.
(Front Desk Nurse): I’ll need to see your ID.
Leslie frantically digs in her purse for her wallet and pulls out her ID.
(Front Desk Nurse): I’ll We’re glad you’re here, we’ve been getting a lot of calls. Night shift was the worse…all the media and one man in particular has been very insistent, but we can’t provide any patient information as you know. One moment please.
The nurse picks up the phone going through the standard procedures of checking for doctors permission and patient status before allowing visitors. She nods looking back up at Leslie.
(Front Desk Nurse): Just through those doors, a nurse inside will see you through.
Leslie looked nervously behind her back at the entrance.
(Leslie): Her father, he’s right behind me, can we...
(Front Desk Nurse): I’ll I’m sorry, it’s one guest at a time. We’ll make sure he knows you’re in and you can change places as long as the doctor allows. He can sit here in the waiting room.
Leslie nodded, clutching her purse under her arm as if it were a comfort blanket and she went inside, but it wasn’t a nurse that greeted her, it was a doctor. Her heart was beating like crazy in her chest, and the doctor had a somber smile as she greeted her. She was young, pretty, looked almost too young to be a doctor.
(Doctor): Mrs. Learner, I’m Dr. Cristie Adams attending physician here in the ER. I understand you’ve come a long way, and your undoubtedly anxious and tired so I’ll be upfront and brief, Michelle had a long, rough night but she’s stable now, that’s what’s most important. Now….
(Leslie): Ummm, my husband, he’s in the waiting room, please…please can he come in.
Dr. Adams seeing her distress grabbed the phone calling the front desk and in moments Gary was coming through door putting his arm around his wife.
(Dr. Adams): Mr. Learner, I was about to give your wife an update on your daughter’s condition. If you could both come this way.
She took them off to the side into an empty room.
(Dr. Adams): As I was saying, I’ll be upfront…Michelle had a pretty rough night, but its important to know that she’s currently stable. She was brought in with multiple cranial lacerations and contusions, moderate swelling as you might imagine, along with a separated shoulder. CT showed two jaw fractures, and a collapsed lung likely from the broken ribs also detected.
Leslie covers her mouth, looking up at Gary. Tears are in her eyes. Gary himself whose barely said a word since last night is stoic and attentive to the doctors every word.
(Leslie): Is she going to be okay? Does she need surgery? What do we have to do?
(Dr. Adams): We performed a thoracentesis, it’s minimally invasive procedure to relieve fluid that was building in her lungs. She’s breathing much better now than she first was. As far as surgery goes, her condition at this time doesn’t seem to warrant any major surgery. Her body will heal itself over time from her jaw fractures to her ribs, etc. She is in a reasonable amount of discomfort and will be in continued pain in the weeks ahead as she heals. She’s resting now, but you can go in and see her, Room 6 on your right.
They nod to the doctor and head to her room. Everything the doctor said seemed to downplay her condition once they saw her. Leslie yelped as they entered. The person in this bed didn’t even look like their daughter. Her face was badly swollen and all different colors, her hair had been washed just enough for the team to suture lacerations but was still reddish with blood and not fully clean, there was a rattle in her breathing as the treatment the doctor mentioned to clear fluid from her lungs continued. Michelle looked like she had been beaten within an inch of her life and in their eyes she had. While her condition could have been worse, it was certainly bad enough.
What would her darling little face look like after the swelling went down? Would these cuts heal or leave bad scars? She must have felt so alone, did she even realize what was happening? Gary Learner, took his daughter’s hand into his, dropped to his knees beside the bed and sobbed like baby. In all their 20 plus years of marriage Leslie had never witnessed him shed tears like this. She wrapped her arms around him, coming to her knees and they cried and prayed a long while together as the scene fades to black.
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