1 hour later after first seeing Michelle, they had pulled themselves together, had switched off allowing her brothers in to see her, and divided up to return the many calls and text messages that had been receiving since last night. Leslie sat down and began calling all their friends and members of the community that had helped them get tot his point. It had all been a blur and she couldn’t have imagined doing it themselves. Gary had stepped outside from some fresh air, and to make more personal calls to clergy. There were many to make, he wanted to call some clergy first who in no small part made this trip possible.
Michelle’s oldest brother volunteered to call some other brothers and sisters of the church, the younger ones that knew Michelle well, their friends that went to school with them. But Sean who at the top of the families list was secretly also on his. He stepped aside from the family around the corner out of earshot, pulled out his phone and called Sean Parker. The phone rang, and the fact that it did so a few more times before going to voicemail annoyed him. He obviously couldn’t have known that Sean had been glued to his phone since last night and hadn’t slept waiting anxiously for a call or a text. He was so exhausted at this point that his body gave out and he finally did fall asleep sitting up and didn’t hear the phone ring nor it ping when the voicemail came in.
(Michelle’s Brother): Sean this is Markus, Michell’s older brother. Mom and Dad got your calls and messages and we just got here to Buffalo about an hour ago. Michelle…
Markus tears up, his voice cracking.
(Markus): She’s not good Sean, she’s not good. We didn’t even recognize her face its all swollen. The doctors said she’s got fractures and broken ribs, and a collapsed lung they had to do some procedure on her. Moms a mess, and Dad…we can tell he’s hurting too. He said he was gonna call you but I already know what he’s gonna say. He’ll tell you its not your fault, she’s in God’s hands and we’re all praying for her but…
Again Markus’ voice is cracked as tears flow down his face.
(Markus): I needed to call you because…
He pauses…
(Markus): God help me! Lord our father in heaven, I might be excommunicated if someone hears me say this, but….you need to do something. Something bad, you hear me Sean? You need to make that woman pay for what she’s done. My sister…she…
Markus cries audibly and quickly fights the tears back, sniffling as he wipes his nose.
(Markus): She loves you, you know. He won’t say it out loud but even dad likes you now. He makes these little comments when your name comes up or he sees you on the show and we all know. Don’t tell anybody I called, that’s just between us, but I meant what I said. If you were here, if you could see her, you’d understand.
Markus hangs up the phone, wipes his eyes and goes back to the family. Outside at the same time Gary is making his own call to Sean, his phone doesn’t ring and goes straight to voicemail. The beep is heard indicating the recording has started and Gary clears his throat.
(Gary): Sean, this is Gary Learner, we got your messages and just got here to the hospital in Buffalo. Michelle’s in the Emergency Room at Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Medical Center, her mother and I just saw her. She’s gonna be alright, but she’s pretty bruised, and beat up, gonna be in a lot of pain. Listen son, I know you’re probably beating yourself up, but this wasn’t your fault, we don’t always like some of the aspects of this business you’re all in but for her sake we’ve grown to accept it. God has a plan for her, he’s always had a plan and she’s far from finished doing his good work and spreading the glory of his word. We have to pray for her, I know she’s got thousands of fans doing the same, the family here and all our friends back at home…she’s gonna be alright.
Gary takes a deep sigh…
(Gary): I know how much you mean to her and we know you’re overseas, but…I know it would mean a lot to her if you could come see her. She’s not awake yet, but her doctor said maybe later this evening. They’ve got her on this breathing treatment and she can’t be awake with the tubes down…
He pauses, the image of his little girl in the state she’s in is almost more than he can handle. He fights back the tears, sniffles and clears his throat again.
(Gary): Well, uh…….we just wanted to call and give you an update. We’ll text you later if we get any more news. Alright, God Bless!
Gary hangs up the phone and goes back inside to his family. Leslie was going to stay at the hospital but wanted Gary to take the boys to the hotel for some rest. He protested, she insisted. He finally agreed but only long enough to get the boys situated and he’d be back. The rest of their evening did not go as planned. Gary returned to the hospital just a few short hours later, they sat and ate a little something, kept checking and no news, checked again and no news. Afternoon turned to evening, and evening was had just turned to night. Finally, the doctor was approaching and they knew by the look on her face that they we’re not going to like what she had to say.
(Dr. Adams): Mr. and Mrs. Learner…thank you for your patience, I know you’ve been waiting. Michelle’s still taking on a bit of fluid in her lungs, nothing too concerning, but we had expected to see some improvement at this point. We did another CT scan and it appears she’s got some Pneumopericardium going on. Essentially, a little pocket or bubble of air has entered the sac around her heart.
Leslie stands up, throwing her hand to her mouth, Gary rises quickly holding her.
(Leslie): Oh My God in heaven.
(Dr. Adams): It’s not uncommon in these cases, it something that can happen but it does require immediate attention. We’re preparing her for a procedure now. It’s minimally invasive and simply involves a small catheter inserted into the chest cavity to draw out the air. I know that’s not the news you want to hear, but the most important thing is that we caught it, we’re on it, and she’s going to be fine. We’ll keep her sedated through the night, and continue to monitor her progress. It might be a good idea if you go and get some rest…come back fresh in the morning. I promise you, she’s in good hands.
(Leslie): No, I’m not leaving my baby.
(Gary): Thank you doctor, we’ll be fine.
The doctor nodded and let them be. They hold hands, Leslie sitting stiff as a board has barely moved in hours. Leslie tries to talk but when she opens her mouth his throat is so dry from not haven said a word in hours and this hospital air. She swallows.
(Leslie): Any word from Sean? The reception in here isn’t good, maybe he’s tried to call. We should give him an update, and the boys.
(Gary): I’ll try him again and call the boys, I know they were waiting to come back and talk to her tonight but no point in that now.
A moment of silence passes them, as had so many since the night before.
(Leslie): I don’t want her wrestling anymore, it’s too dangerous…maybe she’ll come back home after this.
Just months ago this was Gary Learner’s song, and now his wife was singing the tune. It had taken a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection for him to even begin to accept and respect his daughter’s life choices from wrestling to having a gentile boyfriend. Now his wife was challenging that progress. Sitting across from the reception desk in the small wait room they could hear every person that walked up and overheard a young lady at the desk, all they first caught was “Michelle” which caught their attention.
(Front Desk Nurse): Are you family?
(Young Lady): No, we just…
(Front Desk Nurse): I’m sorry, immediate family only.
The young lady nods politely and begins to walk away. Leslie and Gary get up and catch up to her.
(Leslie): Excuse me…did I hear you ask about Michelle, Michelle Learner? We’re her parents, are you a friend, coworker?
(Young Lady): It’s lovely to meet you Sister Learner, Brother Learner. I’m Abigail, we’re from The Church of Jesus Christ – Buffalo.
(Leslie): Glory to God!
The young lady smiles warmly, and waves them to follow her. They exit the doors and step outside and there they see at least two dozen young missionaries standing outside the hospital, holding a candlelit vigil for Michelle. Leslie’s knees goes week and they’re both overcome with emotion. The group stands in prayer outside the hospital candles lit and they pass two more off to Gary and Leslie who join them in prayer as they scene fades to black.
Message Thread
« Back to index