Page 27 of Saving Veronica
“Wrapped, her left arm and right thigh are covered in thick gauze. She won’t be able to write or use her right arm for at least eight weeks. Not until the cast comes off.”
“That won’t be a problem, Doctor.” Maggie sighed. “She’s left-handed. When can we see her? We’re her grandparents, Gerald and Maggie Pennyworth.”
Finn caught Patch’s expression, and when he turned shocked eyes on him, he grinned.
“You can see her anytime. I just wanted you to know what we’ve done. She came in looking rough around the edges, and I’m sure she went through hell out there, but it’s really nothing that won’t heal with time. But before you see her, I have to tell you that we’ve put her in a medical-induced coma. We’ll leave her like that for three to four days to give her body the time to start the healing process. We will monitor her temperature, as well, then we’ll wean her off the meds and let her wake on her own. It’s my understanding she wasn’t conscious when you found her?”
“Correct. I attributed it to the hypothermia, and didn’t expect her to wake until she warmed.”
“And you would be correct,” the doctor said, and stepped back from Finn’s bed. “If you’re ready to see Ronnie now, I can take you to her room.”
“Doctor,” Finn called, just before they and the Pennyworths walked out. “When can I get out of here?”
“Later today. Tomorrow at the latest. As soon as you learn to walk with crutches.”
Finn groaned and flopped back in the bed. When it was just the Larsons, Finn opened one eye and said, “You guys got any food on you? I’m freaking starving. Last time I ate was at the house early Saturday morning. I don’t even know what day it is.”
“It’s going on eleven Sunday morning,” William said, as he sat in the chair beside the bed.
“I’ll go across the street to that restaurant and get us something. Any special request?” Eric asked.
“Double bacon cheeseburger, fries, with a vanilla shake.” Finn grinned at his father and grandfather’s expressions. Eric shook his head and walked out of the room. William waited for a few minutes, before Finn realized he wanted to say something. “What’s up Dad?”
“I’ve been thinking. Had a lot of free time on my hands while you were on that mountain. First, I have to say that I was scared to death for you. Sure it was nothing like you experienced for the last ten years, but still. I want to say, I’m proud of you, son.” William cleared his throat and looked out the window. When he was back under control, he looked at his son again.
“In light of Ronnie’s accident, I’m thinking of telling Maggie to take all the time she needs. And if you agree, I’d like you to step into Maggie’s shoes until she returns.”
“But I’m not a crossdresser, and I don’t think her shoes will fit over my cast,” Finn deadpanned, and watched the expressions cross his father’s face. When he threw his head back and laughed, Finn felt better at being able to put the twinkle back in his father’s eye.
“That’s not what I meant. You haven’t taken over as head of the Foundation yet, probably won’t until the first of the year. Your grandfather and I were talking, and this would be the perfect way for you to learn what goes on.”
“So, you want to give Maggie the time to spend with Ronnie, without hurting her feelings that she’d leave you and the Foundation in a lurch.”
“I do, but she won’t take the time off, unless you’re on board with it.”
“I will be, but I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Oh?”
Finn paused when his grandfather came back in and at the smell coming from the bags he carried. Finn thought he’d take his arm off trying to get to the food. After eating half his meal, he took a breath and looked at his family. “How well do you know Grady Appleton?”
“The vet we met?” Eric asked.
“Yeah?”
“We don’t. That was the first time we ever met him. Why?”
“I don’t know him either, but you saw what he did for Ronnie. He basically cleaned out his medical supplies and gave them to me to help her. He doesn’t seem like a person that would take money directly from the Foundation.”
“What are you getting at Finn?” William asked in confusion.
“I’d like to pay him back for donating those supplies. I have a feeling he wouldn’t take a check or cash. He seems like a people person, especially when it comes to animals. When I was using his supplies up in that ravine, I tried and tried to come up with a way for us to pay him back, but I’m drawing a blank.”
“Throw a fundraiser for him,” Maggie said from the doorway. “Grady Appleton is all about the animals. He’s like a father to Ronnie. She knew she wanted to be a vet the first time he came out to our house to check out the horses. He took her under his wing, and taught her everything he knew, and helps her with her college work. In two weeks she’s due to start her last year of school, so next May she’ll be a licensed vet.”
“But what could we do? What kind of fundraiser?” William asked. He jumped to his feet and offered his chair to Maggie.
“First, I want to talk to you about taking some time off.”
