Winter's Deep Freeze

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id87.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Hallows Eve"><U><B>All Hallows' Eve</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id88.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall Camoflage"><U><B>Fall Camoflage</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Cyrus"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Cyrus</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Roxanne"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Roxanne</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Claude"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Claude</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id92.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas Magick"><U><B>Christmas Magick</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Maggie"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Maggie</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Winter's Deep Freeze</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Sabrina"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Sabrina</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id96.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Frostbite"><U><B>Frostbite</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: The Collins Family"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  The Collins Family</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biding Time in Purgatory"><U><B>Biding Time in Purgatory</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Quentin"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Quentin</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Secrets"><U><B>Family Secrets</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vortex"><U><B>Vortex</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spring Whirlwind"><U><B>Spring Whirlwind</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Den of Vipers"><U><B>Den of Vipers</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Angelique"><U><B>Puzzle Pieces:  Angelique</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Converging Forces"><U><B>Converging Forces</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flames of Purification"><U><B>Flames of Purification</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U><B>Adam in Parallel Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Winter's Deep Freeze</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> As the date for his surgery approached, Adam seemed to become more serene and at peace, even as Roxanne grew more worried and fretful. "It's going to be all right," Adam found himself assuring her. "I trust Dr. Cyrus. The doctor I saw in New York is a good man. Nothing is going to go wrong." </div> <div> "I know," Roxanne said softly, trying to put up a brave front. "I guess it's just going to be hard being separated from you until you come out of the hospital." </div> <div> "But you can come and see me every day," Adam told her. </div> <div> "I know." She didn't sound convinced or reassured. </div> <div> Adam took her in his arms. "Is Claude North following you again?" </div> <div> "I haven't seen him," Roxanne hedged. That was true. She hadn't really seen Claude; she'd only sensed his presence. She didn't want to alarm Adam. </div> <div> "Perhaps you can sleep in the hospital," Adam suggested. He sensed that she was uneasy and suspected she wasn't telling him the whole truth in order to protect him. "We can ask Cyrus about it. He is a doctor--his friends are all doctors. I am sure they'll say it will be all right." </div> <div> Cyrus drove Adam and Roxanne into New York City for the first surgery. Dr. Hargrove thought he would be able to remove most of the scars with two--possibly three--surgeries. It had snowed heavily just after the New Year, but the roads were finally clear and the sun shone brightly on the day they drove to the city. It was a good omen, Adam believed. Cyrus had talked to Dr. Hargrove, and they agreed to allow Roxanne to sleep on a cot in Adam's room. Her mood had immediately become much brighter, as if a great burden had been removed from her shoulders. Yes, Adam thought, everything was going to work out just fine. </div> <bR> <div> Claude North knocked at Stokes' door and was surprised to see the man's sister, Hannah. "Where is Tim Stokes?" Claude demanded roughly. </div> <div> "He's inside--sleeping. Won't you come in and wait a moment? I'll go wake him," Hannah replied. She looked at him a little fearfully, and he wondered how much she knew. It would be easy to probe her mind and see...She stiffened slightly as she walked away but didn't say anything. So...the fat old drunk had let some secrets slip to his sister! Fortunately, she feared them both enough that he wouldn't have to worry about her talking. Still, the old man was dangerous. Loose lips sink ships, he thought with a malevolent grin. </div> <div> Stokes finally appeared, looking disheveled and in the throes of a hangover. "What d'ya want?" he grumbled. </div> <div> "Some privacy first of all." </div> <div> Hannah began to gather her goat and gloves. "I need to go shopping. There's some coffee in the kitchen, Tim." </div> <div> Her brother snarled but made no reply. He turned and lumbered back toward the kitchen. Claude followed him, careful not to touch anything. "Ya want coffee?" </div> <div> "No, thanks. You go ahead. You need it." </div> <div> Stokes ignored the contempt in Claude's voice. "You bet," he agreed. He poured himself a cup and then opened a bottle of Seagram's, adding at least an shot of whiskey to the coffee. </div> <div> "You are a damn fool," Claude said bitterly. "You are going to spoil everything!" </div> <div> "What the hell are you talkin about?" </div> <div> "I'm talking about how you can't keep your mouth shut when you're drinking! Who else have you told besides Hannah?" </div> <div> Stokes's eyes almost popped right out of his head. It would have been laughable if this wasn't such a serious business. "I haven't--" Stokes broke off and looked at Claude suspiciously. "What's Hannah told you?" </div> <div> "Nothing--she didn't have to," Claude answered, giving Stokes a withering look. The intensity of his gaze seemed to unnerve Stokes. He tried to look away, but Claude snapped: "Don't do it!" Claude continued to stare into the older man's eyes, seeking to see into his mind and soul. What he saw there sickened him; he was relieved that Stokes hadn't talked to anyone else about the experiment. </div> <div> "What're you doing to me?" Stokes finally croaked. </div> <div> "Listen to me, you revolting slug," Claude warned him through gritted teeth, "if you want to get your precious daughter back so that you can enjoy her loving attention again, then you have to do as I say. Only I can deliver Roxanne to you, is that understood? And I will not deliver Roxanne unless I am satisfied that you are going to keep your foolish mouth shut!" </div> <div> "I will!" </div> <div> "That means no more drinking from here on out! Pour that coffee out and get yourself another cup. Don't add anything to it this time." Stokes looked at Claude resentfully but was too intimidated to say anything. He poured out the cup in his hand and refilled it. "Is everything ready?" </div> <div> "Yes--does this mean it's time?" In spite of himself, Stokes became eager. His eyes lit up with bright anticipation. </div> <div> "If I am satisfied that Roxanne will be safe here, then yes--it's time. I plan to go to New York tonight. I'll bring her to you in the next day or so." Stokes' obvious delight sickened him. Claude sensed that all Stokes wanted was to be reunited with his beautiful step-daughter. He didn't see anything wrong with what he'd done or would do to achieve that goal. "Show me the room first," Claude ordered. "Then I'll want you to get that money for me." </div> <div> The room was locked. Opening it, Stokes admitted Claude into what appeared to be a surgical room of a hospital. There was a gurney and medical equipment all around the room. The windows had been covered over. Without the bright light overhead, the room would be very dark. </div> <div> Claude glared at Stokes. "It's cold in here." </div> <div> "There's no reason to run the heat now," Stokes explained. "When she is here, she'll be comfortable--I assure you." </div> <div> "Once she is in the deep sleep, she'll be helpless." Claude deliberately avoided use of the word 'coma'. "I'll know if you try to take advantage of her. I'll come here and kill you myself with my bare hands." </div> <div> Stokes looked shocked. Then he laughed. "Take advantage of her! And what do you think it is you're doing?" He became serious at the ferocious look on Claude's face. "Look, Mr. North, I assure you--I have no desire to 'take advantage' of her." </div> <div> Claude looked him up and down, his face again becoming contemptuous. "No, she doesn't run to your taste does she?" He laughed. "You'd like to ask me what I mean by that--are you sure you want to hear my answer? I know all there is to know about you, Timothy Stokes!" </div> <div> Now Stokes looked genuinely frightened and licked his lips. "If that's the case," he began finally, "then why would you want to help me? Obviously I disgust you." </div> <div> "Yes," Claude agreed. "You do. But, you see, I need you. I need to have Roxanne in safekeeping--for her own sake. As evil as you are, she is far safer with you than where she is now." He felt a moment of deep regret for having to do this. If only she would listen to him...He broke out of his reverie, not wanting to appear weak before this old fool. He snapped harshly: "Get me the money!" He almost laughed aloud when Stokes took him literally and went pell-mell out the back door. My God, Claude thought, how far down into the sewer am I going to sink before this is all over?</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Adam heard a noise at the door and started, opening his eyes. It was very dark, and he felt frightened. His door was opening slowly--perhaps it was more doctors with probing questions! He'd been frightened by Dr. Hargrove's questions about his medical history. Dr. Hargrove seemed to suspect something, and Adam was afraid that he would call the police. Adam had done nothing wrong, but he associated the puzzled look in Dr. Hargrove's eyes with the first step in growing suspicions that usually led to the calling of the police. His heart was pounding wildly, and then he suddenly realized it was Roxanne. He almost wept with relief. "Roxanne!" he cried hoarsely. </div> <div> "Oh, did I wake you?" Roxanne came into the room and sat on his bed, reaching for his hand. "I'm sorry--I didn't want to wake you. I just wanted to sit with you for a few minutes before the surgery." </div> <div> "What time is it?" </div> <div> "Almost five thirty." </div> <div> Surgery was scheduled for six. "They will come soon to give me a shot. It will make me sleepy," he said flatly. He'd felt overwhelmed last night: Dr. Hargrove and the anesthesiologist had both visited him late at night. They explained what would happen before, during, and after surgery. He'd been grateful for Roxanne's presence, squeezing her hand tightly. </div> <div> "Yes, that's right," Roxanne agreed. "And when they take you for the surgery, they'll put a mask on your face--" </div> <div> "And I must count backward from one hundred. Then I will sleep." </div> <div> "And when you wake up, you may feel confused. You mustn't be frightened, though. The nurses will take care of you." </div> <div> "I will be in the recovery room until they are satisfied that I know where I am and who I am." Adam sounded as if he was reciting lines from a play. "When they feel that I am awake enough, they will bring me here. You will come and see me then." </div> <div> "That's right." Roxanne took Adam's hand and brought it to her cheek. "Are you afraid?" </div> <div> "No--not afraid," Adam answered truthfully. "Not of the surgery. I am more frightened of what Dr. Hargrove thinks." </div> <div> "He is curious, but he doesn't know, Adam," Roxanne said softly. "We need never tell him. He doesn't need to know." </div> <div> "Roxanne, sometimes something happens during an operation," Adam began tentatively. </div> <div> "Nothing is going to happen--everything will be all right!" </div> <div> "Yes," Adam agreed. "I know." He paused. He did know that everything would be fine, and yet...this was important for him to say. "Please listen anyway, Roxanne. I love you. I will always love you." </div> <div> "I know, and I will always love you, too. And I will be here when you come back to your room." Roxanne leaned over in the darkness to kiss him gently on the lips. "When you're well, you'll come home with me. I'll take care of you until you can go back to work." </div> <div> "There will be another surgery." </div> <div> "After you've healed from this one." </div> <div> "Then I will be handsome, Roxanne." </div> <div> She was silent for a moment. Then she said, "There is no one on earth who is more beautiful to me than you, Adam. With or without the scars." </div> <div> "Roxanne," he said softly, tugging her hand. She leaned down to kiss him again. The door opened again, and this time it was a nurse. Roxanne sat up as the nurse turned on the lights. "That's my medication?" </div> <div> "That's right, Mr. Knight. It'll make you very drowsy so if you need to go to the bathroom, you'd better go now," the nurse answered pleasantly. </div> <div> "Good idea." Adam sat up and swung his long legs over so he could get up. He turned back to Roxanne. "When I pray, I say thank you because I am here now. I never want to go back." He caressed the side of Roxanne's face. She grabbed his hand and kissed the palm of it tenderly before letting him go take care of his needs. </div> <div> The nurse didn't understand what Adam was talking about. She was a kindly woman with a grown daughter of her own about to get married. How sweet, she thought, watching the two young people. I hope David loves my Barbara as much as Mr. Knight loves this young woman. She is a very lucky lady. </div> <bR> <div> Dr. Jack Hargrove spoke to his old friend Cyrus Longworth, scrubbing up before going in for surgery. "Tests have come back from the lab--the pre-op results," he began in a tentative way. </div> <div> Cyrus, who suspected what the trouble was, asked innocently, "Was there something wrong?" </div> <div> "No, not wrong. Odd. I wondered if you could explain it?" </div> <div> Cyrus hedged. "I don't know--I'll try. I don't know Adam's medical history. We've only been friends a short time. Are there abnormalities?" </div> <div> "He has the oddest scars--did you know that, Cy?" </div> <div> Cyrus cleared his throat. "Well, that's why we're here." </div> <div> "I don't mean on his face alone. Around his shoulders and hips--very odd. These scars go all the way around. It's as if--" The doctor stopped himself, shaking his head and laughing. Cyrus didn't encourage him to go on. He knew what his friend was thinking: it's as if the limbs were sewn on. "When I examined him, I noticed other little oddities. One arm is slightly longer that the other. The hair is denser on one leg than on the other. His fingers and toes are asymmetrical--what I mean is, the fingers and toes of one limb are slightly different than those on the other." Still Cyrus held his own counsel, but he felt his heart beginning to pound. "And strangest of all--" </div> <div> Cyrus couldn't help it. "What is strangest of all?" </div> <div> "His blood type is O positive, Cy, but--" </div> <div> "That's hardly strange, Jack. That's the most common of all blood types." </div> <div> "Yes, but you see, it's O positive with A and B positive cells." </div> <div> Cyrus spluttered a little. "Yes, but O positive is just that--" </div> <div> "No, not in this way, Cy. I mean that it's as if A and B were mixed together in a pot and the result was C. It doesn't look like normal C positive cells." </div> <div> "Well, how do you explain it?" Cyrus asked, putting on a puzzled frown. </div> <div> "I was hoping you might know." </div> <div> "I?" Cyrus began to shake his head, no. "As I said, I've become friends with him only recently--within the last six months or so. I don't know his medical background." </div> <div> The doctor sighed. "I tried to ask him these questions and I didn't get much of an answer from him. Simple-minded, is he?" </div> <div> Cyrus nodded, thinking to himself: I am not really lying. I am merely nodding my head. I am not committing a sin. "Tragic," he said, softly. </div> <div> "Yes," Hargrove agreed. "He is fortunate, though, to have such devoted friends. All right--I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on this mystery for me but it's just to satisfy my curiosity. It has nothing to do with the operation itself." Thank God, Cyrus thought, relieved. "Do you want to observe, Cy? You'd better scrub up." There were other people bustling about now. </div> <div> Cyrus shook his head. "No, I'm going to go and talk to Roxanne. I may come back and observe from upstairs." </div> <div> "Suit yourself. I'll see you later," Hargrove said, holding his arms up. He walked toward the surgical door. Cyrus watched him for a moment and then left to find Roxanne. </div> <bR> <div> There was a slight young man leaning against the wall in the hall when Cyrus came out. Cyrus began to walk by, heading thoughtfully toward the waiting room. He realized that someone was pulling at his sleeve, and he swung around, puzzled. The young man was beside him. "Didn't you hear me calling you, Cy?" </div> <div> Cyrus frowned, puzzled. "No, I'm sorry, I didn't." He squinted at the young man from behind his round-rimmed glasses. "Excuse me, but do I know you?" </div> <div> "You don't remember me, do you?" the young man asked. He smiled, but it seemed to be a very unpleasant sort of a smile. Cyrus thought of sharks and piranhas and shuddered. "Claude North." </div> <div> Claude North? The name seemed familiar. Cyrus thought hard. Finally, he shook his head. "I'm sorry--I don't remember you." </div> <div> "It's quite all right, really. It doesn't matter if you remember me or not, Cy. What does matter is that I talk to you before you see Roxanne." North smiled again as Cyrus' eyes popped with astonishment. "Please--can we go to the cafeteria for some coffee?" </div> <div> Cyrus thought about refusing, but he was really curious about this man. How was it that Claude North knew who he was? And not only that--he also knew about Roxanne! He cleared his throat. "Ah--certainly," he agreed. He and the strange man named Claude North bought cups of coffee and sat down at a table across from each other. "It's one thing that you know me from somewhere," Cyrus began. "It's quite another that you know about Roxanne. Just who are you? And what do you want?" </div> <div> "I am Roxanne's betrothed," Claude answered and watched impassively as Cyrus nearly spilled his coffee across the table. "I gather that she hasn't mentioned me?" </div> <div> "You are the person who has been following her," Cyrus guessed. "That's why your name sounds familiar." </div> <div> "Ah--so she has mentioned me." </div> <div> "She said nothing about an engagement, however," Cyrus challenged. "I am under the impression that you are annoying her." </div> <div> "She doesn't know what's best for her, Cy. She's always been willful that way." </div> <div> Now Cyrus began to bristle. "I don't care for your familiar tone. Since I don't know you, I'd appreciate it if you'd call me Dr. Longworth." </div> <div> Claude smiled enigmatically and sipped from his cup of coffee. "I know you very well, Cy. We were classmates once, years and years ago." He watched as Cyrus squinted again, reading the doctor's thoughts as he searched his memory. "No, we weren't friends," he said in answer to Cyrus' unvoiced question. "Quentin Collins has always been your one true friend. I did try to help you once, though. You didn't like my advice." He could feel the doctor's rising panic and held up his hand. "It's all right--I won't give away any of your secrets." </div> <div> "What secrets?" Cyrus asked, horrified, in a barely audible voice. </div> <div> "We have common acquaintances--that's one secret," Claude answered. </div> <div> "Who?" </div> <div> "Harvey Gladstone." Claude watched Cyrus react with hidden amusement. He slowly ticked the names off on his fingers. "John Yeager. Tim Stokes. Oh--and Marty Perry." He almost laughed as Cyrus' face drained of all color. He thought the doctor would pass right out on the floor. "Cyrus--I told you. I won't give away any of these secrets unless--" He stopped and gave Cyrus a significant look. </div> <div> "Unless?" Cyrus whispered. </div> <div> "Unless you don't cooperate. You've already begun to cooperate--now it's just time to see it through to the end." </div> <div> "What are you talking about?" </div> <div> "You gave Tim Stokes a name last Thanksgiving, remember? Roxanne Drew--my intended. I have come to claim her, and you're going to help me get her out of here." </div> <div> Cyrus placed his hands face down on the table and leaned back in his chair. "My God, no! Not now!" </div> <div> "On the contrary--now is the perfect time. The monster is unable to stop me." </div> <div> Cyrus was shaking his head, no. "No, no, I can't do it. You have no idea what they mean to each other--" He broke off and jumped when Claude, suddenly furious, slammed his fist on the table. The few people in the cafeteria turned to look at them. </div> <div> "I know exactly what they mean to each other, doctor," Claude hissed. "With your upbringing, you should be agreeing with me. It is an abomination--don't you agree, Cyrus? That's what your parents would say--your loving parents." </div> <div> "Leave them out of this, please. You don't understand. Adam is my friend--" </div> <div> "We would be doing us all a favor, Cy." Claude had calmed down. "Adam can't have children--did you know that? He is sterile, but that is as it should be. You know why those scars are around his shoulders and his hips. You weren't able to tell Dr. Hargrove, but you know what the truth is. Roxanne deserves to have children. She deserves happiness. And you--you deserve peace." He'd reached into his pocket and brought out a vial, placing it in the middle of the table. </div> <div> Cyrus looked at is suspiciously. He was very frightened. This Claude seemed to know everything--he just about knew word for word about his conversation with Jack Hargrove. But how? And that vial--it looked a lot like the compound. "Where did you get that?" </div> <div> Claude smiled his shark's smile again. "Why, from Harvey Gladstone of course. You see, I know about him, Cyrus. I can put you in contact with him myself--you'll never need anything of Angelique's for that. You wonder how I know this, how I can do this. Well, I have a lot of power. I got this for you to help prove to you that I'm telling you the truth. Besides, you'll be needing it." </div> <div> Cyrus was shaking his head again. "No. You go ahead and tell, North. I won't help you." </div> <div> "Who shall I tell first, Cy? Sabrina? Shall I tell her about how you liked to watch your sister Joyce undress for bed? She'd look at her breasts in the mirror with a lot of admiration, didn't she? So did you, didn't you? Or shall I talk to your best friend, Quentin Collins? Shall I tell him that you wanted to kiss and caress his son? Shall I tell him you wanted to get into bed with his little boy?" </div> <div> Now Cyrus slammed the table. "Damn your soul, North!" </div> <div> "Too late," Claude answered mildly, looking at his nails. "Really. Now both of us have had our little fits of temper. We really should calm down, don't you think? We don't want security here asking questions." </div> <div> Cyrus was trembling. "I will do as you ask--but not now. You must give me some time." </div> <div> Claude frowned. "Time? For what?" </div> <div> "It's already been arranged that Roxanne will stay here in the hospital with Adam until he's ready to leave. There will be too many questions if she just disappears!" </div> <div> The frown became a scowl. "How long?" </div> <div> "A week--" </div> <div> Claude rolled his eyes and sighed. "A week then." </div> <div> Cyrus closed his eyes with relief. He prayed in his head, but he didn't know to whom or to what he prayed. Help me, please, please help me. He opened his eyes and saw Claude grinning at him and knew there would be no help. There is no God, he thought miserably. </div> <div> "Not here, anyway," Claude agreed. "Now, we have to discuss our plan, Cyrus." </div> <div> "No, not Cyrus," the doctor said with a heavy heart. "You might as well call me Judas." Claude threw his head back and laughed. </div> <bR> <div> Adam slowly came awake, aware of the pain first of all. There hadn't been this much pain when he'd first awakened to find himself looking into the eyes of his so-called benefactor, Barnabas Collins. He moaned. He felt a light kiss on his fingers. He slowly opened his eyes, fearing he would see Barnabas or Julia-with-the-needle. He felt fuzzy-headed with confusion, and the pain in his face was enough to make him want to cry. Slowly, he focused on the face hovering just above his. "Roxanne..." He closed his eyes again. </div> <div> "Yes, darling, you're back!" Roxanne's voice sounded joyful. </div> <div> "How do I look?" </div> <div> "I can't see much of you. Remember what Dr. Hargrove said? He said your face would be swollen and that you might think you looked worse than before." </div> <div> "Because of the surgery, yes. Later, the swelling will go down. Later, the scars won't be as noticeable." </div> <div> "That's right, Adam. Dr. Hargrove said he was very satisfied with how the surgery went. Oh, darling, are you in much pain?" </div> <div> Why lie? "Yes. They'll give me something?" </div> <div> "I'll ask." He sensed that Roxanne was pushing the button for the nurse. He heard her ask if Adam could have something for the pain. "Adam, I have a present from Mabel. She asked me to give it to you when the operation was over." </div> <div> "Mabel?" He was confused. He thought hard. Ah! Mabel--the resident at the sanitarium who loved to collect the acorn people he made for her. Roxanne was bringing something into his field of vision. Shocked, he reached for it. It was a ceramic squirrel. "She made this?" </div> <div> "Yes--she remembered how you liked to feed the squirrels," Roxanne explained, her voice catching in her throat. "She started working on this as soon as she knew that you were going to have the operation. She asked me to give it to you--" </div> <div> "How kind of her," Adam said, moved. "I must write her a thank you note." </div> <div> "You can thank her yourself soon." </div> <div> "I know--but a thank you note is the polite thing to do. Professor Stokes taught me that." </div> <div> "I'll make sure I get you some paper then," Roxanne said easily, taking the little squirrel and putting it on the window ledge so that Adam could see it. "Quentin and Maggie are coming to see you." </div> <div> "Not today?" </div> <div> "No, no," she assured him. "In a few days, when you're feeling better. Before you leave the hospital." The nurse came in with a syringe. Adam whimpered, and Roxanne took his hand. "Needles bother him," she explained matter-of-factly. </div> <div> "I'll try not to hurt you, Mr. Knight," the nurse said kindly. "This is the quickest way to take care of your pain for the first few days." With Roxanne holding onto his hands, Adam took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. The needle didn't hurt as much as he thought it would. </div> <div> "Close your eyes, darling," Roxanne said softly. "I'll still be here when you wake." </div> <bR> <div> Adam felt stronger and more alert each day. His face looked puffy and distorted but he calmed himself, remembering Dr. Hargrove's reassuring words. Dr. Hargrove himself seemed very pleased with Adam's progress. Quentin and Maggie came to see him in the middle of the week, and he was very happy to see them. They seemed to belong together; they held hands the whole time they were there. Sometimes they would look at each other and smile. They promised to come back when Adam was discharged. "We'll all drive back up together," Quentin said. "Make a party of it." </div> <div> Cyrus became more and more morose as the days passed. Adam asked him several times why he was so sad, but his friend would just shake his head and look at the floor. He didn't spend as much time in the room with him as Adam thought he would. On the day Quentin and Maggie came, he did come with a new gift--a blank journal. "You've been reading so much," he explained. "I thought it was time for you to start writing about what you think of things." </div> <div> "Me? Write?" Adam asked doubtfully. </div> <div> "Why not? I know you can," Cyrus responded. "The best way to practice is to just do it. Write how you feel about things." </div> <div> "Thank you," Adam said. That night, after Roxanne had fallen asleep, Adam opened the book and carefully wrote: "Today I feel thankful. I have good friends, Cyrus and Quentin, who take care of me. I have Roxanne, who loves me. I love Roxanne. I want to marry Roxanne. I will ask her soon." He shut the book and fell asleep. </div> <bR> <div> The day came when Dr. Hargrove pronounced himself satisfied with Adam's progress and said he was ready to be discharged. Excited, he and Roxanne packed his overnight bag. They needed two extra bags for the cards and gifts he'd accumulated during the week. The plan was for Quentin to drive them all back to Roxanne's house. They would have a small celebratory dinner, and then his friends would leave so that he could rest. Cyrus' despondency continued, and Adam began to feel real concern. "Is there nothing I can do to help?" he asked, wrapping the ceramic squirrel carefully and placing it in a bag. </div> <div> "I'll be all right, Adam," Cyrus assured him. "Roxanne, there's some papers that need to be signed before we can leave. Would you mind--?" </div> <div> "Of course," Roxanne said, not thinking to question why she would sign the papers and not Adam. She turned and smiled at Adam. "I'll be right back." </div> <div> Adam smiled back, feeling his heart swell with love for her. After a few minutes, he was finished packing and sat down to wait for everyone to come back. He felt suddenly restless and turned the television on. The door opened and he looked up in anticipation but was slightly disappointed to see that it was Quentin and Maggie. </div> <div> "How are you feeling, old man?" Quentin asked enthusiastically. "Ready to go?" </div> <div> "Yes--as soon as Roxanne and Cyrus come back." </div> <div> "Where did they go?" Maggie asked. </div> <div> "To sign papers to get me out of here." </div> <div> "Red tape!" Quentin exclaimed, shaking his head. </div> <div> "Red tape?" </div> <div> "Oh, it's just the useless things you have to do to get anything done," Quentin explained. Adam looked at him blankly. "Don't worry--you'll see what I mean soon enough." He picked up Adam's bag with one hand and one of the extra bags with the other. "Why don't I take these to the car for you? Then we can be ready to go." </div> <div> Adam smiled. "Yes, I'd like that. I am very ready to go." </div> <div> "Here, I'll help, too," Maggie said, picking up the other bag. She and Quentin met at the door. </div> <div> He leaned over to kiss her. "Did I tell you how good you smell today?" </div> <div> "Only a dozen times coming down in the car!" Maggie laughed. </div> <div> Quentin threw Adam a silly grin. "Be right back." </div> <div> Adam changed the channel on the TV. The door opened again. Looking around with another smile, Adam saw a man standing in the doorway he didn't recognize. The man looked at Adam and smirked nastily. "Are you Adam Knight?" </div> <div> "Yes--who are you?" </div> <div> "John Yeager." The man stepped into the room and bowed in an exaggerated manner from the waist. </div> <div> "Can I help you?" </div> <div> "You already have--you earned me enough bucks to buy myself a good bottle of Pinch." </div> <div> "Pinch?" </div> <div> "My, you are an imbecile, aren't you? Scotch, man!" </div> <div> Adam bristled and stood up. "What do you want?" </div> <div> "Now, now, easy does it, my good man," Yeager said in a mock-placating tone. "A friend of yours asked me to deliver this to you. She gave me money to do it. So here it is." Yeager extended his hand. There was an envelope on it addressed simply 'Adam'. </div> <div> "She?" Adam echoed, the first tingling of fear beginning in his brain. </div> <div> "Yes, she. A pretty redhead. Here, do you want it or not?" </div> <div> Slowly, Adam reached for the envelope and took it. The man named John Yeager tipped an imaginary hat and left quickly. Adam looked at the envelope with a feeling of dread. Slowly, he opened it and took out the sheet of paper inside. </div> <div> It said, quite simply: "Dear Adam: I am sorry about this. I didn't want to tell you until you were feeling better because I didn't want to be mean to you. I am in love with someone else. I am going away with him. I wish you a lot of luck. Roxanne." </div> <bR> <div> Quentin and Maggie stepped off the elevator and headed back toward Adam's room. A man raced toward them, brushing through them. Maggie was thrown off balance. "Hey!" Quentin shouted angrily. He turned as if to pursue the man who jumped inside the elevator just as the doors closed. He considered going after the man anyway, but decided against it. "Are you all right?" he asked Maggie. </div> <div> "Yes, I--" She broke off. A blood curdling howl of pain came from Adam's room. "My God!" </div> <div> They both began to run down the hall, throwing Adam's door open. He was down on his knees, the letter crushed in one hand. With the other, he was bashing his healing face. "Roxannne!" he screamed. "Roxanne! NOOOOOOOOOO!" </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id93.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Maggie"><U>Puzzle Pieces:  Maggie</U></A>    <A HREF="id95.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Puzzle Pieces: Sabrina"><U>Puzzle Pieces:  Sabrina</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id85.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adam in Parallel Time"><U>Adam in Parallel Time</U></A>     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>