Happy Valley-Tad’s Trials and Tribulations –Part 14

Happy Valley-Tad’s Trials and Tribulations –Part 14
Happy Valley hospital

Tad is in the cafeteria having some breakfast. He crumbles chocolate bars into the cereal he’s bought, when he’s cellphone rings. He answers his phone saying:
“Hello? Dottie?”
“No Tad it is Liza. I’m on my way home on an airplane. Tell me what’s going on? I got a panicked phone call from Colby two days ago but I only got the message this morning. The message was all garbled and the only I understood was hospital. ”Liza says sitting on the aisle seat of the airplane
“Colby went into labour the day before yesterday.”Tad starts but Liza interrupts
“But it is too soon...the baby is the baby okay...is Colby?”Liza says panicked
“Roxanne, Colby’s little girl is a fighter.”Tad says
“They called her Roxanne?”Liza asks
“Yes Roxanne because it’s a name that they thought a little fighter would have. She’s small but Jake is amazed she’s all ready gained 3ounces and she hasn’t been alone. The whole Martin clan has been with her.” Tad said ”in fact I’m at the hospital now.’
“But the germs all those people.”Liza says worried
“They’ve all be gowned and masks were taking no chances with that little girl.”Tad states” You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen Erica Kane holding a tiny baby and singing to her.”
“Erica sang to my granddaughter?”Liza states shocked
“Yes we are all encouraging that little girl. We want her to know she’s loved and wanted so she’ll fight and get bigger and healthy.”Tad states
“Oh Tad how can I thank everyone?”Liza asks
“You don’t have to Liza this is what caring people do for one another. Roxanne is my niece. We love her.”Tad says “and everyone else adores Pete and Colby and we want them to have a healthy little girl.”
“How bad is it Tad?”Asks Liza
“I’m not going to pull any punches Liza a premature baby; one that early can have complications. That’s what Jake told me.”Tad says
“What kind of complications?” Liza asks
“Maybe we should talk about it after your plane lands.”Tad says quietly
“What kind of complications TAD?”Liza says raising her voice and getting looks from passengers on the plane “What kind of complications what are Pete and Colby facing for Roxanne?”
“One of the main problems Roxanne is facing is that her lungs are not mature yet that is why they have Roxanne on a ventilator. They are giving her drugs to mature her lungs but there are complications that can happen from this. She could have eye damage from the lengths taken to help her. She could also have also have developmental difficulties, possible cerebral palsy, and chronic lung disease. Feed difficulties could be possible as well depending on her development.”Tad recites
“Oh my god Tad.Tell me the good news Tad.”Begs Liza
“The good news is she fighting she wants to live. She gained some ounces which is good and Roxanne has got everyone pulling for her and her parents. We are going to do all we can for her.”Tad says
“Thanks Tad I’ll see you at the hospital after I get in.”Liza states
Tad hangs up to see Pete come in the cafeteria
“Can I get you some breakfast of champions?”Tad asks
“How can you eat that Tad it’s disgusting.”Pete says
“Don’t you worry I won’t sneak to many chocolate bars to Roxanne when she gets older.”Tad says
“Will she get older Tad?”Pete asks wearily and sound scared
“She will Pete. Roxanne is a fighter .She’s a Cortlandt a Chandler and a Colby with blood like that she’s a dynamo. “Tad says
“I almost believe you Tad.”Pete says smiling
“Believe it Pete. Roxanne will get bigger and one day you’ll be yelling at me to quit feeding her chocolate bars.”Tad says confidently then he hugs Pete
Tad gets up gets some coffee and a bowl of cereal for Pete and comes back putting it in front of Pete
“I can’t eat Tad.”Pete says
“Now what kind of example is that for Roxanne? Besides it would do for Roxanne’s daddy to drop her because he hasn’t eaten anything.”Tad says
“In that case thanks Tad, I’ll try to get this down.” Pete says
“You sure some chocolate wouldn’t help. Chocolate is the breakfast of champions.”Tad says in a Groucho Marks voice
“No thanks Tad.”Pete says laughing
Opal comes in sees them together and hears Pete laugh and says
“That’s my boys always there for each other.”
Flash to the neonatal unit where Colby is holding Roxanne while sitting down
Colby is singing softly to Roxanne .She is singing Rhianna’s Umbrella Roxanne smiles and coos.
Fadeout