Heartless (16 page)

"Parker's a good kid, Mia. You must've done something
right. Don't you think he's suffered enough? You said you were
trying to get rid of the people who hurt him. Don't make him a
scapegoat. He deserves better. So, do you. The best thing you
can do is turn yourself in to me. Let me help you. You're sick,
Mia. You need to go somewhere to get real help, not drugs. I
have the authority to get you that help." Parker groaned. Ray
rubbed his back in comfort.

"Mia, I'm not taking Parker from you. He can visit you any
time he likes. He'll be safe with me and well cared for. I won't
let anybody else hurt him, and I won't let anybody else hurt
you. It's time to let me help, Mia, like you should've done a
long time ago."

Mia held the gun straight in her hands and pointed it at
Ray. "Ray, you hate me. Don't pretend you want to help me."
"I'm not pretending, Mia. I've grown up. I have the capacity
to forgive now. Give me the gun."
"Parker, what should I do?" Mia asked like a child.
With a small spark of hope Parker said weakly, "Give Ray
the gun, Mom. He's not heartless like those other people. He's
got a good heart."
Mia cocked her head to the side. "He gave it to you, didn't
he? You have your father's heart, don't you?"
"Yes, Mom, I have my father's heart and my Heavenly
Father's heart."
"Do you love me, Parker?"
"Yes, Mom, I love you." His voice was choked with
suppressed tears.
"What about Ray? Do you love Ray?"
"Yes, Mom, he's my father."
Mia's face turned dark. She hooded her eyes and ground her
teeth. "He's dead. You should've said, 'No.'"
Mia raised the gun.
Simultaneously, Parker yelled, "You are not gonna kill my
father!" With the last bit of energy he could muster, he pushed
off Ray's chest and lunged for his mother. Ray grabbed for him
but he slipped his father's grasp.
The gun discharged. Parker fell to the floor.
Chris's voice hollered, "Mia Godchaux! Police! Open the
door!"
Baker kicked the door in.
Mia shrieked, "Parker!"
Ray bellowed, "No!"

A dozen police officers and FBI agents entered the hotel
room. Chris commanded, "Drop the gun, bitch, or I will blow
your brains all over the wall."

Mia did not move, but repeated over and over, "Parker.
Parker."
Baker took the Glock from her and unceremoniously
slapped her into cuffs.
Ray fell to his knees beside Parker who turned big blue
eyes to matching ones as he held both hands over his abdomen.
He murmured, "Ray?"
"Don't talk," said Ray as he lifted Parker into his arms and
pushed through the throng, oblivious to anything or anybody
else around him. He raced to the nearest squad car and put
Parker in the back seat.
Larkin broke through the restraining police line and called,
"Ray!"
Barely looking at her, Ray commanded, "Get in!"
Larkin got into the back seat with Parker as Ray hit the
siren and lights and stomped the accelerator.
Ray glanced over his shoulder and choked, "Be an angel,
Larkin. Please, be an angel."
Larkin took off the rust-colored cardigan sweater she wore
over a peach blouse and pressed it into Parker's abdomen as she
prayed aloud, "Please, God, don't take him. He's suffered
enough. Please."

Ray barged into the emergency room demanding immediate
care for his son. The attending physician took one look at
Parker and rushed him to surgery.

An hour after Ray and Larkin brought Parker into the
hospital, Raif and Chris arrived with clean clothes since they
knew both Ray and Larkin were coated in blood.

Audrey and Walter got there just a few minutes later. They
brought food and drink because they knew Ray and Larkin
would not leave the waiting area until Parker came out of
surgery. On their heels, Terry and Sheena Johnson arrived. Raif
had thought to call Parker's girlfriend. Three hours later, Ray's
parents and the other children came in. Parker was still in
surgery.

An hour later, Dr. Stephenson, the same doctor that had
attended Larkin years before, came into the waiting area. He
began immediately. "Okay, I don't have time to mince words
with you. The kid is gonna die unless we can find him a kidney
right away. His left kidney looks as if it hasn't functioned for a
long time. It appears to have been bruised beyond healing at
some point. The bullet tore through his right kidney. His best
chance for a match is either a sibling or a parent. Start talking."

As if in a trance, Ray stammered, "The kids are just kids
and only half-siblings. His mother's a drug addict, and I can't."
He looked up with hollow eyes. "I only have one."

Raif spoke up in a strangled voice. "I can. If Ray's a match,
I'm a match. We're identical twins."
Chris grasped Raif's arm. He patted her hand. "There's no
alternative. Test me," he said turning to the doctor.
"Get to the lab. Parker's on dialysis for now. Even with a
transplant, there's no guarantee. He's in bad shape."
"Wait!" said Larkin. "Test all of us."
"You can't," said Ray. "You're pregnant."
"He's right," said Dr. Stephenson. "And the grandparents
are too old and the kids too young, except as an absolute last
resort. Detective Gautier, you're a possibility, but slim since
you're not a blood relative."
"What about us?" asked Terry.
"How old are you?" the doctor asked Sheena.
"Seventeen, but my dad can give me permission."
"True, and all of you can give blood except for the young
kids and Dr. Reynolds since she's pregnant. Even if your
kidney doesn't work, the blood can help anybody. We've
already gone through four units on Parker, and he might need
more. He lost so much a vampire would've bypassed him."
Everybody except Larkin and the children went to either
give blood and/or be tested as a kidney donor for Parker.
Within the hour they were all back except Raif.
Dr. Stephenson came in. "Mr. Gautier is a very good
match. We're prepping him for surgery. He's very healthy and
should be just fine. Ray, he'd like to speak to you for a minute.
Make it quick, please."

A nurse escorted Ray into the room where Raif was being
prepped for surgery. Ray clasped his brother's hand with tears
in his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I can never repay
you."

"There's nothing to thank me for. Just in case though, take
care of my family."
"Don't even think negatively."
"I'm not. Listen. For Parker, do whatever you can do to
help Mia. Get her sent to a mental facility. She's nuts, Ray, and
you know it. She's the boy's mother, and he loves her."
"All right, Raif, I'll talk to the prosecutor."
"Okay. I'll be fine. So will Parker. Stay positive and pray. I
love you, Ray."
"And I love you more than I can ever tell you."

Ray returned to wait with his family. Two and a half hours
later, Dr. Stephenson came out again. He looked exhausted.
"Okay," he said. "Mr. Gautier is in recovery. He's doing nicely.
He'll be fine."

It seemed a collective breath was released. Chris stood.
"Can I be with my husband?"
"Of course." The doctor nodded.
"And Parker?" Ray asked, dreading the answer.
"Parker's in isolation. He's on a ventilator. I'm seriously
concerned for him. He's weak. He lost a lot of blood. I'm
praying Mr. Gautier didn't sacrifice a kidney for nothing. For
the time being, I'm only allowing his parents to see him and
that
masked and gowned. Chief Reynolds, that's you."
Ray jumped to his feet and held his hand out to Larkin. She
started to rise but hesitated, unsure if she was included as a
parent.
Dr. Stephenson nodded. "I suppose Dr. Reynolds as his
stepmother is his parent, but for now, that's it. Once we know
his body accepts the kidney some of the rest of you can visit
for short periods. I'm gonna be honest: If Parker recovers, it
will be a miracle. Ray, would you like to go in now?"
"Yes, of course," answered Ray anxiously. He followed the
doctor with trepidation. Larkin dogged their steps.

Parker Reynolds could hear everything going on around
him, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not make his
eyes open. He felt as if he were choking. There was something
in his throat, but he could not cough. He tried to command his
hands to move, but they would not respond. No matter what he
tried to get his body to do, it would not obey.

Bad, terrifying memories and dreams flooded his mind.
It's
so cold here
.
There are sharks everywhere. Hold on tight to the
life preserver. It looks like Fritz. NO! The sharks! They're
eating Fritz. NO! I can't breathe. I'm drowning.

Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here.
Parker desperately
tried to open his eyes.
Why won't my eyes cooperate? Ray?
Where did you go?

Silence. Strange sounding beeps. Cold. So cold, and still
choking.
I'm cowering in a corner. Mr. Byrd is beating me with a
belt. God! The buckle! Escape to my room. Mrs. Byrd left for
the grocery store. That poor woman—she has a black eye. Mr.
Byrd gets so angry. Don't leave me alone with my foster father.
There's that sound again. What is that?
Parker heard his father's voice again
.
Still his eyes would
not open. He felt as if they were glued tight. A feeling of panic
overtook him when Ray left the room.
Beep. Beep. Beep. The monitors signaled his heart rate.
A shiver shook Parker's body.
Mrs. Byrd is gone again. Mr.
Byrd's slamming me over the dining table. He's pulling down
my sleep pants. Mr. Byrd presses against me. He's hard. Hell,
no! If I can only reach the flower vase in the center of the
table…The vase crashes against Mr. Byrd's head. My hand is
bleeding.
The heart monitor showed an increased heart rate. A female
voice forced Ray from the room.
The sound of large fluttering wings. Th…thump.
Th…thump. Th…thump. Those are wings flapping. Big wings.
Where's it coming from?
Silence. Strange sounding beeps. Cold. So cold, and still
choking. I am freezing.
All those boys around me. Will I ever get to eat again?
They always take my food. Damn it! Even that nasty bologna
sandwich would be good. I'm so hungry.
Ah, there's that sound again. I feel safe with those wings.
What is that? Whose voice is that? Ray's back.
Parker
desperately tried to open his eyes.
Why won't my eyes
cooperate? Ray? Where did you go?
Strange sounding beeps. Cold. So cold. Choking.
The beeping changed to a long, shrill sound. Voices barked
in agitation and authority. Parker saw a light and he became
warm. Somewhere in the brilliance he glimpsed white and
heard the large fluttering wings more distinctly. His body
jolted. A burn ran through him.
I feel like a fish flopping on a
creek bank.
The voices calmed.
Silence. Beeps. Cold. I want the light and the warmth.
Oh, God! Foot after foot. Fist after fist. Curl into a ball.
Hands over head. Protect myself. Oh, my back hurts so much.
Aren't the damned guards going to do anything? Someone,
please, help me!
The sound of large fluttering wings. Oh, it must be angels.
Wait! Ray. Ray's here.
Parker desperately tried to open his
eyes.
Why is it so cold? Mia. Mom. Why can't I get away from
her? How did she find me? Sheena. Ah, that's nice. No! Leave
her alone! Sheena, run! Get away! Whew!
Mia. Lord! She came back again. Larkin. Oh, sweet Larkin.
No! Leave her alone! Larkin, run! She's safe. Whew! How do I
keep Sheena and Larkin safe? What can I do against my
mother?
Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here. He’ll help me
Mia. Not again! She has a gun. No, no, no, no, no! Not
Ray! Leave him alone. Ray, run! Get away. Ray! Run! NO! You
will not kill my daddy! The gun explodes. Oh, it hurts.
Darkness, loneliness. I don't like it here. Please, somebody,
help me!
The sound of large fluttering wings. Th…thump.
Th…thump. Th…thump. Where's it coming from?
What is that? Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here. I can
hardly hear his voice over the wings. Angels? Demons?
Parker
desperately tried to open his eyes.
Why won't my eyes
cooperate? Ray? Where did you go?
People rushed in and out. Shouts of, "Get him out of here!"
Ray! Don't leave me!
"Clear!" Parker's body jolted.
Floating. Th…thump. Th…thump. Th…thump. The sound of
large fluttering wings. Where's it coming from? What is that—a
dream, surely a dream. A dragon? A shimmering light. Oh, the
light is warm. I want to be warm.
"Clear!" Parker's body jerked again. He felt he was falling.

The wings are going away. Wait! I think you're keeping me
safe. Okay. Someday, I'll see you again. I'll fight. I'll stay and
fight.

It's so cold here
.
Silence.
Wait. There are other voices. Larkin. Her voice is so sweet,

so kind. Is she actually singing me a lullaby? Has anyone ever
sung to me? She's leaving. Larkin, wait. Don't leave. Come on,
eyes! Open!

It's so cold here
.
I want the light. The light is warm.
Silence.
Meemaw! Papaw! Oh, I want a Papaw hug. Meemaw, wait.

You're so strong. Help me. Papaw, wait. Don't leave. Come on,
eyes! Open!
Interminable quiet and freezing.
Grandma Audrey! Grandpa Walter! Oh, I have your eyes,
Grandma Audrey. You understand real suffering. Don't leave.
Christopher! Courtney! I have a real brother and sister.
How nice. Christopher, wait. Courtney, wait. Don't leave.
Parker thought he felt his eyes twitch, yet they would not open.
Parker could hear his teeth chatter in the silence, but he
couldn't force his mouth open to tell anyone how cold he was.
And something still made him feel as if he were choking.
Sheena! I have to wake up! Oh, beautiful Sheena. Oh, those
are her lips on my skin. She's speaking to someone.
A heavier weight was placed on top of Parker. Still he
shivered
. It's so cold here, but I think Sheena got me a blanket.
Sheena, wait. Sheena, don't leave. Stay! I need you to stay.
The strange beeping sounds are louder. No more wings.
Echoing voices. An intercom voice.
Oh, good. Ray's back.
Parker desperately tried to open his
eyes.
Why won't my eyes cooperate? Ray? Where did you go?
Don't leave. Come on, eyes! Open!
Aunt Chris. So, understanding, so compassionate, so easy
to talk to. Aunt Chris, wait. Don't leave.
Patrick! Trista! I'll take you for a ride on my motorcycle.
Patrick, wait. Trista, wait.
It's still so cold here
.
Silence.
Lindsay! Dupree! You're here all the way from California.
Wow, you actually care about me.
It's so cold here
.
Silence. Strange sounding beeps. Echoing
voices. Cold. So cold, and still choking.
What's that? Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here.
Parker
desperately tried to open his eyes.
Why won't my eyes
cooperate? Ray? Where did you go? Don't leave. Come on,
eyes! Open!
Uncle Raif? Where have you been? I owe you my life. I
have to thank you. Uncle Raif, wait. Don't leave.
It's so cold here
.
Silence. Strange sounding beeps. Echoing
voices. Soft padding feet. Hushed whispering. Cold. So cold,
and still choking.
It's so cold here
.
Parker coded twice in the first twenty-four hours after
surgery. At long last, he was moved to a private room on the
intensive care floor. His body accepted the kidney transplant.
Day after day visitors came, different ones, but always Ray.
Still, Parker could not make his eyes open. Always he felt as if
he were choking.