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Paul let Kelly enter Peter's room first. Her sharp intake of breath made him look at the swollen features of Peter's face. Purple and black marred the orbit of his right eye. Flecks of dried blood and stitches to his temple disrupted the smoothness of his skin. More bruising and dried blood could be seen around his lips and swollen nose.
What little pale skin that remained around the spreading purple worried the small family. Shallow breaths from Peter were their only indication that he was still among them.
Kelly slowly went to her brother and sister, needing their support as she hoped their mother came home safely. Her father had explained what had happened on their drive to the hospital, though it was still hard to imagine this happening.
"Any change while I was gone?" Paul asked, stepping beside Kelly.
Carolyn shook her head. "No, he's been sleeping. The doctor came in and said that Peter's heart was strong and the blood tests didn't show any signs of internal bleeding. Said that Peter just needed time to heal."
"I see they came and started the blood," Paul reached and gently touched the plastic tubing. Blood, deep red, trickled through the tubing to the IV needle inserted into Peter's arm. Another needle was delivering clear fluids in his other arm.
"They came in just after you left and started it. He didn't even flinch when they started the IV," Carolyn said, then looked up as the door opened again.
An oriental woman entered, her head slightly bowed. Dark hair was pulled up into a bun, her dark green dress giving only a hint to the thin body underneath it. "Excuse me, please. I am looking for Captain Blaisdell."
"I'm Captain Blaisdell, how can I help you?" Over the years, Paul had learned to school his face in not giving away his emotions, especially confusion. It had come in handy when he was helping fight wars in third world country's and when raising three children.
Lifting her head to see the occupants of the room better, she said, "In private, if we may."
Sensing the visitor's need to talk in private, Carolyn moved around the bed. "Come on, Kelly. I'll treat you to some coffee in the lounge."
As the girls left, Paul motioned for his guest to sit down, thankful that the woman didn't demand that they leave Peter alone.
"How may I help you, Ms…?"
"Call me Kaylia. I know where your wife is."
Entering the crowded restaurant, Blake waited for the hostess to find him a seat. A tall dark haired woman approached with plastic coated menus in hand, a friendly smile on her face.
"Only one, sir?"
Blake looked around, then answered, "No. There will be two more coming in a few minutes. Is the booth over there reserved for anyone?"
She followed his hand as he pointed toward the giant picture of the Great Wall, an empty booth under it, vacant and clean. "You would like to sit there?"
"Yes, my friends have expressed an interest in visiting China and I told them they should see the wall. I thought I'd give them some points of interest while we ate," he answered as she led the way to the table.
"You have been there?" she asked, her interest real.
Allowing the memory of his wife wash over him, comforting him, leaving him breathless for her touch, he smiled. "Yes. My wife and I went there a long time ago."
"Is she not to join us?" the girl inquired, wondering if the woman in question was one of the two to come. "No, I'm afraid not. She died years ago."
Not sure of what to say, the waitress made her exit, not understanding the smile that the man wore.