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Date Posted: 11:07:52 09/12/99 Sun
Author: Sally
Subject: "Hey, Dad...Knock, Knock..."
In reply to: Sally 's message, "Hey All...pls post new stuff from here!~" on 06:10:48 09/12/99 Sun

"Who's there?" Roy responded to his 7 year old son's question. In his mind's eye, he could see Chris face beaming with a smile -- as it always did whenever he was telling his "Knock-Knock" Jokes.

"Beets!" Chris offered the next line.

"Beets, who?" Roy played along.

Chris' giggles filled the air as he threw out the punch line,
"Beets me!"

Roy smiled. "Good one, Sport."

JoAnne stood back from the bed, quietly observing the visit between Roy and his two children.

It had been about an hour ago that Susan had called from the hospital lobby, to say that she had brought the kids, because they had both become upset, beyond all comforting, at being seperated from their parents for so long...knowing something was wrong...their little voices pleading to be able to see their mom and dad.

JoAnne had left Roy, who was once again awake...but calm.

Far TOO calm!

Jo knew that Roy has retreated back inside himself.

Telling her husband that she was going to take a short break, she left Marco and Chet keeping watch, then she hurried to the waiting area -- wrapping Chris and Jennifer into her hugs and and smothering their little faces with kisses.

Taking them down to the cafeteria, she let them pick out a treat, pay the cashier and then lead them over to a table ...preparing herself mentally to answer their anxious questions about their dad.

She had decided to keep it simple, "Daddy was in an accident and he hurt his eyes."

When the children had asked for more details, she had explained, "There was a fire and...some yucky stuff got into your daddy's eyes."

The children had begged to see their dad...."just for a few minutes..." -- as first she had said no, but then seeing their disappointment -- she had consulted with Dr. Brackett, who agreed that maybe a brief visit from the kids was just what Roy need right about now.

Brackett had taken a few minutes to try and help prepare the children, by explaining that their dad had bandages around his eyes..."...just like when your mom puts a bandaid on your knee when you fall down and scrape it."

"Daddy's eyes got a boo-boo?" Jennifer had asked.

"That's right," Brackett had answered, smiling at the child.

While children had nodded their understanding of what to expect...still, four year old Jennifer has burst into sobs upon first seeing her father.

"Oh, my poor daddy! My poor, poor daddy!" she wailed.

JoAnne had become immediately worried that the girl's anxious crying would further upset Roy...but in fact, it had the opposite effect...

Bringing forth his fatherly, protective instincts.

Calling the two children over to the bed -- Roy had craddled his sobbing little girl, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her head resting on his shoulder, her tears wetting his hospital gown -- and spoken in soothing tones, assuring her -- and in turn Chris, who had remained totally silent, his little body rigid -- that his eyes hurt only a little...and that soon he would be all better.

Jennifer and Chris had readily accepted what Roy told them as the TRUTH...as they did in all things where their father was concerned.

He was, after all, their HERO!

Once the initial upset was passed, each child had claimed a spot on either side of their father...Roy slipped an arm around each of them.

Jennifer had rested her head upon her Roy's chest...her free hand patting his arm...while she sucked her thumb...soothing both herself and her daddy, it seemed.

For a while, Chris too seemed content just to lay beside his father...needing the reassurance of the bodily contact...the warmth...the unspoken love.

But then, Chris being Chris...it wasn't long before he launched into his newest rounds of "Knock-Knock" jokes...a craze he had developed shortly after starting first grade and learning to read...a task he had excelled in.

"Hey Dad...knock, knock!"

"Who's there?"

"Boo..."

"Boo Who?"

"Don't cry...it's just a joke!"

Roy's chuckle mixed with Chris and Jennifer's laughter.

There were times over the last few weeks when JoAnne had found it near maddening to listen to the childish prattle over and over...but today, she was grateful that her son had brought a sense of normalcy into this hellacious situation, by just being himself.

"Daddy..." Jenny's tiny voice piped up.

"What baby?" Roy asked, hugging her closer.

"Want me to sing you a song?"

"Sure..."

"Twinkle...Twinkle...little star..." Jennifer's sweet voice filled the air."

Stopping short, she looked up at her father's face.

"If you wish on a star...you GET whatever you asked for! Did you know that, Daddy?"

"Oh, really?" Roy responded quietly, tilting his head toward his daughter.

"Oh, yes!" Jennifer said with great authority. "Tonight, when it gets dark and the stars come out...I'm going to wish for you to be all better...real, real fast! OKAY!?"

Roy brushed his hand through the little girl's soft golden curls, his voice thick when he said, "Okay, Baby."

A second later...the singing resumed. "Twinkle, Twinkle..."

'God...if only it were that simple!' Roy thought, his heart aching. 'If I could just wish upon a star...and get Johnny back...!'

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