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Post by sanne on Jan 4, 2009 8:25:42 GMT -10
Thnx for the warning, NV Oracle, it's very thoughtful of you to do that, but this is still a nice length for me. Besides, your writing style makes it easy to read. It's a good idea to get Stevie out of there for a day. Wonder where they will go. Will it be a "man's" day out or will they take the women with them as well? Can't wait to find out..... Sandra
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Post by margaret1234 on Jan 4, 2009 9:15:17 GMT -10
Great...... a Stevie and Horatio chapter again.....I love that scene where Stevie takes hold of Horatio's hand......how this lad so trusts him. So what is Horatio planning I wonder......maybe some basketball as Jess has suggested.
Margaret
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Post by Dr. Anna McBreadle on Jan 9, 2009 23:22:22 GMT -10
okay im totally hooked on this story! what happens next??? im dying to know! luv sam x
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Post by NV Oracle on Jan 13, 2009 18:52:23 GMT -10
Hey, Dr McBreadle, welcome aboard. I hope you continue to enjoy my story. Here's a little Stevie/Horatio chapter after Stevie meets his new PT, Ernie.
The little characters that Stevie mentions in this chapter do really exist, and yes, they're called Micros. Anybody who is interested and wants to know more information can pm me. My avatar is the micro portrait of Horatio, and one of the first wp's that I posted here had a micro of Horatio in it.
Other than that, here we go. Please enjoy.
**************
Chapter 78
They walked back in to the room, to find Ernie standing there, staring down at Stevie‘s legs.
“What’s going on?” Horatio asked.
“I’m checking for spasticity.“ Ernie replied.
“I don’t understand.“ Horatio admitted.
Ernie looked up. “In other words, Lt, if any of the muscles in his legs, or at least below his threshold spasmed, or moved even though they shouldn’t.“ As he put his hand on one of Stevie’s legs, Ernie looked up, and noticed Horatio’s still puzzled look. “What is it, Lt?”
“Well, if his spinal cord has been severed, how is it that messages from his brain are getting past the break in his spine, to go down to his legs?”
Ernie and Stevie trade a grin. “Well, Lt, in a situation where the break in the spinal cord is complete, a very small, minute number of the total ‘messages’ from the brain are making it over the break and down to the legs, where they were intended to go. Unfortunately, science has yet to explain sufficiently well enough, how those messages are getting through, but that others are not. In Stevie’s instance, thought, the break in his spinal cord was what we call ‘incomplete’, meaning that there is still a small part of his spine that is still in one piece, and as a result, more of the total number of messages from the brain are able to get through, but not enough for him to still be able to walk, or to feel, either internal stimulus, or external. We need to know what his spasm level is like, now, so that if something happens, either he gets injured, or anything, and the spasms get worse, we’ll know, and he’ll know, when he gets home, if he’s by himself, that something may be wrong, and to talk to his Mom, or Dr Fitzgerald about it.” Ernie explained.
Horatio nodded. “Ok. I think I understand.” He walked over to the bed. “I imagine it looks pretty weird to see your legs move all on their own?”
Stevie chuckled. “I’m kind of used to it at this point, H, but, yeah, it is kind of weird when they do. To see them move on their own, and to know that one, I’m not feeling it, and two, that I didn’t ask them too, yeah, it’s kind of weird.“ The youngster admitted.
Horatio also chuckled. “I’ll bet.”
“Ok, Stevie, I’ve pretty much done what I needed to do. Do you have any questions for me?” Ernie asked.
When the youngster shook his head, Ernie turned to Mom, questioningly. She also shook her head. Ernie then turned and looked over at Horatio. “Lt?”
“I think I’m ok as well, Ernie.” Horatio replied.
“Ok.“ Ernie looked down at the youngster. “I’ll see you in a few days, Stevie.“
“Yup.“ Stevie agreed. As Ernie moved around the bed, toward the door, Stevie added. “We’ll see you then, Ernie.“
“Yes, we will, Ernie. Thanks a lot for all your help.” Horatio also added.
“You’re more than welcome. Lt.” Ernie replied from the door. “Bye.”
“Bye.” Everyone replied.
Once Ernie was gone, Horatio looked at Stevie. “What were you working on when we first came in, Stevie?”
Stevie pulled the table back over towards himself. “I was working on my story, as well as the micros that I was making for a wallpaper for it.” He told the older man.
Horatio looked thoroughly confused. “You were working on what?”
Stevie grinned. “The micros for my story. Here, H. I’ll show you.“ The youngster went on to explain what he was talking about and how he was making the little characters.
Horatio nodded as the youngster made his explanation, however he was also thinking about something that Stevie had said. “How would you make a wallpaper with them?”
“Well, I’d start with select pictures of the various members of the crew, and I’d make a Micro of each of them, then I’d also add either pictures taken of you and the team, or, if I had to, I’d hand draw pictures of you, and I’d add them, with the Micros of each of you.”
“Ok.” Horatio replied slowly. “I think I understand. How far have you gotten? Can I see?” He asked.
Stevie nodded. “Sure. Come on over here, please, H.” Steve turned his laptop around so that Horatio could see the screen. “Here’s what I do, H, to make a micro.“ Stevie brought up several picture files to show Horatio what he was doing. “Each of these files is a template file. Basically, all I do, is copy and paste the hair, and clothes templates on to the body template, and, if I need to, I recolor something, like hair, shirt, etc.”
“Ok, I get it, Stevie.” Horatio told the youngster, then he asked. “How do you put the micros, as you called them, into the wallpaper?”
Stevie grinned. “Well, it helps to work on the micros with a white background, so that when you copy and paste them into the wallpaper, that the background is clear, and they can be inserted wherever you want to put them.“
Before Horatio could have said anything further, Andi walked in with Stevie’s dinner tray. “Dinner, Stevie. Put your school work away, so you can eat.”
Stevie closed down his laptop, and set it to the side. “Ok, Andi.”
“Ok, Stevie. Aunt Calleigh and I are going to take Mom somewhere for Dinner. We’ll see you tomorrow, ok?” Horatio asked.
Stevie nodded. “Ok, H. We’ll see you guys tomorrow. Thank you very much for all the help in finding another physical therapist.”
Horatio’s shy grin made a quick appearance, as he told the youngster. “You’re more than welcome, Stevie. We’re going to get you back up, and active again in no time flat.”
“I know, H, but still, thanks a lot for all your help. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
The three adults walked out of the room, just as Stevie lifted the cover to his dinner.
*****************
Please let me know what you think.
Your friend NV Oracle
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Post by sanne on Jan 13, 2009 20:58:08 GMT -10
I think Ernie is a great guy and exactly what Stevie needs at this point. He'll be a great addition to the "team". Great chapter, NV Oracle. Sandra
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Post by jessica on Jan 14, 2009 3:54:06 GMT -10
I agree with Sandra. Earnie seems to be a very nice guy and I hope that he can help Stevie as far as things are possible. Great chapter Oracle, I can't wait to read more.
Jess
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Post by Dr. Anna McBreadle on Jan 14, 2009 4:07:12 GMT -10
now even i was confused with the micro thingy! LOL!! i like ernie, he seems like he knows what he's talking about and even better stevie likes him, thats the most important thing. nice chapter NV can't wait for the next one. luv sam x
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Post by margaret1234 on Jan 14, 2009 14:34:05 GMT -10
Looks like we are all in agreement about Ernie.....nice guy. Seems to know his business well so will be good for Stevie. So Horatio and Calleigh are taking Stevie's Mum for dinner....will they end up together after the dinner???
Margaret
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Post by gonsy on Jan 17, 2009 8:34:58 GMT -10
Nice chapter NV Oracle. Stevie is a brave boy and has a lot of people that cares for him! Gonsy
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Post by NV Oracle on Jan 25, 2009 17:04:39 GMT -10
Glad you ladies all liked Ernie. He is a really good guy, and knew virtually right away what Stevie's problem had been, and more importantly, how to fix it.
Here's the next chapter. Please enjoy. Here we go.
********************
Chapter 79
Once down at the Hummer, Horatio turned to look first at Calleigh, then to Jessica. “Do we want to go in and sit for dinner or do we want it to go?”
Jessica shook her head. “I don’t know about you two, but my battery is down to nothing.”
Horatio and Calleigh chuckled.
“He won’t admit it, but he’s probably getting there too.” Calleigh agreed.
Horatio ducked, in an attempt to escape the attention, then tilted his head and looked over at them. “I’m fine, ladies. Don’t worry about me.”
Jessica and Calleigh each walked around the Hummer and approached the red head from opposing sides.
“To use your words, Handsome, ‘that would not be possible’.” Calleigh told him.
Jessica added. “Especially if you talked to either Stevie or Alexx.”
Horatio chuckled. “Alexx adopted me when we were still living in New York. She found out that both of my parents were dead, so she volunteered to be my sounding board. She would also invite me over to her house occasionally for dinner and, over time, she slowly earned my trust so that some of the bigger decisions, the more personal decisions, were given the Alexx seal of approval.“ He walked around the Hummer and held the door open for Calleigh.
“Stevie adopted you virtually right away.” Calleigh remarked, then stepped up on the running board. She turned back to look at Horatio. “Where does he come in to things, Handsome? You’ve gotten so close to him, so fast. Is it the fact that he’s just a little boy, is it that he’s a victim, or is it his rotten string of bad luck?”
Horatio looked away for a moment, as he thought about it. “That’s a good question, Beautiful. I tend to think it’s probably a combination of all of the above, as well as the fact that, although most of our circumstances are completely different, I’m seeing enough of myself, or at least the concept of a little boy having to grow up far too quickly, in Stevie and his situation, that I’m trying to do my absolute best to not let it happen, and for Stevie to be a little boy for as long as possible.”
Horatio closed the door as Calleigh got settled into the passenger seat, and walked around to the driver’s side. He climbed in and closed the door. “How do you ladies feel about Chinese for dinner?“
“That sounds like a good idea to me.” Jessica is quick to agree.
“Me, too.“ Calleigh added.
“That’s where we’re going, then. Here we go.” Horatio told them, as he started the rather large vehicle.
Horatio brought their dinners out to the Hummer, and started it. As he drove back to Jessica’s apartment, He told the women hesitantly. “I wanted to let you know, Jessica, that if Dr Fitzgerald gives his permission tomorrow, I’d like to be able to get Stevie out of the hospital, at least for a little while.” Horatio explained as he drove toward Jessica’s apartment.
“That’s actually a good idea, Horatio.” Jessica told him.
“The thing is, though, that I do have one place that I do want to take him to, that I’d want you ladies to come with us to, but then, after that, you three would be free to go off on your own, if you wanted to.”
“Stevie will probably tell us to get lost.“ Calleigh grinned.
“Not as a means of just getting rid of us, thought, Calleigh.” Jessica pointed out. “You know as well as I do, that he‘s going to do it as a means of giving us a breather away from each other for the day.”
“I know. You‘re right, Jess.” Calleigh agreed.
“That’s Stevie for you, though.” Horatio added. “Trying to do something for the two of you, rather than keeping the attention all to himself.”
“You’re right, Horatio. That would be Stevie.“ Jessica agreed.
“Speaking of which, let me call Charlie, just to make sure that he’s going to have Marty at the store tomorrow.“ Horatio pulled out his cell phone and lifted the lid with his thumb. “Call Charlie.“ He told the device.
After a few minutes, they heard the phone speed dial a number. A strange voice came over the line.
Jessica and Calleigh traded confused looks, but Horatio acted as if noting unusual were happening.
“Hello? Hello? [Squawk. Squawk.]”
“Marty? Where’s Charlie?” Horatio asked.
“Den. [Squawk] Den. Den.”
“Ok, Marty. This is H. Please tell him I’m on the phone.”
On the other end of the phone, they heard. “Charlie. [Squawk] H. Phone. [Squawk. Squawk.] Phone, Charlie. H.” They also heard flapping going away in the distance, as well as the voice. Another voice answered the first voice.
The second voice came closer and somebody picked up the phone. “Hello? H?”
“Hey, there, Charlie. When did you have the time to teach him to answer the phone?”
The man chuckled. “That was one of the first things I taught him and it was the easiest too. When I broke it down into segments, he learned it in no time flat.”
“Is he going to be with you at the store tomorrow, Charlie?”
“He normally is, H. You know that.”
Horatio grinned. “This is true. I just wanted to make sure, Charlie. I have this young friend that I wanted to meet you and Marty.”
Charlie chuckled. “Oh, ok. Bring him by the store whenever you have the chance.”
“If the doctor allows him to get out of the hospital, at least for a little while, tomorrow, we’ll be by sometime during the day.”
“Not a problem, H. We’ll see you then. Bye.” Charlie hung up.
“Bye.” Horatio also hung up with a chuckle.
Calleigh and Jessica both also laughed at the bird’s antics.
“That bird is a character, isn’t he?” Jessica asked.
Horatio chuckled. “Yes, he is, Jessica. That’s the thing. Charlie and Marty have been friends and partners for a very long time. Charlie got Marty when we were in college and they’ve been best friends ever since. Charlie and his folks had previously had a bird sanctuary and so Charlie had been raised around Macaws and Parrots of all kinds and sizes for most of his life. Marty, unfortunately, had been rescued from a bird sanctuary where the birds had been abused. Luckily, Marty was a fairly young bird at the time. Even with that, though, Charlie worked with him for several weeks before he showed any improvement at all. Now, they’re inseparable. Marty is so mellow and even tempered, I’d doubt his original family would even recognize him. Charlie has been known to take him to the store, and to other places, as well as to schools, hospitals, etc.”
“It certainly will be interesting to meet the two of them in person, that’s for sure.” Calleigh added.
“Yes, it will.” Jessica agreed.
Horatio pulled up to the apartment building. Jessica got her dinner from the bag, then climbed out of the Hummer.
“We’ll see you two in the morning.” Jessica added.
“The normal time, Jessica.” Horatio told her.
“No problem.” She turned and walked in to the building.
*********************
Please let me know what you think.
Your friend NV Oracle
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Post by sanne on Jan 25, 2009 20:35:55 GMT -10
Wonderful chap. I loved it. So H wants Stevie to meet a bird....a very special one as well......Can't wait to see that happening. Sandra
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Post by Dr. Anna McBreadle on Jan 26, 2009 4:19:59 GMT -10
i couldn't help but laugh at H having a conversation with a parrot!! i just couldn't imagine it! great little scene though, stevie will love meeting charlie! nice one NV! luv sam x
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Post by jessica on Jan 26, 2009 4:47:01 GMT -10
This was really funny. A parrot as an answering machine, now that's unique. ;D A very nice chapter Oracle, please update soon. Jess
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Post by margaret1234 on Jan 26, 2009 5:08:48 GMT -10
Very nice chapter NV. I also loved the episode where H talks to a parrot.....very amusing. Looking forward to next chapter.
Margaret
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Post by gonsy on Jan 26, 2009 6:13:34 GMT -10
Hey Nv Oracle, nice chapter! I have to admit that I had to read two times to understand what was going on with this phone conversation! ;D Very funny! Gonsy
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