Chapter 13
"Now, you've got everything you'll need for the briefings while I'm gone?" C. J. asked.
"Yes. Would you please calm down? I handled the press by myself in Chicago with no disasters," reminded Kelsey.
"I know, but…"
"C.J., don't worry everything will be fine. You've been preparing me for this moment the past four months. Now you better get going or Air Force One is going to leave without you."
"Just remember never let Josh handle a press briefing."
"Josh, would you please get this crazy woman out of my office?!" Kelsey teased when she saw Josh standing in the doorway.
"Claudia Jean, you're as bad as Leo. Would you just relax?! The White House is not going to crumble while the President is in London for a week. We've got everything under control."
"Besides which, Toby is here to maintain order and discipline," added Kelsey.
"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," C.J. deadpanned.
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The first two days after the President, Leo, Sam and C.J. left for London were relatively quiet. Congress was on their pre-Thanksgiving break. And for once, warring nations seemed to be
getting along. Toby, Josh and Kelsey would have been extremely grateful for the down time except Leo had left a long list of things he wanted done.
Kelsey had just finished the Tuesday afternoon briefing and was walking back to her office. Day two of C.J.'s absence and things seem to be going fine, she thought to herself. Just then
Donna rushed over to her.
"What's wrong?" she asked Donna who was out of breath and clearly distressed.
"Your mother's doctor just called and they've rushed her to GW. He wants you to get there as soon as you can," replied Donna.
"Do me a favor, call GW and find out what room my mom is in. Is Toby back yet?"
"No."
"Damn. Would you please page Toby for me too?"
"I'm on it."
Kelsey hurried down the corridor to her office and began tossing files into her briefcase. Unsure of what else she might need, she started packing up her laptop to bring it with too.
"Kelsey, Toby's on line two," Donna announced.
"Thanks."
She pressed the blinking red button and put Toby on speakerphone.
"Toby…"
"What's going on?" he asked sounding slightly annoyed.
"My mom's been rushed to GW."
"When?"
"About 10 minutes ago. I've got to get over there."
"Go and be with your mom. If anything comes up we'll handle it."
"Thanks."
"Call when you know something."
"Okay."
They said their good-byes and hung up. Kelsey left some notes with Carol and then left.
At the hospital, her mother's doctor, Rick Nielson, met Kelsey outside Anne's room.
"What happened?" she asked trying to sort everything out.
"She collapsed in my office," replied Dr. Nielson. "Her b.p. dropped, she's dehydrated and the pneumonia is back. We're giving her fluids and antibiotics."
"But…"
"It's the same cycle. We treat the pneumonia; she gets better and goes home. Two or three weeks later, she's back in the hospital with the same symptoms. She's in pain and it's getting
progressively worse," he explained.
"I know."
"We've given her some pain medication and she's sleeping right now. I'm not sure how long she'll be out."
"Thank you, doctor."
Kelsey walked into her mother's room and was surprised by how small Anne looked lying on the bed. Not just small, but almost frail.
She had an oxygen tube in her nose and an IV tube running into her arm. Her face was pale. When Kelsey put her hand over Anne's, she was struck by how much weight her mom had lost
recently.
Josh and Donna came by the hospital later that night to check on both of the Saufl women. They had stayed for a while trying to keep Kelsey's spirits up. Kelsey appreciated the gesture
especially since she knew how hard it must have been for Josh to be there.
After they left, Kelsey went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. When she returned, Toby was sitting in the Visitor's Lounge.
"How is she?" he asked.
"I don't know. The doctors aren't crazy about treating the pneumonia again considering that she'll probably be back here in a couple of weeks with the same symptoms. They increased her pain
meds for tonight so she can rest. Other than that, it's just wait and see," explained Kelsey.
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
"Are you going to stay here tonight?"
"Probably. I don't want her to be alone."
"Would you mind if I stayed to keep you company?"
Kelsey looked over at Toby and saw how genuinely concerned he was.
"I'd like that," she replied.
Toby walked over to her and put his arms around her, giving her a warm hug. He held her close as they walked towards Anne's room.
He attempted to keep her mind on other things. After suggesting that they look over some remarks he had been writing for the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors, they fell into a comfortable
silence. Some time after midnight, Toby glanced over at Kelsey. She had fallen asleep in her chair. The papers she had been reading were clutched in her hands. Toby carefully took the
papers out of Kelsey's hand, trying hard not to wake her. Next, he quietly moved another chair over and lifted her legs onto it. Then, he placed his overcoat on her. After kissing her lightly
on the forehead, he sat down in his own chair and closed his eyes too.