This choice: Randall refused to tell them. They think he's dead. So your family is all he has • Go Back...Chapter #9Randall refused to tell them. They think he'... by: fantaghiro "His parent's don't know?" you gasped. "But...but..."
"We tried to convince him to talk to Doris and Robert [his parents]," your mom explains. "But he wouldn't listen."
Dr. Saunders continued. "Randall strikes me as highly intelligent and remarkably resilient. When we explained what had happened, he seemed to immediately grasp the implications of going public. He stated quite clearly that it would be better for everyone if his family didn't know. As he is 18, we must respect his wishes." He looked saddened for a moment as he quietly added "it's the least we can do."
You couldn't imagine going through something like that without your family. But Randall was always headstrong - and quick-witted. He probably did have a better grasp of what this meant than you did. Sounding braver than you actually felt, you said decisively "then I'm his family now!"
Your dad gave you a proud look. Your mom smiled and said "we're all his family, sweetheart. I know he's like a brother to you, and we'll support you however we can as you try to help."
You nodded in understanding as you prepared to go see your best friend. "Can I see him alone at first?" you asked, suddenly worried. "I...I think it will be easier without all of you there. I mean, how is he holding up? Is he, uh, stable?"
The Doctor looked quizically at your parents. They looked at one another for a few seconds and came to a silent agreement. "Sure, Tim," Doctor Saunders said. "Maybe seeing him alone would be best. As for his condition..." he paused to consider his words. "Well, physically the patient is doing amazing. All nervous and motor fuctions seem completely normal. Randall...I mean, 'Natalie'" he said, emphasizing the new name, "has been able to talk, eat, walk...the results are beyond our wildest dreams. Mentally, it's hard to say. She has suffered a terrible trauma and clearly is still dealing with that." He looked you in the eyes as if reading your mind. "But that's not what you're asking, is it?" he sighed. "Frankly, Tim, I just don't know. Aside from an intitial outburst, she has been surprisingly calm and well adjusted. I've tried some simple psych evaluations but they have been inconclusive. Your friend is incredibly adaptable, that's clear. But I can't tell if she's still in shock and just not dealing with this transformation beyond a superficial level. Or..."
"Or..." you prompted as he hesitated.
He looked uncomfortable. "This is the first such surgery with humans. You must understand that we didn't simply yank Randall's entire brain out and stick it in this woman's skull. The surgery was much more complex than that. When the surgery was performed, it wasn't at all clear that this would be the outcome - that, in effect, Randall would be put into a new body. The surgeon actually thought that he was saving the life of Natalie by transplanting undamaged brain tissue to replace that destroyed by the aneurysm. He transplanted much of Randall's higher brain - in particular the frontal and temporal lobes - connecting them to the healthy part of Natalie's brain using rather experimental drugs and stem cell technology. Honestly he thought that the patient would live but at the very least have amnesia of some sort - assuming he thought at all," he muttered the last part under his breath. At your stunned look he explained "what I mean to say is that your friend may have some portion of Natalie's memories or personality as well. She hasn't been very forthcoming on those points and, honestly, we don't have the right to push too hard. Not after all she's gone through. I certainly think that the melding of the brain tissue has been why she has recovered motor functions so quickly. So perhaps somehow that's also helping on an emotional level."
He shook his head. "I don't know what to tell you, Tim. Just that the young woman in there is still in large part the friend you grew up with, and despite her calm demeanor, she needs a close friend right now, someone to talk to about all this. She needs you."
You nodded slowly in agreement although you still had some trouble completely understanding all this. The whole thing seemed so unreal.
The doctor walked you down the hall back to Randall's room with your parents trailing behind.
He motioned you forward. "She's awake and waiting, just go on in."
You opened the door and stepped into the room. You saw the same 30ish woman as before - very attractive and VERY pregnant. She was sitting up in bed, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, her attention fully focused on some papers on her lap.
You watched her for a few seconds before clearing your throat and softly saying "Hey, heard you've been looking for me."
Her head jerked up. She stared at you for just a moment, then a wide smile spread across her face. "Tim!" she almost shouted as she tried unsuccessfully to lift herself off the bed.
You rushed over to meet her, saying "woah, hold on there." You reached an arm out - you're not sure whether to help her or shake her hand - and she grabbed it like a lifeline. Pulling you to her, she pressed her head to your chest and put her arms around you. "Tim, I'm so glad you're here," she said with a sob.
You let her hang on for a few minutes, even awkwardly putting your arms around her and patting her on the back. You could feel her large breasts press into you, causing an uncomfortable mixture of emotions.
"It's okay, Randall, you know I've got your back man," you said, trying to be comforting. She snorted at that and pulls back to look at your face. "That's not entirely accurate anymore, is it?" she laughs, the irony of your comment seeming to break her sadness. "I'm hardly 'man' - and you might as well call me Natalie. Everyone else does."
You had trouble reading her mood. Randall was usually an open book to you, but you couldn't quite figure this person out. You saw signs of the Randall you knew. But even when he was upset - such as when his real mom died - he wasn't this emotional. You shrugged it off - Randall had been through alot and you probably just needed to cut him some slack.
You pulled up a chair and sat down, planning to talk. But mostly you just listened. Natalie seemed to need someone to unload on and you were a willing ear. Oddly enough, usually it was the reverse - Randall was the one YOU could always talk to.
Her mood seemed to lighten considerably as she talked. She explained her first few days after she awoke, and her amazement at how quickly it all started to feel 'normal'.
"It's weird, Tim," she said. "My shock at becoming a woman - and older - wore off sooner than I would have thought. I mean, you've always said I could roll with the punches but, hey, this is crazy."
"Yeah, I still can't believe it myself," you responded.
"Maybe it's got something to do with this," she said, pointing down at her stomach. "The 'elephant in the room', so to speak."
You had purposefully avoided mentioning the pregnancy or even looking at her belly, not knowing how to deal with that subject, so you just nod slowly.
"Think of it, man! Pregnant! A baby inside me! Compared to that, being a 31 year old woman is a minor change" she chuckled.
"Yes, it's unbelievable!" you agreed.
"The fuck it is!" she said for emphasis before breaking into laughter. For a moment you can see the old Randall peaking through this adult woman. Then a strange expression crosses her face, as if she wants to add something, and she dropped her gaze.
"Go on, dude, out with it!" you joked prodding her.
"It IS weird," she said and then paused. She lifted her head back up to look you in the eyes. "But ... it's also kinda amazing!" she continued, with an inner glow to her face. "Feeling a life inside you - it's incredible! I couldn't have imagined anything like it. I don't know if it's the hormones or what, but it almost feels worth it."
She pulled out a stethoscope and put it on. "The nurse gave me this - I hear the baby's heartbeat!"
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/289933...
As you talk with Natalie, you wonder about her newfound feelings on motherhood and can't help but consider what the doctor told you. Should you bring up his theory?
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