Karen Harris is a young woman who narrowly escapes death on the freeway. She recovers and begins to rebuild her career when she comes face to face with a reality. Unless she takes decisive action her life will be cut short. Karen is one of a series of stories with a cast common to the whole series. Other stories in the series include Sandra, Jan, Karen and Denise, the one that brings them all together. Look for the conclusion of Denise when all of the others merge into it.
The doctor came in and cleared her to go home. She called her mom and started the paperwork to check out of the hospital. She would be coming to the hospital every day for therapy for a couple weeks.
To leave the hospital she removed the hook from her arm and put on the sling. This looked the most like she did before the surgery and had the least chance for someone to notice. For the first time she wished she had a cosmetic arm. There were photographers outside. She got into the car and her mom drove her home. At her home one photographer caught pictures of her when she got out of the car.
In the afternoon she called the show producer. She would like to walk in for a short time in the next two days. The producer looked at the schedule. Patti and Denise were scheduled. It would be fine. She asked if the producer could conference Fritz. Mystified she said, “Sure” and set up the call. When Fritz came on the line Karen asked the question. “Is Lou in town and do you think she would be ready to appear on the show tomorrow?”
“Well. She is in town but she is the least experienced. It would be a little of a risk. But she has been great every time she has been in public.”
“If the producer agrees I would like to have her there.”
“Could I ask if there is some reason?”
“Sure. I’m going to appear and I would like to have Lou with me.”
“Have you met her?”
“No. But she and I have something in common. I would like to do a short segment and she would be the expert in the segment.”
The producer asked, “What do you have in common?”
“Please do not pass this on to anyone. I will tell Lou before the show. On Monday they amputated my right arm above the elbow and I am wearing a hook prosthesis. I want to do a quick segment on the show with Lou.”
Had they been in the same room they would have seen the producer’s mouth move but nothing come out. Finally she said, “Arm. Amputated. Hook. You?”
“Yes, Carla, they amputated my right arm.”
“But. I mean. You. It. How are you going to live without an arm.”
“Carla. That is exactly why I want Lou there. I want her to show me and the people who watch the show.”
Carla slipped to producer mode. This would be the greatest disaster or the best thing that could happen to the show. It was a risk. “Let me think a minute.”
“Sure. But please don’t tell anyone what this segment is about till just before the show.”
“Can I get a spot in the morning ad for the show that you are going to be back for the day? It will ding our ratings up.”
“Whatever you think. But only that I will be back that day.”
“Is there some reason why you want to do it this soon?”
“I’ve been photographed several times. I think they didn’t get anything but eventually they will. I want to be the one who tells them. I think if this comes out the wrong way it will hurt. If I can bring it out it will not.”
Fritz called back. Lou would be available. When he asked her to do that show she told him she wanted to talk to Karen before the show. Karen invited her to her house for dinner. Darin dropped in and watched as Lou and Karen worked together. By the end of the evening Karen was playing cards using her hook.
Karen: Chapter One – The Attack
Karen Chapter 22: Out with Her New Arm
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