Surgery 9

Francis saw the lights and heard the approaching sound of the Harley.She was at the entrance when Suzanne and Arlis pulled up .He slumped behind Suzanne leaning upon her as she maneuvered the bike to a halt.Between the two women he was brought in close to the fires warmth.Arlis was having chills due to the fever that was increasing in degree. Suzanne hauled the cot from the med unit fireside .Arlis was semi conscious from blood loss and infection.After breaking the bond of dried blood to the wound by saturating the area about it his clothes were peeled away to inspect the damage. Swollen and festering with bullet lodged against the thigh bone the leg was hot to the touch. The bullet would have to come out. Suzanne looked at the little boy then leaned into his mother's ear.Why don't you take Donny and get him to sleep.I will gather supplies and then you can help me here. Francis took Donny to do this relieved for the few moments to compose herself for what was coming. She sang softly to her son after reassuring him everything was going to be just fine. When she returned Suzanne had a layout of things on a white towel she had put on the card table .Scissors ,gauze,dressings,tweezers,alcohol,and whiskey. Using the remains of her energy she wrestled Arlis into a sitting position having Francis sit behind him to hold him in place.Then she incrementally administered the diluted whiskey in microdose till Arlis no longer could be coerced to swallow nor responded when she pinched the flesh of his inner arm.Easing him back then the Puckered hole in the leg was deluged with the alcohol as was all instruments as well as Suzannes gloved hands.She began. After the removal she opted to keep the bullet hole open for now to allow for drainage .She then wrapped it securely.Arlis never knew the rain had begun again.That night Suzanne took a wool blanket dampened it wrapped it about him then encased this within a dry one.Not only did this elevate his temperature to help kill off any bacteria but still the chills so he could rest.Simultaneously Francis ran back and forth to the cold spring to get water to dip towels in to wrap around the head to protect his brain.This the two women did all night as they eyed Arlis for signs of waking.He slept as if dead,untroubled by the cares of the world they now found themselves in. Slowly his temp came down,the chills resided and he began to softly snore.Suzanne uncovered him now allowing the fires warmth and fresh air in.