Under far different circumstances, the journey might have been more interesting.
Strapped to a gurney, Julie Stovall rode in the back of an ambulance for the trip from Moon Lake to the Seattle hospital, accompanied by her mother, Doctor Mera Curry, and a paramedic.
Her father and Doctor Tora Tachibana followed within their own cars, each packed for at least an overnight stay, if not longer.
Since it was on duty but not in the middle of a life threatening emergency, the ambulance drove at the normal speed limit with all its lights on, but left the sirens off so as not to disturb the passengers.
Julie was silent practically the entire trip. Doctor Curry expressed no opinion either way in regards to that, but her mother was worried.
"Don't worry Julie honey. Everything is going to be all right," she said, trying to reassure herself as much as her daughter.
Julie turned and smiled at Mrs. Stovall. "It's not that mom. I just never got a chance to say goodbye to Arthur before we left," she said, referring to the blonde were-mer and not the boy she was interested in who recently became a werewolf to eventually join the Moon Lake Police Department.
Melissa Stovall never replied, but looked at Doctor Curry. The unspoken question on their minds was, Arthur, and NOT Eric?
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but how does a brain aneurysm affect it?
An hour later, Julie was being admitted into the hospital and settling into her room. Curry conferred with her colleague, while wife talked to husband.
"And you're sure she said Arthur and never once mentioned Eric the entire trip?" asked Martin Stovall.
"Yes," replied Melissa, leaning against her husband. "What do you think it means?"
"I know what I'm hoping for, but the only time the love at first sight/soul mate connection has ever been broken between mers in the past is by the passing of one of the parties involved, and even then, it was usually at the end of a very long life together. There was never a normal involved, let alone all the other stuff that's gone on with Eric Anderson. I think it's best to wait and see what the doctors say," said Martin, while noticing that Curry and Tachibana were still talking.
It was still a few more tense minutes for the Stovalls before the doctors came over to talk to the parents.
"Doctor Curry told me of your trip here," said Doctor Tachibana, starting the conversation. "I know you might have been tempted to do so, but in light of the fact that Julie never raised the issue, it might be a good thing that you never mentioned Eric."
"What do you think it means doctor?" asked Melissa.
"I hope it's a sign that your daughter is on the road to recovery. That at least her subconscious mind realizes that Eric is no longer available the way she dreamed, and is moving on to a new possibility. But even if that is true, the physical damage to her brain still needs to be repaired. I'm having Julie sedated and prepared for another MRI now. As soon as we can review those test results, Doctor Curry and I will either perform the surgery tonight, or wait until tomorrow morning as originally scheduled."
"And the prognosis?" asked Martin, staring at his daughter's physicians.
"Julie will still need to see Doctor Frances Twist for therapy after we return to Moon Lake, but perhaps now it will not be for as long as originally projected," was all Doctor Curry would say.