The Fact Of Life (The Remix)

Episode 7...The trouble with intolerance..

It was a lazy sunday afternoon at Eastland. Jo was in the driveway working on her bike. Blair was out shopping. Natalie and Tootie still couldn't bring themselves to say anything to Jo even though their punishment was over.

Misses Garrett was in the kitchen planning the next weeks lunch menu. When the phone rang misses Garrett absent mindedly answered. " Hello, Eastland cafeteria. This is Edna Garrett speaking. " Her face went from one of distraction to one of worry. " Really, Oh my yes I'll be there in just a few minutes. Thank you for the call. " Edna undid her apron and tossed her pen onto the notepad. " Natalie, Tootie, Jo and I will be going out mind the house while we're gone. "

" Yes, misses Garrett !" The girls hollered back.

Edna walked to the driveway purse keys and coat in hand. " Jo, come on dear we've got to go. "

" Go where miss G I'm just puttin' the finishing touches on the tune up. Can it wait ?" Jo asked not know what was going on.

" No , I'm afraid it can't something happened to Blair in town she's at the hospital Jo, the police are calling it a hate crime. " At those last words from Edna, Jo dropped her socket wrench and threw her grease towel to the ground.

" Is she okay ?" Jo asked with deep concern and fear in her eyes.

" I don't know they wouldn't tell me anything else until I get there. Let's go. " Edna repeated and both women hurried to her Chrysler.

At the hospital.

Edna and Jo rushed through the automatic doors and to the circulation desk.

" Can I help you ?" A perky secretary asked.

" Yes, my name is Edna Garrett I'm here to see Blair Warner . " The older woman answered.

" She's been admitted she's in room thirty two on the third floor. " The secretary explained losing her perk tone and gaining a more serious one.

" Thank you. " Edna replied.

" Oh, wait is it true ?" The secretary asked in hushed tone.

" Is what true ?" Edna responded.

" Is she ..really ..gay imagine the gossip a Warner no less outted. " The secretary muttered conspiritorally.

It was Jo's turn to face the desk. " Yeah, it is and guess what ?"

" Ohh, theres more what ?"

Jo motioned her hand for the girl to come a little closer. " I'm her girlfriend and if I hear so much as a peep outta ya mouth about this, I'm gonna shove a chicken in there !" The bronx native threatened.

" That goes double for me too, someone in your profession ought to know better. " Edna retorted.

" Come on Miss G to tha elevata's we go. " Jo calmed placing a hand on the older woman's shoulder.

When Jo and Edna arrived on the third floor and got to room thirty two. They were flabbergasted at the site that was before them. Blair black and blue almost from head to toe. Her eyes were swelled up. Her upper lip was also swollen though not as badly. Her arm was in a cast and she had oxygen hooked up to her.

" Oh, my.." Edna ghasped in a low whispered tone. Holding onto Jo's arm.

" What I wouldn't give to see her in curlers and a mud mask right now. " Jo whispered back to her dorm mother. Jo carefully aproached the hospital bed where her love lay sleeping. She found the hand that wasn't gauzed or bandaged and grasped it between her two good hands. Giving her fingertips a small endearing kiss.

A doctor walked into the room an older man in a lab coat and scrubbs. " Hello, my name is doctor Brent. I'm the on call physician and I'll be serving as Blair's doctor until she leaves here."

" What are the 'damages' so to speak doctor ?" Edna asked.

" Well, Bliar had sustained alot of physical trauma to her ribs there were three broken when she was brought in. She received a broken arm as well as a mild concussion and various laserations and bruising. It's nothing that will kill her however her mental trauma is going to be slightly higher when she wakes up. She will mostl likely be frightened and unaware of her surroundings. Might I suggest that someone be here round the clock who she is familiar with. "

" Yes, doctor that won't be a problem. Jo the girl who is with me and I will be happy to go round the clock. Until her mother arrives. " Edna nodded.

" Alright well if you need any questions answered I'll be around until my shift ends at midnight. " The doctor replied excusing himself from the room. He turned back around momentarily. " Blair should be waking here in the next day or so. If not we'll have to do another C.A.T. scan to see if there is any swelling of the brain. You ladies have a good day now. "

Once he was out of the room. Edna gained a sarcastic look to her features. " Oh, yes we'll just be sailing on rainbows. " Jo snorted though Edna could see the unshed tears welling up in the tough girls eyes. The older redhead placed her hands on Jo's shoulders for motherly comfort.

" It's all my fault misses G if I hadn't ever met'er she wouldn't be lyin here in this alchohol swabbed hospital. Why do people hate us for being different ?" Jo asked with a childlike curiosity.

Edna frowned. " Well you've answered your question right there. Because you're different people don't handle different well. Mostly because it makes them think there is something wrong with them and they carry that insecurity around with them until one day. When it's all built up inside of them and they see something outwardly different that they think will take the eyes off their business so they go and do something idiotic like .."

" Like beating up the most wonderful person I've ev'va met because she loves me and not some damn boy. I want so badly for it to be me in that bed and not Blair." Jo confessed.

" Oh, and I want so badly for the world to hurry up and change already. Then it wouldn't be either one of you. You both deserve the same as every other in your lives." Misses Garrett responded.

" Thanks Misses G. I'll take the first round of setting you're old ya' need your rest. " Jo said as complementary as always.

" Well, gee thanks you whipper snapper you. But I don' quite remember the dinosaurs you know. " The older woman quipped.

So bagan almost two painful days of setting, waiting, watching, Blairs mother had showed up to visit. Tears rolling down her moviestar makeup job she didn't even bother dabbing.

Jo was sitting in the emptied out hospital room while Blair mom and Edna had gone for bad hospital coffee. Flipping through the channels on the television.

She was watching montser truck rallies. When she heard a familiar but missed voice say to her. " Oh, god I've died and gone to hell. If that's on, "

Jo nearly jumped out of her shoes. " Blair ! You're awake !"

To Be Continued...