Part 7 (1/2)
”Good. Fine. You'll be O.K. shortly.”
The President's voice became stronger. ”I'm glad you're here, Frank.
Tell me--is it ... bad?”
”'Tain't good, kid,” Dr. Frank said with a bedside grin. ”You can't expect a stroke to put you in the best of health, now, can you?”
The lopsided smile came back. ”Guess not.” The smile went away, to be replaced by a puzzled frown. ”My whole left side feels dead. What's the matter?”
Instead of answering, Dr. Frank Cannon turned to the Navy medic. ”I'll let the commander explain that. What's your diagnosis, doctor?”
The commander ran his tongue nervously over his lips before speaking.
”There's apparently a small blood clot in the brain, Mr. President, interfering with the functioning of the efferent nerves.”
”Permanent?”
”We don't know yet, sir. We hope not.”
President Cannon sighed. ”Well. Thank you, commander. And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to my brother--alone.”
The commander glanced at Dr. Frank, then back at the President.
”Certainly, sir.” He turned to leave.
”Just a moment, commander,” Dr. Frank said. ”There'll be news reporters out there. Tell them--” He frowned a little. ”Tell them that the President is conscious and quite rational, but that there is still some weakness. I don't think anything more than that will be necessary.”
”I agree. Certainly, doctor.” At the door, the commander paused and said: ”I'll keep everyone out until you call.”
”Thanks,” said Dr. Frank as the door closed behind the Navy man.
As soon as it closed, President Cannon struggled to get up.
”Don't try it, kid,” the doctor said, ”those muscles are paralyzed, even if you aren't sick. Here, let me help you.”
”How did it come off?” Cannon asked as his brother propped him up.
”Perfectly. No one doubts that it's a stroke. Now what?”
”Give me a cigarette.”
”All right, but watch it. Use your right hand, and smoke with the right side of your mouth. Here.” The doctor lit a cigarette and handed it to his brother. ”Now, what's the next step?”
”The next step is to tell Matthew Fisher,” said the President.