"Simon" - My submission for UFC week # 6

I have been invited to participate in United Friends Challenges... This is my 1st official challenge. (It's a good thing there is no limit of words, because I really got on a roll with this one.)
By the way, this story is purely fictional.
What's more, is some of the names "came" to me by way of having the police scanner on while I was typing it up. Some were street names, not really last names. I'm amazzzed at the ease of this. For I thought at 1st this was a tough challenge.)

This week's Challenge was set by Zafreud.

You are in the aisle of a supermarket – narrate an
incident you witnessed, including:
Who was with you?
What happened?
Who else was involved in that incident?
What was the result?

To read other entries click here.

Simon

My husband & I stepped onto the stage amidst the crowd's erupting clapping.

The host of the morning show guided us to the seats next to his. Then turns to the camera & says; "Here with us today are local heroes Charles & Shelly Bowers. This is the husband & wife team who saved the life of 7 year old Simon Fairlawn. Charles has laryngitis today, so Shelly will be telling us about their heroic actions."

He then turns to me & asks; "I understand you were the 1st to notice something was wrong."

"Yes, Peter, Charles & I were doing our weekly grocery shopping, when we turned down the cookie & cracker aisle, I saw Simon sitting on the floor next to the cookies. When he looked at me I noticed he was pale in color.

I tapped Charles on the shoulder, who was looking at something on the shelf, & said 'Hey dear, that wee one there does not look very good.' He glanced at Simon then put back the box he was looking at & without a word he went into action.

He picked up Simon & performed the Heimlich Maneuver. After a couple thrusts a big piece of cookie popped out. As Charles started to put him back down Simon started to convulse. Without skipping a beat Charles gently laid the boy down & took his coat off & put it under the wee one's head.

Then he braced Simon's head with his hands to keep him from thrashing about. I instinctively picked up my cell phone & dialed 911. At that same time my husband looked at me & asked "911?" & all I could do was nod, because at that time the dispatcher was asking me "what's my emergency".

Charles then motioned for me to come help him keep Simon from hurting himself until the seizure had passed. Putting the phone between my shoulder & ear, I relayed to the dispatcher as to what was happening & where we were.

With my hands on Simon's trembling feet I calmly explained who I was & that Charles was with us. "Mrs. Bowers, this is Henry. (Charles' boss) Ask Charles if the boy is still breathing."

I switched the phone to speaker phone & said "Charles, Captain Henry wants to know if the wee one is still breathing?"

Charles answers in a calm voice, "Cap, he's breathing, but it's sporadic. What's the squad's ETA?"
"2 minutes Charles. What all have you done so far?"
My husband proceeded to talk in medical terms that I do not recall.

Captain Henry replied, "Ok, good. What's his pulse?" Answering that along with other questions Charles began to access the wee one's health.

Then all of a sudden Simon stopped thrashing about. Before I could breathe a sigh of relief, Charles gave me a panic look & asked me "Remember your CPR?" All I could do was nod & went right to Simon's head. While doing the compressions, Charles yelled towards the phone, now laying at the wee one's feet...

"Cap, he's stopped breathing. Shelly & I are performing CPR now!"

Captain Henry then said, "Charles, Squad 56 just pulled up. Can someone else direct them to the aisle your at?"

Unaware we had a crowd of people around us, someone said "I'll go."

Moments later I was tapped on the shoulder & I stepped back & let Charles and the other rescue officers take over.

What seemed like an hour later (but only about a minute) the wee little boy started coughing. And the small crowd around us began to clap & cheer."

Peter, the host, took a deep breath in and asked the question that was on my mind the moment I saw Simon sitting on the floor... "Shelly, where were the parents during all this time?"

"Well, Peter, I wondered the same thing & then we found out Simon had ran away from the Spade County Orphanage. By some miracle he made it all the way to Clearville unharmed."

"Charles, I know you can barely talk, but can you briefly tell us what made you instinctively know to start doing the Heimlich on Simon?"

Charles clears his throat & wrasply says, "Being an EMT, I've seen the look before when someone is choking. And I know little boys enjoy cookies. So it was a natural reaction for me."

Looking at the camera Peter said "The story doesn't end there. When we come back, we will find out how Simon is doing now."

"And we're out" yelled the director. "Back in 2"

Peter looked at us & said "When we come back I'm going to ask you about the next chapter in your heroism!"

"I'm not the hero, my husband is." I replied. Glancing at my now blushing husband.

"On the contrary!" Peter continued, "Not everyone would have opened their home to a child you have no clue what their past is."

I was just about to answer his statement when the director said, "Back in 5, 4, 3, 2" & then points to Peter to begin talking again.

"We're back with Charles & Shelly Bowers. We just heard how, last week, Charles, a local EMT, saved the life of 7 year old Simon Fairlawn, who was choking on a cookie at the Clearville Supermarket. If you're just joining us, you may think that's just the job of an EMT. Well, Charles was off duty grocery shopping with his wife Shelly. He sprang into action when Shelly pointed out something was not right with the boy. However, the story does not end there."

Turning to me Peter said, "You told us earlier that Simon ran away from the Spade County Orphanage. Do you know what circumstances led him to this... adventure?"

"Yes I do Peter. I do, because my heart ached for him when I heard the word orphan. You see, the wee one's parents were killed by a drunk driver last year & because he has no other family living, not even a grandparent, the State shipped him off to Spade County Orphanage."

Intrigued to hear more Peter asked "What is Simon's condition now?"

"Well, after a trip to the hospital & a few test to be sure he didn't suffer anything from the short time he had stopped breathing. He is doing fine... as any 7 year old can be." I replied.

Peter turns to the camera again & relays "Still this is not all of the story. I consider BOTH Charles & Shelly heroes because not only did Charles safe the physical life of this young boy... but they have also opened their home to him."

"What was it, Shelly, that made you want to take Simon home with you?"

"Peter, just as anyone, my heartstrings were tugged at when I heard of how Simon was being bullied at the orphanage. I thought back to my days in school when I was teased about my Irish accent. Then I heard it was because Simon can't speak very well. He was injured in the car accident that took his parents life. So, of course, everything in my heart & mind told me that we need to help this lass." I paused & wondered if I should continue.

Peter took that moment to tell the audience... "Shelly & Charles proceeded with the paper work and all other legalities to become Simon's foster parents. They are waiting for the adoption to be finalized. Before I continue, let's just see for ourselves how well Simon is doing."

He motions to the same entrance we came through & the camera follows as Simon runs out onto the stage & jumps into Charles' lap & puts his wee little embarrassed head into my shoulder. At this time everyone in the audience is standing up, & clapping.

Looking over at Peter, I see he too is standing & clapping. He sits down & motions for the audience to sit as well.

Trying to coax him out of his shell Peter asks Simon: "Well Young Man, you've had quite the adventure!"

Not wanting to move, Simon nods his head while still on my shoulder.

"Simon, what cookies were you eating when it got stuck in your throat?"

Whispering he replied: "Chips Ahoy". Because he was right next to my microphone, it came out clear as a bell. The audience chuckled.

Peter asked him another question, "Will you ever eat Chips Ahoy again?"

That perked him up. He sat right up & said "Yes Sir! They my favrit"

"Favorite", I whispered slowly to Simon.

"That's what I said! FAVRIT!"

With that the whole studio laughed! I just bent my head down & kissed that sweet wee little head!

Then I said "How can you not love a sweet lass like this!"

Without prompting, Simon piped up & said "Mama Shelly & Papa Charles said they gonna wait a bit before let me have any more 'Chips Ahoy!"

Laughter erupted once more from the audience.

"So, Simon, I take it you like living with the Bowers?" the smiling host asked.

"Oh yes, Sir! I wuv them! Did you know Papa Charles gave me his breath?"
Trying so hard not to laugh, Peter smiled & said "Yes, Mama Shelly just told us the whole story."

Looking at Charles he asked "Is that how you lost your voice?"
He shook his head & looked at me to explain.

"No. When we heard the news that Simon was coming to live with us, he went outside & yelled for all the neighbors to hear "Simon is coming home! Simon is coming home!"

Looking over to Charles I could see he was blushing but also nodding in agreement & with a tear in his eye.

"Well before we go," Peter said to the camera, "We have a couple things for the Bowers."

I looked at Charles & Simon & then Peter and wondered what was he talking about.

Peter turns to us & continues, "We called Keebler's, the Chips Ahoy manufacturer, & told them of your heroic story. And so they won't loose their favorite customer, they said each month you will receive 2 boxes of Chips Ahoy for life!" They audience cheered.

"But that's not all... The Owner of Keebler, himself, has something else. Ladies & Gentleman... Mr. Keebler"

All 3 of us stood as the well suited gentleman came up on stage to us.

He shakes our hands & says "I am so honored to meet you Mr. & Mrs. Bowers. You too Simon! I think you're our biggest fan. It is my understanding you are needing a specialized tutor. With that said, we, at Keebler Cookies are presenting you & your family with a trust fund for you to help continue your education. This includes a full scholarship to the University of your choice." He hands me an envelope with all the details.

My mouth must have about hit the floor, because Simon whispered up to me: "Mama Shelly, does Papa Charles need to give you his breath too?" Because he was right next to my lapel mic, the audience heard it & filled the room with laughter once again.

"No, hon, I'm just amazed & shocked. You may not realize it now, but you've just been given the opportunity of a lifetime." Then I turn to Mr. Keebler & shake his hand & pull him into a hug & thank him over & over.

Peter hushes the audience who haven't sat down since Mr. Keebler came onto stage. "Charles, Shelly, Simon, we have 1 more surprise for you."

Out came a woman dressed in a judges robe. "From Spade County Courts, The Honorable Beth Hollingsworth."

"Thank you Peter. Simon, all of us at the Family Courts and Family & Children Services wish you & the Bowers a long happy life together. To do so, we have pushed through the paperwork & pulled some strings for the fastest adoption on Spade County record."

I started to cry & Charles picks up Simon & starts to twirl him around. We ended up in a group hug.

I looked at the judge & said "Your Honor, we don't know how to thank you."

"No need! Just being able to see Simon in a loving home is thanks enough. We've all been worried about him since he lost his mom & dad last year. His mom was my Bailiff & his dad worked at Family Services."

Peter reaches around & hands me a Kleenex. "Before we go, Your Honor, will you please make it official here on our show?"

"I'd be glad to." With that she said a few legal things & then said "I know pronounce you Simon Bowers!" She turns to the audience & says "I now present to you for the 1st time ever, The Bowers Family!"

Everyone was clapping & wiping their faces.

Simon looked up at us & said... "Does this mean I can call you Mommy & Daddy now?"

"Oh yes!" both Charles & I cried & picked him up for a family hug!

© Lady Harley for UFC 2008 ©