Chapter Eleven
Jack felt terrible over his lack of knowledge about Jasmine. How could he have not known her exact place in the story. Her name had come up often, and for some reason, at the beginning, he’d taken her to be Mia’s sister.
Then one of Angie’s tales had contradicted that impression, but he hadn’t cared enough to delve into the family dynamics. After all, when he asked questions, he’d set Angie off again, and she’d ramble on about the girls and their perfect ways.
She’d agreed and carefully laying Maisie’s new work of art on the dash, she clambered into the back and within minutes of them whispering, he’d checked the rear-view mirror to see their heads snuggled close while both angels slept.
Curious to see the picture Maisie had drawn at the restaurant, he reached over and held up the page. On it were three weird-looking figures whose smiles were their best features.
There was a large person with muscles, a witless looking face, hair standing up and his name was Jak.
Next to him, holding his hand, was a tiny figure with red hair curled around her face, lopsided eyes, another beaming smile and wearing a pink dress.
Her name was Masi. The third person holding the child’s other hand was female.
Her long yellow hair hung almost to her waist and her eyes were open and large.
Her smile was huge and crooked, and she wore a blue dress.
Maisie had printed her name correctly, Mia.
The masterpiece had a table in the forefront with a bunch of what he supposed were hot dogs laying on top, since that’s what they all ate for lunch, and a big bowl of strings he took as portraying the fries.
Never had he seen a picture he wanted more. Sensitive to a fault for certain things, this image brought forth an avaricious tendency for ownership and made his heart smile.
Suddenly, he stiffened. A voice rang in his head – Lucas’s voice. “Slow down, boy. Now!”
He did so seconds before the front tire blew, and they careened all over the road, heading for the ditch.
The crash didn’t happen. Neither did they flip. But the massive stand of brush that stopped them was a miracle. It was the only one seen along that stretch of the road.
Jack fought the wheel, prayers mixed with adrenaline were his last memory before his head pounded the steering wheel and he blacked out.
Now he saw the man. It wasn’t dark this time, and he’d know that voice anywhere. “You did good, my boy. Don’t worry, you just got a bit of a bump on your head.” Hands reached to soothe, and the pain lessened considerably.
Jack wanted to see the man he loved so dearly…
with such worship, and so he turned to look in the passenger seat.
The person near him wasn’t a large man. His beard had a lot of grey and his wrinkles portrayed an older guy at the very least in his sixties or seventies.
His build looked comfortable, not skinny, but in no way fat, and the cap he wore on his head made Jack smile.
It was a replica of his favorite, a black cap with the words in gold – Be human.
His father had bought him the exact hat in a marketplace in London when he’d been home on his last visit, one of the very few times he could remember having an outing with his old man, and so he cherished the cap.
Unlike his father, this fellow smiled with his eyes and his face lit up with such affection that Jack immediately felt it flow throughout his body and alight in his soul.
Jack’s thoughts surged. “I’ve wanted to meet you for so long. To thank you for saving me that night and staying with me until the paramedics arrived. For helping me be the man I am today. I don’t know what I’d have done without your guidance in overcoming my addiction.”
“You opened yourself to my help, Jack. It’s why I could be here for you.
I’ll always be here for you. You’re a very special soul, kind and thoughtful to others.
The world needs more like you, my boy. One day, you’ll be the savior for many others.
One day you’ll step forward and make your mark.
Teach the world the ways a good person lives and cares.
” His hands caressed Jack’s face, and Jack had only a second to lean into the touch before other voices began to filter through.
With one last joyful smile, Lucas faded, and Jack came awake. “Mia.” He struggled to keep his eyes open. “Maisie. Where—?”
“We’re here, Jack. We’re okay, both of us. You took the worst of the accident. The front of the van has a few bumps and scratches but it’s still working.” Jack saw that Mia was now in the passenger seat next to him and Maisie still slept soundly in her child seat in the back.
Voices reached them, and two men suddenly appeared to open his door and lean in. “You okay, man?”
He rubbed the swelling on his head and answered, “Yeah. I think so. The front tire blew. Hell, I could barely keep the sucker from flipping.”
The younger fellow answered, “I know. We saw you fly off the road and swerve back and forth to where we wondered how you hadn’t lost control completely. It was a miracle you didn’t. Great bit of driving, man. Best action I ever saw.”
“Thanks… I guess. Have to see the damage.” He slowly uncurled his body from the driver’s seat and staggered slightly before he made his way to the front of the vehicle with Mia’s help. He hated appearing weak in front of her, but his muscles were like limp spaghetti.
“You need us to call an ambulance, dude?” The stranger appeared wary. Jack couldn’t blame him. He did feel shaky, but then he suspected anyone would who’d just undergone what he had. Add seeing an angel to the trauma and that alone might screw with anyone’s head.
“I think it’ll take a few minutes. I’ll be fine.” He took the water Mia passed him and was glad to get it until his stomach revolted and forced him to turn sideways, bend over and upchuck.
The stranger swiveled out of range quickly. “Guess that’s our answer. I figure he has concussion. Best call for help.”
Wiping his mouth, both hands on his knees to keep him from falling headfirst, Jack argued, “No. I’ll be fine.”
“Look, pal. My name is Hal Royston, and this is my son, Jonnie. The turnoff to the hospital is only a few miles up this highway and then another five miles from there. If you want, I’ll take all of you there in my car.
Meantime, you can call for a tow truck to haul this mess into the garage.
Your tire’s pretty well shot and from the size of your load, you’ll need them to bring this vehicle to their place. ”
Mia spoke up. “Guys, that would be wonderful. We’ll go with you to the hospital and make sure this stubborn fool is as fine as he says. I’d rather let the mechanics deal with the van anyway. And bill the rental agency directly. Thank you for your kind offer.”
Understanding he’d been overruled, and willing to let it happen, in no time at all, Jack found himself perched on the edge of the examination table in the ER, submitting meekly.
“Looks like you’ve suffered a concussion.
The swelling has gone down from the ice packs the nurses used, but you have bruising and a shiner.
Since you say you’re not having any major pain or headaches, I’ll let you leave, but with the order that if you feel lightheaded, nauseous or have any symptoms that are out of the ordinary, you lay down immediately and take these pills. ”
Jack held his hands out in front of him to stop the doctor from handing him the prepared prescription. “No, thanks, Doc. I don’t take pills. If I get any symptoms I don’t like, I’ll head back to the hospital.”
Looking disgruntled but accepting, the medic asked, “You live around here?”
“In Maricopa.”
“No traveling today. I suggest you find a nice hotel and stay for the night.”
Jack tried to hop down from the table like he would have normally done. Lightheaded, he grabbed the side instead and slid to his feet carefully.
“Don’t do a faceplant now, boy. Take it easy.”
He knew who spoke those words, and it wasn’t the doc who had his back turned. Grinning, he whispered, “Hey, Lucas, they said I performed a miracle with the truck today. Thanks, buddy.”
“Kinda like the good ole days, wheeling a big rig around. Go behave yourself and get some sleep.”
“Did you say something?” Looking quizzical, the doc stared at Jack, looking as if he wanted to rethink his decision.
“Yep! Just a quiet prayer of thanks, Doc.”
“Hey, good for you. I find myself doing that often. Take care, Jack.” With a quick handshake and a pat on his arm, the older man left the room.