Chapter 9 #3
“Yes, I’ll do that,” I reply as I reach for the cup of water and take another small sip, then continue. “And I’ll call my mother shortly.”
“Okay, now I assume your whole fire station is out in the waiting room. I can’t let them all in at the same time, but would you like to see a few of them?”
I shake my head side to side, which is a big mistake, as it sends shooting pains through my skull. I wince and hold my head perfectly still again until it settles a little.
“No,” I say as I close my eyes again, waiting for the pain and bit of dizziness to subside slightly.
“Can you tell them,” I wheeze, “I need to rest,” gasping a little more for air, “I’m fine.
To come back tomorrow.” I plead with him with my eyes while I try to take my next breath.
“Don’t want to see anyone now.” I can feel the wheeze in every breath.
“If you say they can’t come, then they’ll leave. ”
Just trying to say all that has taken every bit of energy I have.
The last thing I want right now is to look into the eyes of the person whose fault it is that I’m in here. Which confuses me, because I don’t know why I know that. I just feel so strongly in my gut that something isn’t right.
“I can do that for you. Monica, your nurse, will be back shortly with some more pain relief and to help you get comfortable. Perhaps call your mother while you’re waiting. I’ll be back to check on you later, but just buzz us if you need anything.”
With that, he looks over what Monica has typed into my notes, then signs off on the drugs he has ordered for me. The two of them leave the room, and I reach for my phone straight away.
Unlocking it and searching through my contacts, I push on the phone number I need.
I hear it ringing, but as it picks up, there’s silence on the other end, which confuses me, so I manage to whisper one word. Hopefully it’s loud enough he hears it.
“Landon?”
“Poppy, what’s wrong?” His strong, deep voice booms through the phone, and I can’t hold on any longer. Tears start running down my face.
“I need you,” I whimper, trying so hard not to completely lose it but not having much luck as he tells me to talk to him.
“I’m in Strong Memorial Hospital…” I have to cough and gasp a few times before I continue. “I got hurt in a fire. I’m scared.”
“Fuck, Poppy, I’m on my way, I’ll be on the first plane. Are you okay?” I can hear the panic in his voice, and then he’s yelling at someone, telling him he’s leaving and will explain later.
“Yes… no. Don’t know.” I wheeze trying to draw a breath, but I need to keep going. “Don’t tell Mom… please.” My voice is coming and going. “Not yet.”
“Poppy, listen to me. Just answer this.” I’ve never heard him so commanding. “Are you going to be okay? Answer me yes or no.” And the worry in his gruff voice brings more tears.
“Yes, eventually,” is all I can get out.
“Thank God for that. I’m getting in the car and heading straight to the airport. Get me on the list of people who can get in to see you, then rest. I’ll be there as soon as I can, sweetheart.”
“The boys,” I manage to get out in between sobs of relief, knowing he’s coming.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get them sorted. They’ll be fine. You’re my priority right now.” His voice is now more distant as the call clicks into the Bluetooth in the car.
“No.” I cough. “Boys always come first,” I remind him.
“Get my name on that fucking list at the desk, tell them I’m your boyfriend or even your fucking husband if you want.
I don’t care what I’m called but just get me on it.
Otherwise, I’ll be tearing that place apart to get to you.
Just do that, then sleep. I’ll be there by the time you wake up. ” I want that more than anything.
“Landon, I…” I can’t say everything I need to tell him. I’m exhausted and have hardly any voice left.
“Shhh, it’s okay. We’ll talk when I get there. Just hang on.” He’s trying to be gentle with me, but I can still hear the fear in his voice.
“Okay, bye.” I hang up and then let the first loud sob out.
My body is shaking uncontrollably, and from the first-aid knowledge I have from my job, I can tell shock is setting in.
Pushing the buzzer over and over again, Monica comes rushing in and takes one look at me.
She’s already come to the same conclusion as me, that my body is rapidly slipping into a delayed shock.
She puts her arm around me, trying to soothe me as she calls for some more help. Another nurse comes in and then leaves to get whatever medication she asked for.
And all I can do is get the words out that I need her to hear.
“Landon Wood… emergency contact.” It takes me three times before she understands what I’m trying to say.
“Is he on his way?” she asks.
“Boston, coming… from… Boston,” I manage to get out in between sobs, and now my teeth are chattering too.
“I understand. As soon as he arrives, we’ll bring him in.
Now, Vera, my colleague, is going to give you something to help you sleep for a little bit and ease the pain.
I just need you to try to calm yourself down for me.
Can you do that?” She’s talking so calmly into my ear, and I want to tell her I’ve been trying.
But my body isn’t cooperating, and before I can open my mouth, the noises in the room start to quieten and blackness is closing in. I can’t stay awake, so I stop trying.
LANDON
My car speeds out of the parking lot in the direction of the airport.
The ringing of my phone is deafening in the silence. I just yelled at Adrian to call me in five minutes and ran out the back door. He only waited about two minutes.
“What the hell is going on?” Adrian’s voice comes screaming through the speakers. “Is it one of the boys?”
“No. Poppy. She’s been hurt in a fire and needs me. Get me booked on the next flight out to Rochester. I don’t care what it costs. And if there isn’t one soon, charter me a fucking plane.” I can’t seem to calm my heart down.
Not again, I can’t go through this again.
Losing her would send me to a place I would never come back from. That I know for sure.
I need to get to her.
“Fuck, okay. Stay with me, I’m on it now.
” I can hear him typing frantically on the keyboard.
“There’s an American Airlines flight in one hour and seven minutes.
I’ve just grabbed a seat and will send the boarding pass to your phone.
So, slow the fuck down, because even with traffic you should still make it in plenty of time, and I don’t want you hurt too.
Now tell me what the hell happened.” Adrian is still typing as I relay what I know, and my phone pings with the boarding pass.
“So, I’m about to call Felix to stay with the boys, but if he can’t, I’ll need you to stay at my place tonight until I know more.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about the boys. I’ve got things on this end. What about Mrs. B?” Adrian asks.
“She can’t know yet. I promised Poppy. So don’t say a word to the boys or her.
Mrs. B lost her husband in a fire just before Poppy was born.
Until we know more, we don’t want to worry her.
But just thinking out loud, I might need you to fly out with her if it comes to that.
She’ll be a mess and will need someone to look after her.
” My mind is racing, trying to plan for all possible scenarios.
“Charlene can run the bar if needed, and I’ll get her there.” Adrian goes silent for a moment.
“Poppy’s under your skin, isn’t she?” he asks calmly.
“Yeah, buddy, she is. And I’m not sure I understood how far until I got that call,” I reply with a softness that just the mention of Poppy’s name brings out in me.
“Then go be with your girl. I’ve got you.”
“Thanks.” I gulp as the emotion of our friendship runs through me. “And Adrian, I don’t say it enough, but I love you, buddy. I couldn’t do this life without you.”
“You could.” His voice is laced with emotion too. “But my presence just makes it so much better.”
We both let out a small chuckle that breaks the moment, and then I hang up and call Felix.
I never thought I could feel this kind of deep emotion for a woman again after Lucinda.
I was wrong.