by Frank Perdue
He filled the small carafe the hotel had provided with water, and placed it on the warmer, which was mounted on the wall. The thing started hissing immediately after he plugged it in. When the light came on, to signal that the water was hot enough, Ted disconnected the unit, and poured the steaming water over the instant decaf granules in the cardboard cup that was provided. He added sugar and about one-third of a packet of the creamer. Black coffee to him was not only bitter, but too watery. Just a small amount of cream magically transformed the beverage into a smooth concoction worthy of drinking, after adding two packets of sugar to take care of the bitterness.
Ted carried his coffee into the living space, and set it on the table in the corner by the window that overlooked the wharf. After drinking about half a cup, he began formulating a plan for the next day, which was indeed Wednesday.
His first order of business would be to call the Highway Patrol. With his media credentials, he might be able to fill in some holes with them. He wrote down HIGHWAY PATROL in capital letters at the top of the page in his notepad. Next he wanted to talk to the coroner who had handled Jake’s remains; or maybe someone at the funeral home. They might have taken a picture of the body. Another possibility would be Anna Heis, the friend that the couple had gone to see, just before the accident.
He would have to rent a car. That was something he could do right away. He walked to the bedside table, and found the phone book. He dialed the first number listed for major car rental companies. It was AAA. He was assured that a car would be ready first thing in the morning. But he would have to go back to the airport to pick it up. That was pretty inconvenient, but unavoidable. He wondered why some enterprising company didn’t institute a free pick-up for their customers. Next he called the same cab company that had come to the bar for him after his meeting with Guilfoyle, the newspaper guy. He tried to arrange for the same driver who had taken him to the airport to retrieve his luggage, and suggested this hotel, which was great except for the decaf. He was politely told that it was the man’s day off, but that he would be promptly picked up at the time he had requested.
His next call was to Randolph Guilfoyle. Luckily the man was at his desk.
“Oh, hi.” The reporter greeted him. “I was hoping you’d call back.“
“I really need the address and phone number of Anna Heis, if you can find it.” Ted tried to pull the phone over to where he could reach his notepad, which was still on the window table. The cord wasn’t long enough.
“Let me get my notes.” Randy said. Then there was a light thud as he apparently set the phone down on his desk. Ted took the opportunity to do the same, and retrieved his own notes and ball point pen.
“I’m back. Sorry about that.” He gave Ted the number and address
“I’d also like to talk to the coroner that responded to the accident scene, and the mortician who handled Gentry’s body. Can you help me out with those addresses?” Ted continued before the other man had a chance to answer. “I think it might be better if I see them in person.”
“Sure. I must have that info here somewhere.”
Guilfoyle was being extremely cooperative. Ted made a mental note to be sure to send him a thank you gift when this was all over. Maybe a case of that stuff he was drinking that day at the bar.
“Yeah, here it is.” Randy passed on the information that Ted had requested. Then, almost as an afterthought, he said “After we talked yesterday, I went back to my desk and pulled out the file. This photocopy of Gentry’s drivers license was right on top.” He paused. “When we met I thought you looked familiar somehow. Like we might have known each other before, maybe a long time ago.”
Ted was beginning to tense up. He almost knew what was coming. “We didn’t . What’s your point?. he said, irritably.
“This picture. I’m looking at it right now. You’re a dead ringer for this guy Gentry!”
Ted stared out the large picture window. The blue sky was fading into darkness.
-------
After Ted Warner had left Joanna Thomas’ hospital room, perhaps even before he got out of the building, her eyes flew open.
“Jake!” she screamed.
At the nurses station, they didn’t hear her. Her room was too far down the hall. The monitors attached to her body signaled that something had changed. They were all beeping. Two of the women in white, including horn-rimmed, hurriedly ran to room eight-sixteen.
Joanna was trying to sit up. There was a wild look in her eyes. She obviously didn’t know where she was.
“There, there dear” the other nurse, a large Scandinavian woman said, soothingly, with just a trace of accent, as she reached across and put her hands on Joanna’s shoulders.
“We’ll explain everything to you,” she continued, as she gently pushed the anxious girl back, so that her head once again rested on the pillow.
“Where’s Jake? Where’s my fiance? I want to see him. Is he all right?”
“Don’t you remember what happened?” it was the nurse with the big glasses. “There was an accident.”
“Is Jake all right?” she went on before either nurse had a chance to answer. “I want to see him.”
Both nurses looked at each other, as if to say go ahead, you tell her. Finally the big one spoke. “In good time dear. First we want the doctor to have a look at you. You’ve been asleep for a long time.”
Joanna looked at her. “What do you mean? What day is this?”
“It’s the twentieth.” This time it was horn-rimmed who spoke.
“My God! Have I been out for almost a week?”
“Of February.” the nurse continued. It’s the twentieth of February! You’ve been in a coma for over a month!”
A very fearful look came over Joanna’s face. Her hands began to shake. She knew something was terribly wrong. “Please let me see Jake.” she implored. “Why can’t I see him?”
Just then the attending physician came into the room. “Hello young lady,” he said with a smile on his face. “You gave us a mighty scare,” he continued after a quick glance at her history.
The smallish nurse with the large glasses said. “If you don’t need both of us doctor,” she glanced at the other nurse, “then I should go and notify her family.”
“You go right ahead. One nurse will be sufficient. I want to examine her, to see if she’s as sound inside as she looks on the outside.” Again he smiled at Joanna.
As the one nurse left the room, Joanna started in once again, “Doctor, is my fiance in this hospital? His name is Jake Gentry.”
“I’m not sure Miss. But I’ll be glad to find out for you as soon as we’re finished here.” He honestly didn’t know. He’d been on vacation, and this was his first day back. His only knowledge of Joanna came from the chart he held in his hand.
Back at the nurse’s station, horn-rimmed had reached her party on the phone. “Yes Mrs. Thomas. She’s awake. Isn’t it wonderful? The doctor is examining her now. She looks really good. But she keeps asking about her boyfriend. Someone is going to have to tell her soon. Would you like us to do that?” She held her breath, hoping that Joanna’s mother would take that responsibility away from her, or the staff. “All right, we’ll be expecting you as soon as possible.” After she hung up, she heaved a sigh of relief. She really didn’t want to tell that poor girl.
Beulah Thomas and her son Jerrod arrived at the hospital shortly after six that evening. When Jerrod wheeled her into Joanna’s room, he was pleasantly surprised to see his sister sitting up in bed. She was brushing her hair. He always marveled at how beautiful she was. This time was no exception. He pushed the wheelchair up as close to the bed as he could manage, then went around to the other side as his mother and sister hugged. Beulah began to cry.
“Oh Mama, don’t cry. I’m all right now.” Joanna exclaimed as she hugged her mother again.
“That’s not why I’m tearful darlin’, I have some bad news.”
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s Jake
. I’m afraid he’s been killed.”
A frightened look appeared on her daughter’s face. “You must be mistaken. We’re going to be married.” She reached out and grabbed her mother by both arms. Joanna pulled her mother to within just a few inches of her own face. “What are you saying?” Her voice had raised an octave, and she was becoming very agitated. “Tell me!” She was screaming now and shaking her mother violently. Jerrod reached across the bed and, gently at first, tried to pull Joanna away from their mother, who was agonizing because she had been pulled to her feet. When that failed, and his sister would not let her go, he became more forceful, yanking her back. Even then, she wouldn’t release the older woman, pulling her over on top of her.
Suddenly Joanna realized what she had done. She tried to push her mother back into the wheelchair, but Beulah, who weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds, was too heavy for her. Jerrod meanwhile, had run around to his mother’s side of the bed. He guided the woman back into her seat.
Beulah was huffing and puffing, trying to regain her breath, as Joanna sobbed softly, her head turned into the pillow. Jerrod returned to his own side of the bed, sat down, and placed his head in his hands. He was frustrated that he didn’t know how to help his sister get through this.
Just then a nurse entered the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said “but we’re going to move Joanna to the fifth floor. I have to get her ready. The orderlies will be here in a few minutes.” She had no idea what had just happened in the room. She was oblivious to the fact that Joanna was crying, and that her mother had a very pained look on her face, or that Jerrod, who had stood up abruptly, was hurriedly leaving the room, a disgusted look on his countenance.
Beulah took her daughter’s hand. “We’ll be in to see you as soon as they get you settled in your other room, dear.” It would not have occurred to her to make a scene, or object to them moving her daughter at that critical moment.
Joanna didn’t argue because her soul had just been stripped from her body. She no longer cared what happened!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
When Ted awoke on Thursday morning, he thought he heard voices. There was a light blinking in the room. For a second he had the eerie feeling that he was in a dance hall, and a strobe light was flashing. He sat up. The television just beyond the foot of his bed was on. Then he remembered.
He hadn’t been able to sleep. He was so disturbed by the news he’d gotten from Randy Guilfoyle. He had tossed and turned until nearly midnight. Then he gave up and watched the Tonight show with Johnny Carson. He couldn’t remember any of the jokes, or even who the guests were. He’d been so preoccupied.
So he and Jake Gentry looked alike. Had they been related? No, that was impossible. His mother had only been married once; to his dad. She was not the type to fool around. He would know. He wasn’t naive or stupid about those things. He would just know. His dad could have had a child by another woman. But his dad’s hair, what there was of it, was straight not curly. So, he reasoned, he must have gotten his curly hair from his mom’s side of the family. In fact he remembered them saying once that his Uncle Harold had curly hair before it turned wavy.
He looked at the clock on the nightstand. He’d assumed that it was early. The clock showed it was nine AM. He’d forgotten that hotel drapes were much thicker than normal house curtains. The brightness of the day wasn’t allowed to filter into the rooms.
He quickly showered, but didn’t have time to shave. It was a good thing his beard grew slowly. He dressed casually. Since the sun was out, he took a chance and left his sport coat in the closet. He had only a few minutes to meet his cab out front.
The taxi was right on time. It was parked in the yellow zone in front of the hotel when he came out.
Ted was halfway to the airport when it hit him. He’d had no time to make any of the calls he had intended. In fact, his notepad with all the phone numbers was sitting on the table in his room.
His next decision had been made easy due to his forgetfulness. Perhaps it was what he had intended all along. He had to see the girl again. He had been thinking of her right along with everything else. Maybe it was because she might know the truth. Or possibly it was her incredible beauty, and helplessness as she lay there with her thoughts and memories all locked up.
He had no trouble finding the rental car booth. The paperwork was a boor, but necessary. The company not only provided him with a new Ford Galaxy 500, but they also gave him a map so that he might find his way back to them.
He parked the big car about five blocks from the hospital. He didn’t like negotiating strange parking lots, especially with someone else’s vehicle. Of course it was an uphill walk to his destination. He knew his way to the eighth floor. Again there was no one visible at the nurse’s station. As he stood in front of room eight-sixteen he hesitated. It occurred to him that he might be acting odd. He was excited to be seeing a woman he didn’t even know, had never been introduced to, and she wasn’t even conscious. They couldn’t carry on a conversation; not a two-way one. All he could do was stare at her, and take in her loveliness. She was far beyond attractive. And he didn’t know why. When he had seen her before, it had just hit him. He probably couldn’t even describe her.
He opened the door. After taking two steps into the room he realized that she was gone. Her bed was not only empty, it was made up. The first thought that came into his head was, that she had taken a turn for the worse. Maybe she didn’t make it. A cold sweat came over him.
He turned and retraced his steps to the nurse’s station. There was still no one there. He didn’t stop to think that it was near lunchtime, and their busiest time of the day. Soon a woman in white approached the work station. It was the nurse who had been sympathetic the day before, and helped him. She started around the counter, not recognizing him. He stammered “Miss?”
“Yes?” she answered. Then a look of recognition appeared on her face. “Oh, Mister Warner isn’t it? When he nodded, she continued, “You must be looking for Miss Thomas. She’s been moved.” It didn’t occur to her that he didn’t know Joanna had awakened. “She’s on the fifth floor. Room five-fourteen.”
Ted was so relieved to find out where she was, that he didn’t question the woman further. He just mumbled “Thanks” and headed toward the elevator.
Her room was just around the corner to the right from where he came out of the elevator. This time he didn’t hesitate. He just burst through the door, and got the shock of his life.
Joanna was sitting on the side of her bed, her shiny black hair flowing down past her shoulders. There was a tray of food on a u-shaped stand across her lap. Her slim dark legs dangled nearly to the floor. She was barefoot.
He just stood there, at the door, taking in her loveliness. She looked up, her fork still in her hand, and saw him.
“Jake!” she announced, incredulous.
“No.” he said.
She didn’t hear him. She came off the bed so fast the stand over her lap went flying away from her. The metal tray on which the food had rested clanged to the floor, spinning like a top. Most of the food also found the tile floor, but some splattered against a nearby wall.
Joanna raced to Ted, her face aglow, and threw her arms around his neck, planting the most passionate, thrilling kiss of his entire existence on his lips. She melted against him, in her flimsy hospital gown, her small, firm breasts pushed tightly against his chest. His arms instinctively went around her slim waist, and found the opening in the back of her gown. He was lost.
Finally when the kiss ended, it seemed like minutes later, she gazed up into his eyes. Her right hand came up to his face, and with her first two fingers, she traced the crease in the skin above his eyelid. Her eyes were seemingly focused on Ted’s nose, making her look cross-eyed.
Suddenly she jumped back, away from him. Her oriental-like eyes were wide and flashing. “You’re not Jake!” It was an indictment. “Who are you?”
“My name is Ted Warner.” he blurted. “I
tried to tell you before, but you didn’t give me a chance.”
Joanna fell on the bed, and began to cry. Ted started toward her, but she lifted her head, and said softly, “Get out of here, man.” He started to say something. She stopped him. “Get out!” she screamed. He turned and left.
At the nurses station he stopped and asked a nurse who was standing behind the counter if he could leave a message for Joanna Thomas. She nodded in the affirmative. He quickly scribbled, “Sorry about the confusion. I think I can explain it to you if you’ll give me another chance. My phone number is 555-2410.” and he signed it “Ted Warner.” He thanked the nurse and left the way he had come, with no answers. At least he had the realization that the girl would be all right. All her parts were definitely in the right places.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ted stayed in his room the next day, except to go out to eat. Each time he left a message with the desk clerk to let anyone know where he was going, and when he would return. As an afterthought he asked the man behind the counter to please get a call-back number. He didn’t want to take any chance of missing Joanna if she tried to contact him. She was still his best chance to unravel the mystery. In any case, he wanted to see her again.
He’d been so sure Joanna would call. She certainly must have questions too. When the first day had passed without a response, his confidence waned. She could be too embarrassed to see him again. She had revealed her passion to a perfect stranger. Hell he was flustered too, and he had enjoyed it. Enjoy wasn’t really the right word. It would be burned in his memory forever. He no longer had any trouble at all bringing a picture of her into his mind.
He watched more television in the next two days than he had ever seen in his life. He felt he knew all the daytime soap characters personally. He had made up his mind to try once again to contact Joanna, when the phone rang. It was her.