“No, I’m fine.” Katie then realized her mom thought she was groaning in pain, not from seeing Tyson.
“Tyson, I can’t believe you’re back already! Did you get any sleep?” Her mother got up and took the flowers from him. “How sweet of you. Wasn’t that thoughtful, Katie?”
“Uh-huh,” was all Katie could get out of her mouth.
“Katie just woke up and I don’t think she’s in the mood for company,” Jackson stood up and crossed his arms. “Let’s give her some time to herself.”
He got up, went over to the other side of the bed and ushered the other two out of the room.
Katie was glad to be alone. She couldn’t think clearly and it hurt to move her head much. She wanted to talk to a doctor to see how long she’d have to be in the hospital and how long the concussion would last. This wasn’t in the plans. If only it would all go away. Katie wished she never went with Tyson last night. She’d be at home in her own bed, not this hospital one.
Her parents returned and took turns sitting with her. Somehow her father managed to talk Tyson into going home. Katie was grateful for that.
Her mom decided to go home for awhile and Katie was alone with her dad. This was the perfect time to talk to him.
Her father was standing with his back to her, looking out the window. “Mr. Woods, Jack Woods?” Katie said softly. He spun around and looked at her.
“How do you know that name?”
“It’s you, Dad, isn’t it? You’re Jack Woods.”
“I knew of a Jack Woods, yes, of course. He was a famous 20th century writer. He...”
“Stop it. I know it’s you. I saw you. And I have a feeling you saw me, too.”
“Now is not the time to talk about this. We will talk, I promise. I just want you to get better.”
“I’ll drop it if you admit one thing, that you’re Jack Woods.” Katie was tired of waiting for answers. It took her so long to get to this point. She was determined to find out today.
“If it will stop you from talking and get you to rest, then, yes, I’m Jack Woods,” her father walked over to her bed and sat down. He looked in her eyes. “You’re in love, aren’t you, Kate?”
Tears filled Katie’s eyes. He said Kate. He knew. He knows.
He knew all along and was trying to stop it for some reason. She was determined to find out. For now, she could accept this. She needed to rest and needed to get better. “Thanks, Dad,” she closed her eyes.
When Katie opened her eyes again, she saw Lindsey sitting in her room.
“I hope I didn’t wake you! How are you? What happened? I should have never let you go with Tyson!”
“Calm down, this isn’t your fault, it’s mine. I should have known better.” Katie looked at her friend with a very serious face and motioned her to come closer.
“Don’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you,”
“Sure, of course not.”
“Ty and I had a big fight in the car. My seatbelt was stuck in the door. I tried to tell him but he kept yelling. He threw the car in reverse and raced back out of the parking spot. I think it was at the same moment I was opening the door. He saw the door open and that’s when I felt the car jerk to a stop. That’s all I remember.”
“Oh, I’m going to...” Lindsey couldn’t even finish. “That’s not the story he told your parents. He is blaming you...in a nice way. He said you just opened the door without telling him. There was no talk of putting the pedal to the metal!”
“Well, in a way, he’s right. I didn’t tell him. I didn’t get a chance to tell him,” Katie could not believe how Tyson was manipulating her life. “You’ve got to promise me one thing. You have to help get me out of this hospital the sooner, the better.”
A doctor arrived at Katie’s hospital room. He tapped on the open door. “May I come in?”
“Sure.” Katie tried to nod but it made her a little dizzy and nauseated. She really wanted to talk to the doctor. Lindsey got up and went out into the hall.
“That was quite a fall you took, Katie,” he said as he flashed a light into her eyes. “Anything you want to tell me?”
“No.” Katie was hesitant. She probably could get Ty in trouble but what good would that do? She decided to stick to his story and there would be no problems. As it was everyone was being overprotective.
“Then let’s talk about this concussion. What you have is called a mild concussion. It should disappear in seven to ten days.”
“Seven days! I have to stay here all that time!” Katie was overwhelmed at the thought.
“No,” the doctor laughed. “If everything looks good tomorrow, you can go home then. I gave your parents a list of things to watch out for. Are you having any symptoms? Lightheadedness, blurred vision, vomiting, difficulty concentrating? These are a few of the symptoms; there are more. You just need to get some rest and no physical activity for a few days. Do you think you can manage that?”
“Yes, I can do that, especially if I get to go home.”
“What? You don’t like the hospital food?” the doctor smiled at her.
“Actually I haven’t had any yet. I don’t have an appetite right now,” Katie placed her hand on her stomach.
“Feeling a little nauseated? That’s normal and should go away. We’ll talk about your symptoms some more tomorrow. Keep track of them for me. If anything feels like it is getting worse, use that call button.”
Katie tried to nod but it was too much. She just smiled at the doctor. Lindsey came back in the room after the doctor left. “I can go home tomorrow!” Katie smiled weakly.
Lindsey gave her a high-five in the air being careful not to really hit Katie’s hand. “I better get going. I’ll see you at your house after school. Lucky dog, you get to miss school!” She waved and disappeared out the door.
Katie talked her father into going home and getting some rest and a change of clothes. She was glad to have the time to herself because she knew both her parents would be back soon.
After dinner, Joanna and Jackson returned. They saw Katie’s tray with the untouched food. Her dad pulled a bag out of his jacket. “How about some of your favorite ice cream?”
“Chocolate chip cookie dough?” That sounded good to Katie. She enjoyed the rest of the evening with her parents. They fussed over her and fed her ice cream. Katie noticed that there was no Tyson and smiled appreciatively at her father. She knew he had something to do with it. When they finally left, Katie realized how much she loved them and how they were always there for her.
Although what she had to do next, she’d have to do alone. She turned on the TV, dozing as she watched.
Tyson came into the room. He sat quietly by Katie’s bedside. He couldn’t stop looking at her. He picked up the remote control and turned off the TV. He gently kissed Katie on the cheek. “Goodnight, my love,” he whispered in her ear. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered back in her sleep and then murmured, “...Drew.”
“Well, I finally have a name. I’ll show this Drew. I’ve known you longer. Where is he now? I’m here and he’s not. I can watch over you day and night. I’m just right across the street, love. Drew might just be a phase but I’m the real thing.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
When Katie woke up the next morning she felt a little better. She rubbed her forehead and tried to recall the strange dream she had last night. Tyson was talking to her and telling her all these creepy things. Good thing it was just a dream.
Her parents were already by her bedside, sitting quietly in the room. They both jumped up when they realized she was awake.
“I get to go home today,” Katie smiled at both of them.
“If the doctor says so, honey,” Her mother took her hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, the doctor said not to move around too much. I can do that at home, right?”
“Let’s just wait and see.”
That afternoon the doctor gave the all clear for Katie to go home. S
he was so excited she couldn’t wait. Her mom brought fresh clothes for her to wear home and helped Katie get dressed.
“Slow down, Katie! We’re just going home, not to the Royal Ball or anything like that.”
If only you knew. Katie slipped her top over her head.
Her dad pulled the car up to the front of the hospital while a nurse pushed Katie in a wheelchair to the front door. Joanna helped Katie into the front seat and jumped in the back and Jackson headed for home. School buses were on the road so that must mean school would be out soon. Katie needed to talk to Lindsey about her plan. She hoped Lindsey would come over right after school.
Jackson helped Katie up the stairs and Joanna was already in the bedroom making things ready. After Katie was in her bed, she said to them, “Your work here is done. Fine job!” She really wanted them not to hover and they respected her wishes.
After awhile there was a knock on the door. Lindsey slowly opened it. “Hey, how’s the princess?”
“Get in here! How was school? Did Tyson go today? Was Erin mad?”
“First things first, you didn’t tell me how you are.” Lindsey sat down on the end of the bed.
“I’m feeling much better, now go ahead.”
“Tyson did come to school today. He was acting like he was the hero who saved your life. All he did was call 9-1-1. Erin was upset at first but is putting on a good show now. She’s standing by her man and all that.”
Typical high school. Kate was glad she wasn’t there to see it. “Wow, I should have guessed. Now, I need your help. When I go to see Drew I won’t be here. Since I was just in an accident my parents are going to keep checking in on me. I need someone to sleep in my bed.”
“And you want me to do that. I’ll have to tell my mom I’m sleeping over here and hope she doesn’t tell yours. We’ll have to make up something so she won’t tell. You were just in an accident so she’d probably say yes. This could work.”
“My parents have to think you’re going home on Tuesday night. Then we’ll sneak you back in,” Katie had planned most of this through while she was still in the hospital.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then, after school. I hope you’re doing the right thing. After all, you just had a concussion. What if something happens back in good ol’ 1927 and you don’t make it back?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
“You know I believe all this stuff. You’re really going to the Grand Canyon and I won’t be able to help you. Grandma J is also your friend and she’d never forgive me if I didn’t lecture you.”
“I told you I’ll be fine but thanks for worrying.”
“I’ll let you rest. See you tomorrow. And don’t do anything stupid until I get back.” Lindsey closed the door as she left the room.
It was almost dinnertime and Katie wanted to go downstairs to join her parents. She needed to practice moving around. She picked up the baby monitor which she couldn’t believe her mother still had—you never know when you might need it she had said--and called to them. “Mom, Dad, you there?”
Before she could even finish her request, her father was at her door.
“I’d like to come downstairs. I’m bored up here and need to move around.” Katie looked at him with her pouting face that always worked.
“There you go again with your famous boredom speech,” her father put out his hands. “I’ll help you up.”
Jackson carefully guided Katie down the stairs and put her on the family room sofa. She was happy to be sitting up in a regular seat. It felt pretty good. Katie still had one whole day to get better before she left.
Her mother was in the kitchen making dinner and soon they were sitting at the table eating and talking. Katie planned on being extra good and was on her best behavior. She didn’t want her parents to suspect a thing.
“You guys don’t have to check on me every five minutes now when I go to bed,” Katie teased. “I’m getting much better, really.”
“Then we will check every ten minutes,” her father teased back.
They watched TV together and then her mother helped Katie back upstairs. She gave Katie her phone and the remote control. “No laptop today, it may make you dizzy. No reading for awhile.”
“Okay, Mom, goodnight, or should I say see you in ten minutes?” Katie was feeling a little tired. She planned on sleeping and nothing else.
* * * *
Immediately turning on the TV the next morning, Katie wanted to be distracted until Lindsey came over. She mindlessly flipped channels. She was awake pretty early and most of the channels had news and morning shows. Katie decided to watch the weather channel for awhile because she needed to know what the weather was like in Arizona for some reason. After hearing about the mild November that Ohio was having no snow, not much rain, and temperatures in the high fifties they finally got to the national map. Flagstaff, Arizona was also having high fifties and sunshine. That was the only difference, gray here, sunny there. That’s one thing Katie missed the most, the sunshine and the blue skies. She was starting to sound like her Aunt Lucinda. Ohio didn’t have many sunny days in the fall and winter. Well, she would be there soon enough.
Katie’s phone rang, playing the Anna music. She excitedly picked it up because she would have someone to talk to about her plans.
“Kathryn! Are you alright? Lindsey called me last night and I just about fell off my chair when she told me what happened to you. Here I thought you were busy with school and that’s why I haven’t heard from you. I don’t think I like this Tyson fellow very much. He’s bad news.”
“Anna, take a breath and let me talk! I’m much better today. Tyson’s not a bad guy, just a teenager like the rest of us. Don’t be too hard on him. I really want to discuss my plan with you because I need your help.”
Anna and Katie talked the morning away. Katie filled her in on everything but was surprised by what Anna said as they ended their conversation.
“Maybe this should be the last time you do your time traveling. Enjoy the here and now. Tell Drew you will always love him and explain you live in the 21st century. I’m sure he will understand.”
Katie could not believe what she was hearing. Anna was a romantic who believed in love. Now she’s telling Katie to just live in the present. She thought Anna understood she couldn’t do that.
“You think I should tell him I live in the future? Won’t he think I’m a little crazy?”
“Maybe not, you need to give him more credit. How is the Jack Wood’s book reading coming along?” Anna completely changed the subject.
“Fine, two down, one to go,” Katie didn’t have the heart to tell Anna she used one of the books as a decoy at Maya’s house.
“Which one is left?”
“The journal, but I have started it.” Just then Katie heard her mother coming up the stairs. She was probably bringing lunch. “It was so nice of you to call, Grandma J, and check up on me. I’m doing fine, really.”
Katie’s mom entered the room and said, “Tell Anna I said hi.”
“Mom says hi,” Katie could just picture Anna’s face after she called her Grandma J.
“Okay, kid, I get your mom is there now. I’ll let the Grandma J go this one time.” Anna was too funny. Then she said, “I will be praying for you. Have a safe journey. Also, Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, and tell everyone there we send our love,” Katie hung up her phone. ‘Thanks for lunch. I think I’m going to rest again after eating.”
Katie planned on conserving all her strength and quickly dozed off after lunch.
* * * *
“What are you doing in here?” the sound of Lindsey’s voice woke Katie up. She opened her eyes and saw Tyson and Lindsey in her room.
“Katie and I are working on a science report for class. It’s done and on a flash drive. I was just looking for it here on her desk. Her mom said it was okay if I came up. It’s due next Monday. Gosh, Lindsey, you don’t have to be such a brat.”
&n
bsp; “When it comes to Katie, I can be more than a brat! You’re not one of my favorite people right now, Ty.”
“Sorrr – ry! Geesh! I’m only trying to do her a favor.”
“It’s okay. Ty and I are working on a paper together,” Katie chimed in. She remembered signing up for a certain topic and Ty made sure he did, too. They were assigned to write the paper together by the teacher. Katie made sure they met at school or at the library to work on it. She forgot it was due Monday.
“Thanks, Ty. I think we just need to proofread and print.”
“You’re not supposed to be reading so I thought I’d take it home and do it. Take care and have a good Thanksgiving,” Ty came over and took Katie’s hand. He kissed it lightly and left.
“You’re too nice to him!” Lindsey clenched her jaw. “You need to be a little meaner, cousin.”
She walked over to Katie’s bed. “My mom thinks I’m sleeping over at Jordyn’s. I didn’t want her calling here at all. Jordyn knows I’m doing you a favor and will cover if she has to. I’ll drive over there and she’ll bring me here. Then in the morning she’ll come back to get me. She was great, didn’t ask any questions. Maybe we need to bring her in on all of this.”
“Not yet,” Katie wasn’t up to trying to explain anything to anyone. “Make sure you say good-bye to my parents and they see you leaving. Call me when you are on you’re way back tonight.”
Katie lay back on her pillows. There were butterflies in her stomach and she knew they weren’t all from the concussion. It seemed like hours before she heard from Lindsey. “Finally! I thought you’d never call!”
“It’s only nine o’clock! Are you planning on going to sleep already?”
“Yes, I am! Dusk was over three hours ago. I could’ve been gone already!”
“Well, you better say goodnight to your parents. They’re guarding the nest you know! Almost there, Jordyn’s dropping me off about three houses away.”
“Tell her thanks and I love her! See ya in a minute!” Katie hung up and went downstairs. “Mom, Dad? I’m going to sleep now. I want to get rested up for Thanksgiving.”
Waiting for Dusk Page 21