Dolly watched as he grabbed the bottom of his muscle shirt and started to pull it up over his broad shoulders.
“Awww...I can't,” he gasped out. The paramedic pulled it up carefully and revealed his blue and purple skin.
“Woo, bruised pretty good,” he stated as he mashed gently at Jordan's bruises. “Steering wheel must have grazed you harder than you thought.”
Dolly's tears began to swell again as she stared at Jordan's wounds and saw the painful expression on his face. She couldn't speak herself even when she tried and her body throbbed and ached.
“What's your name honey?” they asked her again, trying to make her remember on her own.
Dolly stared back looking confused. Jordan quickly answered for her. “Dolly. She's been staying with me.” He was afraid now that she would regain her memory and leave him. Now he wanted her to stay his Dolly and become no one else. He didn’t' quite understand why, but looked hopefully into her eyes.
“Dolly? You feel okay?” the paramedic then asked noticing she became unusually still. “Dolly? Talk to us honey, please,” he begged in a caring way.
Dolly heard the words but couldn't respond. She felt tired and wanted to sleep. She closed her eyes and it felt so peaceful now that all was dark and quiet.
“Dolly? Don't go to sleep darling...talk to us okay?” she heard as she felt light tapping on the sides of her face. But she just couldn't open her eyes. It felt too peaceful to keep them closed. But she could tell the voices outside her body were becoming more intense, more worried.
“How much longer till we get to the hospital?” Jordan asked not caring who responded.
“About five more minutes. It just seems like a long trip when you're in a hurry,” the paramedic assured him.
Jordan didn't like it. She was unconscious again. All he wanted to do was scoop her up and take her home where she belonged...with him. His home on the beach. Then she began to mumble to herself, her eyes never blinking.
“I wanna go home.”
The paramedic smiled when he realized she was only half unconscious now. “I know you do darling, but right now you’re going to the hospital, okay?” She didn't respond.
“Can you hear me?” he tried again.
“Uh-huh.”
“That's good. Talk to me okay? Where do you live?”
Jordan didn't want her to answer that question. He feared her response. He only wanted to hear, “With Jordan,” but was skeptical that this wouldn't happen. Then his fear was justified when she finally did answer the question.
“With my brother,” she whispered, her eyes still closed, her head slightly moving from side to side.
“With your brother? Is this guy here your brother?” he asked motioning to Jordan even though her eyes were still closed, hoping he could make her open them and look.
She didn't answer.
“Can you open your eyes for me?”
“I don't want to,” she softly muttered back.
“Okay, at least you’re talking to me. That's a good thing. We're at the hospital now, okay? We’re gonna move you inside, run a few tests and get some x-rays. We've gotta find out where all of your injuries are then maybe you can go home with your brother.”
Jordan was mystified now. Who was her brother and why wasn't he looking for her? Why hadn't he reported her missing? Maybe her living with her brother isn't true. Maybe she's just senile from the injuries and doesn’t' know what she's saying right now. Maybe she doesn't even have a brother. At least she didn't mention a husband. Somehow none of this was of much relief to Jordan.
They carefully pulled the stretcher from the ambulance and wheeled her inside. They helped Jordan onto an examining table as well and the doctor and nurses took over. The same doctor as before who had originally examined Dolly the day he found her was on the scene now too.
“Did she ever remember anything?” he asked as soon as he recognized her and Jordan.
“Bits and pieces. Not much that makes any sense though. She remembers being trapped in the water then a weird dream about singing and people yelling.”
The doctor chuckled. “It may sound weird to us, but to her it could be vital information. I'm gonna get some x-rays first thing. She's bruised up pretty good. And her right arm is most likely broken too. She's gonna be pretty sore for a while.”
“Damn it,” Jordan mumbled in frustration as he now watched two nurses take her away.
“You too fella, it looks like you may have a broken rib or two,” the doctor then went on.
Jordan stared at him a moment. “I'm fine,” he insisted. “I’m just a little sore.”
“Well I'm gonna make sure of that,” the doctor persisted as he motioned to the wheel chair the nurse had brought in and parked next to his examining table.
“Oh no, I'm not getting into that thing,” he protested as he came unsteadily to his feet.
“Oh yes you are,” the doctor demanded and gently forced him down into it. “It’s hospital policy.”
Jordan was in too much pain now to argue further. He didn't realize this until now how much his side was really hurting him.
Jordan was right. He was only bruised after all, but thankfully he had no broken bones. The doctor prescribed a pain killer if needed.
Now he paced nervously in the corridor waiting for them to finish working on Dolly, or whoever she was gonna be now. She didn't look too good when he had last seen her. Her entire upper body was bruised even worse then his own and she kept drifting in and out of consciousness mumbling things that made absolutely no sense to Jordan what so ever.
Now she has a brother? Why hasn't he been looking for her? Where is he? Or maybe she just imagined it in her state of confusion and pain. Jordan watched the doctor near him after he had finally emerged from the examining room.
“Is she okay?” he asked anxiously still aching greatly himself.
“She will be fine. Just bruises except for the broken arm. They’re casting it now. I'm really surprised she wasn't hurt any worse considering she wasn't wearing her seat belt.”
“Is she awake now?”
“Yes, but she's very tired, not talking much either. We gave her a sedative so she's a bit tipsy. She's just shook up a bit but that's normal. Be sure she gets plenty of rest the next couple of days or so. It wouldn't hurt for you too either.”
“I'll be fine. When can I see her?”
“She'll be done in a few minutes, but you can go on in now.” He then led Jordan to her. She was sitting up now but looked scared and frail.
Jordan slid his arm around her neck and gently hugged her head to his shoulder. “Are you okay? I'm so sorry.”
“I think so,” she mumbled clearly not feeling well at all. “I just wanna go home.” Her eyes were drooping and red. Her face was ashen.
“You remember me don't you?” he then asked nervously.
“Of course I do,” she answered trying to grin. “How could I ever forget you?”
“Remember anything else?” he asked hoping she hadn't as he watched the nurses finish up the cast that ran just short of her elbow down to her hand, only exposing her fingers.
“Just that you gave me a ride at 140 mph. And you have a jerk for friend named Martin.”
Jordan chuckled out now feeling relieved. “What about your brother?”
“Brother? What brother? Why would you ask me such a thing?” She seemed to be struggling now just to keep her eyelids open.
“In the ambulance you mumbled something about living with your brother.”
Then one of the nurses added,” You also said you wanted him to sing to you.”
Now Dolly seemed more confused. “I wanted who to sing to me?”
“Your bubba I think is what you called him,” the nurse answered smiling as she finished up with Dolly's cast.
Jordan and Dolly stared blankly. “You were still pretty well out of it though. You’re free to go now,” the nurse went on.
Dolly didn't know what to do. She didn't re
member any of it. Only all the good times she had spent with Jordan. She looked at Jordan as if begging for his help.
He leaned and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “C'mon, lets go home Dolly,” he calmly stated then helped her off the table. He gently took her left hand and walked her down the hall, then stopped and looked at her with a funny little grin on his face.
“What's wrong with you?” Dolly asked fearing he had changed his mind about taking her back with him. Afraid he was going to want her to stay in the shelter until she regained the rest of her memory.
Then he scratched at his head and laughed out loud.
“What's so funny?” she asked.
“I...uh...guess I had better call Martin and see if he can give us a lift. My truck's been towed.” He fidgeted and felt like an idiot for not remembering it until now.
“Oh...is it banged up bad?” she retorted now remembering the reason they were here in the first place.
“Not really. It can be fixed,” he replied as he dug deep in his pocket for a quarter, then called Martin from a nearby pay phone. They waited rather impatiently at the emergency room doors for him to arrive.
“I'm sorry,” Dolly then told him.
Jordan looked confused in her direction. “For what? This wasn't your fault. It was mine.”
“Your truck, I should’ve known better. I shouldn't have been nagging you while you where driving.”
Jordan hugged her again and kissed her forehead. “It was my fault, not yours. I wasn't paying attention.”
Dolly couldn't believe he had actually admitted this. She was sure he would be furious at her. “Maybe he's just waiting until I've rested awhile,” she thought as Martin's car pulled up outside.
Jordan explained the accident to him as they drove home. Dolly didn't talk much at all. She was furious now remembering that he had told Jordan something about her, but didn't yet know what it was. She ached all over and didn't feel like listening to Martin's lies and bragging about himself. Just when she thought he was a true friend to Jordan she realized now that he wasn't. He seemed to only think of himself and Dolly thought the real cause of the wreck was Martin's fault.
“Your truck gonna be okay?” Martin asked trying to seem concerned. Dolly doubted his sincerity.
“It'll take a couple of days to get it back. I was lucky...damn lucky,” Jordan stated recalling the accident. He was grateful no one had been seriously hurt. Dolly seemed to catch the worst end of it. The other driver only suffered minor scratches.
Dolly felt awkward being stuck in the middle of these two men. One who was pursuing her and one that she wanted too, but he wouldn't.
“What's wrong?” Jordan finally asked noticing her sullen face and drooping eyes. “You still in pain?”
“No...just tired I guess,” she whispered back. “I think I'll lie down as soon as we get home. That sedative is definitely doing its job.”
“Don't worry you can rest when we get there. I won't bother you...I promise,” Jordan added still feeling badly for putting her through this.
“Sure you won't,” Dolly thought. “You'll just go back to ignoring me like you did before,” she thought to herself as Jordan turned to continue his conversation with Martin.
“At least until I settle things with you over whatever Martin has told you. Then we will see who's your true friend. Me...or Martin.”
Chapter 7
When they finally arrived back at the beach, Jordan helped Dolly from the car and they both walked slowly and sorely to the bottom of the stairs and glared upward at them for a second. Martin followed behind thinking the situation to be funny and rather cute. He didn't realize how bruised up these two actually were and Jordan was in no mood to listen to his ill humor of the predicament they were in.
“Do you two cripples need any help getting up there?” he asked in a giggle.
“You're really fixing to piss me off,” Jordan replied as he spun around with the intention of swinging at him but his side hurt too badly to follow through with the punch.
“I'm just trying to be helpful,” Martin quickly covered.
“Then shut the hell up,” Jordan retorted through clenched teeth as Dolly slowly grabbed the handrail and started first up the now seemingly unending stairs. Then Jordan slowly followed behind her, afraid she might fall and he wanted to be able to catch her.
They finally made their way to the top and happily entered the comfort of home.
“Oh no you don't,” Jordan stated as Dolly sat comfortably on the couch just inside.
“What?” she asked wondering what she had done wrong now.
“The doctor ordered bed rest for you,” he then demanded strongly.
“For you too, but I bet your not gonna listen to him are you?” she smartly answered knowing he was too bull headed to do as he was told, so why should she?
“Maybe not, but I'm bigger than you are, therefore you had better listen to me,” he replied half laughing as her face began to redden against her blonde hair again. “And don't start that pouting stuff again, I can't stand it and I'm not falling for it this time.”
“Okay, but I'm hungry,” she answered as she used the arm of the couch for support to help her stand.
“You're always hungry, so what's new?” Jordan teased as he entered the kitchen area to see what he could do about cooking supper.
“Want me to fix it?” Martin offered.
“No. I want you to go home,” Jordan bluntly stated as he rummaged through the refrigerator never looking in his direction.
“Gee thanks a lot. Is that the gratitude I get for bringing you home?”
“I've taken you home more than once and you damned well know it,” Jordan replied growing angry again at his constantly mooching friend whom seems to seldom remember he has been helped out in the past too.
“Okay...I'll leave you two to suffer alone. If you need anything from town just call.”
Jordan didn't answer. Just went about his business as Martin showed himself out.
Dolly was glad to see him leave at last. She entered the kitchen with Jordan. “Need help?” she offered.
“You're supposed to be in bed,” he reminded with a half hazard smile.
“So are you,” she replied again as she neared him.
“Go on. I'll bring supper in to you later,” he then told her as he bent and kissed her forehead and went on about his meal preparations.
“All right, but I don't feel that bad anymore. My arm just aches a little. If you need help yell.” She tried to hold it back but a yawn came from no where.
She turned and gladly made her way to her bedroom. She didn't feel so hot, but didn't want Jordan to worry about her anymore than he already has. He seemed to feel badly enough about what had happened. Dolly laid back and propped her head cozily on her pillow and tried again to remember something from her past.
“Why did I say I had a brother? And if I do, why can't I remember what he looks like?” She laid there thinking and trying to fall to asleep, but couldn't. Now she was worried. She couldn't imagine having a brother out there somewhere and not knowing where. Was he worried about her? Evidently not or he would have come for her by now.
Then Jordan broke her train of thought as he cheerfully entered her room carrying a tray. “It's just an omelet and juice. Best I could do on short notice,” he said as he placed the tray over her and sat next to her on the bed. “You feeling any better yet?”
“Yeah...I'm okay,” she answered solemnly as she tried to pick up the fork but her right arm was the one in the cast and it hurt when she tried to use her fingers. “Ouch,” she accidentally blurted out loud as she dropped it again and looked shyly to Jordan.
“Here, I'll do it for you,” he said with a smile and picked up her fork and cut the omelet. “I'm getting kind of used to taking care of you already,” he added as he fed her a bite.
Dolly liked this. She only hoped that he really didn't mind. He didn't seem too as he continued to smile and place the food
playfully in her mouth. Dolly felt like a little girl while this handsome creature babied her.
“I bet you would make a good daddy someday,” she then announced.
Jordan looked at her laughing and with much surprise. “Why would you say a thing like that?”
“Because you just seem to be the type. I can't believe you never married and had children.”
“Well, I didn't, and I don't intend too.”
Dolly didn't know if this was just a line he was used to using or if it was a direct hint for her to not even think about forming a relationship of any kind with him.
“I can't eat another bite,” she finally told him after nearly finishing the entire omelet. “And thank you.”
“Oh come on...one more bite,” he teased as he pushed the fork against her closed mouth.
“Quit it,” she replied as she pushed it away, trying not to laugh. “I told you I'm full.”
Jordan only laughed at her. “All right, insult my cooking would ya? See if I care.”
“I didn't insult your cooking. It was very good, really, I just can't eat anymore.”
Jordan smiled and removed the tray and carried it into the kitchen then he quickly returned to Dolly's side. She seemed a bit surprised to see him come back. She figured he was tired too and would have watched television or went to sleep.
“Does your arm still hurt?” he asked as he sat next her on the bed again.
“No, well, not much anyway. I'm just a little sore. How about you?”
“Hurts like hell, but I'll live,” he laughed back. “You know, I bet we look like a couple who just beat each other up or something.”
Dolly looked at him admiringly. “A couple?” she thought. “Does he think of us as that? I wouldn't mind that at all,” she thought as she felt him put his arm around her shoulder.
“You'd better get some rest now. Tomorrow you'll probably be twice as sore as you are now. Both of us probably will be.”
“I hope not,” she answered.
Jordan rose to leave the room. Dolly didn't want him to go. She looked at him anxiously. “Jordan?” she called out softly.
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