“I can’t walk. I’m going to die,” he said and started screaming hysterically.
“You’re not going to die. We’ll get Mr. Miller. He’ll know what to do. Which leg did he bite?”
“My right leg, look.” He showed me his leg. It was bleeding from two fang marks on the outer side of his leg, just above the ankle.
“Come on,” I said. “We’ve got to get help.”
Charlie put his right arm around my shoulder, and we started a very long walk back to the cabin. He was putting a lot of pressure on my shoulders as we walked, as he was trying not to use his injured leg. The day was very hot, not to mention humid, and I was beginning to sweat. “Mr. Miller will know what to do,” I thought. But I also had the terrible thought that Charlie might die before we made it back to the cabin.
“Maybe it’ll be better if you stay here while I run to get help.” I said.
“No, I’m scared. Please don’t leave me here by myself. What if that snake comes back? What if I die while you’re gone? I don’t want to die out here by myself.”
“Okay, I won’t leave you. But you’re not going to die. I wouldn’t worry about that.”
We had hopped and walked slowly for about twenty minutes when Charlie stopped and said, “Wait, I don’t feel good.” He had hardly got the words out when he started gagging and vomiting. I noticed that he looked really pale and clammy, beads of sweet covering his forehead. I didn’t know if the sweat was from the snakebite or simply from the heat, but it didn’t look natural. I looked at his leg. It was starting to swell. I walked him over to some nearby large rocks, and we sat down.
“How big a snake was it?” I asked
“Oh, it wasn’t as big as some snakes, I guess.”
“At least it wasn’t a great big snake,” I said, not knowing at the time that a younger snake can sometimes release more venom than a fully-grown snake. “How do you know it was a rattlesnake?”
“I heard it rattle right before it bit me. Anybody could figure that out. I just wished I’d heard it before I decided to jump in and close the door. Stupid snake! I thought they were supposed to rattle and give you some kind of a warning before they bit. That thing had done bit me about the time I heard it. “
“We’ve got to get going right now,” I said. “Why don’t you sit here, and let me run and get Mr. Miller.”
“No, I can’t sit here by myself,” he said, as we stood up and resumed our treacherous walk toward the cabin. “It would take even longer if you did that. You would have to go to the cabin and bring Mr. Miller back here. That would be two trips, when I could have already been back at the cabin. Mr. Miller’s not the fastest walker in the world, you know. He’s getting old, or is old, and would take forever to get here.”
“I guess you’re right,” I said.
“My leg hurts,” he said, crying again. “Look how big it’s getting.”
“Maybe you should take your shoe off.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said, reaching stiffly towards his shoe. “Help me. I’m too sore to do it myself.”
I took his shoe and sock off and helped him back up. His foot and the whole lower part of his leg was swollen. We continued walking, leaving the shoe and sock behind. The cabin seemed on the other side of the universe.
“My leg is tingling now. This is just awful. I’m afraid I’m going to die.”
“I told you, you’re not going to die. I won’t let you die.”
“You’re my best friend. I want you to know that in case I do die. And would you tell my mom, if you see her, that I’m sorry about how I acted at the wedding shower, and I’m sorry for taking her money.”
“Now quit talking like that. You’re not going to die, so we don’t have to worry about all that stuff. A snakebite is like a wasp sting, only a little worse. It’ll aggravate you for a while, then you’ll get over it.” I wanted to believe that.
“I wish that was true.”
“It is true, so quit worrying about it.”
“I got stung by a wasp once, remember? That time I was at your house and stuck my hand in my back pocket, and the wasp was in there and stung me. Don’t you remember how my hand swelled up like I was wearing a catcher’s mint?”
“Yeah, I almost forgot about that.”
“It stayed swollen for about a week, but it finally got better. That’s what your leg’ll do. It’ll swell up for a while and get better.”
“I hope so,” he said and started gagging again. “I feel really sick. I’m so tired that it’s hard to walk. I don’t have any energy.
“Oh, please, Lord, help me get better. And if you would, kill that snake so it won’t bite anyone else. Thank you. Amen.”
I said my own silent prayer.
“We’re about halfway there,” I said, my eyes burning from the sweat that I continually tried to wipe from my forehead. “Mr. Miller will know what to do.” The heat and excitement was staring to get to me, and I felt nauseous myself. We marched forward like wounded conjoined twins.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
“I didn’t think it would rain today,” said Charlie. “I don’t see a cloud in the sky.”
“Maybe it’s one of those pop-up storms coming. It does that this time of year sometimes.”
“That would certainly add some icing to the cake. What are we going to do if it starts storming?”
“We should be back to the cabin before it gets here. That was distant thunder.”
“I hope so. We don’t need to get struck by lightning on top of everything else.”
“You worry too much,” I said.
Charlie laughed, as much of a laugh as one can muster after having been bitten by a rattlesnake, and said, “You’re the one that worries about everything.”
“I guess I do worry too much. But right now let’s try not to worry. Let’s make a promise not to worry. Everything’s going to turn out okay.”
“That’s sounds like a good idea,” said Charlie. “Let’s shake on it.” We stopped for a moment, shook hands, and continued forward. “I feel better now that we decided not to worry. I think most people spent too much time worrying about stuff that never happens.”
“I think that too,” I said. “We’ll get through this. Everything will be all right. And I won’t worry about my situation either. After this I’m going to go back home and tell everyone I’m sorry for making such a mess out of everything. “
“Yeah, you’re just a kid anyway,” said Charlie. “I guess a lot of kids do stupid stuff before they get grown.”
“Maybe I can move to another town when I get older, and no one will know what I did.”
“See, isn’t it better looking at the positive side of things?”
“It’s one hundred percent better,” I said.
“I don’t want you to move away unless I can move with you.”
“Maybe we can move together and find houses in the same neighborhood.”
“That would be great,” said Charlie. “But I need to rest for a second. I can’t hardly catch my breath.” He sat down on the ground, stretching his injured leg out in front of him. “I wish I had some water. I’m about to die of thirst.”
“We don’t have time to rest,” I said, really worried despite my newfound positive outlook. “We’ve got to get help.”
“I know. I just need a break for a minute. My leg is tingling. I can’t hardly stand it. I hate that snake.”
“Now look,” I said. “I know you don’t want to be left alone, but I need to run ahead and get Mr. Miller. You look really sick. I think it will be faster if I run ahead and get him.”
“No, it’s okay,” he said, standing back up. “I can make it.”
We resumed our slow journey to the cabin, but this time it felt more like I was dragging him along. I was exhausted, but I knew we had to keep going. I felt frustrated by the slow pace we were going. It had been at least an hour since the snakebite, and I wasn’t sure how long it took rattlesnake venom to kill a person. I wa
s sure, however, that the fact that Charlie was a kid didn’t help matters. I wanted to take off running for help but didn’t want to leave Charlie alone, partly because I had promised him, partly because I was afraid that I’d lose him if I left him, that he would be lying on the ground dead when I came back. Bruno trotted along beside us. I wished I could somehow send him for help.
“You know what?” I said. “When this is all over and everything is back to normal, why don’t we go see a movie?”
“Yeah, that would be great. What do you want to see?”
“I’d like to see Jaws 2, but I’m sure it won’t be at the theatres by the time we get out of trouble.”
“I’d tired of animals that go around trying to bite people. I think I’d rather see a Disney movie.”
I laughed and said, “I think I’m starting to agree with you on that.”
We continued along in silence for a little further. It was getting more and more difficult to walk as Charlie increasingly relied on me for support. He was breathing heavily. I was breathing heavily too, but his breathing seemed different, more labored. Suddenly, I felt his weight leave my shoulders as he fell to the ground.
“Charlie! Charlie! Are you okay,” I said, shaking his shoulders.
“I can’t make it any further,” he said weakly. “I’m too sick. I don’t have any energy left. My head is spinning. Please don’t let me die.”
“I’m going to get Mr. Miller. I’ll be back soon, promise.”
With that I took off running, although I was already exhausted. My legs were weak, but it didn’t take long for me to reach the cabin. I was so out of breath by the time I found Mr. Miller behind the cabin chopping wood that I couldn’t get my words out.
“What’s the matter, boy?” he asked, setting the axe down on the chopping block. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Charlie needs help,” I said finally, breathlessly.
“What happened?”
“A snake bit him.”
“Do you know what kind of snake?”
“It was a rattlesnake.”
“Damned snakes! Where’s he at? Take me to him.”
“Let’s go,” I said. “I think he’s about to pass out.”
I took off running, and Mr. Miller followed me as fast as his old legs would allow. As I approached Charlie, I was afraid that he was dead. He was lying on the ground with his eyes closed. But when I got closer, I saw that he was still breathing. I shook him but he didn’t wake up.
“Hurry, Mr. Miller!” He was still about a hundred feet away and appeared out of breath.
“I’m doing the best I can. I’m not as young as I used to be.” He was holding his heart as he approached Charlie.
“What are we going to do?” I asked, tears running down my face.
“We’re going to get this child some help if it’s the last thing I do on this earth.”
He reached down and picked Charlie up, cradling him in his arms. Charlie woke up for a moment and said in a groggy voice, “Mr. Miller, I knew you would help me,” and then he fell back asleep.
“Okay, listen, Brian,” said Mr. Miller, visibly struggling as he walked with Charlie back towards the cabin. “I want you to run ahead and get some help. If I’d of had any sense, I’d of had you do that in the first place. I’m going to carry Charlie down the hill, but I need you to get some help. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to hold out. I’m too old for this.”
Chapter 17
Feeling exhausted and sick from the heat and humidity, I ran as fast as I could go down the hill, slowing down frequently to catch my breath, more than once stumbling and nearly falling onto the neglected road. I didn’t stop to think about the trouble I would be in when I returned to town. The only thing that mattered at the moment was finding someone to help Charlie. I had the horrible thought that it was already too late. I realized that I should have left him alone on the hilltop, despite my promise not to leave him, and immediately ran for help. If I had done that, he would have had a better chance for survival. Now it was possibly too late. If he died, I felt it would be my fault, just like it was my fault that Miss Hazel died. It seemed I was the worst, most careless person in the world. Bruno followed along like a loyal dog will. He had done his part. He had tried to warn us to stay away from the truck. Now it was up to me to do my part.
Finally reaching the bottom of the hill, I could see the Crossroads Market on the other side of the weedy field, the field we had walked through on that night that now seemed long ago. I imagined the store was a lighthouse, and I was a sinking ship in a storm, trying desperately to reach safety. I stumbled along the uneven ground, sharp thistles attacking me, and carefully crossed the road, making my way to the glass door of the store. I could see my Uncle Phil’s mother, Margaline, inside talking to the storeowner, a Mr. Higginbotham.
I was relieved to see Margaline. I remembered once being at the store trying to buy a candy bar and a coke. I didn’t have enough change, but Margaline was there and opened her purse and finished paying for it. It was a small gesture that I haven’t forgotten. Now I was greatly relieved to see her. She was a kind face who I knew would try to help. I was again too out of breath to talk when I stumbled into the store.
Margaline dropped a paper sack the moment she saw me; a can of pork and beans rolled across the floor. She grabbed me by the shoulders and said, “Child, where have you been?” She looked over at Mr. Higginbotham and said, “Ed, call the police. It’s a miracle.”
“It’s… it’s Charlie,” I said, trying desperately to catch my breath.
“What is it, child?” said Margaline, gently shaking my shoulders.
“He’s been hurt.”
“Oh dear, I was afraid of something like this,” she said.
I could hear Mr. Higginbotham on the phone: “Yes, yes, he’s right here. Send an ambulance too. He’s saying that the other boy, Charlie, has been hurt. No, he appears to be okay, just a little excited and out of breath, is all.”
“What’s happened to Charlie?” asked Margaline.
“He’s been bitten by a rattlesnake.”
Margaline hugged me and said, “Don’t you worry. We’ll get him some help. Where in the world have you two been all this time?”
“We’ve been living on top of the mountain.”
“What mountain?”
“The one right over there,” I said pointing.
“Oh, the knob. Well for heaven’s sake. Who would have thought it.”
“That boy needs something to drink,” said Mr. Higginbotham, walking out from behind the counter. It must be one hundred degrees out there.”
“You’re absolutely right,” said Margaline. “I don’t know what I’m thinking. Get that boy a Coke or something.”
Mr. Higginbotham brought me a bottle of Coke, and I drank it eagerly.
“You sit down and cool off for a while,” said Mr. Higginbotham. He grabbed a chair from behind the counter, and I gladly sat down. Bruno stared at me from outside the glass door.
“I need to use your phone,” said Margaline. “I’ve got some people’s day to make.”
“Go right ahead. I’m sure everyone’s going to be thrilled. I hope Charlie’s okay, though.”
“What’s your phone number, Brian? Your mother’s been beside herself with worry.” I told her the number. She dialed it but didn’t get an answer. “They might be over at your grandmother’s house. What’s her number?” I gave her the number, and this time she got an answer.
“Hello, is this Vicky? I thought I recognized your voice. I was hoping to find you there. Now sit down because I’ve got the best news you’ve ever heard. I’ve got Brian here. Yes, yes. Now calm down. It’s okay. Everything is okay now. Stop that or you’re going to get me crying. He’s over here at the Cross Roads Market on Nashville Road. The police are on the way over. Brian says Charlie’s been hurt, so they’re sending an ambulance. Now, stop that crying and come over here and get your son. It’s okay. Everything is going t
o be okay. I’m sure Charlie’s going to be all right too.” She hung up the phone and put her arm on my shoulder.
Moments later the faint sound of sirens grew louder until the store’s parking lot was filled with police cars and an ambulance. I walked outside with Mr. Higginbotham and Margaline, her hand still on my shoulder, fully expecting the police to handcuff and arrest me. If for nothing else, I figured they’d arrest me for running away. Deputy Chet Houchens got out of his police car and approached me. I wanted to turn and run but stood bravely before him.
“Son, where have you been all this time?” said Deputy Houchens. “The whole world’s been looking for you.”
“Charlie’s hurt,” I said. “We’ve got to get him help before it’s too late.”
“Well, let’s go then,” he said. “Hop in the car and take me to him.”
I followed him to the police car and started to open the back door.
“We’re you going?” said the deputy. “I want you with me in the front seat. I’m not taking you to jail.”
I felt a great sense of relief. Maybe I wasn’t in as much trouble as I thought I was, unless he was just saving jail for later.
Deputy Houchens motioned for the ambulance driver to follow us, got in on the driver’s side of the police car, and shut the door. “Now where’re we going?” he said.
“Up the hill there,” I said pointing.
“You mean all this time you boys have been up there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If that don’t beat all, right under our noses, or right over our noses.
“So, what’s happened to Charlie, anyway? I hope he’s not hurt too bad.”
“He’s been bitten by a rattlesnake.”
“We’ve got to move fast. The sooner he gets help the better.” He radioed the ambulance driver and told him about the snakebite. “That way the hospital can be prepared for Charlie when he gets there,” he said.
I directed him to the road leading up the hill. He got out of the police car and opened the gate. I was worried because I couldn’t see Mr. Miller and Charlie. By now they should have made it at least most of the way down. We began the slow drive up the crude road, the ambulance close behind us.
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