The Toe

My answer to the challenge.

Vonnie

This one is just for you Winnie!

The Silence of a peaceful afternoon was interrupted by a scream. Not

just any scream, but one that would curl the nails on your fingers.

Mac and Gabe new instantly who it came from, after all, they were

sitting on deck, relaxing in the sun. The only one below was Judson.

It didn't take them but a few seconds to jump up and run below,

almost falling down the steps when each of them tried to get there

first.

"Judson, where are you!" Mac called out.

It took a moment before she got a response. It was more of a moan

than an actual answer but it clearly came from the galley. Again

they almost fell over each other but finally made it there.

Judson was sitting on the floor. He his feet were bare and he had

both hands wrapped around his left forefoot, leaving his big toe

open. Blood was running down from it, most of the nail pulled up and

back.

The paleness of his face showed in how much pain he was.

Mac assessed the situation quickly, then she said, "I guess, we

better get you to the hospital. This has to be taken care of by a

doctor!"

Gabe had reached for the first aid kit but now decided; there was no

way to wrap this without inflicting more pain on his friend. And at

this point it looked like he couldn't take a lot more without

passing out.

"Do you think you can make it upstairs if we help you?" he

questioned.

Judson nodded, "Give me a minute!"

After a moment he took a deep breath and indicated he was ready to

go. Mac and Gabe helped him stand up, careful avoiding any contact

with the injured digit. Each of them took one of Judson's arms over

their shoulder and this way he was able to hop on one foot. The

stairs presented a problem but finally even this barrier was taken.

When they got on deck, they assisted him to one of the chairs. Gabe

ran to get the car as close as possible, while Mac stayed with

Judson. By now sweat was pouring down his face, which seemed even

paler than before.

"Are you okay?" Mac started to get really concerned. Usually it was

Gabe who got injured. Seeing Judson in this much pain almost scared

her.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure about this toe!" he drew her attention back

to his injury. It was still bleeding but also now it started to

swell and turn purple.

Mac was relieved when Gabe showed up and together they got Judson to

the car.

+++++

Three hours later found them back on board. This time all of them

were sitting in the living area of the ship.

The visit to the emergency room had been an easy one for a change.

Used to long waiting times, Judson had been surprised, when the

nurse immediately showed him into the treatment room where the

doctor was already waiting. After assessing the damage, he had

injected him with an anesthetic. And after that things didn't seem

so bad. They had removed the nail and cleaned the wound. It needed

several stitches. After that was taken care of, he had been taken to

x-ray and then back into the treatment room. He had been told that

his toe was broken but there was not a lot they could do. He would

have to wear a special shoe for a few weeks to keep pressure off.

Now he was leaning back in his chair, his foot propped up on

another. Mac was just bringing another pillow and gently put it

underneath his foot. Gabe had gotten an ice pack from the freezer

and now wrapped it around his foot. In the meantime Mac had brought

him some water and handed it to him with the pain pills the doctor

had ordered.

"Here, it is time for them, the anesthetic should wear off soon, and

you better take them now!"

Judson looked around. Life suddenly didn't seem so bad. Having

friends like the ones he did made all the difference.

"Hey Judson, how did you hurt your toe anyway?" Gabe questioned him.

Judson hesitated, than he looked at Mac, "Do you remember the piece

of metal that was hanging coming loose on the bottom of the counter?"

"You mean the one that I ask you to fix for the last few weeks!"

"Exactly that one!" Judson reluctantly admitted. "I slipped on the

wet floor and ran it underneath my nail. It hurt so much that I

can't really tell you what happened next, but somehow I slammed my

foot into the wall!"

Seeing the disbelieve in their eyes, he continued, "Don't say it, I

fix it tomorrow!"

"Oh no you won't!" Gabe interceded, "I will do it but be sure, it

will cost you!" His face now showed a bright grin.

Mac nodded in agreement and gave him her sweetest smile, "Oh yeah,

we spoil you now, but just wait. You will wish you would have fixed

it when you could!"

Judson put his hands behind his head and leaned back. Life was good,

not even a little pain could change this.

The End