Why Me?
Summery: On the way to North Carolina to visit family and friends Jamie begins to have horrible headaches. Will the headaches go away or could this be something more serious? Chapter one in Landon's POV. Their baby Jenna is two months old. Aslo features the cast from the show Providence.
The soft breeze blew in my face as I trudged up the walk to our home in Providence, Rhode Island. We'd recently moved there almost elven months ago after I'd gotten accepted to Brown to study medicine. I was a 2nd year med student and was hoping to find a cure for cancer, the horrible disease that almost took my sweet Jamie. I walked into the house and immediately the sound of a baby crying met my ears. I walked toward's the nursery and went into find Jamie sitting in the rocking chair trying to feed her. She looekd up at me and gave me a smile. I went over and kissed her.
'Is she fussy?" I asked. Jamie nodded. She looked tired and hadn't been feeling well lately. I was worried that she would get sick and with her history of Cancer I ddn't want to take that risk.
"She'll calm down soon," Jamie said in a soothng voice. As if by magic Jenna stopped crying. 'There now big girl its OK. Shh." Jenna soon fell asleep in Jamie's arms and i took her from Jamie. Jamie stood up. "How was your day?"
"Long," I replied as I placed Jenna gently in her crib. "Are you glad to be going home?" Jamie and I were going back to North Carolina for a few days to see old friends and to show off Jenna to my mother and Jamie's father.
"Yes," Jamie said. "I think Joanie will survive without me for a few days." Joanie Hansen and her sister Syd and her dad Jim lived next door to us and Syd had delivered Jenna. They were like family to us instead of neighobors. We met them when we'd first moved here and I couldn't believe how much time had gone by.
Jamie walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, putting a hand to her forehead. She looked a little pale and that worried me. I sat down beside her and she rested her head on my shoulder, like she'd done many times before. "Are you OK?"
"I'm fine just tired," Jamie answered softly. She looked up at me, her big brown eyes sparkling. "Just a little headache don't worry it'll go away."
I nodded and didn't say anything. Jamie had had this headache the past few days and this was no ordinory headache. "Jamie its been going on like this for the past three days I really think you should ask Syd about it."
"Landon I'm exhausted," Jamie said. "I haven't gotten much sleep in the last two months." She looked at me. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to get mad I'm just tired."
"Why don't you go rest," I suggested. I helped her stand up and led her back to our room. She got on the bed and I kissed her on the forehead. It reminded me of the time I'd spent with her in the hospital when I'd first found out she was sick. I sat there for a while watching her sleep, remembering all the times we'd spent together back home in North Carolina when I thought Jamie was a nobody and now was the most important person in my life.
Jamie slept for almost three hours. I was siting in the living room talking to my mother on the phone when she sat down beside me.
"Hey Mom I gotta go," I said and quickly hung up. Lucky for me Jenna was still asleep. I turned to her and looked into her eyes. She still looked tired and dazed. 'Feel better?'
'Much," Jamie said but i could see right through her. She didn't look like she felt good at all. She gave me a quick kiss and stood up. "I'll make dinner."
"I already ate," I told her.
"Oh," Jamie said disappointment in her voice. She put a hand to her forehead.
'Jamie come sit down," I said. She came over to me and I put my arms arund her kissing her on the top of the head. 'Are you sure you're feeling OK?"
"I'm fine Landon," Jamie said convinling. "Being tired just comes with the price of being a mother."
"I don't think that's it Jamie," I told her. "You've had a headache for three straight days. Please Jamie don't shut me out."
Jamie sighed. "Landon I don't want you to worry whenever I get a headache. My cancer is never coming back Landon, I'm not going anywhere."
"I know," I whispered. I put her head in my hands. "But i don't want anything to happen to you. You are the love of my life Jamie and Jenna is lucky to have you for a mother."
Jamie smiled. "That's very sweet but honestly I'm fine."
I nodded and Jamie leaned her head on my shoulder. We sat there for a while like that and it reminded me of that night in the graveyard when I'd named a star after her. Jamie soon fell asleep in my arms. I reached over with my free hand and picked up the phone. I dialed Syd's number and Joanie answered on the third ring.
"Hello?" Joanie asked.
"Joanie its me," I said. "Is Syd home by any chance?"
"Yeah hold on Landon," Joanie said. I heard her put the phone down and I waited. A few seconds later Syd came on the line.
"Landon?" Syd asked, her voice full of concern. "Is everything OK?"
"Not really," I whispered. "Jamie's still having the headaches but she's being stubburn. She slept for three hours today and just fell asleep in my arms. Could you please come over here and check her out?'
'I'll be right there," Syd said and hung up.
I put the phone down and stroked Jamie's back. I looked out the window, the leaves blowing softly against the wind. "God I can't lose her, please let her be all right."
Then I heard the door open and heard footsteps.
"How is she?" Syd whispered. "Jamie?"
Jamie opened her eyes and looked a little shocked to find Syd standing over her. "Syd? What are you doing here?"
"Landon got worried about you so he called me," Syd said. She helped Jamie sit up. "Are the headaches any better?"
Jamie shook her head. "No, not really. Could you give me something? I don't want to be feeling bad when we go home tomorrow."
"Sure," Syd said. She pulled out a bottle from her bag. "Take this it should make you feel better in a few hours."
"Thank you," Jamie whispered.
"I'll get you something to drink," I said and got up. I walked toward the kitchen and filled a glass with water. I could hear Jamie talking to Syd in the other room. Then the phone rang. I reached for it wonderng who could be calling us. "Hello?"
"Landon its Rev Sullivan," Jamie's father said.
"Hi Rev," I replied. "Jamie and I will be there tomorrow night. Syd is over here now."
"Is she feeling better?" Rev Sullivan asked. "She told me about the headaches a few days ago."
'Syd just gave her something," I said. "I have to go so we'll see you tomorrow." I hung up and went back into the living room. Jamie was lying back against the couch her eyes closed. "Syd left?"
"Yes," she replied. She looked at me. "Who was on the phone?"
"Your father," I told her as I handed her the glass of water. She took it and swollowed the pill without difficulty. I sat down beside her.
"Everything is going to be all right Landon," she whispered. we shared a brief kiss. "Nothing is going to take me away from you."
I leaned in for another kiss and the kiss lasted for a long time. When we finally broke away I noticed Jamie had tears in her eyes. I touched her cheek waiting for her to tell me what was wrong.
"Jamie what's wrong?" I finally asked after a few seconds.
Jamie looked down. "Landon we haven't been home since Jenna was born. You know how people looked at us and at me. What if they talk about Jenna too. I don't want her growing up thinking people hate her."
"People do not hate you," I said stroking her hair. "People change Jamie and they're going to love Jenna."
Jamie smiled she seemed pleased with my answer. She stood up and stretched. "I think I'll go start packing while Jenna is alseep."
I followed her into our bedroom. Jamie got the suit cases out and stood for a moment in her closet. She finally pulled out a jean dress and looked at me. "Remember this?" she finally asked me.
I looked at it. It was the dress she'd warn on the day she'd told me she was sick. "Yes."
Jamie threw it on the bed. "That thing goes."
I smiled at her and gently kissed her on the cheek. We were finally going home together, like it was meant to be.
The next morning we woke up at six in order to get to the airport in time. We were flying into Atlanta and then driving the four hours to North Carolina. Jamie looked tired and still a little pale but I didn't say anything. She was silent as we loaded the car and got Jenna ready. Syd came to say goodbye since she had to be at work early anyway.
"Drive safelty," Syd said. She gave Jamie a hug.
"We will," Jamie told her. "I gave you the number to my father's house right?"
"Yes," Syd answered.
I came down the steps carrying Jenna in her car seat. Syd bent down to her.
"Bye sweet girl be good for mommy and daddy," Syd cooed.
I saw Jamie look in my direction and I smiled.
"Well we'd better go," Jamie finally said. "Give Hannah a kiss for me."
'I will," Syd promised.
Jamie, Jenna and I loaded everything into the car and backed out of the driveway. The flight lasted about four hours and Jamie slept the whole way there. Around noon we arrived at the Atlanta airport and rented a car.
"Landon I think we need to stop," Jamie suddenly said. We'd been in the car for about an hour. I looked at her, a concerned expression on my face. She looked as if she were going to pass out any moment. I pulled over on the side of the road and she got out. I took Jenna out of her carrior.
'Jamie what's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm just really hot and my head is kiling me," Jamie said. "I took a pill this morning but it doesn't seem to be helping anymore."
I looked at her. Her eyes looked glazed and her cheeks were red. She put a hand to her forehead and leaned against the car.
"I'm sorry Landon," Jamie said sobbing. "I didn't mean to make this a horrible trip for you."
I embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. "You didn't." Then Jenna started crying. "I think she's hungry."
Jamie smiled and we got back into the car. Jamie sat in back, the air conditioning blowing on her full blast. By the time we reached Bueafued it was almost dark. I pulled up in front of Jamie's old house and we just sat there for a moment.
"OK I'm ready," Jamie whispered. She got out of the car and walked slowly toward the house. She practically ran up the teps, leaving me and Jenna behind. The door flew open and I saw Jamie collaspe into her father's arms.
"Landon," Rev Sullivan said. "Welcome."
"Thank you sir," I said. I sitll call him sir even though we've been family for almost five years.
"Come on in," Rev. said. "I want to see this grandchild of mine. Jamie she looks like you everday."
Jamie smiled and walked into the living room. "It hasn't changed at all dad."
Rev. Sullivan sat down on the couch with Jenna. "Its so good to see you two here. Landon I think your mother wants to see you."
"OK," I said.
"You go I'll stay here," Jamie said. "I'm really tired."
"OK," I said. I kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the house. As i walked down the street memories came flooding back to me. I remembered the time I'd driven Jamie home after the incident with the flyers and then after our many dates.
'Its like the wind I can't see it but I can feel it," she'd said to me. I walked past the bridge toward my house. The streets were dark and deserted. The bridge was where we'd had our first kiss and when she'd opened up to me. I'd never forgotten that moment. I walked up the steps and rang the bell. Funny how after you move away and you come back, things always seem different yet there're still the same.
"Landon," mom said when she opened the door. We hugged. "Where's Jame?"
"Back at her house," I said. The words felt weird coming out of my mouth I hadn't said them in so long. "With her dad and Jenna."
"I want to see that daughter of yours," mom said. Mom hadn't been able to come to Providence when Jenna had been born so she hadn't seen her that. 'Jamie sent me a picuture but its just not the same."
"Well let's go see her then," I said with a smile.
"Great," mom said. She closed the door and we walked back toward Jamie's house.
"So how's school?" mom asked trying to break the silence that had fallen between us.
"Going good," I said. "Jamie works at our neighbors Bakery called Joanie's Barkery. And Joanie has a sister Syd whose a doctor and she has a clinic which I've been helping out at."
"Good," mom said. 'We miss you here Landon you and Jamie."
"I miss it too mom but Jamie and I are very happy in Providence," I said. I wanted to add "and we're not reminded that people hated Jamie." but i didn't. I kept my mouth shut. When we walked into the house i heard Jamie talking to her father.
'Hi Ms. Carter," Jamie said kindly.
"Jamie she's adorable," mom said referring to Jenna.
"Thank you," Jamie said smiling. "Would you like to hold her?"
Mom took Jenna from Jamie and sat down on the couch with her. "She loosks exactly like you Landon."
"She looks more like Jamie," I said. I sat down beside Jamie and put an arm around her. I was finally surrounded by the people I loved.
Mom stayed over for dinner at Jamie's house and then they stayed in the kitchen cleaining up and watching Jenna while Jamie and I retreated to the porch. We sat on the swing.
"I remember that night you gave me the sweater," Jamie said She gazed into my eyes. "My father wasn't too happy."
I smiled and put an arm around her. She leaned her head on my shoulder. Suddenly she sat up as if in pain.
"Landon?" she gasped She reached for my hand and squeezed it.
"Jamie what's wrong?" I asked, panicked.
She didn't answer for what seemed like forever. Finally she said," My head its killing me. Landon I can barely stand to open my eyes."
I lifted her up and helped her inside. Tears were coming down her cheeks. I laid her down on the couch.
"What's wrong?" Rev. asked coming into the room with Jenna on his shoulder. "Jamie what's wrong?"
Jamie didn't respond. It was like she'd quit talking. She looked around the room, as if searching for something.
"Jamie say something please," I begged. I knelt down beside her and got right in her face. "Jamie what's wrong?"
Jamie looked as if she wanted to speak but couldn't. I looked at my mom with a pleading look in my eyes. Finally I knew what i had to do. "Mom call 911."
Mom looked at me and picked up the phone. It seemed like three hours had gone by until we finally heard hte sirens of the ambulance. Jamie had lost all consciousness by then and the paramedics hooked her up to IV's and gave her oxygen. I sat by her holding her hand. The ambulance ride seemed to last forever. Finally we reached the ER and Jamie was rushed through some double doors.
"I'm sorry Landon you need wait out here," Dr. Pollard said. "Don't worry we're doing all we can for Jamie."
I watched him go into the trauma room. My Jamie my sweet loving Jamie was being taken away from me and there was nothing I could do. I went over and sat down on the bench and put my hands in my lap. "Dear God please don't let her die. Its not her time to go."
'Landon?" a voice very familiar whispered. I looked up to see Belinda standing over me, dressed in a green uniform.
"Belinda," I said looking up. I stood up and gave her a hug. "How are you?"
'Good," Belinda said. "I'm a nurse in training if you can believe it? I saw Jamie being wheeled in."
"They don't know what's wrong with her," I said looking toward the trauma room. "She started having violent headaches three days ago and they wouldn't go away."
'I'm sorry Landon," Belinda said. "I'm sorry for the way I treated her, for the way we all treated her. She was nothing but nice to her and we treated her like a jerk."
"Its all in the past now," I said. "Jamie forgives you. We have a daughter now."
"I know I heard," Belinda said.
Then we saw Dr. Pollard come out of the trauma room.
"Landon," he called.
"How is she?" I asked.
"She's stable now but still very out of it. I'm afraid I have some bad news," Dr. Pollard said.
I held my breath.
"I'm afraid Jamie has suffered a sroke."
I looked at him, shccked. "A stroke? but she's so young."
"Its rare but it happens," Dr. Pollard explained. "The left side of her body is paralyzed. She's having trouble talking right now and we gave her some medicine to help relax her."
"Can I see her?" I blurted out.
"Yes," Dr. Pollard said. He led me into the trauma room where Jamie was. I went in and saw her lying on the bed, IV's and tubes hooked up to her. I walked over and sat down beside her, taking her hand. She looked at me.
"Hi," I said her forehead. "You had me worried."
"What's wrong with me?" she asked. Her speech was slurred but I didn't care.
"You suffered a stroke," I said.
"I can't feel my left side," Jamie said. She looked down at her arm and then back at me. "Jenna is she...?"
"She's fine," I said. "My mom has her. You just concentrate on getting better."
Jamie nodded and closed her eyes. I sat there and then when she was moved to a different room I stayed with her and the next morning I found myself in a chair beside her bed holding her hand. I looked over at her and saw that her eyes were open, staring at me.
"Hi," she said softly.
"How are you feeling?" I sat on the edge of the bed and squeezed her hand.
"I still can't feel my left side," Jamie whispered. "Please don't leave me Landon."
I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."
To be continued.
Summery: On the way to North Carolina to visit family and friends Jamie begins to have horrible headaches. Will the headaches go away or could this be something more serious? Chapter one in Landon's POV. Their baby Jenna is two months old. Aslo features the cast from the show Providence.
The soft breeze blew in my face as I trudged up the walk to our home in Providence, Rhode Island. We'd recently moved there almost elven months ago after I'd gotten accepted to Brown to study medicine. I was a 2nd year med student and was hoping to find a cure for cancer, the horrible disease that almost took my sweet Jamie. I walked into the house and immediately the sound of a baby crying met my ears. I walked toward's the nursery and went into find Jamie sitting in the rocking chair trying to feed her. She looekd up at me and gave me a smile. I went over and kissed her.
'Is she fussy?" I asked. Jamie nodded. She looked tired and hadn't been feeling well lately. I was worried that she would get sick and with her history of Cancer I ddn't want to take that risk.
"She'll calm down soon," Jamie said in a soothng voice. As if by magic Jenna stopped crying. 'There now big girl its OK. Shh." Jenna soon fell asleep in Jamie's arms and i took her from Jamie. Jamie stood up. "How was your day?"
"Long," I replied as I placed Jenna gently in her crib. "Are you glad to be going home?" Jamie and I were going back to North Carolina for a few days to see old friends and to show off Jenna to my mother and Jamie's father.
"Yes," Jamie said. "I think Joanie will survive without me for a few days." Joanie Hansen and her sister Syd and her dad Jim lived next door to us and Syd had delivered Jenna. They were like family to us instead of neighobors. We met them when we'd first moved here and I couldn't believe how much time had gone by.
Jamie walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, putting a hand to her forehead. She looked a little pale and that worried me. I sat down beside her and she rested her head on my shoulder, like she'd done many times before. "Are you OK?"
"I'm fine just tired," Jamie answered softly. She looked up at me, her big brown eyes sparkling. "Just a little headache don't worry it'll go away."
I nodded and didn't say anything. Jamie had had this headache the past few days and this was no ordinory headache. "Jamie its been going on like this for the past three days I really think you should ask Syd about it."
"Landon I'm exhausted," Jamie said. "I haven't gotten much sleep in the last two months." She looked at me. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to get mad I'm just tired."
"Why don't you go rest," I suggested. I helped her stand up and led her back to our room. She got on the bed and I kissed her on the forehead. It reminded me of the time I'd spent with her in the hospital when I'd first found out she was sick. I sat there for a while watching her sleep, remembering all the times we'd spent together back home in North Carolina when I thought Jamie was a nobody and now was the most important person in my life.
Jamie slept for almost three hours. I was siting in the living room talking to my mother on the phone when she sat down beside me.
"Hey Mom I gotta go," I said and quickly hung up. Lucky for me Jenna was still asleep. I turned to her and looked into her eyes. She still looked tired and dazed. 'Feel better?'
'Much," Jamie said but i could see right through her. She didn't look like she felt good at all. She gave me a quick kiss and stood up. "I'll make dinner."
"I already ate," I told her.
"Oh," Jamie said disappointment in her voice. She put a hand to her forehead.
'Jamie come sit down," I said. She came over to me and I put my arms arund her kissing her on the top of the head. 'Are you sure you're feeling OK?"
"I'm fine Landon," Jamie said convinling. "Being tired just comes with the price of being a mother."
"I don't think that's it Jamie," I told her. "You've had a headache for three straight days. Please Jamie don't shut me out."
Jamie sighed. "Landon I don't want you to worry whenever I get a headache. My cancer is never coming back Landon, I'm not going anywhere."
"I know," I whispered. I put her head in my hands. "But i don't want anything to happen to you. You are the love of my life Jamie and Jenna is lucky to have you for a mother."
Jamie smiled. "That's very sweet but honestly I'm fine."
I nodded and Jamie leaned her head on my shoulder. We sat there for a while like that and it reminded me of that night in the graveyard when I'd named a star after her. Jamie soon fell asleep in my arms. I reached over with my free hand and picked up the phone. I dialed Syd's number and Joanie answered on the third ring.
"Hello?" Joanie asked.
"Joanie its me," I said. "Is Syd home by any chance?"
"Yeah hold on Landon," Joanie said. I heard her put the phone down and I waited. A few seconds later Syd came on the line.
"Landon?" Syd asked, her voice full of concern. "Is everything OK?"
"Not really," I whispered. "Jamie's still having the headaches but she's being stubburn. She slept for three hours today and just fell asleep in my arms. Could you please come over here and check her out?'
'I'll be right there," Syd said and hung up.
I put the phone down and stroked Jamie's back. I looked out the window, the leaves blowing softly against the wind. "God I can't lose her, please let her be all right."
Then I heard the door open and heard footsteps.
"How is she?" Syd whispered. "Jamie?"
Jamie opened her eyes and looked a little shocked to find Syd standing over her. "Syd? What are you doing here?"
"Landon got worried about you so he called me," Syd said. She helped Jamie sit up. "Are the headaches any better?"
Jamie shook her head. "No, not really. Could you give me something? I don't want to be feeling bad when we go home tomorrow."
"Sure," Syd said. She pulled out a bottle from her bag. "Take this it should make you feel better in a few hours."
"Thank you," Jamie whispered.
"I'll get you something to drink," I said and got up. I walked toward the kitchen and filled a glass with water. I could hear Jamie talking to Syd in the other room. Then the phone rang. I reached for it wonderng who could be calling us. "Hello?"
"Landon its Rev Sullivan," Jamie's father said.
"Hi Rev," I replied. "Jamie and I will be there tomorrow night. Syd is over here now."
"Is she feeling better?" Rev Sullivan asked. "She told me about the headaches a few days ago."
'Syd just gave her something," I said. "I have to go so we'll see you tomorrow." I hung up and went back into the living room. Jamie was lying back against the couch her eyes closed. "Syd left?"
"Yes," she replied. She looked at me. "Who was on the phone?"
"Your father," I told her as I handed her the glass of water. She took it and swollowed the pill without difficulty. I sat down beside her.
"Everything is going to be all right Landon," she whispered. we shared a brief kiss. "Nothing is going to take me away from you."
I leaned in for another kiss and the kiss lasted for a long time. When we finally broke away I noticed Jamie had tears in her eyes. I touched her cheek waiting for her to tell me what was wrong.
"Jamie what's wrong?" I finally asked after a few seconds.
Jamie looked down. "Landon we haven't been home since Jenna was born. You know how people looked at us and at me. What if they talk about Jenna too. I don't want her growing up thinking people hate her."
"People do not hate you," I said stroking her hair. "People change Jamie and they're going to love Jenna."
Jamie smiled she seemed pleased with my answer. She stood up and stretched. "I think I'll go start packing while Jenna is alseep."
I followed her into our bedroom. Jamie got the suit cases out and stood for a moment in her closet. She finally pulled out a jean dress and looked at me. "Remember this?" she finally asked me.
I looked at it. It was the dress she'd warn on the day she'd told me she was sick. "Yes."
Jamie threw it on the bed. "That thing goes."
I smiled at her and gently kissed her on the cheek. We were finally going home together, like it was meant to be.
The next morning we woke up at six in order to get to the airport in time. We were flying into Atlanta and then driving the four hours to North Carolina. Jamie looked tired and still a little pale but I didn't say anything. She was silent as we loaded the car and got Jenna ready. Syd came to say goodbye since she had to be at work early anyway.
"Drive safelty," Syd said. She gave Jamie a hug.
"We will," Jamie told her. "I gave you the number to my father's house right?"
"Yes," Syd answered.
I came down the steps carrying Jenna in her car seat. Syd bent down to her.
"Bye sweet girl be good for mommy and daddy," Syd cooed.
I saw Jamie look in my direction and I smiled.
"Well we'd better go," Jamie finally said. "Give Hannah a kiss for me."
'I will," Syd promised.
Jamie, Jenna and I loaded everything into the car and backed out of the driveway. The flight lasted about four hours and Jamie slept the whole way there. Around noon we arrived at the Atlanta airport and rented a car.
"Landon I think we need to stop," Jamie suddenly said. We'd been in the car for about an hour. I looked at her, a concerned expression on my face. She looked as if she were going to pass out any moment. I pulled over on the side of the road and she got out. I took Jenna out of her carrior.
'Jamie what's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm just really hot and my head is kiling me," Jamie said. "I took a pill this morning but it doesn't seem to be helping anymore."
I looked at her. Her eyes looked glazed and her cheeks were red. She put a hand to her forehead and leaned against the car.
"I'm sorry Landon," Jamie said sobbing. "I didn't mean to make this a horrible trip for you."
I embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. "You didn't." Then Jenna started crying. "I think she's hungry."
Jamie smiled and we got back into the car. Jamie sat in back, the air conditioning blowing on her full blast. By the time we reached Bueafued it was almost dark. I pulled up in front of Jamie's old house and we just sat there for a moment.
"OK I'm ready," Jamie whispered. She got out of the car and walked slowly toward the house. She practically ran up the teps, leaving me and Jenna behind. The door flew open and I saw Jamie collaspe into her father's arms.
"Landon," Rev Sullivan said. "Welcome."
"Thank you sir," I said. I sitll call him sir even though we've been family for almost five years.
"Come on in," Rev. said. "I want to see this grandchild of mine. Jamie she looks like you everday."
Jamie smiled and walked into the living room. "It hasn't changed at all dad."
Rev. Sullivan sat down on the couch with Jenna. "Its so good to see you two here. Landon I think your mother wants to see you."
"OK," I said.
"You go I'll stay here," Jamie said. "I'm really tired."
"OK," I said. I kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the house. As i walked down the street memories came flooding back to me. I remembered the time I'd driven Jamie home after the incident with the flyers and then after our many dates.
'Its like the wind I can't see it but I can feel it," she'd said to me. I walked past the bridge toward my house. The streets were dark and deserted. The bridge was where we'd had our first kiss and when she'd opened up to me. I'd never forgotten that moment. I walked up the steps and rang the bell. Funny how after you move away and you come back, things always seem different yet there're still the same.
"Landon," mom said when she opened the door. We hugged. "Where's Jame?"
"Back at her house," I said. The words felt weird coming out of my mouth I hadn't said them in so long. "With her dad and Jenna."
"I want to see that daughter of yours," mom said. Mom hadn't been able to come to Providence when Jenna had been born so she hadn't seen her that. 'Jamie sent me a picuture but its just not the same."
"Well let's go see her then," I said with a smile.
"Great," mom said. She closed the door and we walked back toward Jamie's house.
"So how's school?" mom asked trying to break the silence that had fallen between us.
"Going good," I said. "Jamie works at our neighbors Bakery called Joanie's Barkery. And Joanie has a sister Syd whose a doctor and she has a clinic which I've been helping out at."
"Good," mom said. 'We miss you here Landon you and Jamie."
"I miss it too mom but Jamie and I are very happy in Providence," I said. I wanted to add "and we're not reminded that people hated Jamie." but i didn't. I kept my mouth shut. When we walked into the house i heard Jamie talking to her father.
'Hi Ms. Carter," Jamie said kindly.
"Jamie she's adorable," mom said referring to Jenna.
"Thank you," Jamie said smiling. "Would you like to hold her?"
Mom took Jenna from Jamie and sat down on the couch with her. "She loosks exactly like you Landon."
"She looks more like Jamie," I said. I sat down beside Jamie and put an arm around her. I was finally surrounded by the people I loved.
Mom stayed over for dinner at Jamie's house and then they stayed in the kitchen cleaining up and watching Jenna while Jamie and I retreated to the porch. We sat on the swing.
"I remember that night you gave me the sweater," Jamie said She gazed into my eyes. "My father wasn't too happy."
I smiled and put an arm around her. She leaned her head on my shoulder. Suddenly she sat up as if in pain.
"Landon?" she gasped She reached for my hand and squeezed it.
"Jamie what's wrong?" I asked, panicked.
She didn't answer for what seemed like forever. Finally she said," My head its killing me. Landon I can barely stand to open my eyes."
I lifted her up and helped her inside. Tears were coming down her cheeks. I laid her down on the couch.
"What's wrong?" Rev. asked coming into the room with Jenna on his shoulder. "Jamie what's wrong?"
Jamie didn't respond. It was like she'd quit talking. She looked around the room, as if searching for something.
"Jamie say something please," I begged. I knelt down beside her and got right in her face. "Jamie what's wrong?"
Jamie looked as if she wanted to speak but couldn't. I looked at my mom with a pleading look in my eyes. Finally I knew what i had to do. "Mom call 911."
Mom looked at me and picked up the phone. It seemed like three hours had gone by until we finally heard hte sirens of the ambulance. Jamie had lost all consciousness by then and the paramedics hooked her up to IV's and gave her oxygen. I sat by her holding her hand. The ambulance ride seemed to last forever. Finally we reached the ER and Jamie was rushed through some double doors.
"I'm sorry Landon you need wait out here," Dr. Pollard said. "Don't worry we're doing all we can for Jamie."
I watched him go into the trauma room. My Jamie my sweet loving Jamie was being taken away from me and there was nothing I could do. I went over and sat down on the bench and put my hands in my lap. "Dear God please don't let her die. Its not her time to go."
'Landon?" a voice very familiar whispered. I looked up to see Belinda standing over me, dressed in a green uniform.
"Belinda," I said looking up. I stood up and gave her a hug. "How are you?"
'Good," Belinda said. "I'm a nurse in training if you can believe it? I saw Jamie being wheeled in."
"They don't know what's wrong with her," I said looking toward the trauma room. "She started having violent headaches three days ago and they wouldn't go away."
'I'm sorry Landon," Belinda said. "I'm sorry for the way I treated her, for the way we all treated her. She was nothing but nice to her and we treated her like a jerk."
"Its all in the past now," I said. "Jamie forgives you. We have a daughter now."
"I know I heard," Belinda said.
Then we saw Dr. Pollard come out of the trauma room.
"Landon," he called.
"How is she?" I asked.
"She's stable now but still very out of it. I'm afraid I have some bad news," Dr. Pollard said.
I held my breath.
"I'm afraid Jamie has suffered a sroke."
I looked at him, shccked. "A stroke? but she's so young."
"Its rare but it happens," Dr. Pollard explained. "The left side of her body is paralyzed. She's having trouble talking right now and we gave her some medicine to help relax her."
"Can I see her?" I blurted out.
"Yes," Dr. Pollard said. He led me into the trauma room where Jamie was. I went in and saw her lying on the bed, IV's and tubes hooked up to her. I walked over and sat down beside her, taking her hand. She looked at me.
"Hi," I said her forehead. "You had me worried."
"What's wrong with me?" she asked. Her speech was slurred but I didn't care.
"You suffered a stroke," I said.
"I can't feel my left side," Jamie said. She looked down at her arm and then back at me. "Jenna is she...?"
"She's fine," I said. "My mom has her. You just concentrate on getting better."
Jamie nodded and closed her eyes. I sat there and then when she was moved to a different room I stayed with her and the next morning I found myself in a chair beside her bed holding her hand. I looked over at her and saw that her eyes were open, staring at me.
"Hi," she said softly.
"How are you feeling?" I sat on the edge of the bed and squeezed her hand.
"I still can't feel my left side," Jamie whispered. "Please don't leave me Landon."
I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."
To be continued.