Zoe wrapped her blankets tightly around her small body, shaking violently. She was so cold. Damn! She should have never trekked through the woods, in order to treat those Abney kids. She knew getting lost in the forest, clad in nothing more than shorts and a tank top would come back to bite her in the ass! Zoe grabbed the wet washcloth that was strewn across her bedside table and placed it gingerly on her forehead. It was just a bad flu, that's all it was, she would shake this illness soon enough, hopefully by morning so she could torment Brick with her usual brand of smart-alecky wit. Zoe bit her lip through the fever – induced pain, the memory of her woodland recovery caused embarrassment to flood her already flushed cheeks. Earl had been the one who found her, scared, confused and shaking on top of a large, upturned rock.
"Pretty lady!", Earl had hollered. "What are you doing taking a walk this late at night?" "We got coyotes and bears and that!"
Zoe gasped upon realizing that someone had come to her rescue. "Oh Earl", she breathed. "Thank God!" "I went over to the Abney's cabin to treat their sick twins and got lost on my way back, I'm so happy to see you!"…"wait"…"what are you doing out here, anyhow?"
"Figures you'd get lost", Earl chuckled. "What bein' from New York City and all". "Oh, me?" "this is just a nice place to come and think, remember…and forget with my ol' pal, JD!" A pained expression crossed Earl's old, weather – beaten face, his thin lips twitching with sadness. "I feel better about myself when no one's watchin' me waste my life away y'know?" "If no one can see, I feel as though I ain't hurtin nobody, 'specially my son".
"Aww, Earl", Zoe whispered, now more concerned for Earl's emotional well – being than her physical safety. "Wade loves you and you don't have to drink like this."
"I know pretty lady, I know", Earl sighed. It'd just be better if Jackie were here, is all". "She'd make all the pain go away". Earl turned his head towards the sky and smiled up at the beautiful Alabama moon. "If Wade's momma were here, I wouldn't have screwed up being a daddy in the first place…we'd all just….be happy".
Zoe turned her head away, refusing to look Earl in the eyes, she knew the old man's past had caused him great pain, so she thought it only right, to not question him concerning it.
"Well now", Earl stuttered, awkwardly shifting his attention quickly from the moon to Zoe. "What do you say we get you un – lost, pretty lady"?
"Omigosh, yes please"!, Zoe breathed flabbergastedly. "And, Earl?"
"Yes, doc?"
"I won't tell anyone, I promise."
The old man smiled weakly. "Thank ya, pretty lady". "You're a good woman." "It's no surprise Wade likes ya so much."
Zoe grimaced, refusing to take into account what Earl had just said. She had broken up with Joel a month ago, on account of still possessing feelings for Wade. Zoe was just not ready for Wade to know this, as she wanted to assure that he never caused her deep, emotional pain again.
"So, Earl?" Zoe asked the hunched, bowlegged man, meekly. "Um, how exactly do we get out of here?"
"Well", Earl chuckled, helping Zoe off of her "safety rock", "I don't want to embarrass you…but"….Earl shone his flashlight just beyond the trees, standing over yonder.
Zoe squinted, realizing to her horror that Bluebell lay nestled, just beyond them. "I…I was here the whole time"?, the young doctor stuttered, eyeing Earl helplessly.
"Sounds about right, doc," Earl laughed. "But don't beat yourself up about it, from what I understand, you've never been out here alone before and you don't have a flashlight or nothin'."
"Uh – huh", Zoe guffawed, still speechless and utterly humiliated. Not only had she been rescued from the woods by crazy Earl, but she had been rescued from a part of the woods that sat directly across from Bluebell's town square. Brick, Lavon and Wade would have a field day if they ever got a hold of this story!
Earl's soft, withered voice shattered through Zoe's anxieties. "You look pretty shaken up, whaddya say I walk you home, "pretty lady"?,
"Oh, I can….I mean I'm perfectly alright Earl", Zoe stuttered unconvincingly.
"Nonsense!", Earl spat. "You look bout as scared as a rabbit in a trap, let me take ya home".
Zoe sighed heavily and nodded quietly. It would be nice to have someone walk her home, as she was feeling a little woozy.
As she followed Earl out of the woods, Zoe was suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness, causing her to fall head – first into the old man's tweed jacket. It smelled of the outdoors and whiskey, not unlike Wade's all too familiar and comforting sweater.
Earl eyed the tiny doctor worriedly. "you alright there, pretty lady?", Earl asked. "You don't look so good".
"Fine", Zoe had gulped in reply. Zoe could tell the old man was fighting the urge to pick her up. Although that didn't sound so bad to Zoe, considering her recent dizzy spell, such an action would have only added to her embarrassment. "I'm seriously fine, Earl", the young doctor smiled.
"Well as long as you're sure, doc", Earl mumbled. "Can't have Wade's favorite person getting hurt on my account".
Zoe cocked an eyebrow. "Wade's favorite person?", she chuckled questioningly.
"Well, yeah", Earl laughed. "You may drive the boy crazy sometimes, but he'll always love ya!" "Even a drunken fool can see that!"
Zoe giggled awkwardly, not willing to discuss her feelings for Wade, with Earl.
Zoe leaned on Earl for support like an intoxicated college girl, all the way back to the carriage house. Zoe had moved in once again, as Linley had moved into George's house boat, shortly after Zoe's untimely break up with Joel.
"Jesus doc, you sure you're all right?", Earl gasped as he half dragged Zoe up her porch steps. "How long were you out there for, anyhow?"
"Since 2 this afternoon", Zoe whispered, seemingly only half conscious.
"God its 3am now!", Earl scoffed. "That's 12 hours and its freezing out here!" "Do you want me to call…?"
"NO!" Zoe shot out of her hazy trance like a bullet from a gun. "I mean no thank you, Earl…you've helped me so much already…I….I'll be fine".
"Well ok", Earl grunted unconvinced, looking her over. "You just call if you need anything young lady, you hear".
Zoe nodded. "And Earl?"
"Yes, mam?"
"Please don't talk about this to anyone, I should be ok by morning".
Earl contemplated Zoe's request for a short moment, before nodding firmly.
"Ok pretty lady I promise, but you make damn sure you get a good sleep."
"Yes, sir", Zoe whispered weakly, thanks again for everything".
As Zoe watched Earl trod off into the distance, she couldn't help but feel like she and the old man had really connected that night. Seconds later, her satisfaction was replaced by nausea and she headed hurriedly upstairs to bed in order to attempt to eliminate the horrid sensation.
And that is how Zoe Hart had found herself, to be painfully curled up in bed for the third day in a row. Her chest hurt, her coughs hurt, her stomach hurt, even breathing hurt. Man, this nasty flu bug had set in fast! Well, Zoe knew one thing. The following day was Monday and she was going to work in the morning whether her body was ready for it or not!