I am so sorry for taking so long with the update!!!!!!!
For a while I lost a reason to continue with the story. Life got confusing and hectic and filled with drama. Oh, how I love high school drama.
But one of my friends kept on badgering me about posting another chapter (you know who you are). So, now that I am bored out of my mind (and to shut this particular friend up) I have decided to continue with the story.
It might get a little confusing at times so I apologize. I did my best to get it to flow together.
Enjoy.
Usual disclaimer applies.
Overload
Jake's POV
About five minutes after the ambulance sped away with Sam, Jake finally kicked into gear. He jumped on Witch and galloped toward home. He figured that Wyatt, Brynna, and Gram already knew what had happened and that they were on their way to the hospital.
Jake didn't know if his family knew yet. If they didn't he would tell them and beg to take the car and drive to the hospital. If they did he would still beg to take the car and drive to the hospital. The second option would take less time however.
When he galloped into the Three Ponies Ranch he saw his father standing on the porch. Jake nodded in greeting. He would formally greet him after he had un-tacked Witch. Jake walked Witch and jumped off of her. As he was taking off her saddle his father walked into the barn.
"Jake, where have you been? And why are you soaking wet? You're mother and I have been worried sick."
Great, Jake thought. I don't have time for this!
"Well, I was at Riverbend and Sam went out riding with Jen but she didn't come back after two hours so I started to worry. Then Ace rode in and Sam wasn't on him so called Jen and she said that she had left Sam an hour and a half before. They were riding in Arroyo Azul so I knew that if she fell that she could be seriously hurt. So I told Gram to call an ambulance and have it head up there just in case. Then I rode out there on Witch and found her. By that time it was pouring out. She was on the ground and unconscious. She had a huge gash in her head and it was still bleeding. The ambulance came and took her away and I came back here." Jake had said all of this extremely fast so he wasn't sure his father had even understood.
"Okay, slow down for a minute. So Sam fell off of Ace and you went to find her and she was hurt?" He asked slowly.
"Yes Dad." Jake answered.
"Does Wyatt know?"
"I'm pretty sure that he does. I'm really scared dad." Jake said.
"I know you are son. Look I'll take care of Witch and you take the truck and go to the hospital."
Jake sighed in relief. This had been easier than he thought it would have been. "Thanks Dad."
"No problem son. I know how much you care about her." He said taking Witch's reins from Jake and handing him the truck keys.
Jake ran out of the barn before his dad could change his mind or give him a curfew. He ran to the truck yanked open the door and jumped in. Jake slammed the truck door and jammed the key in the ignition and started the car.
The drive to the hospital went by in a blur. Jake knew that he was going way over the speed limit but he simply didn't give a crap. All that Jake cared about was getting to the hospital to see how Sam was doing.
When Jake pulled into the hospital parking lot he had a hell of a time finding a parking spot. Apparently it was a big day for hospital visits.
After he parked the car Jake jumped out and ran into the hospital, almost running head first into the sliding glass doors.
He ran up to the girl that was standing behind the receptionist's desk. She was startled by his haggard appearance.
"Where is Samantha Forster?"
"She's still in surgery." A voice behind him answered a voice that he didn't want to hear. If it was between hearing a shrieking banshee and that voice he would rather hear the banshee.
Jake slowly turned around and faced the owner of the voice, Jennifer Kenworthy.
-8-8-8-8-8-
Jen's POV
It had been 30 minutes since Jake called her looking for Sam. Sure Jen was still really pissed off at her for what she had said, but she didn't want anything bad to happen to her.
She and Sam had been best friends since the beginning of the school year and Jen loved her like she would a sister.
Jen would never forgive herself if anything bad happened to Sam. After all it would be her fault because she had left Sam alone even though she knew that it was dangerous to be riding alone.
It had started raining about 15 minutes after the phone call and now the storm seemed to be really picking up. The rain was pounding on the roof. The thunder was co loud that you couldn't hear yourself think. The lightning was illuminating the sky. The wind was howling. All in all, it was a really crappy time to be outside.
God, I hope Sam and Jake aren't out in this weather.
About 2 seconds after Jen thought this the phone rang. Jen jumped. She hadn't been expecting anyone to call. Maybe it was Jake calling to tell her that Sam was home.
"Hello" Jen said breathlessly.
"Jen," It was Gram. She sounded determined.
"Oh, hi Gram."
"Jen, I know that you and Sam got into an argument earlier, and I know that you are probably still angry. But don't allow your hurt feelings and pride get in the way of your friendship," Gram said all of this in that scolding tone that she has that makes you feel like a little kid.
"Do you know what happened to her yet?" Jen asked, barely concealing the fear in her voice.
"No, not yet. But I have a feeling in my gut that its nothing good."
Jen groaned. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left her out there alone."
"Jen, this is not your fault. It was an accident." Gram said forcefully.
Jen knew that it was fruitless to argue with Gram. She knew that it was her fault but she kept it to herself.
"Wyatt's already on his way to the hospital. I wanted to call you and tell you what's happening and ask if you wanted me to pick you up on my way to the hospital."
"I don't know. I don't think I would be welcome." Jen said hesitantly.
"Why wouldn't you be welcome?" Gram asked. "You're her best friend."
"Well, I said some pretty horrible things."
"Jennifer Kenworthy, no matter how bad the fight was you and Sam will make up. How do you think Sam would feel if she found out that you didn't show up when she needed you the most? That would be worse than any words that you exchanged."
"I guess you're right." Jen conceded.
"I'll be there to pick you up as soon as I can."
"Thanks Gram. See you soon. Bye."
After Jen hung up she grabbed her raincoat and waited for Gram to arrive. While she waited she thought about what Gram had said. It was true that Sam would never forgive her if she wasn't at the hospital. She would assume that I didn't care and that assumption would be wrong. Nonetheless I would be in big trouble.
When Gran arrived I ran out and got in the car as fast as I could. The rain was letting up some, but not enough to keep a person from getting soaked.
After we had pulled out onto the road I asked Gram the question that had been gnawing at my mind since we hung up. "Do you think that Sam's going to be ok?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. We just have to have faith that she will pull through. Sam is a strong girl. If anyone can do it she can."
The words Gram spoke were true. Sam was strong. She had dealt with a lot of bullpoopie in her life but somehow she stayed strong and made it through.
The rest of the trip to the hospital was silent. We were both thinking about what would happen next. We were hoping and praying that everything would be alright.
When we arrived at the hospital Gram parked the car and we walked into the hospital as fast as we could, partially because of the rain and partially because we wanted to see what was going on with Sam.
"I'm going to go ask the receptionist what floor they're on," Gram stated as we walked to the elevator.
Jen walked over to the elevator and pushed the up button and waited impatiently for the elevator to come while Gram asked the receptionist. When the doors opened Gram walked over from talking to the receptionist.
"She says that they're all on the third floor, and that Sam is still in surgery," Gram stated as she stepped into the elevator.
As Jen was stepping into the elevator she notices a pay phone hanging on the wall.
I should call my mom and tell her where I am Jen thought.
"I'm going to call my mom and tell her where I am so she doesn't worry. She should be back from shopping by now." Jen told Gram.
Gram gave her a look of understanding. "Okay honey. Just come on up when you're done."
"I will."
Jen walked over to the phone and pulled some change out of the pocket. She put it in the slot and dialed her mom's number.
As she waited for her mom to answer she wondered if she already knew about Sam's accident. Jen didn't know how she would explain if she didn't.
After 5 rings her mom answered. "Hello." She sounded very worried
"Hi mom it's me." Jen said cautiously. She knew that her mom would have been worried about her
"Jennifer Kenworthy!" she exclaimed. "Where are you? Do you know how worried I've been? I get home and find the house empty and no note telling me where you went or when you would be back! I've been calling all of our neighbors asking them if they'd seen you. The Forsters' didn't answer which is strange because Gram is usually home at this time."
"I'm sorry that I didn't write a note telling you where I am. I guess I just forgot." Jen explained.
"How do you forget to write a note telling your mother where you are. It's not exactly difficult Jennifer."
"I know that mom. It's just that I got some shocking and horrible news and it slipped my mind. I'm sorry."
"Where are you exactly? What was the shocking and horrible news that made you forget to write a note?" Jens mom questioned.
"Well mom, I'm at the hospital. Don't worry I'm not the one hurt. You see Gram called me and told me that Sam had fallen off of her horse and that she has a big gash on her head. That's why I didn't write a note. I was too shocked to think of much. Gram offered to pick me up and drive me here so that I could find out how bad it was. That's why no one answered when you called, they're all here."
"Oh my God" she exclaimed. "That's horrible. Is Sam going to be okay?"
"She's still in surgery so we won't know until it's done." Jen was starting to get a headache. "Mom I'm gonna let you go and go be with the Forsters and wait for news on Sam's condition."
"Okay sweetheart. Tell the Forsters that I'm praying for them."
"I will" Jen said before she hung up. She started rubbing her temples trying to get rid of the headache.
Just as she was about to go back to the elevator she saw Jake run up to the girl standing behind the receptionist's desk.
"Where's Samantha Forster?" He asked frantically.
Before Jens brain had a chance to tell me that it would be a very bad idea to talk to him she said "She's still in surgery."
Jake slowly turned around and looked at her. She saw anger written all over his face.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jake asked furiously.
"The same thing that you are, I'm here because I care about Sam." Jen stated simply.
"You were singing a different tune not that long ago. What changed your mind?"
"Even though Sam and I fought and we both said some hurtful things, she's still my best friend. I love her like a fat kid loves cake."
"Really, you love her that much? Well, I'm sure that she'll be overjoyed to hear that." Jake said sarcastically.
"God Jake, I never said that you had to like me. In fact I don't give a damn if you hate me. But this isn't about us. It's about Sam, so quit being such an ass to me and focus on why we're here." Jen started walking towards the elevator. "Everyone is up on the third floor. Are you coming or not?"
Jake followed after her but made it clear that he didn't like it. Jen pressed the up button and the doors automatically opened. Jen and Jake got in and Jen pressed the button for the third floor.
When they arrived on the third floor they looked around for the waiting room. Jen saw a sign that said that it was to their left. Jen pointed that out to Jake and they both headed to the left.
When they arrived at the waiting room they found the Forsters' instantly. They were the only people there other than a middle-aged man.
Jake and Jen walked over to them. They all had grief stricken faces. Jen heart stopped as she wondered what had happened.
8-8-8-8-8
Gram's POV
After Jake galloped out of the Ranch like a bat out of hell Gram went to the barn to find Pepper who was supposed to be cleaning the tack for the day.
"Pepper," Gram called as she went into the barn. There was no answer so she called again louder. "Pepper!"
"Did you need something Gram?" Pepper asked coming up behind her.
"Oh," Gram cried, putting her hand over her heart. "Pepper you scared me to death. You should know better than to sneak up on an old lady like that."
"I'm sorry Gram," Pepper apologized. "What was it that you need?"
"I need you to get on Jeepers and go get Wyatt and tell him to go to the hospital right away."
"The hospital?" Pepper asked sounding shocked. "Why does he need to go to the hospital?"
"Sam got into another accident, or rather that's how it appears," Gram explained. "So I need you to ride out there and tell Wyatt to get his keister over to the hospital so he can be there when his daughter gets in. No excuses."
With all that said Gram briskly walked out of the barn and into the house. She had two phone calls to make. One was to Brynna, Sam's step-mother. The other was to Jen.
Jen was fully aware that Jen and Sam were currently in one of their tiffs but she had to make the call anyway.
As she was dialing the number to the BLM, Gram thought about what she was going to say to Brynna. How was she supposed to explain this to her when she had no hard facts.
"Brynna Forster, how may I help you?" Her tone was formal and businesslike.
"Brynna, its Gram." Gram heard the sound of a horse going over the bridge.
"Oh, hi Gram," Brynna's voice changed from formal and businesslike to friendly and relaxed. "I should be home soon. I just have to finish up some paperwork."
"Before you leave I need you to do something for me. Actually I need you to do it as soon as we hang up." Brynna must have heard a change in Grams voice because she turned back to being businesslike.
"What do you need Gram?" She asked.
"I need you to call the sheriff and tell him to get an ambulance over to Arroyo Azul in the next five minutes. Tell him that if he doesn't he'll have me to deal with."
"I'll call him," Brynna promised. "Gram, what happened over at Arroyo Azul?"
"I have no time to explain it right now. Just go meet Wyatt at the hospital as soon as you're done." The rain had really started picking up and it now sounded like a hurricane out there. "Please hurry, Brynna," And with that final thought she hung up.
Gram took a deep breath before dialing the next number. This was not going to be an easy phone call, for her, or Jen.
"Hello," Jen answered on the third ring. She sounded like she was out of breath. Gram briefly wondered why.
"Jen," Gram said firmly.
"Oh, hi Gram." She sounded wary. Good, Gram thought. That means that she's taking this seriously.
"Jen, I know that you and Sam got into an argument earlier, and I know that you are probably still angry. But don't allow your hurt feelings and pride get in the way of your friendship," Gram tried to make this sound firm but she wasn't sure if she succeeded.
"Do you know what happened to her yet?" Jen asked, sounding worried and more than a little scared.
"No, not yet. But I have a feeling in my gut that it's nothing good." Gram said, her voice breaking a couple of times.
Jen groaned. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left her out there alone."
"Jen, this is not your fault. It was an accident." Gram said forcefully. She wouldn't allow Jen to feel guilty for something that she had no control over.
Jen made no sound of argument so Gram continued.
"Wyatt's already on his way to the hospital. I wanted to call you and tell you what's happening and ask if you wanted me to pick you up on my way to the hospital."
"I don't know. I don't think I would be welcome." Jen sounded unsure. She was dealing with things that a girl her age shouldn't have to deal with.
"Why wouldn't you be welcome?" Gram asked. "You're her best friend."
"Well, I said some pretty horrible things."
"Jennifer Kenworthy, no matter how bad the fight was you and Sam will make up. How do you think Sam would feel if she found out that you didn't show up when she needed you the most? That would be worse than any words that you exchanged." Gram had once made a mistake like that a long time ago and she wouldn't allow Jen to make the same mistake.
"I guess you're right." Jen agreed. Gram knew that it's because she knew that she wouldn't win the argument.
"I'll be there to pick you up as soon as I can."
"Thanks Gram. See you soon. Bye."
After hanging up with Jen Gram hastened out in to the storm to her car. She didn't even bother bringing an umbrella with her because getting to the hospital was more important than her clothes or how she looked when she arrived.
She tore out of Riverbend as fast as she could without getting into an accident; no one needed another one of those today. She drove to Jens house as fast as she could under the current conditions.
Five minutes later Gram was outside Jens house. She was worried sick about Sam but she took comfort in the thought that she was safely at the hospital getting taken care of. The ambulance had passed Gram on her way to Jens.
Jen ran out of the house and hopped into the car.
After Gram had pulled out onto the road Jen asked her the question that she could tell she had been chewing on for a while. "Do you think that Sam's going to be ok?" Jen asked worriedly.
"Honestly, I have no idea. We just have to have faith that she will pull through. Sam is a strong girl. If anyone can do it she can." Gram replied in the strongest and firmest voice she could.
Gram could tell that Jen had accepted the truth in her words.
They spent the rest of the trip to the hospital is silence. All Gram could think about was Sam and how all of this had come to be and the reason behind it. Gram fully believed that everything happens for a reason. But she also had a hard time figuring out the reason behind this.
Lord, give us the strength to accept that this is your will and that you have a plan. Allow us to fully trust you and your power. Gram silently prayed.
Gram parked the car and she and Jen silently got out and hastened into the hospital. It was still raining quite hard outside and they didn't want to get any wetter than necessary.
As they walked in Gram realized that she had no idea what floor they are on.
She turned to Jen. "I'm going to go ask the receptionist what floor they're on."
Gram walked over to the receptionist's desk and noticed that she was on the phone. Gram waited as patiently as possible until she was done.
About a minute later she hung up the phone. "Hi. How may I help you?" She used the tone of voice that indicated that she didn't want to be here.
"Hi, I need to know where Sam Forster is." Gram said in her no nonsense voice.
"Give me a sec to look it up," she said while popping her gum.
Gram started tapping her foot in impatience while the girl was typing on the computer.
Finally she looked up. "She's still in surgery. You can go wait for her on floor three."
"Thank you," Gram said coldly before walking to the elevators where Jen was waiting. Gram arrived at the elevator as it was opening its doors.
"She says they're all on the third floor, and Sam is still in surgery," Gram stated while stepping into the elevator.
She turned around to push the button for the third floor and noticed that Jen wasn't with her. She was just about to ask what was wrong when Jen looked at her and explained. "I'm going to call my mom and tell her where I am so she doesn't worry. She should be back from shopping by now."
"Okay honey. Just come on up when you're done."
"I will," Jen said before walking over to the pay phone that Gram had failed to notice hanging on the wall.
The doors to the elevator shut and the elevator started moving up. Gram just stood there pondering the outcome of recent events. Thankfully the elevator made it to the third floor without stopping to allow other people on.
Gram stepped out of the elevator and made her way down the short hallway to the waiting room. She saw as she walked in that the doctor was talking with Wyatt and Brynna. Gram arrived at the tail end of the conversation.
"I'm so very sorry," the doctor said sincerely before walking away.
Well, thought Gram, that doesn't sound good.
"Wyatt, what's going on?" Gram asked feeling slightly panicked.
He said nothing as he sat down and buried his head in his hands. Gram began to fear the worst as she looked at her heartbroken son.
"Wyatt is she…" Gram trailed off, unable to ask the question that needed to be asked.
"No Gram," said Brynna soothingly. "That's not it."
"Then what is it," Gram asked, looking at Brynna for the answer.
Then Wyatt looked up into her eyes. His eyes were so full of sadness and shock. She could see just how much pain he was really in. Then he said the words that she never thought she'd have to hear again, and her world shattered.
8-8-8-8-8
Wyatt's POV
Wyatt was out in the field looking for any calves that had decided to wander away from their mothers when Pepper came galloping up on Jeepers. Dallas had gone a little ways ahead to look in some brush while Wyatt scouted from the truck.
"Hey Pepper," Wyatt called as Pepper dismounted. "I thought you were polishing up some of the old tack in the barn today."
"I was, until Gram came lookin' for me and asked me to come out here and tell you something," Pepper explained.
"Well, what is it Pepper?" Wyatt asked when Pepper said nothing else.
"Oh, well, she said, and I quote, 'Sam got into another accident, or rather that's how it appears. So ride out there and tell Wyatt to get his keister over to the hospital so he can be there when his daughter gets in. No excuses.'
Wyatt just stood there shell-shocked for a moment before exploding.
"What, another accident? When? How? Where? Oh God. I've got to get to the hospital." And with that he jumped into the truck and drove to the hospital, breaking several traffic laws on his way. The rain had really started coming down but that didn't delay him by much.
He brought the truck to a screeching halt in the parking lot, yanked the key out of the ignition, and sprinted into the hospital. As he was running he heard a siren approaching. He didn't care that he was getting soaked by the impromptu storm. All Wyatt cared about is knowing if it was Sam in that ambulance.
He didn't have to wait long. The ambulance tore through the parking lot and into the unloading zone like it was possessed.
Wyatt sprinted over to where they were unloading and felt his heart stop. It was Sam. She was on the stretcher. She was white as a ghost. Someone, probably one of the people that were in the ambulance, had put a neck brace on her.
Wyatt couldn't see much, but from what he could see the injury was bad. Possibly fatal. No. He couldn't think that. He wouldn't be able to hold himself together if he thought that.
Wyatt followed Sam until he got to the annoying doors that said that he couldn't go any further. Long after the doors swung shut he stood there. Simply staring and thinking, until Brynna found him.
"Wyatt," she called. "Thank God. I was so worried about you. C'mon, the girl at the front desk said that we could wait up on the third floor."
Brynna took his arm and led him to the elevator and then proceeded to push him into said elevator when the doors finally opened.
Wyatt was aware that she was speaking to him but he couldn't seem to focus on what she was saying. All he heard was a low buzzing sound.
Brynna led him over to some chairs and he gladly sat down and buried his face in his hands, Hoping to block some of the thoughts and images that were floating around in his head.
Time soon meant nothing to him. It passed by without him even noticing its presence. He was aware of the people passing by but they didn't interest him. All he heard was that low buzzing until Brynna said the magic words.
"Wyatt, the Doctor's here to tell us about Sam."
Wyatt finally looked up and noticed the doctor standing there. He was wearing the usual white lab coat and sea green scrubs.
Wyatt stood up and walked over to him. "How is she? How's my little girl? Will she be okay?"
"Well sir, the surgery went fine. We were able to get the swelling in her brain to go down so it poses no imediate threat."
"I sense that there's a but in there somewhere doc," Wyatt said with growing dread.
"Well, you see, the swelling did go down and she will live, but as of right now, she's in a coma. I'm very sorry."
And with that he left, taking a piece of my heart with him.
So? How horrible was it? Be honest.
Well, go click the little green button.
Its calling you. It wants you. It needs you.
Hehehehehe!
I'll update ASAP. If I don't that certain friend of mine that I metioned before will start nagging me again.
I really don't want that to happen. He can get really annoying.
Well, TTFN!