On my drive to work, I managed to miss one important detail: the tree. Colliding with a tree often has effects on an individual as well as that particular individual's car. Currently, I was more worried about the individual.
"Manning?" I addressed the paramedic as he introduced himself to me. "Do you know if David is here?"
"He's pacing the tape line."
Anticipating the lecture, I winced.
"Don't hurry."
I saw his look of curiosity.
"My surrogate Dad is slightly paranoid. And he has friends in high places… pretty much everywhere, including the local paramedic office."
"Ah. Be glad you've got family to get on your case."
"He's gonna kill me." I had given him and the rest of the family cause to worry which was what annoyed me the most.
"Your family should make it an interesting evening."
"Richmond," I turned to a second paramedic on the team, "you have a knack for understatements."
I desperately wanted to close my eyes and drift.
"You know what I would really like right now?" I was starting to ramble; the fatigue felt like a heavy blanket and words had always been my first defense.
"What?"
"A good steak, a cold drink, and a nap… not, necessarily in that order."
"Sorry, but what I think you're going to get is an ambulance ride, a couple of needles, and some stitches."
Great, just how I wanted to spend my evening. "How appealing."
Just then I heard David's voice above my head.
"This is not a good way to start the weekend, Delancey." I knew I was in trouble. He rarely used my real name unless I was in trouble.
"David, it's a great way to start the weekend."
Beside me Richmond choked back a laugh, "Behave."
I reluctantly turned my attention to David.
"I'm only banged up. I promise."
"What did you do? Go swimming in broken glass?"
"It's not as bad as it looks."
"Yeah, right. What else hurts besides the cuts?"
He wiped away the blood on my right arm with sterile gauze. Apparently, the paramedics mentioned to him that I was having a difficult time letting them any where near me. That happens to a person who has a rather abusive history with males.
"My tail bone."
"Seriously, Jaidyn."
"My left shoulder. I hit the pavement hard. And my headache is a killer."
David frowned as he touched the back of my head.
"Nice goose egg."
I shrugged. "The tree got in a lucky blow."
"How's the vision?"
"Fine."
"Hmm…"
I looked at the gurney that was wheeled in with suspicion.
"David, I'm walking out of here."
"If you want to pass out, you can. Your blood pressure is low. Even for you." How he knew my blood pressure was beyond me.
"It's just fading adrenaline. Give me a break."
"Close your eyes. You don't like needles."
"Let them stick me with that, and you'll be fixing your own steak tonight."
"Do you want me to leave? 'Cause I will if you keep complaining so much."
"You play dirty." I turned my head and squeezed my eyes.
"It's done." Richmond taped down the IV line. "You want a grape or cherry lollypop?"
I considered hitting him, but plucked the cherry one from his pocket instead.
"You know the only reason I let you get away with the needle is so I can get one of these."
"Jennifer bribes her patients with them," David was referring to his children's pediatrician.
"Gee, thanks. Her patients are two years old. I don't like the inference."
"Hey, you're the one who made it."
Richmond stifled a chuckle at David's come back. I took the grape one out of his own pocket and handed it to him.
"Eat this and be quiet."
"David," Richmond quipped as he unwrapped the sucker, "you'd better quit while you're ahead."
"Probably, but would you?"
Richmond considered the question, "No. She's cute when she's annoyed."
My "Dad" slapped Richmond on the back. "I knew I would like you."
I scowled, "Gentlemen, now that you've bonded, can we go?"
"Sure, but you're using the gurney." David moved it beside her and grinned. "Just sit on it, Jaidyn. They won't make you go out with straps and a blanket."
I knew it would be a rough afternoon when getting up to sit on the stretcher made me light headed. David didn't release his grip on my arm until I was seated and my legs were up.
"David," There's room if you want to ride along, Richmond offered.
"Thanks. I'll take it."
"There's no need." I protested.
Richmond's frowned silenced me. Having been silenced by a look from some of the best, I changed my profile of him, privately amused. He could simply pool his eyes to convey he didn't like your answer, as easily as he warmed them to share humor. It was a trait a good leader protected.
"The media is all over this, Jaidyn, so be prepared." Ignoring the press was becoming my second occupation. "Let's see how many pictures they can take of your back."
"My pleasure. JAG will love the publicity."
