CHAPTER 2

Jeremy lays on the examining table in Dr. Allyn Wright's office watching her every move and expression. By the time she finishes her exam, he is impatient and doesn't wait for her to tell him the results. "Well? Tell me? Am I going to walk again?"

Dr. Wright looks at Jason who stayed in the room at Jeremy's request. Turning her attention to Jeremy, she takes a deep breath. "Jeremy, I can't answer that question because I honestly don't know. I don't. . ."

Before she can finish her sentence, Jeremy raises his voice and angrily asks, "You're a doctor, aren't you? Don't doctors know everything?"

"Now Jeremy, you need to calm down. Let Allyn finish what she was going to say," Jason tells his brother, placing his hand on Jeremy's shoulder.

"Thank you, Jason. What I was going to say Jeremy is I don't have any experience in this type of injury. I have read about some cases such as yours. It can be temporary or. . .or permanent."

Tears well up in Jeremy's eyes. "What do I do?" he looks at Dr. Wright with pleading eyes.

"What I recommend is for you to stay here for several days. I'll work with you to do some leg exercises. See if any feeling comes back."

"And if this doesn't work, then what? I can't live like this."

Jason calmly says, "Jeremy, give this a try. You can't give up or lose faith." He starts for the door. "I'll get Josh and Candy. I'm sure they. . ."

"No!" Jeremy shouts. He lowers his voice and continues. "Only you, Josh, and Allyn can know about this. I don't want anyone else to know. Especially Candy. She can't find out."

"Jeremy, how do you plan on keeping this from her? You know Candy. She's going to want answers. Why are you having to stay here? Why do you have to stay in bed? Why can't she take care of you?" Jason shakes his head.

"I don't know yet what to tell her. But she can't know. Please?"

"All right, Jeremy. I don't exactly know your reasons for this, and I don't like lying to Candy, but I have to abide by my patient's wishes. I'll put it all on me," Allyn says.

"Can we let them in now?" Jason asks.

Jeremy nods his head, closes his eyes, and whispers, "Dear Lord, please help me."

As soon as the door opens, Candy rushes inside to Jeremy. She bends down and gives him a hug and a soft kiss. Looking into his blue eyes, she asks, "How are you?"

Dr. Wright speaks before Jeremy can answer Candy. "I want Jeremy to stay here for several days for observation. His body took a heavy jolt and I just want to be sure he's going to be all right."

"But he is going to be all right, isn't he?" Candy tears up and takes Jeremy's hand.

"Well, he's going to be extremely sore and bruised up, but I'm going to do my best to see that he is okay. Now, I hate to do this, but I'm going to limit his visitors to only you three while he's here. And Candy, no you cannot stay with him tonight."

Candy blushes. "How did you know that was going to be my next question?"

"Because we all know you and how much you love him. I'm going to step out and get a room ready for Jeremy. You can say your goodbyes and then I want all of you to go home and get some rest. I don't want to see any of you before tomorrow morning. Late tomorrow morning."

"Late tomorrow morning!" Candy disagrees with this. "I'm coming back tonight to see Jeremy."

Jeremy squeezes her hand. "Candy, please do as Allyn asks. She knows what's best. Besides, when you lay down to rest, you'll probably sleep until morning anyways."

Tears fall from Candy's eyes. "But Jeremy. . ."

"Please, Candy. For me?"

She looks into Jeremy's eyes. "All right, Jeremy. I don't like it, but for you I'll do it."

Jeremy gives her that big smile that she loves. "That's my girl. Thank you." He raises her hand to his lips and kisses her fingertips.

Dr. Wright goes to get things ready for Jeremy. "I don't know about any of you, but I'm hungry and tired," Jason says. "I think I'll run up to the camp and check on things. Then I'm going home to eat something and to bed it is."

"That goes for me, too. We'll see you tomorrow, Jeremy," Josh adds.

"Yeah, tomorrow. Thanks for everything Jason, Josh." Jason holds his fist out. Josh places his hand on top of Jason's, and Jeremy places his hand on Josh's.

As Jason closes the door to the exam room, Allyn meets him and Josh in the hallway. "Go on up to the camp and do what needs to be done. Then I want both of you to come back and help me get Jeremy moved into his room. You can come and go the back way so Candy doesn't see you. You know her. If she sees you coming back here, she'll want to come too."

"Right. We'll see you in a little while," Jason tells her.

"Jeremy, are you sure you're all right?" Candy asks as she places her hand on the side of his face.

"Yes, Candy, I'm all right. Just really tired. I could use a good sleep. And I want you to go home and go to bed. Promise me that, Candy."

"Oh Jeremy, I want to see you tonight, even if it is just to give you a goodnight kiss."

"You heard what Allyn said. You can give me a goodnight kiss now."

"It won't be the same," she pouts.

"I know it won't, but we'll make up for it when you get here in the morning," he slightly chuckles. He pulls her down to him and wraps his arms around her. "I love you, Miss Pruitt." He places his lips on hers tenderly.

"I love you, Jeremy Bolt." Candy straightens up and walks slowly to the door. She stops, turns around to look at Jeremy, and runs back to him, hugging him tightly and crying on his chest.

"Candy, what's wrong?" Jeremy asks.

"I c-could have l-lost yooou!" she sobs.

"But you didn't. I'm here." Jeremy holds her as he tries not to cry, too. "Candy, look at me." She raises her head and looks into his beautiful blue eyes. He takes the corner of the sheet laying across his legs and wipes her tears. "Everything's going to be all right. I promise." He kisses her. "Now, go home and get some rest. Please, so I don't worry about you."

Candy nods her head. "I'll see you tomorrow. I love you so much, Jeremy," she says as tears start to fall again. She takes his face in her hands and softly kisses his lips. She gives him a quivering smile and leaves.

Seeing Candy leave, Allyn locks the front door and goes into the exam room to check on Jeremy. "Jeremy, this is none of my business, but can I give you some advice?"

"I guess so. What?"

Taking a deep breath, Allyn says, "I think you need to be honest with Candy. She loves you. You should know she'll stand by you and help you through this. You need each other right now."

"I can't do that yet. If your treatment doesn't work, I'll have to tell her, I know that. But until I find out if this works, I don't want her to know. I don't want to worry her."

"All right. I see your point, but I still think when Candy finds out, she's going to wonder why you kept her in the dark and why you didn't trust her enough to tell her the truth."

Jason and Josh walk into the room. "Are you ready?" Jason asks. They place Jeremy on a gurney and wheel him into a room. After getting him propped up in bed, Josh places a bowl of stew in his lap. "Thanks, but I don't want anything right now."

"Jeremy, you need to eat to keep up your strength. It'll help when we begin the exercises." Allyn tucks a towel into the neck of his hospital gown.

Jeremy begins eating and finishes his stew in no time. "I guess I was hungrier than I thought," he chuckles. Looking at Allyn he asks, "When can we get started?"

"I want you to get a good night's sleep first. I know Candy will be here in the morning. We may get some in before she gets here, but we'll definitely get working on them once she leaves. Now Jason, Josh, help Jeremy to lay down and then I want you to go out the back. I'll check on you later, Jeremy."

After everyone leaves and Jeremy is alone, he says a silent prayer. Dear Lord, I know I don't pray like I should, but I hope you will hear me. Please let Dr. Wright's exercises work. I don't ask this just for myself, but for Candy too. She doesn't deserve this. I love her so much and I know she loves me. Please let me be able to take care of her, not her taking care of me. Thank you Lord. Amen. Jeremy closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep thinking of his beautiful Candy.