Chapter 2.
Later in the hospital Julie sat right next to an unconscious Tim, waiting for her parents. Tim's 14 puncture wounds were all cleaned, covered in antiseptic cream and bandaged and he received one blood transfusion for the amount of blood lost. The biggest puncture was jagged and deep and it was the only one needing stitches. Ironically he got 33 stitches. His jersey number. At the time he joked with the nurse and said it was his lucky number. He was now face down on the hospital bed with an IV shooting him up with high dose antibiotics and he'd been given a shot of morphine which promptly knocked him out. He was given an x-ray of his ribs and back but they hadn't come back with any results yet so Julie didn't know how much damage he had.
She had one cut on her left hand because she acted like an idiot and touched a piece of glass. No stitches needed, however they did clean it, cover it with antiseptic cream and bandage it as well.
Julie had called Aunt Shelly while driving Tim's truck to the hospital. Shelly told Julie that she and Gracie were fine, they hid in the bathtub, and Julie let her know she and Tim were alive but Tim was hurt and they were going to the ER. Then she called her mom and told her what happened. Her mom promised that she and her dad would leave the school and be there as soon as the roads were clear. Her mom said they were fine and no damage was done near them.
While driving Julie had to do a good bit of off-roading to get around people. It was a mess on the roads due to down trees and even a few flipped cars.
The ER was now full of people with minor injuries from the storm. Thankfully she hadn't noticed anyone with severe injuries.
About an hour passed and Tim started to stir. He blinked a few times trying to regain consciousness.
She smiled at him.
"Hey… uh you okay?"
He carefully used his right hand to rub his eyes and face.
"I think… uh… am I?"
Julie nodded.
"Yeah… you were out for about an hour-ish from the medicine. No one has come in. My parents should be here soon but apparently traffic is a nightmare."
Tim carefully rolled so he was on his left side then winced when his ribs touched the bed.
Julie frowned.
"You should stay on your stomach."
He shook his head and took a slow breath.
"I like my side… normally the right side but… this IV. I'm okay… just not going to move again."
She stood up and pulled the blanket up for him.
He smiled.
"Thanks."
She blushed.
"No problem superman."
He smirked. "Superman?"
"Well… maybe not… don't want you to get too full of yourself."
"Jules… did they say if my ribs are broken?"
"Um… no. Like I said no one has come back. Do you think you have broken ribs?"
"Honestly… I'd bet on it."
"Well do you want to sit up so you're not laying on them?" She asked like he was stupid.
"Nope. I'm not moving again… unless we are leaving."
She sighed. "I'm not sure that will be anytime soon. Do you want more pain meds? I can call someone?"
"Uh… yeah actually."
The nurse was allowed to give him another shot and just as his eyelids drooped three people came in. Her mom, dad, and the doctor.
"Oh hun." Her mom said hugging Julie.
"I'm okay mom."
Her dad just stood behind her staring at Tim's bandaged back.
"Jeez." He muttered.
"Hey folks, I'm Doctor Cole. Are you Tim's family?"
Coach didn't hesitate.
"Yes. How is he?"
The doctor explained Tim's injuries. Tim was struggling to listen. He was tired and the morphine was trying to pull him under. He just kept seeing Julie's face.
"So… nothing is broken…"
That caught Tim's attention.
"My ribs aren't broken?" He asked as four sets of eyes flicked to him.
"No son. You have two bruised ribs there on the left side but amazingly nothing is broken. We checked your lungs too, in case they were punctured but they were not. You are going to be mighty sore for a few days, maybe weeks, but you are mighty lucky young man and you did an amazing thing shielding your friend."
Julie blushed.
"Good." Tim said and then drifted to sleep.
The doctor left after telling them he would check back in a few hours. Tim would be allowed to be released later that evening as long as they signed that he wouldn't be alone for a few days he would also have strict instructions regarding football and resting. All three Taylors knew that was going to be difficult for Tim.
Julie explained everything that happened in detail (except the random kiss) to her parents.