Note: Again not a doctor!

Chapter 7:

Tim pulled out Julie's phone and called Tyra.

"Jules! Oh My God. Are you okay? I have been so worried. Landry told me Tim had you and you needed help and Oh My God."

"Tyra…"

"Who is this?"

"Tyra it's Tim. I have Julie's phone. We are at the ER."

"Tim! Is she okay? Landry said she was petrified but he didn't know what happened."

"Yeah… no… she's not okay. Are you? She wanted to know."

"Me? Yeah I'm fine. Landry brought me home. What happened?"

"Okay… her parents are on their way back from Dallas. Actually I should probably call them. Um... let's let her tell people what happened when she's ready... i think that's what she would want. On her own terms."

"Okay. I get that. Tim? Does she need anything?"

"Well I asked Smash to squash the rumors… maybe you can help with that. I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen but it looks like Julie's going to be here for a while."

"Okay. Well let her know if she needs anything to call me… or you can call me."

"Yeah Tyra. I will. Goodnight."

"Night."

Tim then called "Daddy" again.

"Jules?" Mrs. Coaches worried voice shouted in his ear.

"No sorry, she's sleeping. It's Tim."

"Tim, hey. What's going on?"

"She had the x-rays and she does have broken ribs or cracked i guess...3 of them actually on the right side. The um... 5th, 6th and 7th. The doctor said it would be painful for a while uh weeks but the ribs are not in danger of puncturing anything internally."

"Oh my baby."

"She um... she has a broken wrist as well."

"Oh good gracious."

"They gave her an IV with fluids and morf something for pain."

"Morphine?"

"Yes ma'am that's it. Sorry, i'm trying to listen and remember everything. But they gave her that medicine and she just fell asleep. Um... I know y'all asked me to stay and i am but i wanted y'all to know she asked me to stay too. She said she feels safer with me here. I'm sorry I should have called when she was awake so you could talk but the cops were here and then the doctor and then the nurse and then she went to sleep. It's been a lot. I'm just glad she is sleeping."

"It's okay Tim. We are glad you are with her. So a broken wrist and 3 broken or cracked ribs… anything else?"

"No… well she mentioned a bruise on her um... the inside of her thigh. And i guess that her wrist is unaligned or something so when y'all get here they want permission to reduce it… no that wasn't the word… I'm sorry... well the idea is they want to line up the two bones and the doctor said he only does that procedure under anesthesia…"

"Surgery? Oh my poor baby!"

"She asked if they had another option… the doctor said no."

"Oh goodness… how is she doing emotionally?"

Tim raised his eyebrows.

"Uh… i think that is a difficult question... with the exception of finding out her um...attacker is here too she is doing alright. She has 2 guards on the door and me… I'm pretty sure no one is getting past me." He chuckled.

"Tim… did you say her attacker?"

"Yes ma'am… I'm not sure what else to call him. I can barely think his name without wanting to go hurt him."

"Hold on Tim. This guy… y'all know him?"

Oh shit I didn't want to tell them.

"Um… yes ma'am it wasn't a stranger… I mean… it was a football party… Julie came with Tyra and Landry."

"Are you saying it was a panther's football player that hurt her?"

"Yes ma'am. He has a broken nose though… I wish I'd done more but I was focused on Julie and…"

"Tim?" It was Coach's voice now.

He swallowed.

"Yes sir?"

"Who was it that hurt her?"

"Coach I think… maybe Julie should tell you…Or the police... or just not me... i don't wanna upset..."

"Tim please?"

He didn't want to do this.

"JD McCoy."

Mrs. Coach's voice was back but sounded muffled. She was crying. "Tim hunny, we are still about an hour away and we have Gracie so we need to find someone…"

"Tyra can watch Gracie Belle. She offered to help anyway she can. I'll call her and have her meet you at your house in an hour."

"Well alright… that will work. Is Tyra okay?"

"Yes ma'am. She wasn't hurt, she was um... she was downstairs with Landry."

"Okay well I guess we will see you in a little over an hour."

"Yes ma'am."

Tim called Tyra back.

God I hate the phone. I don't think I've ever made so many phone calls. He thought.

"Tim?"

"Yep. Listen… you still willing to do anything to help?"

"yes… within reason."

"Coach and Mrs. T need someone to watch Gracie Belle so they can be here and focus on Julie. I volunteered you."

"That's fine. When and where?"

"The Taylor's house in about an hour. They are driving still but this time of night it might be a little sooner. My truck should be there too. Smash was supposed to drop it off."

"Okay."

"Tyra… I don't know how long they will need you to watch her."

"It's fine. I was supposed to be with Julie till Saturday anyway. I'll make it work."

"Okay. Talk to you later."

"Bye."

He slid the phone back into his pocket and closed his eyes. He knew the cops outside would alert them if anything was wrong and Julie was asleep snoring lightly so now seemed like the perfect time for a power nap.