Chapter 9:
Julie and her mother just sat together. Tami just listened while Julie expressed some of her feelings. Mostly feelings of gratitude for Tim and Smash. She felt scared and confused and just hurt but then Julie took a different thought process.
"Did you consent to the surgery?"
"Yes, of course."
"But…What if something goes wrong in the surgery?"
"Nothing will go wrong baby… it's just them lining up your bones and then the cast will do the hard work."
"I'm scared."
"I know baby."
Just then a nurse came in with a Styrofoam cup.
"Hey doll face, your daddy said you wanted a drink?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Okay well I talked to the doctor and he has you on the schedule for surgery at 9:40. So this is the last thing you can drink till after. Okay?"
"Um… when will they take her to pre-op?"
Julie just blinked. She didn't know what that meant. She looked at the clock and it said 5:27.
"About 9:00 is when it will start but most of it can be done in here."
"Thank you"
Julie accepted the cup in her left hand, of course. It was full of brown liquid. She took a small sip and smiled.
"It's a coke." She told her mother.
"Good? You don't get those much."
"It's very good. I'm happy."
Just then the boys came back looking a little puffy around the eyes.
Tami spoke before Julie could.
"Y'all okay?"
"Yes." They both said.
"Uh… Jules the nurse said you can't eat… sorry, but Mrs. T we got some snacks."
The thought of food turned Julie's stomach. Actually the coke suddenly wasn't as appealing either. She handed it to her mom.
"Mom… I think I'm gonna…"
And she puked all over her gown and her blanket.
"Oh baby. Eric get the nurse please?"
Julie was pale and looked miserable.
"Sorry" She mumbled.
"It's okay hunny. Relax. Breathe." Tami said using a tissue to wipe Julie's mouth.
Eric brought the nurse in who was able to comfort everyone and told them sometimes patients get sick when they have high level pain.
"Julie how is your pain level?"
"I have a headache now… and my back hurts but like more uncomfortable than pain."
"Do you want some more medicine? You slept a while with it the first time."
"Yes. Is that okay?"
"Yes hun, Let's get you cleaned up and then I'll get you some."
Tim turned around and Eric smiled and did the same.
"Good thinking son."
The nurse unsnapped the gown and just yanked it off without Julie moving an inch. Then before she could even feel uncomfortable about being almost naked (just panties) she got her a new gown from a cabinet and helped her put it on and did up the snaps by the shoulders. Then got her a new sheet and a warm blanket. It took all of seven minutes.
"That was skillfully fast." Julie commented when she was settled.
"Oh thanks! I try. We don't want patients uncomfortable. I'll be right back with some morphine."
The boys turned back around and sat down.
"Tim if you want to go on home…" Eric started
But Julie made a strange noise almost like a growl and a whimper.
"Julie… you okay?" Tami asked concerned.
She cleared her throat.
"Yeah… sorry… I'm okay."
Tim smirked at Julie. She obviously wants me to stay.
"Uh… that's okay Coach… uh actually I had Smash drop my truck at your place. I thought I would stay and go back with y'all."
Julie liked that plan.
"Well Tim… we don't know how long it will be. You need some sleep hun."
Tim considered it.
"Julie?" He asked.
"Um… yes?"
"Do you want me to stay?"
Julie did not like him putting her on the spot. Even more so with her parents there.
"I… I... mean… I… yes… But mom's right… you do need to sleep."
"If you want me to stay, I'm gonna stay." He replied.
She smiled and blushed a little.
"I'd like you to stay. If you are really sure."
"It's settled then. As long as you want me." He said leaning back in his new spot at the foot of the bed. Then he stretched out and propped his feet on the plastic foot board.
Eric and Tami exchanged a look.
"oh um… are y'all okay with that?" Tim asked them.
"Yeah son, you are welcome as long as Julie wants you here."
Julie and Tim both smiled.