Chapter 16:

Tim woke up suddenly. At first he wasn't sure why. Then he heard Julie taking big huge gulps of air and he noticed she was crying.

"Julie?"

She looked at him but didn't speak.

He placed his left hand on her stomach. She was hyperventilating.

"Shhhh. You gotta calm down. Breathe slowly."

"I… can't…" She said between huge gulps of air. Her body was rising and falling and Tim could tell that this was causing her physical pain from her ribs.

He took a slow breath and hoped she would too.

He sat up a little keeping his left hand firmly on her stomach and moving his right hand to her shoulder.

He looked in her eyes.

"Julie… you're safe. I'm with you. Breath slow and short. Breathe with me."

It took well over five minutes but finally she was able to breathe with him at a calm rate.

He moved his left hand and wiped her tears.

"Did you have a nightmare or something?"

Julie nodded.

"He... he was on top of me...I couldn't breathe and then I woke up and it hurt to breathe... It still hurts. It felt like he was still on top of me."

Tim reached behind him and pushed the red button.

"It's okay, try to relax now. You're safe. I've got you."

She nodded again.

Nurse Lisa came in.

"Good Morning!" She said brightly.

Both Tim and Julie smiled.

"Mornin Lisa… Julie is having pain when breathing. She had a nightmare and couldn't catch her breath. I tried to help her calm down but she said it still hurts."

Lisa nodded and moved closer.

"Um… Tim if you don't mind?"

"Sure… yeah…" He pushed the bed rail down and then lifted the IV tube out of his way and stood up.

"Julie can I take a look at your ribs?" She asked.

"Yeah…" She said still a little breathlessly.

Lisa carefully moved the pillows with Julie's arm on it out of the way and slid the covers down then lifted her tank top.

Tim gasped at the sight. It was a horrible sight. Her whole right side was almost purple and black.

That bastard... how fucking hard did he hit her? I'd love to make his skin purple and black and red... blood red.

Julie flinched when Lisa touched her.

"Sorry sweetie. I'm gonna page Dr. Collins… he may need to do another x-ray."

"Is it worse? Did I do something wrong?"

"No Julie, you didn't do anything wrong. I just want to be sure. It doesn't look very nice this morning. I just want him to examine you. That's why the doctors get the big bucks right?" She tried to joke.

Julie was nervous but smiled a small smile.

"A breakfast tray should be on its way up soon. I'll get you a fresh ice pack and if you need anything just press the button, okay?"

"Yes ma'am. Thank you." Julie said politely.

Lisa pulled Julie's top back down and covered her up.

Tim stepped back to the bed and sat down facing her.

"Does it look awful Tim?"

Tim swallowed. "Um… yeah… not great. Very dark compared to your pale skin."

Julie nodded. When she had changed clothes she noticed it was bluish and purplish and even blackish on one side.

"I can't believe that was one punch." Tim said more to himself than Julie.

Julie sighed.

"Well it was the hardest hit I've ever felt in my life… not that I've had many hits but…It took all my breath out of me."

"I'm sorry Julie."

She shook her head. Then her lips curved upward.

"You could probably make me feel better."

He smiled.

"Oh yeah? How?"

She glanced at his lips then licked her own lips and then pulled the bottom lip between her teeth.

He picked up Jake and tossed him between his hands.

"I… I don't want to hurt you Julie… maybe we should wait till you are out of the hospital bed."

Honestly he was feeling a little scared of how breakable she seemed today.

Julie pouted.

"Kissing won't hurt me."

He smiled.

He started to lean forward but a knock on the door brought her food tray.

Julie had a difficult time sitting up. Even in the adjustable bed. Her tray was on the little brown over the bed table and Tim scooted it over her.

She had a little carton of orange juice, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, orange slices and yogurt.

"Want the bacon?" She asked.

He smiled and took the 2 pieces of bacon.

Julie struggled with the juice carton but wouldn't let Tim help.

"I have to try." She stated.

She finally admitted defeat and asked for help.

"You don't have to do everything today... gradual." Tim said.

Julie ate her toast first knowing it was easy to handle. Then the orange slices. Eggs and yogurt both required the use of the spoon so she tired the eggs first.

Her hand shook all the way to her mouth but she got 1 bite of eggs in.

Tim was ready to help if she needed it. He thought she looked tired just from sitting up. Even though she slept he was sure she was in more pain and more exhausted today.

"Tim?"

"Yes?"

"I… could you open the yogurt please?"

He nodded and opened the strawberry yogurt. He licked the lid.

She sighed.

"I didn't know eating would be so difficult." She said.

His eyebrows twitched.

"I know. I'm sorry it's frustrating you."

She'd thought she was hiding the frustration.

"Me too."

"I know I joked about feeding you yesterday but… if you want me to..."

"Well… I don't want you too but my left arm is already tired and I am hungry."

He smiled and put some yogurt on the spoon.

"This is a first for me…" He said.

She accepted the bite and nodded.

Julie thought about the situation while being fed. Tim is actually super sweet and caring and helpful. I really love having him here. I'm going to need to stick with foods I can eat one handed once I go home.

A few moments later a knock on the door pulled Julie from her thoughts. It is Dr. Collins.

"Hey doc." Tim said giving Julie the last bite of her food.

He then pulled her table away.

"Morning kids. Lisa said you are having some pain breathing Julie?"

Julie nodded.

"It's not unbearable or anything. I… I had a nightmare... reliving the uh... assault...anyway I was breathing heavily and then I couldn't catch my breath and then even after I calmed down it hurts with every breath."

"Still hurts?" Dr. Collins asked.

"Yes." She replied.

Tim didn't realize she was still hurting. He frowned.

"Okay." He went on her right side and gently moved the pillows away and then the ice and helped her sit up more.

Then he took a peek under her top and pulled out his stethoscope.

He placed it on her chest and told her to just breathe like normal then he moved it to her back and said the same thing. Then asked for a deep breath.

Julie hesitated but followed instructions.

Then he moved it back to the front and wanted one more deep breath.

Then he placed the pillows back.

"Okay Julie, I don't think it's anything to worry about. I think this is just the nature of your injured ribs. I'll schedule another x-ray just to be sure and Lisa will give you some more ice and another shot of pain medication. You should try to rest and not move around too much."

"Okay." Julie said. I thought it was going to be something worse. Thank goodness it's not.

"How's the wrist feel today?" He asked.

"Uh… overshadowed by the ribs currently so I guess it feels alright. I slept pretty good so that helped."

He nodded.

"Yes. Sleep is always a good thing. I'll chat with Lisa and check on you after the x-rays."

"Thank you."

He smiled and left.

Julie's parents texted her that they were on their way to the hospital with GB. She texted back asking them to bring some granola bars and fruit snacks. She knew those would be easy to eat and she knew they had them at the house. She also knew Tim would eat them and all he had eaten was bacon.

"Tim? Do you wanna go eat?"

"You sick of me now?" He asked with a smirk.

He was sitting in the recliner. Julie was on her bed with 2 ice packs on her ribs and 1 on her wrist. She had his jacket wrapped around her shoulders and the blankets wrapping her like a burrito but she was still freezing cold.

"No. I just don't want you to starve… and… uh… my parents are on their way."

"Oh… so you want to hide me."

She growled.

He smiled.

"I'm fine Jules. Relax."

Julie had asked him to put her necklace on her after breakfast. Jake was by her side. Tim also plugged in her cell phone and gently brushed the tangled mess that was her hair. He was pretty much a heaven sent angel in Julie's eyes.

"But…"

"Relax. I'm not hiding and I can wait to eat."

"Okay… well then can you pour me a cup of water please?"

He smiled. He actually liked being needed. Not for the reasons he was or anything but he liked helping her.

He handed it to her just as her mother entered with GB.

"Hey mom!"

"Hi baby! Hey Tim!"

"Mornin' Mrs. T."

Tim held his hands out for Gracie Belle and Tami gladly allowed that.

She went and sat by Julie.

"Your dad is finding a parking spot apparently Sundays are busy at the Dillon Hospital. Anyway…How are you hunny?"

"I'm okay."

Tim humphed.

"Well… maybe not… I had some trouble with my breathing."

Tami's eyes flew up.

"Calm down. I just mean it hurt a bit to breathe… my ribs… ya know? Well… the doctor came and checked me over and is going to do another x-ray but thinks it is just going to hurt. They gave me a bunch of ice and some more pain medicine and I feel a lot better. Honestly."

"Well alright then… did you sleep alright?"

Her cheeks turned a little pink.

"Actually yes. I was a little uncomfortable waking up but like I said… the ice and medicine are making me feel better. I ate breakfast too."

She blushed remembering Tim feeding her.

"What did you have?" Tami asked curiously.

"Let's see. I had orange juice and eggs, yogurt, sliced oranges and toast."

"That sounds good. Did you eat it all?"

"Yes. But um…"

"What baby?"

She lowered her voice so Tim wouldn't hear. He was distracted with Gracie on the other bed.

"I had trouble with the spoon and my arm got tired really fast. I think we should try to stick with things that are easy to eat with one hand."

"Yeah… your daddy mentioned the ice cream. I'll make a list and get some things at the grocery store."

Julie sighed and took a sip of her water.

"Thanks mom."

Julie didn't like being trouble and she realized In the next 8 - 10 weeks her left arm was definitely going to get a work out.

Eric came into the room carrying a grocery bag.

He plopped it down between Tami and Julie and kissed Julie's head.

"Morning baby girl."

"Morning daddy."

"Everyone alright in here?" He asked looking around

3 heads nodded. Eric noticed Tim's letterman jacket on his daughter's shoulders then scanned around and saw the duffel on the floor by the bathroom. Not Julie's duffel... an additional duffel and Tim's boots.

"What's in the bag Dad?"

"Snacks!" Eric said focusing on his daughter's face.

Tim looked over at Julie with a smirk.

Julie opened the bag and pulled out a granola bar then carefully threw it at Tim's head. She hoped he would catch it and thank God for his reflexes because he did just before it would have hit his face.

"Damn Jules. Softer next time." He said opening the wrapper.

She laughed. So did Eric.

"Told you they weren't for her." He said to his wife.

Julie blushed. "Hey I like them…"

Tami raised her eyebrows.

Julie dug in the bag.

"Fine. I want the fruit snacks though and OH! You brought me chocolate? I love you guys."

Eric shook his head. Chocolate. The way to any teenage girl's heart. Apparently.

"Yes we thought you might." Tami replied.

About 11 they came to take Julie for her x-ray. The technician brought in a wheel chair and after a quick bathroom break, Julie stubbornly struggled her way into it and out of it and then all the positions for the x-rays and then into it again and out of it in her room. By the time she stood up in her room she was exhausted and had to grab on to Eric so she didn't fall over.

"It's okay baby, I got you. Chair or bed?" He asked pulling her left side close to him.

Tim was ready to get up and help but waited.

"I don't care daddy." She said weakly hugging her right arm to her chest.

Eric and Tami got her in bed and called Lisa for more ice and to hook the IV back up.

Once Julie had the ice back on and got a small dose of morphine she was out.

Lisa told Eric, Tami and Tim that this afternoon or evening they would help Julie take a shower if she still wanted to and they would be removing the IV in the morning after breakfast before she would be released. She told them Dr. Collins would be there for the discharge to answer any questions and give them any prescriptions and instructions and supplies as well as a note for missing school. Not that she needed one, the whole town of Dillon had heard some version of what happened and Eric had already spoken with the principal to make sure he and Tami could take some personal time as needed. Tami asked how long would Julie would need to be out and Lisa suggested she start a list of questions for the doctor.

Julie missed lunch because she was sleeping but Tim ate it. It would have been hard for Julie to eat anyway it was a fried chicken thigh and corn on the cob with peas and a milk carton. Every single thing would have required extra effort from her. Tami clicked her tongue and decided they would bring something easy for dinner.

Eric and Tami agreed that if she was hungry when she woke up they would go get her a sandwich from the café. She had a large assortment of collected snacks that she could easily eat though. Pretzels, chocolate, granola bars, fruit snacks and about an hour after she fell asleep they had received a basket full of baked goods and a get well card from their church.

The Taylor's went to church every Sunday and their absence today was felt during the service. Several members had gotten together and gathered some home made goodies and someone delivered them to the hospital.

Soon Gracie Belle began fussing and Eric and Tami decided to take her home.

"Tim, are you sure you don't want to go home and rest?" Eric asked.

He smiled.

"No… No coach… I want to stay... and I'm resting here." He was currently sprawled in the spare bed watching TV.

Eric wasn't too sure of his feelings on this matter but was glad Julie had a friend to stay with her.

"Okay… call or text us if y'all need anything. We'll pop by just after dinner to say goodnight."

"Yes sir."

Note: I can tell people are reading... that encourages me... I am craving a review though. Please?