Kristy's eyes fluttered and she awoke in confusion, looking around, a little startled.
"Come on, stay awake," he coaxed in a more normal tone this time.
She finally managed to keep her eyes open to look at him. "I'm so tired," she told him exhaustedly.
"I know, but you gotta stay awake right now, ok? The motel manager's waiting to give us a ride," he explained gently. "I'm gonna take Bear and your suitcases to the car and then I'll be back to help you. Don't try to get down by yourself," he warned. "And stay awake!" he demanded as he gathered their things.
"Ok," she agreed.
He grabbed her suitcases and climbed from the cab. "Bear!" he hollered once his feet hit the ground, "Come on Bear!" Bear leapt from the truck into his best friend's arms chattering about the snow in excitement.
He put Bear in the back of the car, much to the manager's dismay and stuffed her things in the trunk. Going back around to Kristy's side of the truck, he was finally able to assess the damage caused by the tree. The passenger door was dented and the handle was smashed making it difficult to pry it open. He finally wrenched it open and climbed up beside her. He took her arm and slowly started to assist her descent out of the truck.
Kristy swung her legs to the side and started to climb down, but became dizzy and latched onto BJ's shoulder, shutting her eyes in an attempt to stop the spinning world.
"Take your time," BJ cajoled. "Go slowly," he urged as he kept a supportive arm around her torso lest she fall.
She nodded slowly, this time taking her time and moving with caution she made it to the ground before she started to sway.
"Whoa, ok, put your arm around me," BJ caught her, picking her up, noticing how slight she felt, even with her eighth month girth. He carefully made his way to the car before setting her feet on the ground. Keeping a strong arm around her, he opened the door for her and helped her in. He then climbed into the back with Bear.
They were soon on their way, the snow making a couple minute trip into a fifteen minute journey. They finally pulled up in front of the motel. Kristy felt drained and kept catching herself falling asleep. BJ told her to wait in the car until he got her things in so he could help her. He took the suitcases and Bear inside, leaving the door open as he went back out to get Kristy.
He helped her out of the car, said a quick thanks to the manager for the ride, and carried her into the room, kicking the door shut with his heel. He sat her on the bed and helped her take off her coat. Taking off his own coat, he laid them both on the chair and joined her on the bed so he could examine her head more closely.
"Sorry about the room accommodations," he apologized while removing the butterfly bandage gently, "but it was the only one left. I'll sleep on the floor," he assured her.
"It's fine. All I really want to do is sleep," she told him flinching when his fingers brushed a sore spot.
"Sorry," he apologized. "You really got banged up. You need to stay awake for a few hours more. I think you might have a concussion," he explained.
He took out his flashlight and holding one hand over eye for a few seconds, took it away and shined the light in it. There was no change in the reaction of the pupils. Turning it off, he informed her that she definitely had a concussion.
"Great," she groaned. The events of the day finally catching up to her, she started to cry. BJ rubbed a hand on her back soothingly.
"It's ok, just let it out all out," he consoled her.
"I'm sorry to be such a baby," she let out on a sob.
"Hey you're not a baby. I'm sure I'd cry too if I were in your position." He kept rubbing her back in sympathy.
"Really?" she sniffed.
"Yeah," he assured her. "Try to take some deep breaths and calm down. I'll get you a wet washcloth and something to clean that cut," he said as he stood up. He came back carrying a washcloth and towel. He went over to the nightstand where he had laid the first aid kit and withdrew another butterfly bandage and small bottle of peroxide. He handed her the washcloth and waited for her to wash her face. After she did that he helped her lay back on the bed, placed the towel under her head and poured a little peroxide on the gash.
Bear found the remote and turned the T.V. on, flipping channels every so often. Kristy laughed when she saw this out of the corner of her eye. BJ smiled. "He likes to look for shows about animals," he explained still washing the cut. He dried her off with the corner of the towel before applying the bandage. She shut her eyes sighing deeply in relaxation.
"Here let me help you up," he told her offering his hand.
She opened one eye, "You just don't let up do you?" she asked with a glare.
"Nope," he answered with a smile.
She grabbed his hand, allowing him to help her into a sitting position. She cringed as she sat up, rubbing her lower back with both hands.
"You alright?" BJ asked, worried.
"Yeah, backaches are the price you pay when you carry three people on one set of legs, I guess," she told him, still trying to rub the ache out. "I think I'm gonna take a shower. Sometimes that helps and you won't let me go to sleep anyways," she teased. He helped her stand up and decided to make Bear a bed in one of the dresser drawers while she was in the shower.
Kristy turned the water to warm, stripped down and climbed in. As soon as her head hit the water, she shrieked in surprise- no hot water!
BJ knocked on the door," You alright in there?" he yelled through the door.
"Yeah, there's no hot water, just thought you oughta know," she yelled back.
He chuckled, shaking his head and shucked off his shirt, making a bed for Bear in the bottom drawer of the dresser. He got out a deck of cards and called Bear over to the table where they played blackjack waiting for Kristy.
She cleaned up as best she could at the sink and got dressed in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She was freezing after being hit with cold water. "So doctor," she teased as she emerged from the bathroom, padding barefoot over to the table, "how long until you'll let me get some shut eye?"
He looked up at her, her face showing signs of exhaustion from the day's events and still a little red and puffy from her crying jags. He sighed, hating to say this: "Think you can last just an hour and a half hour more?" he asked tenderly after checking the time.
She heaved a sigh. "If I have to, I guess. What are you playing?"
"Blackjack, but I think Bear's cheating," he told her with a grin. "You ever played?"
"Once," she told him, "with my dad."
"You wanna join us?" he offered.
"Sure, just let me get some socks," she said as she went over to her suitcase. She pulled out a thick pair of socks. "My feet are freezing," she explained when she noticed him watching.
He stood up and went over to the heater near the window and turned it up some more. "That should help," he told her. He offered his hand as she lowered herself into the chair at the table.
Bear grabbed the cards, but BJ held out his hand. "I don't think so pal. I'm dealin' this time," he told his cheating friend.
They played cards for an hour, losing track of time until Kristy felt like she was going to keel over right at the table. She looked over at the clock, "You squeezed an extra half hour out of me and I can't keep my eyes open anymore," she told him, covering her mouth with a yawn.
"Ok," BJ agreed, planning on waking her up every so often in the night.
She walked over to the bed and pulled off the comforter, tossing it onto the floor for BJ.
"Hey now what do you think you're doin'?" he objected.
"I'm not going to freeze and I get the bed all myself which I feel badly about. Now the least I can do is give you the blanket since the floor will be cold."
He consented, but made sure the heater was turned up and her jacket was close by.
"OK, Bear, it's time for us to hit the hay too, boy," he said taking off his belt.
Bear climbed into his makeshift bed and settled in. BJ took his hat off and laid it on the dresser. He folded the blanket double so he could lie on one half and still cover up with the other. Kristy grabbed one of the pillows and stuffed it between her knees, covering up with the sheet.
"Night BJ," she told her new friend.
"Night Kristy," he replied.
She shut off the light and closed her eyes, sleep coming quickly. Forty-five minutes later she awoke with alarm. Feeling something wet and sticky between her legs, she thought she might have wet herself. She was in the middle of trying to sit up when she felt a cramp.