For The Love of Jeremy Bolt Chapter Three
"Aaron Stempel's Office?!" Jason shouted.
"What about my office, Bolt?" Aaron asked as he walked into Lottie's.
"I'll tell you what, you lowlife mangy timber wolf …" Jason growled.
"Jason! The doctor says come right now!" Joshua shouted running halfway down the stairs.
Jason ran up the stairs following Joshua to Jeremy's room.
"What's wrong?!" Jason shouted as he and Joshua burst in.
Dr. Wilson had just finished examining Jeremy again.
"Jason, I'm sorry. I was wrong. Jeremy is not unconscious because of the pain from his fractured ribs. I just found a new injury to Jeremy's head. I re-examined him because he should be awake by now. Jeremy hit his head when he collapsed in the street. I had to probe to find this new injury. It was hidden by his thick hair." Dr. Wilson explained.
"How serious is this new injury, doctor? Will Jeremy be unconscious for several days like he was before?" Jason asked.
"I'm afraid it's more serious than that, Jason. Jeremy might not wake up." Dr. Wilson said sadly. "He has a skull fracture."
"What?!" Jason staggered backward a few steps.
"NO! NO! We can't lose Jeremy too!" Joshua shouted. He turned and ran out the door.
"Josh…..." Jason said weakly. His mind was spinning trying to make sense of what Dr. Wilson told him. His baby brother might never wake up again.
Jason looked at the doctor. "Is there anything you can do? Anything you can try?"
"No, I'm sorry, Jason. There's nothing that can be done. We will have to wait and see what happens." Dr. Wilson answered.
"Wait and see if Jeremy dies." Jason plunked down in the chair by his brother's bed.
"Jason! I just heard…." Aaron came rushing into the room.
"Get out!" Jason snarled like an angry wolf. "You can't even wait until he's dead, can you? You vulture! I won't let you watch him die! He's just a little boy! For God's sake, let him die in peace!"
Jason turned eerily calm. He looked at Aaron.
"Go write your check, Aaron. You owe the scum downstairs some blood money." Jason said too calmly. "Oh, Aaron! Tell me one more thing before you go. How much?"
"How much what?" Aaron asked.
"How much money is it worth to you to end a little boy's life? Does the fact that he is a Bolt make his life worth more or make it worth less?" Jason squinted at Stempel.
"Jason, I'm very sorry about Jeremy. Joshua is downstairs. He is obviously distraught. He told us what the doctor said about Jeremy having a skull fracture. If you were just blowing off steam at me because you're heartbroken about your kid brother, I wouldn't say anything about that. But there definitely seems to be something else going on. You seem to be very angry at me personally and I would like to know why, Jason." Aaron said.
"Alright, Aaron, I will tell you. Yes, I am furious at you because you paid that lowlife scum downstairs to kill Jeremy and it looks very likely that you will get your wish." Jason looked him in the eye.
Aaron was shocked. "Bolt! What in the world are you talking about? Do you seriously believe that I would kill Jeremy or anyone for that matter?! And for what purpose?"
"You know what for, Aaron!" Jason sneered.
"Oh, no, Bolt! No! Don't say it! Let me tell you something, Bolt! This might actually surprise you! THE WORLD DOES NOT TURN AROUND JASON BOLT AND BRIDAL VEIL MOUNTAIN!" Aaron screamed.
Jason stood up from the chair. He crossed the room to Aaron. The two men were eye to eye.
"Yes, I know that, Aaron. And you know that I know that. You also know that my life doesn't even revolve around myself and the mountain. My life as you well know, revolves around my brothers, Joshua and Jeremy.
Furthermore, Aaron, you know that as the youngest brother, Jeremy is the most vulnerable. It's a fact that your enemies attack the most vulnerable part of you or the most vulnerable person in your life." Jason said.
"So, we are enemies now?" Aaron asked.
"YES! We are enemies! Jeremy is dying because of you!" Jason bellowed.
"Bolt! I have not done anything to hurt your brother! I have not paid, nor do I owe anyone any blood money for trying to kill your baby brother!" Aaron screamed.
The two men backed away from each other. They glared at each other for a minute. Then they sat down in chairs in the room. Jeremy had not stirred during the screaming and arguing.
After a few minutes, Aaron spoke calmly. "Jason let's try to discuss this rationally, please. I understand how you feel about your brothers. Don't forget, I'm a big brother too. If anyone injured my sister, Julie as Jeremy has been injured, I would certainly be furious. Jason, I swear on Julie's life that I am not involved in any way in what has happened to Jeremy. Seriously, Jason, I'm telling the truth. I have never sworn on my sister's life before.
"Well, swearing on the life of someone you love is serious. I suppose I should believe you. But this man said he got his partial payment at your office last month." Jason replied.
"Did he say he got the payment from me, Jason?" Aaron asked.
"No, Aaron, he didn't. When he said he got it at your office, I just assumed he got it from you. Who else at your office would be making any type of payment?" Jason asked.
"I don't know. But I will figure it out. I'm going to put that guy in the jail. I will wire Marshall Trueaxe. You focus on your brothers. I'll check back with you in a while about how Jeremy's doing. Are you and I, okay, Jason?" Aaron asked cautiously.
"Yes, Aaron, we are okay. I believe you. I'm sorry I accused you without talking to you first." Jason told him.
"I understand, Jason. You have a lot on your mind." Aaron glanced at Jeremy.
Aaron left to take Jeremy's attacker to jail.
Lottie came into the room. "Jason, how is Jeremy? Is there any change?"
"No, Lottie. Jeremy is just lying there unconscious." Jason sighed deeply.
Lottie stood by the bed looking at Jeremy. Tears ran down her face. She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "I love you, sweet boy. Please wake up soon."
"Jason, lots of people are gathering at the church to pray for Jeremy. We are going to sing some hymns too." Lottie told him.
"Thank you, Lottie. Joshua and I appreciate that very much." Jason replied.
Jason sat down on the side of the bed. He looked forlorn at Jeremy. All at once, Jason pulled Jeremy to himself in an embrace and sobbed like a heartbroken child.
Lottie sat down by Jason. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Oh, honey, we have to have faith. No matter what the doctor says, Jeremy can still get well."
"He can't die, Lottie! He can't! I couldn't bear it!" Jason continued to sob.
Lottie put her head on Jason's shoulder. "He will be alright. Jeremy's strong. He wants to live. He has two big brothers who need him."
"Yes, we do, Lottie." Jason cried.
"I love you, Jason. I love all of my Bolt boys." Lottie whispered.
Jason became quiet. He continued to hold Jeremy next to him. "Jeremy, please don't leave us, sweet boy. Please wake up." Jason whispered.
Joshua came in the stood up and walked over to him. She gave him a hug and a kiss. "I love you, Joshua." She said softly.
Lottie left to go to the church.
Jason gently laid Jeremy down on the bed. The oldest brother turned slightly and opened his arms to Joshua.
Joshua ran to Jason. They hugged and cried for several minutes.
When the two oldest brothers stopped crying, they talked for a few minutes.
"Joshua, have you eaten something today? You have to eat to keep up your strength. I don't want you to get sick." Jason said with his arm around him.
"I'm not hungry, Jason. I'm okay. It's hard to eat when I'm worried." Joshua replied looking at Jeremy.
Jason looked at Jeremy and then back at Joshua. "Josh, you have to eat something. You can't afford to lose any more weight. Taking care of yourself doesn't mean you're being disloyal to Jeremy. He wouldn't want you to be sick."
"It doesn't feel right doing ordinary stuff like eating when Jeremy might….."Joshua couldn't say it.
"I know what you mean, brother. Will you eat a few bites for me?" Jason looked concerned.
"Yes, I will, Jason." Joshua answered quietly.
"Good! Run on downstairs to the kitchen and ask LuLu to make a sandwich for you. Drink a glass of milk with it. I will be here with Jeremy." Jason told him.
Joshua went to the kitchen. He got a sandwich and a glass of milk. He ate about three bites of the food and drank three or four sips of the milk. He returned to Jeremy's room.
"That was fast." Jason said when Joshua walked in.
"You said a few bites." Joshua replied.
Jason smiled. "Yes, I did."
"Has there been any change with Jeremy?" Joshua frowned.
"No, he hasn't moved or called out…..or anything." Jason answered.
The sound of hymn singing could be heard coming from the church. Jason and Joshua turned their heads toward the chorus.
"Jeremy loves to sing. He is a very good singer too." Joshua said. "It's amazing that he can sing without stuttering."
"You're right, Josh on both points. You are a very talented singer as well. You and Jeremy got that from Mom and Dad. Sadly, the singing trait missed this Bolt." Jason smiled.
"Aw, Jason, you sing okay." Josh replied.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I sing okay, but not good like the rest of you."
Joshua smiled a bit. "I'm sorry, Jason. I didn't mean it like that."
Jason was glad to see Josh smile. "Don't apologize for the truth, brother."
Dr. Wilson came in to examine Jeremy. The two older brothers were silent while the examination took place.
When the doctor finished, he gazed at Jeremy for a few moments. Then he looked at the boy's brothers.
"There is no change. Jeremy doesn't seem to be in any pain." Dr. Wilson told them.
"Jason!" Joshua gasped.
"Hold on, Josh." Jason patted his arm. "Jeremy has fractured ribs and a broken arm. He should be feeling some degree of pain, shouldn't he?"
"At his level of unconsciousness, his brain is not registering the pain signals coming from his broken bones." Dr. Wilson answered.
Joshua ran to the bed. "Don't give up, Jeremy! Please!"
The blond brother turned and ran to Jason crying.
Jason put his arms around Joshua. "Josh, Jeremy's not going to be like one of those old sailors that Dad told us about. Jeremy's eight years old."
"Dad swore that the old sailor was telling the truth about men being hurt bad but not feeling pain and how that meant they had given up and didn't live much longer." Joshua cried. "That can't happen to our brother! He can't give up! Jeremy, if you die, I'll whip your arse!"
Jason suppressed a smile. "Joshua, please try not to worry."
"Dr. Wilson, what do you think Jeremy's chances are?" Jason asked cautiously.
The doctor thought for a minute. "I wish I could give you better news, Jason. I don't think your brother's chances are good. I'm very sorry to tell you, I think Jeremy will be gone by tomorrow morning."
Dr. Wilson crossed the room to the door. "Send someone for me if there is any change before I come back."
"Dr. Wilson, is it alright if Josh and I sleep on the bed with Jeremy?" Jason inquired.
"I don't see a problem with that." The doctor answered as he went out the door.
It was about 10 pm. People were still at the church praying for Jeremy and singing hymns.
Jason and Joshua got in the bed with Jeremy. The youngest Bolt was between his brothers.
They could hear the singing from the church. Joshua started singing with them.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now, I see."
"Jason, put Jeremy's head on your chest with his ear over your heart. He likes to hear your heartbeat." Joshua told him.
"Yeah, he used to like that when he was very young." Jason smiled.
"He still likes it. But he doesn't think guys his age should do stuff like that. He told me that a few weeks ago." Joshua told him.
Jason lifted Jeremy slightly and moved him closer. Jason put his baby brother's head on his chest. Jason stroked Jeremy's hair.
"Come on, Josh. Move closer to Jeremy." Jason held out his arm.
Joshua moved next to Jeremy. He held on to Jeremy's arm. Jason put his right arm around Joshua and his left arm around Jeremy.
The two oldest brothers drifted off to sleep. Jason swore he heard Jeremy sigh.
Almost two hours later, Jason woke up. Something was different. What was it? Jeremy was gone! He wasn't in the bed!
Jason jumped out of the bed. "Joshua! Joshua! Have you seen Jeremy?! He's not here!"
Joshua woke up and bound out of bed. "The last time I saw him, he was between us in the bed! Do you think that attacker got him?"
"The attacker is in jail. Maybe the other attacker got him! Do you think Jeremy woke up?" Jason was scared.
Jason and Joshua threw on their clothes. They ran out of the room and headed downstairs.
"Jeremy! Jeremy! If you can hear me, answer me!" Jason yelled.
Joshua ran all through the saloon looking for Jeremy. He did not find him.
Jason and Joshua ran outside. They looked up and down the street. There was no sign of him.
Jason ran to the jail. Jeremy's attacker was in the cell.
"Do you know where Jeremy is? Has your buddy come and kidnapped him?" Jason shouted.
"No! I have been in this cell since last night. I don't know where the boy is. I don't even know where Larry is. He's the other man who beat up your brother." The thug told him.
"What's your name?" Jason asked.
"Lamar Jackson. The other man is Larry Johnson." Jackson answered.
Jason left the jail. He ran back to Lottie's.
Joshua had awakened Lottie and told her that Jeremy is missing.
"Jason! Where in the world do think Jeremy could be?" Lottie was frantic.
"I don't know, Lottie. Lamar Jackson is the man in jail for beating Jeremy. He says he doesn't know where Jeremy is or where the other attacker, Larry Johnson is." Jason answered.
"Where's Josh?" Jason asked.
"Here I am, Jason." Joshua answered walking in the door with Aaron.
"Joshua thought I would be able to help organize a search party." Aaron said.
"That's a good idea, Josh. Thank you, Aaron." Jason responded.
"Jason! The cabin! We haven't even thought about that. Maybe Jeremy woke up and went there." Joshua suggested.
"You're right, Josh! Let's go!" Jason exclaimed.
The two brothers and Aaron ran out of the saloon. As they ran past the church, Joshua stopped. The two men stopped too.
"Why did you stop, Joshua?" Jason inquired.
"Listen. Do you hear music?" Joshua asked.
Jason and Aaron listened.
"I think I hear some very faint sounds that could be music." Aaron said.
"I believe you're right, Aaron. But where….?" Jason turned and looked at the church.
Jason looked at Joshua and Aaron. The three of them ran inside the church.
Sitting at the organ, carefully picking out the notes to Amazing Grace and softly singing the hymn to himself was Jeremy.
"Thank You, dear God! Thank You!" Jason shouted running to Jeremy.
Joshua and Aaron followed Jason.
"Jeremy!" Jason exclaimed as he put his arms around him. "Why didn't you let us know that you woke up?"
"It is the middle of the night. You and Josh were asleep." Jeremy answered. "Hi, Mr. Stempel."
"Hello, Jeremy." Aaron said.
"Jeremy, why did you come to the church so late and by yourself?" Joshua asked.
"I wanted to sing. I heard the singing while I was asleep. It took me a long time to get woke up so when I got here, everybody was gone." Jeremy replied. "I tried to be quiet so I wouldn't wake up anybody."
Jeremy's brothers and Aaron smiled.
"Are you ready to go? How are you feeling?" Jason asked giving him a light hug.
"Yes, I'm ready. I feel hungry!" Jeremy told his big brother.
Jason laughed. "I'm hungry too! You know you did very well playing the organ with one hand. Imagine how great you will do when your broken arm gets well."
"Yeah!" Jeremy grinned.
"Jeremy, I'm glad you are okay, I was worried about you." Joshua said giving him a careful hug.
"Thanks, Josh." Jeremy replied.
"I'm happy too that you're alright, Jeremy." Aaron shook hands with the boy.
"Thank you, Mr. Stempel." Jeremy told him.
Aaron and the Bolts went back to Lottie's.
Lottie cried when Jason walked into the kitchen carrying Jeremy. She insisted on cooking a big breakfast for all of them. The Bolts and Aaron stayed in the kitchen while she cooked so she could talk to Jeremy.
After they had eaten the hearty breakfast, Jason said it was time for two boys to go back to bed. Joshua and Jeremy wanted to stay up until Jason came back to bed with them.
Jason looked at his two brothers. His heart was filled with love and gratitude for them. How could he say no to them?
"Lottie, why don't we let the dishes wait until morning?" Jason asked.
"That sounds great to me, Jason." Lottie answered.
Aaron said good night and left going home. Lottie kissed the brothers goodnight and went to her room.
The three Bolts went to Jeremy's room. Jeremy fell asleep between his two brothers with his head on Jason's chest and his ear over Jason's heart. He decided maybe he wasn't too old for this yet.
When morning came, Jason was awakened by the sound of Aaron shouting his name.
"Jason! Wake up!" Aaron stormed into the room.
"I'm awake, Aaron. What's the matter?" Jason asked getting out of the bed.
"I just went over to the jail. Marshall Trueaxe is coming today." Aaron said.
"Yes, he is coming to pick up Lamar Jackson to transport him to the jail in Olympia." Jason replied.
"Jason, the Marshall won't be taking Jackson to the jail in Olympia. I found Lamar Jackson dead in the jail cell. He was murdered." Aaron told him.