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One in a Billion Chapter Thirteen “Day Thirteen”               When Jim woke Friday morning he was eager to get to the restaurant to see how many of the usual group would show up this morning and to see if any of them acted different. He showered and dressed in record time and was entering the restaurant by 5:45. As soon as he walked in he saw the place was packed as usual with all the regulars and a couple of workers that only came by on occasion.             Jim saw his booth was empty and headed for it. A lot of the workers said hi to him in their usual manner as he walked to the booth. He thought to himself that last night had not made any difference in their acceptance of him as one of the regulars, and for this he was very happy. Just after sitting down he looked up to see Donna come in. She saw Jim and smiled really big as she headed for the booth. She stepped up beside him and leaned over and gave him one of her passionate long breath taking kisses before sitting down next to him. He was a little light headed from the kiss still and just hugged her as she sat there smiling at him, her eyes glowing with a radiance he knew was true love.             He asked if she slept ok and she said she had. He then asked if she was ready for her first day as assistant plant supervisor and she again said yes. Then he leaned over to her and hugged her tightly to him while giving her a kiss to match the one she had given earlier. Her arms went around him quickly and she was running them all over his back then moved them up and let her fingers run through his hair. Then she pulled her hands to his chest, feeling his heat through his shirt she rubbed his chest. He moved his hands to her neck and let his fingers caress it while the kiss continued. About that time he heard someone cough lightly and opened his eyes to see Jennifer standing at the table. He ended the kiss in a few seconds, just as Jennifer asked if they minded if she joined them. Jim told her it was ok with him and looked at Donna who just nodded her head as she was still speechless from the kiss.             Jim heard some of the regulars sitting at the counter saying a few joking remarks such as they ought to get a room and better then going to the picture show. He smiled and said loud enough for everyone to hear it; I sure am glad I am not rich and famous and married for I could never get out of this blackmail pit. Everyone laughed and Donna blushed heavily as she too laughed. When the laughter had quieted down, Jim asked Jennifer if she was nervous since she would be taking over as plant supervisor. She told him she was so nervous she had soaked four blouses with sweat before she could get out of the house and winked as she said it.             Jim told her she would do ok since she had already been doing it without the title and extra pay for the past few years. She agreed with him and then asked if he was going to talk to Mrs. Wilcox before the rest of the workers got to the factory or after. Jim said he was going in early to introduce himself to her and speak with her about the changes. He also told her that he was also going to tell Mrs. Wilcox she would be receiving 6 months severance pay, and would receive her full pension with no restrictions. Some of the others at the next booth hearing this asked Jim if he was he remembered who he was talking about and Jim told them he was too kind hearted to hurt anyone intentionally.             Jim excused himself and left to go to the factory at 6:20 so he could speak with Mrs. Wilcox. When he arrived at her office door she was sitting there in her chair putting her personal things from her desktop in a box. Jim knocked lightly and when she told him to come in, he did so introducing himself as James Albert Davies, the new owner. She turned white as a ghost and almost fainted, He asked her if she was ok and she nodded her head still too shocked to speak. After a few minutes she looked at him and asked him why he had come to work posing as a regular person if he was the new owner. Jim explained to her what his reasons had been and then told her of the changes he that were taking effect. She said she figured she would be fired but never thought he would actually give her 6 months severance pay and full pension benefits as well. He told her that 35 years at any one place deserved recognition. He then told her that she needn’t worry about any of the workers either as they were throwing her a retirement dinner on the upcoming Sunday afternoon at 2 PM. He also asked if she would stick around for the rest of the day to help out with any problems Jennifer and Donna may have in the change over. She agreed to this and asked Jim why he had not just fired her the first day when he seen how she done things or even make her pay the factory back for her hours she wasn’t actually there. Again he told her that in 35 years of service some people are bound to take advantage of their position as well as their position taking advantage of them and in the end it all balances out.             Jim and Mrs. Wilcox heard the buzzer ring just as they heard a knock at the door. Mrs. Wilcox more out of habit then anything else said enter please to the person knocking. Jennifer and Donna both entered the office. Jim quickly explained to them that everything would be ok and that Mrs. Wilcox had agreed to stay for the rest of the day to help out with anything they had problems on. Then he told them all three that if they would excuse him he had to get to shipping as they were still shorthanded. The three women stood with a look of surprise on their faces as Jim left the office.             Sandra was just as surprised when Jim walked into the shipping office and asked where his clipboard and orders were. She told him she thought he would be running things in the main office and wouldn’t be back to shipping anymore. He smiled at her and told her he was still a shipping clerk and they were still shorthanded so he was going to continue doing his job there. She hurriedly handed him his clipboard and the orders that she was trying to divide among the other clerks. He then told her that besides what he had said he also had to think of the others in his load crew for without a clerk they would have nothing to do and he wanted all workers to feel needed. Sandra smiled and said she understood.             Jim was very busy doing his shipping clerk job and also visiting the front office to help out with anything he could there when he wasn’t busy in shipping. Before he realized it the break buzzer rang and when he entered the already almost filled break room everyone applauded him. Jim told them that wasn’t necessary as he was just one of them. They were all sitting and relaxing a few minutes later when Jennifer came in as she had stayed at the front office to answer the phone while Donna took a break at the same time as Jim so they could be together. Jennifer said she had a message for Donna and asked if she could speak with her out in the hall. Jim followed them out and Jennifer proceeded to tell Donna that the hospital had just called and said they had Chrissy in the emergency room and she needed to come immediately. She told her that there had been an accident at school and Chrissy was hurt pretty badly. Jim and Donna both looked at each other and without speaking, they both raced out of the factory towards Jim’s van.           It was only minutes later they were rushing into the emergency room at the hospital. The nurse at the counter was Leena Eason and she looked at Donna and pointed towards the room across the hall. Donna and Jim both entered the room as Lena came up behind them telling them that Chrissy was unconscious and may look worse then she actually was. Donna moved slowly to the bedside and stared at her daughter laying there motionless. She was covered in bandages almost from head to toe and her skin was bright red where it wasn’t covered.             Lena told them that Chrissy had been burnt very badly by steam from a pipe that fed high pressure steam to dishwasher and sanitizer unit in the school kitchen. She had been taking some papers on to the cooks in the kitchen for one of the teachers. There were two kitchen workers burnt also but not as badly since Chrissy was walking past the pipe when it burst. The pressure had thrown Chrissy about 20 feet across the kitchen area and slammed her into the shelves where canned goods were stored. She had received a severe impact to the head and it had broken her left leg and wrist. They were monitoring her very closely to make sure she didn’t have any internal bleeding and also to make sure she didn’t have any swelling in the head or fluid build up in it.             The two kitchen workers had been burnt rescuing her before the steam could be shut down were in the next room. Jim and Donna both said they wanted to thank them. Donna sat next to the bed and started to reach for Chrissy’s hand but noticed the bandages on it, Lena told her it would be ok as long she didn’t squeeze it. Jim stood behind Donna his heart sinking as low as it could with pain that he felt for not being able to help Chrissy. He was almost in tears as Donna started crying and telling Chrissy that she was there and for her to please wake up.  Chrissy’s body remained still and lifeless looking. Jim was having trouble holding the tears back. He never could stand to see a child in pain and now he was seeing one that he couldn’t help at all even with his billions of money.                     The hurt he was feeling now was even more so as he also felt the pain of not being able to help the woman he had fallen in love with. Donna was shaking from crying so much and Jim placed his hands on shoulders and asked if she wanted some coffee or something, she told him that would be ok sensing that maybe he wanted to be alone for a minute as she could tell he was also very upset from Chrissy being hurt.             Jim left the room and asked Lena if he could speak with the two workers that had rescued Chrissy. She led him into the room next to the one Chrissy was in and there he met the two women that had saved her. The first woman he met was Mrs. Danvers and she had received burns on her arms and hands and on her left side of her face but not anywhere near as bad as Chrissy’s were. He told her that Donna and he were very grateful to her for helping to save Chrissy and that he would like to reward her for it if she would let him. He told her to think about what she wanted most out of life and if it was within his capabilities it would be hers. She told him the only thing she wanted was for Chrissy to be ok. This almost brought a flood of tears from Jim.             The second woman he met was Ms. Wrigley and she had burns also on her arms and hands and on the right side of her face. She had also a bad cut just above her right eye and was told it was where the shelf had hit her as she tried to pull Chrissy to safety before Mrs. Danvers helped her. Jim told her the same thing about them being grateful to her and offered her a reward of anything he could give. She answered with the same reply as Mrs. Danvers had that the only reward she wanted was to see Chrissy ok again. Jim let a few tears escape as he tried his hardest to hold them back. He told her if there was ever anything he could do for them to just ask and he would do it no matter what it was.             Jim also noticed that Ms. Wrigley was a younger woman about the age of 23 or so and he thought her be part Mexican. He asked her if she was and she told him yes her mother had been almost full blooded Mexican. She also told him that she had only been around the area for two weeks and this was her only her fifth day on the job at the school as a kitchen aid. She then asked Jim how his daughter was doing since they brought her in. Jim told her it was his fiancé’s daughter and that she was still unconscious. He then excused himself as he made his way out of the room before he burst out in tears.             Jim asked Lena as to the location of the cafeteria and she walked with him to it. Telling him she believed Chrissy would be ok and hopefully she would wake up soon. He knew she was trying to calm him and relieve some of his pain. He thanked her for caring and helping and told her it must be hard on the nurses also to see a child they knew personally come in injured that bad. Lena told him she felt as bad when that happened as if the children were her very own. Jim got a couple of coffees and headed back to the ER where Chrissy was.             When he entered the room Donna was leaning forward almost with her head touching Chrissy as she was talking to her and telling her again and again that momma was here and everything would be ok if she would just wake up for her. Jim offered Donna one of the coffees and then asked her if she wanted him to go get Josh at the school. Donna told him that Lena had said that Jennifer told her when she called the factory that her babysitter would go get him and take him to the apartment with her own son until one of them came to get him. She then said she would probably feel better if he was also here with them. Jim told her ok and gave her a kiss and left to go get Josh.             When Jim had picked up Josh and was headed back to the hospital he drove by the factory to tell Jennifer how everything was going. Josh stayed in the van and Jim went in to see Jennifer. He knocked on the office door and Jennifer and Mrs. Wilcox both told him to enter. He explained what they had found at the hospital and thanked Jennifer for having her sitter get Josh for them. She said she was glad she could help and to let her know if they needed her to do anything else. Mrs. Wilcox spoke up and asked Jim if he needed someone to keep Josh while Donna and he were at the hospital over the weekend and if so she would be more then happy to have the company at her house. Jim said he wasn’t sure yet but would be sure to let her know as soon as he spoke with Donna.             He then asked Mrs. Wilcox if she would be interested in tutoring someone and teach them to read and write, then he added that they were an adult and ashamed of not knowing how. Mrs. Wilcox told him she would be happy to tutor the person and just to tell them to call her or come and see her. Jim told her he appreciated it and also told her he would pay for the tutoring. She told him no he wouldn’t as he had already given her more then she could have ever dreamed of getting and she was trying to pay him back as best she could. He told her that was unnecessary as he only tried to reward her for putting in 35 years at the factory. She said she knew that but she felt she owed him something. Jim then bid the two of them goodbye and headed back to his van to take Josh to the hospital to see his mom and sister.             Once back at the hospital Jim and Josh found that they had moved Chrissy to the CCU and were taken to her room there. Donna was sitting beside the bed when they walked in as she had done in the other room before Jim had left. He stepped over by her and gently hugged her. She turned and saw Josh and got opened her arms to him for a hug as well. Josh acted a little hesitant to come near the bed with Chrissy all wrapped in bandages, but he did hug his mom and then stepped back a little. Donna told Jim that the doctor had came in and said that he was going to put Chrissy’s arm and leg in a cast in the morning so the burns could have a little more treatment time as they would not get anything on them in those two areas once the casts were put on. Jim nodded an ok to Donna and then asked if she was hungry for he had thought of getting some lunch for everyone. Donna said she was ok and Jim told her she needed to eat to keep her strength up so she could be there for Chrissy when she woke. She said he was right and that he could get her the usual and she would eat some of it just for strength. Josh volunteered to go with him immediately. He wanted to make sure Chrissy was ok, but just couldn’t stand to see her I laying there motionless.             Jim and Josh walked into the restaurant just a little after 12:30 and noticed there weren’t many people there. They sat at the booth in the corner that Jim and Donna always sat at. The waitress asked them how Chrissy was as she brought them tea to drink. Jim told her of the girl’s condition and then he and Josh ordered their lunch to eat there and also a lunch for Donna to go. Josh asked Jim did he think Chrissy would die and Jim told him Chrissy’s condition was very serious, and he hoped she woke soon, but he didn’t think she would die. Josh just sat thinking until the food was brought to them.             Jim felt a strange feeling sort of like a cold chill and looked at his watch, it was 1 o’clock. He just shrugged it off and continued with his meal. Just and he and Josh were finishing with their meal, his cell phone rang. He answered it and found it to be Donna on the other end. She called to tell him Chrissy was awake, she then told him she woke up at one o’clock. Jim told Donna of the feeling he had at that very minute and she said he must have felt Chrissy waking up. He told her that they would be back at the hospital shortly and he was bringing her lunch. She told him ok and she said bye and I love you. This was the first time she had spoken these words to Jim, he was almost too late responding with his I love you too for her to hear before she hung up. She heard it though then said ok see you in a few and hung up.             Jim told Josh about Chrissy waking up as they headed to the counter to pay out and leave. Soon they were walking into the hospital. Lena met them and told them they had once again moved Chrissy, this time to a private room and she led them to it. Jim knocked lightly and heard Donna say come in then he and Josh went in. Chrissy was lying in the bed with it slightly elevated at the head end. She was talking to Donna about something in a low voice and they ended the conversation as Jim and Josh came near.           Jim told her he was glad she was awake and that she had given him a big scare. He then handed Donna her lunch and bent to kiss her. She thanked him for the lunch and kissed him briefly. She was starving now for her fear had gone down in severity and her hunger had risen. She moved to the table by the window and sat in the chair there to eat her lunch. Jim asked Chrissy how she was feeling and he noticed she had a cast on her leg and arm now. Chrissy said she felt numb and odd, but wasn’t feeling any pain. Jim told her that was good not feeling any pain and asked Donna if the doctor had said anything about her condition.             Donna told him the doctor said she should be ok as the burns weren’t as bad as they looked, but she would probably peel as if she had severe sunburn. Jim said he was glad it wasn’t any worse. Then he told Donna of Mrs. Wilcox’s offer to keep Josh for her so she could stay here with Chrissy and he was surprised when Donna said Mrs. Wilcox had came by earlier and told her. She said she had told her she would let Josh decide and if he wanted to stay with her it was ok. Donna then said she almost fainted when Mrs. Wilcox had come in to check on Chrissy and then told Donna to please call her Janet when Donna had called her Mrs. Wilcox. Jim looked totally shocked by this and just smiled.             Donna then went on to tell him that Janet had a son that died when he was only 6 years old, he had fallen on ice on some steps and went into a comma and never woke up. He died on the second day of the comma. This had happened many years ago and Janet had told her that since it was her only child she never had any grandkids and to watch Josh for her for a few days would be an honor to her. Jim said he could understand that and also told Donna of asking Mrs. Wilcox about tutoring an adult and he was going to talk to Bill Randalls and see if he would go for it since Janet had offered to help.             Donna told him she was sure he would. Then she looked at Jim in a funny way and asked him where he hid his wings at and then laughed lightly. Jim understood what she meant but played it out by saying what wings. Chrissy and Josh were both looking at the Donna and Jim wondering what they were talking about. Donna answered Jim his angel wings as she knew now for sure he was an angel sent from heaven to see over everyone in town. Jim just smiled really big and blushed.                     Jim asked Donna that since Chrissy was awake did she think Josh still needed to stay with someone or was she going to go home at night. Donna thought about it for a few seconds and asked him if he would like to stay through the night with Chrissy tonight or would he like to take Josh home and sleep there for the night. Jim said he could and would stay if Chrissy was ok with the idea and if something happened he could call Donna right away. Chrissy spoke up quickly and said she would really like for Jim to stay, that way they could get to know each other a little more. Donna spoke then and said everything was settled except her minivan was still at the factory. Jim told her that wasn’t a problem and handed her his van keys.    They all sat around talking until about 6 o’clock and then Donna asked Jim if he wanted some supper as she was thinking of going to the house and showering then coming back for a bit. Jim told her since it was already this late why didn’t she just run by the restaurant and pick up some food for them all and come back and eat here then she could go to the house for the night. Donna said it sounded ok to her and she asked Chrissy what she would like and then asked Josh if he wanted to go with her. Josh said yes and they headed out of the room.   No sooner then Donna was gone, Chrissy asked Jim if he was going to adopt her and Josh after he married her mom. This was a little quick for Jim and he told her that he hadn’t thought about it yet. He told her that if he did in fact marry her mom and the three of them wanted him to adopt her and Josh then he would definitely do it, but only if they all three agreed on it. Chrissy told him that Josh and she had been discussing it and they both would really like to have him as their dad. She then said that Donna and she were talking about him earlier when they came in and Donna had said she would really love to have him as her husband as she had fallen in love with him already. Jim blushed and told Chrissy that was nice to hear and he would keep it in mind. Then Chrissy asked him to tell her about himself.   Jim sat there telling Chrissy his life history until Donna and Josh returned with the food. He told her he would continue after they left. Donna looked at him and Chrissy with a puzzling look on her face when they stopped talking as soon as she came in the room. Chrissy told her Jim was telling her about himself and that was all when Donna steeped over to the bed to setup her plate for her. Donna told her she would have to tell her about him then afterwards as she still didn’t much about him.   After they had finished eating Donna asked Jim if he was sure he wanted to spend the night and let her take his van. He told her he was completely sure and he wasn’t worried about his van as long as she was using it. She stepped over to him as he was getting up and she gave him a tight hug and a kiss that lasted for a few seconds. Then she told him that she would see him in the morning unless he called her during the night and since there was no school due to the pipe burst she might not come back until after 8 in the morning. He told her that was quite aright and said goodnight to her. She said she loved him again and Jim told her he also loved her. He then told Josh goodnight as Donna told Chrissy goodnight. Then Donna and Josh left to go home for the night. It was already 7:30 and Jim knew he was tired and Chrissy seemed to be also.   After Donna and Josh had left he continued telling his life history to Chrissy and was done with the short version and answering her questions about 9:30. They both decided to get some sleep and Jim opened the cot that the nurse had brought in for him. He removed his items from his pockets and took off his shirt and shoes, and then lay on the cot to go to sleep. Chrissy was asleep already and he hoped with the medication they were giving her she would rest well. He said goodnight to her and she never replied so he knew she was asleep. He got to sleep thru the night as Chrissy never woke at all.

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