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One in a Billion Chapter Nineteen “Day Nineteen” Donna woke the next morning to what she thought was someone
calling her name. She could faintly make it out though as if they were very far
away from her. When she opened her eyes she sat very still to see if she had in
fact heard someone calling her. She heard it again and this time is was
somewhat louder. She turned to face Jim and noticed he had turned his head
towards and had his eyes open. She could see his lips moving and could barely
hear him so she got up and moved close to the bed, then leaned down near his
head. He spoke very softly, “What happened, where am I, how long
have I been asleep. The last thing I remember was driving and I seen something
out the corner of my eye, then I heard a crash and felt the van caving in
around me. The next thing was it felt like I was in a barrel rolling down a
hill. I could smell smoke and tried to yell out for help, but I couldn’t say
anything. Then I woke up a few minutes ago and was trying to get you to wake up
and tell me what was going on.” Donna looked into his eyes and as she replied a few tears
escaped from hers. “Jim, you were in a very bad accident, an eighteen wheeler
ran the stop sign at the intersection by Wilma’s Kitchen and it rolled the van
sideways about 5 times. You were pinned in the wreckage pretty bad and when
they got you out they found you had two broken legs, a broken left arm and were
bleeding internally in your chest. They did surgery to stop the bleeding and
set the bones, but you were still unconscious. Jim I love you so much and it
nearly killed me to see you in the shape you were in and you not waking up when
I spoke to you or even when I kissed you. You have been here since the accident
Tuesday morning and it is now Thursday. I am so happy you finally woke up.” Jim spoke a little louder this time as he asked for a drink
of water. He sipped from the glass of water that Donna poured him from the
pitcher the nurses had kept full of fresh water and ice. After a few sips he
spoke almost as loud as he normally did. “Donna, I am so very sorry you had to
be put through all this with me after going though everything you have been
through in the past 6 months or so with your own family. I can only hope that
all this won’t stop you from still wanting to marry me even though we may have
to wait a while for me to heal before we can actually get married”, he told
her. “I would wait for you as long as it takes because I love
you so much and would never change my mind about marrying you no matter what I
had to endure”, she replied. Then she told him, “I have been here every since
they moved you into this room Tuesday after your surgery and there was no way
anyone was going to get me to leave until you woke up unless the doctors ran me
off so they could work on you again.” Just then the door opened and Erica came in to check on
Jim. She saw he was awake and asked him how he felt. Jim told her he was
feeling some pain in his legs, left arm and shoulder and his chest, but he was
able to handle it at the moment. He then asked what time it was and Erica told
him was As soon as Erica was out of the room Donna leaned over Jim
and kissed him passionately. Then she told him, “I have missed doing that more
then anything. I wasn’t sure if you would get mad if you had waked up during me
kissing you.” Jim said, “Donna, there is no way I could get mad at you for
anything you do, as I love you with all my heart and as soon as I am able I
plan on showing my love for you.” Donna smiled and gave him another kiss, this
time Jim responded with a passionate kiss to her. As they ended the kiss and
Donna was standing back up as they heard a slight knock at the door. Donna said
come in and Erica entered the room carrying a small tray with two cups of
coffee and a plate with four donuts on it. She sat the tray on the table in the
corner and said she would be back later. Jim and Donna both thanked her for the
breakfast as she was heading back out of the room. Donna took one coffee and a donut and placed them on the
bed table and slid it up to Jim as he raised his bed to a sitting position. She
then told Jim about Connie staying at the house and wanted to know if it was ok
for Josh to come and see him. Jim told her he would like having Josh here, it
would make him feel like the “family” was all together then. Donna had tears in
her eyes again as she thanked him for considering them a family already. She
turned and picked up the phone to call Josh. Jim told her she might want to
wait a little while as it was still early. She looked at her watch and saw it
was only Erica came back in a short later and asked Jim if he wanted
a sponge bath given by one of the nurses or would he prefer Donna to do it for
him. Jim wasted no time in replying that Donna could do it if she would. Donna
agreed quickly and Erica said she would return shortly with a cart that had a
bath pan, washcloths and towels on it. About 10 minutes later Erica wheeled a
small cart into the room and told Donna that when she finished either let her
know or put the cart in the hall beside the door to the room. Donna told her
she would and then Erica left. After they finished their coffee and donuts Donna took the
pan into the bathroom and filled it with hot but not scalding water. She then
set it on the cart and asked Jim to test to see if it was too hot for him. Jim
placed his fingers in the water and told her it would be ok. She then helped
him remove the hospital gown he was wearing. After the gown was off she pulled
the covers back up to his waist so he would stay warm and began by washing
around the cast area of his left arm. She then washed his right arm followed by
his chest, back, neck and face. She then toweled him off and helped to put on
the clean gown Erica had left for him. Once in the clean gown Donna pulled the covers off Jim’s
legs and washed what she could of the upper parts where there were no casts.
She then asked Jim if he wanted her to wash him completely or did he wish to
wait till someone brought him some clean underwear. Jim told her he could wait
for a while and maybe Josh could bring him some underwear and t-shirts both
along with his robe. Donna told him she would ask him to do that when she
called him later. Donna then fixed the covers over Jim after she dried off his
legs and then pushed the cart out into the hall, parking it near the door as
Erica had said. Donna looked at her watch and saw it was nearing Connie and Josh showed up in about 40 minutes. Josh was
toting Jim’s suitcase and his laptop case. Connie had a large shopping bag with
some clothes for Donna in it. Jim told Josh, “Thank you for bringing my stuff,
I am glad you thought to bring my laptop, at least I can do a few things on it
while I am in here.” Connie told Donna she might want to go with her to the
house and shower and change there then bring her van back so she would have a
vehicle at the hospital in case she needed one and then she whispered that Josh
had asked her to say that as he wanted some time alone with Jim. Donna spoke up
and said that was very good idea and she was sure Jim could get along with out
her for a few minutes if Josh would agree to stay with him. Josh quickly agreed
to stay as he had wanted this in the first place. Jim told her he would be ok
and for her to take her time as he wasn’t going anywhere. Connie and Donna then
left to go to the house. After the girls had left Josh sat down in the chair near
the bed and started talking to Jim. Josh told Jim about asking his mom if Jim
was going to die or not. He told him of being so worried that he night die that
he actually sat and cried as he had when Chrissy died. Jim told him that was ok
and all true men cried over people they cared about. Jim then told him there
was no shame in a man crying and those that thought it was shameful were the
ones that were not true men. Josh thanked him and then they continued to talk
for a while. Josh asked Jim if he was still going to marry his mom even
after the accident he had. Jim told him he was and it would be as soon as he
could get around again and they could make the arrangements. Jim told him that
the sooner they became a family the better he would feel and them too probably.
Josh told him he would feel better for sure as he would once again have a dad
around and that would mean they could do things together as other kids did with
their dads. Jim told him that sounded like a good thing to him also. Jim then
asked Josh if he and his mom got married would Josh be his best man at the
wedding. Josh’s face lit up really bright and he smiled bigger then Jim had
ever saw and said he would. After a few minutes Jim asked Josh if he would help him
change his underwear and get a t-shirt on. Josh didn’t say anything but
responded by getting Jim’s suitcase and opening it up. He took out a clean pair
of boxers and a clean white t-shirt for Jim to put on. He also took out Jim’s
robe and laid it across the foot of the bed. It took them nearly twenty minutes
to get the underwear changed and the t-shirt on due to the casts Jim had on his
legs and left arm. After that Jim told Josh he was very tired and if it was ok
with him they would just watch some TV until Donna and Connie came back. Josh
asked if he could go to the concession room and get a soft drink. Jim told him if
he had the money he could go. Josh went out of the room as Erica was coming in. Erica asked Jim if he was ok for he looked like he was in
some pain. Jim explained them changing his boxers and t-shirt. Erica said that
would explain the pain he felt and showed then. She asked if he wanted a
something for the pain, but Jim told her only if got to bothering him worse
then he thought he could handle. Erica then said, “The doctor has asked me to
inform you that the cast on your right leg may be changed to a metal splint as
it is only a small fracture and the only reason they used a cast on it in the
beginning was due to you being unconscious and they were afraid you might try
to get up if it just had a splint and bandage on it.” Jim responded, “That
would be great, then maybe I could go home quicker.” Erica said, “The doctor
said you may get to go home as soon as tomorrow if the x-rays we do this
afternoon look ok and there is no signs of anything wrong when we change your
chest bandages, I will be back later to take you for your cast removal and
x-rays.” Jim said he would be ready when ever she came for him and Erica left
again. Jim pulled the bed table closer to him and opened his
laptop case, which had more then enough room actually for two laptops in it. He
opened one of the large compartments and took out his cell phone that he had
when he first came to town. He dialed the number of his insurance company that
had the policy on his van. After explaining to them what had happened and what
kind of shape he was in and where he was, they said they would send a
representative out immediately to speak with him. After that call Jim called
his attorneys, the same ones that had handled the inheritance, and he asked
them to bring a copy of his will and life insurance policies to him so he could
change the beneficiary to Donna Clifton as he wanted to make sure she got
everything he had if something happened before they got married. He said though
the factory would not be going to Donna, but to Jennifer and they should also
bring the papers for it too and he informed the attorney of the plan to sell
shares to the employees and asked them to bring paperwork for it also. Jim also
asked the attorney to set up a college fund that would make sure Josh could
attend any college in the world for what ever he decided to choose as his
career. After he finished speaking to his attorney, Jim called the local
florist and ordered a dozen roses to be brought to Donna at the hospital and
ordered a half dozen each to be delivered to Lena, Erica and Sue at the
hospital. He then asked for a half dozen each to be delivered to Mrs. Wilcox,
Jennifer and Sandy at the factory. Then Jim quietly returned the cell phone to
his laptop case and relaxed for a few minutes to rest as he was a bit tired. Jim had dozed off and was sleeping when Josh returned to
the room so he sat in the chair beside the table and watched TV. After about 30
minutes or so Josh was also dozing lightly. Donna and Connie knocked lightly
before entering the room and when they did enter they found both the guys
sleeping. Connie told her not to wake them and if it was ok she would leave
Josh there for a while. Donna told her it would be ok and Connie left to return
to the house to tend to her family. Donna was just starting to sit down when Erica and two
orderlies pushing a gurney entered the room. Erica told Donna of the x-rays
they were going to take and of replacing the cast on Jim’s right leg with a
metal splint and bandage. Donna gently shook Jim awake and told him Erica was
there to take him to x-ray, he said ok and the orderlies moved him from his bed
to the gurney without ever waking Josh. Donna woke Josh after Jim had gone and
told him what they were doing with him, she also told him it would be an hour
or two before they brought him back in and wanted to know if Josh wanted to go
with her to the restaurant for some lunch. Josh said that sounded good to him
and he got ready and they left. Donna stopped at the nurses stations and told
them to let Jim know she would be back later as her and Josh were going to get
some food and maybe check on a few things. Donna and Josh drove out to the salvage yard that had towed
Jim’s van as Donna had brought her camera and wanted to take some pictures to
show Jim just what he had went through. She took several pictures of the van
and Josh even got some for her of the inside as Donna couldn’t bring herself to
lean into the wreckage. They then headed to the local One-Hour photo place and
dropped the film off and then headed to the restaurant to get some lunch. When
they arrived they were a little surprised to see Jean, (Mrs. Wilcox), there and
Donna asked if they could join her. Jean told her, “Yes, Please sit and tell me
how Jim is doing. He must be doing better if you are out and about for I know
you would never leave him unless he was.” Donna said she was right and then she
proceeded to tell her of Jim’s progress and what was going on with them. After Donna and Josh had finished their lunch
and were about to leave, Jean asked Donna if she thought maybe Josh could come
to her house one day soon or even at the weekend as she had some things he
could do and she would pay him for the help. Donna asked Josh if he might be
interested in working some and he said he would be happy to help Mrs. Wilcox.
Donna then told her it might be a day or two and she would call her tomorrow
and let her know. Then Donna and Josh left to go pick up the pictures and
return to the hospital. As Donna started towards the door a small thin girl walked
in and just about ran into her and Josh. Donna noticed the girl seemed to be
afraid or something and was dressed in what looked to be old clothes and a
little dirty at that. She looked to be about 16 or 17 years old at the most was
only about five feet tall. Donna guessed her to weigh maybe a 100 pounds or
less soaking wet and her hair looked as if it hadn’t been washed in days or
even weeks. Donna stopped for a minute as the girl went past them and sat on a
stool at the counter. Eleanor the waitress asked the girl could she get her
something and the girl asked her what she could get for a dollar and 27 cents.
Donna almost fell backwards as she heard the girls voice as it sounded a lot
like Chrissy’s voice had sounded when she asked something from Donna that she
hesitant to ask. Donna told Josh she
wanted to wait around for a bit and asked if he would go over and talk to Mrs.
Wilcox while she spoke with the girl. Josh went back and sat down with Mrs.
Wilcox as Donna sat down on a stool next to the girl and told Eleanor to bring
the girl a complete plate lunch with whatever she wanted to drink and make sure
she also brought dessert. Then Donna
turned to the girl and said, “Hi my name is Donna Clifton”. The girl replied,
“Hello, I am Melanie Baker and thank you for generosity, I will repay you if
you have some work I can do.” “Are you new in town, Melanie,” asked Donna.
Melanie told her, “Yes I have been traveling for weeks now and seem not be
getting anywhere fast. My boyfriend I was living with in Donna said,
“Well then you shall have to repay me for your meal by coming to my house and
helping my sister do a few a things there,” as she smiled and winked at the
girl. “How does that sound to you,” she asked. “Ok I guess, but are you sure
you want someone as dirty and smelly as I am in your house,” asked Melanie.
Donna told her that would be taken care of with a shower and some clean
clothes. She then asked Melanie how old she was, and was a little shocked to
hear she was 23 years old. Melanie removed a small worn wallet from her jeans
pocket and slowly removed a Melanie ate everything on her plate that Eleanor had
brought to her and drank four glasses or tea. She then asked where the girl’s
room was and when she returned from it she ate a piece of chocolate pie for
dessert and drank another glass of tea with it. Donna asked, “When was the last
time you ate Melanie.” “About two days ago, I found the dollar and 27 cents I
have by walking around parking lots in the past two days,” Melanie replied.
Donna told her that as long as she was with her she would always have something
to eat. Then Donna motioned for Josh to come to her and she introduced Melanie
and him to each other. Donna, Josh and Melanie then left and they headed to pick
up the pictures as Donna told Melanie of Jim and that was why she wouldn’t be
home for a day or two. She explained that her daughter had passed away recently
and that her sister and her family were staying with Josh at her house since
Jim had been the accident to help her out. As Donna pulled up to the One-Hour
photo shop she looked at her watch, it was already When she got there she introduced Melanie to everyone and
then asked Connie if she could maybe help Melanie find some clean clothes to
put on and also to show her to Chrissy’s room as she was going to be staying
for a while with them. Connie told her not to worry she would handle everything
and that Donna may want to head back to the hospital as she was sure Jim would
probably be worrying where she was by now. Donna told her she was probably
right and after showing the pictures they had taken of the van to everyone she
left to go back to the hospital. Just as she was walking out Connie handed her
a plate wrapped in tin foil and told her she had fixed Jim and her some supper.
Donna thanked her and took the plate and left. Donna knocked lightly before entering Jim’s hospital room
and when she entered she found he was asleep again. She started to sit the
plate of food on the table in the corner when she found the dozen red roses.
She read the card and saw they were for her. She opened it and read the message;
“These roses are beautiful, but not as beautiful as the one receiving them.
Love, Jim.” This made tears come to Donna’s eyes as she thought of the love Jim
had for her. She turned and leaned over Jim and gave him a light kiss and said,
“I love you.” He didn’t wake so she figured they may have given him something
for the pain. Sue came in and asked Donna if Jim had woken up yet for
they had gave him a light sedative when they replaced the cast with the splint
and bandage so he wouldn’t have as much pain. Donna told not yet but she would
let her know if he did wake up. Sue saw the roses and told Donna that Erica,
Lena and herself had each received a half dozen yellow roses from Jim earlier
with the cards saying he was glad that there were nurses that put feelings and
pride into their work still and that he wanted to thank them all three for
taking care of him. Donna told her that Jim was a very thoughtful and caring
person and did things to show his appreciation for everything people did to
help him in any way. Sue agreed with her and told her she would be back later
to check on Jim and asked if she needed anything. Donna said she was ok and
would let her know if she needed anything later. Sue headed out the door to
make her rounds. Donna
decided to check the plate Connie had fixed for them. She decided to eat some
of it and sat down in the chair with the plate and ate part of the creamed
potatoes, blackeye peas and one of the chicken thighs. After she finished
eating Donna put the plate back on the table in the corner and turned the TV
on. She glanced at her watch to find it was already |
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