As the woman approaches my bed he puts his hand out and she takes his hand in hers and shakes politely. I have no idea who this woman is. Why is she here? Then I notice she has a bandage on her forehead and an ace bandage around her wrist.
“No, I’m not her mom. I was also in the wreck last night. I was worried about her. They couldn’t find family contacts for her last night. The young man that was here with her last night is an associate of my husband’s. He was here to watch over her until they found family for her, but they said no one ever showed up. I just want to make sure she is okay.” Dr. Gray raises his eyebrows like he is surprised. People just don’t do things like this anymore. She is very nice to worry about me.
“That is very nice of you. Ms. …” Dr. Gray leaves it hanging.
“That’s Mrs. Duncan.” A huge man is standing in my room doorway.
“Pardon me. I’m sorry, of course, Mrs. Duncan.” Dr. Gray has just been put in his place by this man. “I need to have a few words with my patient.”
“Jethro, will you wait outside so the good doctor can finish up?” The pretty lady says to the big man. The big man walks over to the lady and kisses the heck out of her and then looks at the doctor. He could have just peed on her leg, it would have been the same thing. He smirks at the doctor and walks out. The two nurses have grins on their faces. Yes, they would like to be the pretty lady. I look at the woman.
“Ma’am, do I know you? I don’t understand why you’re here. I don’t know any of you, do I?” I know my confusion is coming across so maybe they’ll explain.
“I’m Lillian Duncan. That big oaf that just left is my husband, Jethro. The young man who was here before stayed here to keep an eye on you for me. He is Con.” That was it, like it should explain everything, but I’m still lost. “Doctor, go ahead.”
“Can you tell me your name?” Dr. Gray asks me.
“Katie Walton.” Pretty simple.
“How old are you, Ms. Walton?” Dr. Gray is going down his list.
“Just turned twenty, two days ago.” When is he going to let me ask questions?
“Well, that answered my next question. What year is it?” Last one before I start asking.
“2016. Now can you tell me what happened? I mean, I know it was a wreck, but the last thing I remember was blinding lights and then nothing.” I keep trying to think and jolt my memory.
“From what the DPS gathered, there was a man driving the other truck who had a heart attack and jumped the median and came into your lane. He clipped your truck, and I’m guessing Mrs. Duncan’s vehicle, and hit a culvert. He deceased from the heart attack. Everyone else was lucky it wasn’t worse. You received the worse injury because of your concussion. The DPS officer will be by to talk to you, I’m sure. For now, try and get some rest.” All that comes to mind is, poor man.
“Has his family been contacted?” It’s so close to Christmas.
“Sweetie don’t you worry about it. Jethro was checking on everything.” Lillian’s voice is the one I remember from last night.
“I’ll be back in the morning to check on you again. I’ll decide then when you can go home. Do you have someone to help?” Dr. Gray sounds concerned.
“Not really, but I have to work and I have classes. This is Friday, right?” I wait for confirmation. They all nod their heads. “I need to make some calls. I don’t have classes until Monday, but I have to work tomorrow.” Thankfully it was a no school day today and I was off work, but I can’t lose my job. If I lose my job, I lose my apartment and would have no money for food or anything.
“You can’t work tomorrow, or for at least four to five days. What kind of work do you do?” Dr. Gray is being a bit nosey.
“I work on a ranch taking care of horses. I do a little of everything there. Mr. Brown has been very good to me and I can’t disappoint him.” I have to call and let him know. I begin to think of everything that depends on my job and it is hard for me to breathe.
“Calm down and take deep breaths. Ms. Walton, you have a concussion and your ribs are bruised. Your left eye won’t even open all the way, so you are going to have to take a few days off and heal. I’m sure your employer will understand.” This came from one of the nurses.
“I’ll be back in the morning. I’ll have to keep you longer if you have no one to help you.” The doctor isn’t listening.
“No worries, doctor. I’ll be sure she is taken care of.” Lillian tells the doctor.
Dr. Gray and the nurses leave me alone with Lillian and I am having a mini freak out. I’m looking around for my purse, or anything of mine, but I’m finding nothing. “Do you think you could help me get a phone I can call my boss with? What town am I in?”
“They brought us to Titus Regional. We were closer to here. Why hasn’t your family come for you?” No easy way to answer that question but straight out. Just as I start to answer the door swings open and Mr. Duncan walks in. “Jethro, you need to knock please.”
“Why? It’s not like she can get out of that bed yet.” He’s right about that.