“I’m going to go park the truck, then I’ll come back in.” He doesn’t leave any room for me to reply; he’s already rounding the truck.
“Alright, Mr. Knight. Let’s go get your paperwork started and get you into a room. Your friend seems to think you may have a concussion too, so we’ll get you taken care of right away.” She wheels me in. The only thing I’m worried about right now is Aspen, not me or the shit that I could potentially go through. She’s it for me, my end all, be all.
Eleven
Aspen
“Hello,” I answer my cell phone, not caring that we have customers in line. There’s only one person with that ring tone, and he shouldn’t even be calling at this time of the day. Not when he’s supposed to be on the rig, with no cell service. Hell, we’re lucky he has service off the site.
“Hey, Aspen, this is Hank.” My stomach drops. There’s no good reason why Hank would be calling instead of Jasper.
“What’s wrong?”
“Shit, honey. I hate like hell I’m having to call you, but they just took Jasper back for some X-rays and an MRI.” I move to the office. Ruthie is out grabbing some change from the bank; we somehow ran out of quarters today.
“Why though?” I ask, taking a seat on the couch, my eyes already watering on the what-ifs.
“A new guy screwed up, is all I can tell you. Jas seems to be alright. That tough son of a gun, he thinks his collarbone is broken, and the doctors are gonna double check just in case he has a concussion. Now, here’s the hard part. You want me to tell Ruthie, or do you want to?”
“Thank God for small favors and that he’s okay. He told me about the new kid on the block, so to speak. I’ll tell Ruthie, then we’ll be on our way within the hour.” I’m already thinking about everything that needs to be done. I’ll shut the shop for the time being, call Berkley and see if she’s made a decision and wants to come in and help out.
“One last question, do you want Marge to come pick you girls up?” God, he’s so thoughtful. She’s a full hour away with them living closer to the oil rig than we are. I know how hard that will be on her. Plus, she needs to be home for their girls. Jasper talks about how good Hank’s family has been to him and speaks so highly about them. This takes the cake though.
“Nah, I’ll drive us. There’s no need for Marge to come up and then go back down. I’ll talk to Ruthie, then we’ll be down. I’m going to close the shop now, so when she gets back, all we have to do is grab some clothes and head your way. Can you text me the name of the hospital he’s at?”
“You sure? Marge will have no problem doing it, especially for you,” he counters.
“I’m positive. I probably won’t have a meltdown until I see him and know that he’s okay. I’ll be strong for Ruthie, but once I see him, I’m sure that I’ll be the one to lose it.” I try to joke to lighten the mood.
“Alright, honey. I’ll let Jasper know what’s happening when he comes back to his room. I’ll text you my number in case something changes, and of course the hospital address.”
“Thank you, Hank. I know this wasn’t an easy call to make.” I blow out a puff of air.
“No problem. Drive safe, and we’ll see you soon.” I hang up the phone, then I’m in plan mode. I flitter from the office, closing down the register, moving things back inside the store, and cleaning any little thing up until Ruthie comes back twenty long-as-hell minutes later.
“Oh hell, what’s wrong?” is how she greets me. I steady my shaking nerves and tell her everything that’s going on.
“Okay, well, let’s close this place down. You want me to pick you up or you want to pick me up?” She’s as calm as a cucumber.
“I told Hank I’d drive. We can leave your car here, stop at your place, then mine. Hell, my bag is still packed from the off-chance Jasper would have to work this weekend.”
“Alright, then all I have to do is grab my bag out of the back and we can go.” She nods. I see the slight tremble in her hands.
“Ruthie?” I call to get her attention.
“Yes?” This time it’s me hugging her.
“For what it’s worth, Hank said Jasper is okay. The MRI was precautionary. His collarbone is what they were worried about most.”
“You’re right, he is okay, and that’s what we have to keep in mind. I’m alright. Not sure how you’re holding it together, but you’re doing better than me.” She pulls back from my arms.
“Just barely. I’m sure the waterworks will come once the adrenaline wears off,” I tell her. She gives me a soft smile, then we’re off to run our errands and get to Jasper. Hank didn’t say it, and he didn’t have to, but I know he’ll be in the hospital at least for tonight, and if he does in fact need surgery, she and I can stay in his travel trailer or a hotel if it’s too far away. I can’t even think about that right now, or I won’t be able to keep the waterworks at bay, and once they start, they will never end.
Twelve
Jasper
“Christ, what is that godawful smell?” I wake up, apparently after they wheeled me in from not only an X-ray but an MRI. I passed the hell out.
“Jasper Knight, don’t you take the Lord’s name in vain,” my mom’s voice echoes out, causing me to shut my eyes. The throbbing in my head has clearly taken over.
“Sorry, Mom,” I say once I lay my head back on the pillow.
“Jasper.” Her voice surrounds me, soft and sweet just like Aspen. I open my eyes again, not moving my head this time, and they land on the woman who’s the other part of my soul.
“Wildflower.” She moves towards me, being careful of my arm that’s now in the sling, her fingertips moving my hair out of the way, so lightly. I’m well overdue for a haircut, but the way this feels, I may never get one again.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.” Our eyes meet.
“That’s easy. You’re going to love me.”
“Duh, I already love you,” she retorts.
“I know, baby, God, do I know. I love you too. Come here.” I wrap my good arm around the nape of her neck, needing her taste on my lips. Aspen and I don’t care that my mom is in the room or that Hank is standing in the corner. I gain entrance, my tongue seeking hers. “Jasper,” she sighs out loud, then I go for broke. My mouth dominates hers until we hear a couple of throats being cleared. Aspen is blushing more than ever, and I couldn’t be happier. That is until the doctor looks at me.
“Hello, Mr. Knight. I’m Dr. Sanchez. Let’s take a look at your MRI first, shall we?” He makes his way around the room, shaking my hand then everyone else’s before putting the image of my brain on the tablet he holds in his hand.
“Yes, please do,” Aspen says. Mom has been more quiet than usual, and I know she’s barely holding it together. I move my hand around Aspen, who’s sitting beside me on my bed, and reach for my mom’s. She takes it, squeezing mine and then letting it go. Aspen isn’t even aware that I moved my hand off her back to take my mom’s, not that I’m blaming her. She’s entrenched in what the doctor is saying about my grade 2 concussion.