“Billy Lee couldn’t observe a semi bearing down on his scrawny ass from a foot away,” Buster added.
Jake nodded as Penny ground her teeth together.
“So, if you could, that’d be great, thanks, Jake, seeing as you pass the end of her drive on your way home.”
“Could what?” Jake questioned.
“Go see if she’s okay. You being a doctor and all, and her closest neighbor, you’ll be able to check if she needs help.”
He looked from her to Buster and back again. “Why would I want to do that?”
“Because you know how to.”
“I’m a mechanic now, Penny. I don’t practice medicine anymore.”
“Pffft, that’s just you playing around,” She waved her hand about and headed for the door. “So, maybe take her to see your mom if you think she needs an X-ray.” Penny pronounced it X-er ray, which used to annoy the hell out of Jake when he still gave a shit.
“I’m not going.” The café door swung shut on his reply, but Jake knew she’d heard him. “Why did I come back here?”
“It sure as hell wasn’t for some privacy.”
Jake snorted at Buster’s words. “Why is it so hard for this town to understand I don’t want to be a doctor anymore?”
“Because you’re one of their favorite sons, and they had big expectations for you and refuse to believe you’re not living up to them.”
“What do I have to do? Take out an ad, run naked down the main street yelling that I’m a fucking lunatic now and not fit to look after people?”
“Bad night, bud?”
Jake was disgusted to see that the hands he ran down his face were shaking. “The worst.” He still saw the blood all over them.
“Well, snap the fuck out of it, because I’m bringing the Jeep over later, and you need to stop it making that noise.”
Sucking in a deep, steadying breath, Jake forced himself to calm down. “Buster, the Jeep is one big noise.”
“Whatever, just make her run sweet again.”
“I gave up miracles many years ago.”
“I didn’t,” Buster said softly, giving Jake a steady look.
“Whatever.” Jake headed for the door, needing to get outside in the fresh air so he could haul in a deep lungful. “Bring the Jeep over later, and I’ll put it back together with some duct tape.” Lifting a hand, Jake left the café and climbed back into his pickup. He waved to a few people and wondered why no one in Howling had seen the changes in him. Why didn’t they acknowledge that he wasn’t as friendly as he’d once been? Why did they not ask him why he’d turned his back on medicine? Instead, they brought their cars to him if they needed fixing when Barry—Howling’s mechanic, snow plow, towing service, and search and rescue expert—had too much business.
Heading out of town along the lake, the houses started to thin, and he felt the tension inside him ease as he left the people behind. He’d be home soon, and he could work on the cars and, hopefully, not see anyone else until he wanted to. Seeing Georgie’s purple letterbox approaching, Jake decided he’d drive right by. It wasn’t up to him to check on a woman he didn’t know or care about. Hell, she was probably fine.
Any impact to the head can disrupt the normal function of the brain. People with concussions need to be seen by a doctor, and symptoms can include severe headaches, nausea, or repeated vomiting. In some cases, one of the pupils can appear larger than the other, and in severe cases, the patient can experience slurred speech.
“Stop it, for fuck’s sake. You’re not a doctor anymore!” Smacking the wheel with his hand, he passed the driveway and then jammed his foot on the brake. He’d often said things like that to his patients, and now, when he wasn’t practicing medicine anymore, this kind of dialogue would pop into his head when he overhead someone talk about an injury or medical condition. It drove him crazy.
Throwing the pickup into reverse, he spat out a few curses, then turned into the overgrown driveway. He’d see if Branna O’Donnell was okay, then leave. He could be nice if he had to; it just wasn’t something he was too good at anymore.
He’d spent a bit of time at Georgie’s, as had most of the kids in town. She’d been a woman with a large heart and a huge capacity for giving. She had tutored kids who struggled to read and helped others learn to spell. Pulling to a halt behind a white van, he climbed out. The place was overgrown now. Georgie had been in the hospital for a few months before she passed away, and while the town had tried to keep it tidy, it had slowly started to get out of hand. Looking at the shed behind the house, he wondered if it still housed the Mustang. He loved that car.
Knocking on the door, Jake spent a few minutes surveying the weatherboards. They looked in good condition, just in need of a coat of paint. When no one answered, he knocked again, this time louder, but still no reply. Then he made the wooden door shake on its hinges as he pounded it with his fist. If she didn’t open soon, he’d see if he could find a window to get in through. Seconds later, he was rewarded with the sound of it opening.
“Why are you pounding on my door?”
He’d always liked the gruff little burr of her voice. Maybe it was because he’d not had much contact with anyone else from Ireland. Whatever the reason, her accent had always made him smile.
