“Now, is there someone we can call for you? I was given instructions from the EMTs that brought you in that we weren’t to contact your mother who is listed as your emergency contact. Normally I would ignore that, but your lieutenant who arrived not long after they brought you in insisted that was your wish. So, is it okay to call her now?” He looks confused as to why I didn’t want her called.
“My father was a firefighter and died on the job.” I’m gasping with the effort it takes to talk. “I don’t want her to worry when she lives so far away and can’t…”Cough, cough, cough. Every cough feels like it’ll be my last as I try so hard to draw in the oxygen I need. I wheeze as my chest constricts around my lungs, and the pain is so bad, I’m sure they’ve missed a broken rib or two.
“Take a sip of water, not too much at once.” He pushes the table closer to me, with a cup of water and a straw.
The small amount of ice-cold water sliding down my throat is so soothing. Then the nurse readjusts the nasal prongs on my nose that’s feeding me oxygen to assist my breathing. They both just stand there, watching and waiting for my breathing to level out, and I lie back on the pillow, trying to settle. I close my eyes, but that just freaks me out, so I open them and look up at the doctor again to signal he should keep talking.
“I understand you worry about your mother, Miss Bertrum, but I suggest maybe you change your emergency contact to someone else who won’t panic. A friend, perhaps?” My mindgoes straight to Autumn, but she would be just as bad as Mom and is also not close by either. “Especially in your line of work. You were lucky this time, but next time might be a different story.”
“Yes, I’ll do that,” I reply as I reach for the cup of water and take another small sip, then continue. “And I’ll call my mother shortly.”
“Okay, now I assume your whole fire station is out in the waiting room. I can’t let them all in at the same time, but would you like to see a few of them?”
I shake my head side to side, which is a big mistake, as it sends shooting pains through my skull. I wince and hold my head perfectly still again until it settles a little.
“No,” I say as I close my eyes again, waiting for the pain and bit of dizziness to subside slightly. “Can you tell them,” I wheeze, “I need to rest,” gasping a little more for air, “I’m fine. To come back tomorrow.” I plead with him with my eyes while I try to take my next breath. “Don’t want to see anyone now.” I can feel the wheeze in every breath. “If you say they can’t come, then they’ll leave.”
Just trying to say all that has taken every bit of energy I have.
The last thing I want right now is to look into the eyes of the person whose fault it is that I’m in here. Which confuses me, because I don’t know why I know that. I just feel so strongly in my gut that something isn’t right.
“I can do that for you. Monica, your nurse, will be back shortly with some more pain relief and to help you get comfortable. Perhaps call your mother while you’re waiting. I’ll be back to check on you later, but just buzz us if you need anything.”
With that, he looks over what Monica has typed into my notes, then signs off on the drugs he has ordered for me. The two of them leave the room, and I reach for my phone straight away.
Unlocking it and searching through my contacts, I push on the phone number I need.
I hear it ringing, but as it picks up, there’s silence on the other end, which confuses me, so I manage to whisper one word. Hopefully it’s loud enough he hears it.
“Landon?”
“Poppy, what’s wrong?” His strong, deep voice booms through the phone, and I can’t hold on any longer. Tears start running down my face.
“I need you,” I whimper, trying so hard not to completely lose it but not having much luck as he tells me to talk to him.
“I’m in Strong Memorial Hospital…” I have to cough and gasp a few times before I continue. “I got hurt in a fire. I’m scared.”
“Fuck, Poppy, I’m on my way, I’ll be on the first plane. Are you okay?” I can hear the panic in his voice, and then he’s yelling at someone, telling him he’s leaving and will explain later.
“Yes… no. Don’t know.” I wheeze trying to draw a breath, but I need to keep going. “Don’t tell Mom… please.” My voice is coming and going. “Not yet.”
“Poppy, listen to me. Just answer this.” I’ve never heard him so commanding. “Are you going to be okay? Answer me yes or no.” And the worry in his gruff voice brings more tears.
“Yes, eventually,” is all I can get out.
“Thank God for that. I’m getting in the car and heading straight to the airport. Get me on the list of people who can get in to see you, then rest. I’ll be there as soon as I can, sweetheart.”
“The boys,” I manage to get out in between sobs of relief, knowing he’s coming.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get them sorted. They’ll be fine. You’re my priority right now.” His voice is now more distant as the call clicks into the Bluetooth in the car.
“No.” I cough. “Boys always come first,” I remind him.
“Get my name on that fucking list at the desk, tell them I’m your boyfriend or even your fucking husband if you want. I don’t care what I’m called but just get me on it. Otherwise, I’ll be tearing that place apart to get to you. Just do that, then sleep. I’ll be there by the time you wake up.” I want that more than anything.
“Landon, I…” I can’t say everything I need to tell him. I’m exhausted and have hardly any voice left.
“Shhh, it’s okay. We’ll talk when I get there. Just hang on.” He’s trying to be gentle with me, but I can still hear the fear in his voice.
