His laugh told me there was something more to that story and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
“What did those idiots do to him?” I could only imagine.
“I do not know, but I am sure that we will hear about it soon enough. Ethan was there, so he probably knows all the gritty details.”
As if on cue, my parents, and Ethan arrived with a large pizza, breadsticks and a two-liter of Coke. I was so glad to see them, not only because was I starving, but I also wanted the opportunity to ask Ethan about what they did to Zak last night. However, I knew I couldn’t question him in front of my parents, especially since he’d covered my rear the other night.
My family and Jackson settled in around my bed and made a little picnic.
“So when do I get out of here?” I looked over at my mother. I knew she could get me sprung from this place if she really wanted.
“Tomorrow, probably,” she said a little too casually, which made me nervous.
“Tomorrow? Why not today?” I had this horrible feeling that she was up to something.
“Honey.” She placed her hand over mine which made me all the more uneasy. “I know you’re ready to go home, but I also know that this isn’t the first time that you’ve had one of these fainting spells. I just want to make sure that you’re tripping wasn’t contributed by another fainting spell, so Dr. Clark is going to run a PET Scan tomorrow morning.”
It was too bad she couldn’t order those tests conducted with Jackson holding my hand. At least that might give us all some answers.
“Let’s hope.” But my eyes landed on Jackson, and I knew he was thinking the same thing.
My parents decided to head home for a while around three. Jackson promised them that he would give Ethan a ride home later so that he could stay with us. I believe my father was thrilled to leave Ethan with us so that Jackson and I wouldn’t be left unsupervised, even in the hospital.
“So tell me, what did you guys do to Zak after the game? Please tell you didn’t do anything stupid.” I gave Ethan my big sister look as much as I could with half my face wincing in pain.
“Oh, don’t blow a gasket.” Ethan plopped himself down in the recliner in the corner. “We didn’t beat him up or anything. Just played a practical joke on him that will insure that next Friday and thereafter, he will pay closer attention to where he throws the ball.”
“What did you do?” I was ready to strangle him, but he was truly enjoying his torment.
“A couple of guys kept him busy in the locker room by, well, taking off with his clothes while he was in the shower. But only for about thirty minutes, give or take, while some of us put his car on blocks and stole his tires. By the time he made it out to the parking lot, his tires had left without him.”
Both guys were rolling with laughter and I cracked a smile in spite of myself.
“Please, tell me that he has his tires back now.”
“Not exactly, but he will in time. We decided we wanted to be sure he looks next time before he throws.” Ethan couldn’t seem to get his laughter under control, and neither could Jackson.
“You little shit! How could you do that to one of my friends?” I tried to hide my own amusement at their stupidity and act like I was upset, but the pain shot through the side of my face, making me wince.
“This has nothing to do with him being one of your friends, Jocelyn. This is about the team!” Ethan could barely get his laughter under control. “Got it?”
“Ethan is right. It’s a team thing and not about you at all.” Jackson surprisingly sided with my brother.
“But you both have to understand. Caitlyn is one of my best friends and she’s going to give me hell for this.” I tried hopelessly to explain.
“No, I’m not.”
I turned my head towards the door at the sound of her voice to see Caitlyn, Hilary, Jenna, Kyle, Zak, and Cody all walking into my room.
“Why would you even think that?” Caitlyn came over and gave me a hug.
“Because my idiot brother was involved.” It seemed liked forever since I’d seen them and not just a couple days. “God, it’s good to see you all.”
“You too. Although I will admit that you’ve looked better.” Jenna laughed at the sight of my bruised up face and stitches. “Geez Jackson, did you have to beat the crap out of her for her birthday? Most boyfriends would have given something a little sweeter.”
“If she would learn how to control that mouth of hers, it would not be necessary.” Jackson quickly responded making the entire room laugh in agreement.
“Great. So how long will it take for that rumor to spread across school?” I laughed.
“It should actually be all over town before school on Monday, which should make classes more interesting this week. Not that you have to worry much about that.” Hilary came over taking a seat on the other side of me.
“Thanks, but I’d rather be in class. This sucks. And I look so beautiful.”
“Ah, honey, you still look beautiful.” Caitlyn attempted to cheer me up.
“I don’t know what you’re all making such a big deal about. She looks the same to me.” Cody shrugged and Hillary punched him in the shoulder.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” I felt much better having them all here.
“Hey, asshole. Where the hell are my tires?” Zak approached Ethan, looking like he was ready to pounce on him. But instead grabbed him in a head lock and pulled him from his spot off the recliner. Zak quickly had Ethan pinned on the floor. The other guys stood back and everyone started laughing and hollering. We were making so much commotion that two nurses came charging into my room with very unhappy looks on their faces.
“What in the world is going on in here? You do realize that this is a hospital and not a playground.”
The tall, older, nurse gave us all a stern look like we were little children making noise during a church service. Ethan and Zak immediately stopped and stared.
“Jocelyn, I realize that your mother is a physician here, but we do have rules. And you cannot have this many visitors at one time. Some of your friends are going to have to leave or wait out in the hall.”
“Sorry.” I tried to keep a straight face. “My friends were just leaving. Give us just a few minutes and they’ll clear out. We’ll keep it down, promise.”
“Fine,” the older nurse stated coldly and the younger one smiled at us as they left, closing the door a little louder than normal.
“Thanks for coming by, guys. I appreciate it.” I really didn’t want them to leave. It felt so wonderful, so normal to have them all here.
“We’ll be back tomorrow.” Jenna leaned over kissing my forehead. “Get some rest.”
Their laughter still lingered in the air, but their absence filled me with sorrow. Ethan had decided to catch a ride home with Jenna and Kyle cause Jackson couldn’t give him a timeframe of when he’d be heading home. I was thankful for some alone time with Jackson.
We sat alone in the semi-dark room, staring at one another. I knew the words I wanted to say to him, but I couldn’t get them out. Jackson’s hair was messed up from him constantly running his fingers through it. His eyes contained a strange combination of stress, worry, and lack of sleep. His face was tense and unshaven.
“It was nice of everyone to stop by.” I tried to break the silence.
“They care and are worried. You know you have been the talk of the school for the last two days?” His smile returned.
“I didn’t realize that fracturing your eye socket could be so interesting.”
“Well, by the time the story had made it rounds, it had been embellished just enough to make it really interesting. You know how it works. I believe the last I heard in psychology class was that you were getting dialysis for kidney failure. But I also heard that you had ovarian cancer in third period, so I am not sure which to believe at this point.” Jackson laughed aloud.
“Please, tell me you are kidding. Are people really that stupid?” Unfortunately, I already
knew the answer before I even asked.
“High school.” He shrugged halfheartedly.
“True.”
“Please, do not worry about it. I am sure by next week there will be some other hot rumor everyone will be gossiping about.”
“Also true.” I glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was almost seven o’clock.
“Are you getting hungry?”
“No. I’m more thirsty than hungry.”
“Me, too. Would you like a Coke or iced tea?
“Iced tea, please.”
“All right. I will check the cafeteria.” Jackson got up and paused at the door. “Now, do not go anywhere while I am gone.”
I tossed the box of tissues at him, but he ducked. “Very funny.”
Jackson disappeared down the long corridor, leaving me alone for the first time today. The empty room felt cold and lonely and I wanted Jenna here with me. I wanted so badly to confide everything in her. I wanted to tell her what I was experiencing and get her opinion. I wanted her outlandish mind to explain this mess of symptoms, fainting and visions to me and tell me why I felt so drawn, so close, and already so in love with Jackson. It made no sense to me. I felt desperate to be with him all the time.
But here I was, alone in this sterile, dim hospital room because his touch sent my body into a frenzy and not in the normal way love should. I was so confused by how I felt — like I’d known him for a lifetime — and the strange way I was so comfortable and at ease with him and how I knew that he somehow completed me. I was so totally frustrated that I want to scream until someone came running in to give me the answers I so desperately desired.
I settled back in my bed and pulled the covers up around my chin, feeling lost and terrified. Closing my eyes, I drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
CHAPTER 20
Sunday, October 27, 1878
I CLIMBED OUT OF BED early again while the house was still fairly silent. I could hear Sarah, Mimi, and Eddie moving around downstairs in the kitchen, but it seemed my family was all still lost in their slumber.
I put on my robe and took a seat in my bay window, pulling the curtain aside. It seemed as if all remnants of yesterday’s sunshine and mild warmth had long since disappeared and had been replaced by the familiar, dark clouds and gray skies from earlier in the week. The rain had yet to make its reappearance, but that only seemed like a matter of time.
I rested my head against the cold glass, staring off into nothingness, wishing I could speak with Olivia. I wanted to at least check on her, clarify that she was at least surviving all this turmoil. William’s words from yesterday lingered in my ears, making me feel horrible for both him and Olivia. I prayed that someday our lives would return to normal again. But I feared that that normal was forever lost and there was no going back.
William was sitting at the table alone, eating oatmeal and sipping on his orange juice. He gave me a weak smile as I sat down across from him. His face still looked hollow and the prominent, dark circles under his eyes remained. I could tell he had not slept in weeks.
“Good morning, William. How are you feeling today?” I tried using a cheery tone in hopes of making him give me a real smile.
“Still breathing,” he answered in a low voice.
“That is good news at least.” I smiled as Sarah brought in some oatmeal with maple syrup and orange juice for me. I thanked her, and she retreated back into the kitchen. “I wish you would have made it to my party yesterday. I missed you. Somehow it was not the same without you and Olivia.”
“I am sorry, Jocelyn, but I have to take some sort of stand in this.” His eyes were cloudy and distinct.
“I understand and I completely agree with you.”
“I am only sorry that I missed your birthday celebration and will miss your wedding also.”
His smile was weak and sincere and I appreciated the effort, although it broke my heart. I could not imagine getting married without him and Olivia there, no matter what they had done.
“Have you spoken with Jackson about standing up with him? He seemed surprised when we spoke yesterday.”
“Yes. Last evening after you had fallen asleep in the lounge. He was upset with me but said he understood,” William explained.
“Did he mention who would be replacing you in the ceremony?”
“No. He seemed upset with me about being so stubborn.”
I nodded. Being stubborn was unfortunately a family trait that we had all inherited from our father.
“Have you thought about who is going to stand up with you?”
“Elizabeth Maddox.”
William nodded.
“Did you know she has a beau now?”
Immediately, he looked up at me as if I had said something absurd.
“Really?”
“Yes. He is very nice and handsome too. His name is Mr. Lee Miller. She brought him to the party yesterday. He seems to be quite taken by her.”
“Good, I am happy for her. I always thought she was too shy to even speak with a man.”
“Normally she is, but she seems truly taken by him.” I paused as he continued eating. “Did you get the chance to speak with Olivia yesterday?”
“Yes. I spent the day and most of the evening next door.”
“How did it go?”
“All right.” He half shrugged.
“Is she doing well?”
“No.”
“Is she going to return to classes tomorrow?”
“No. I do not believe she could stop sobbing long enough to do anything.” He half rolled his eyes and looked back down at his almost-empty bowl.
“Please, tell me you were at least polite to her.”
“Of course, I was. I am not an ogre.”
“But I know you can be at times.” I smirked at him.
“Only to you, dear sister”
“Aren’t I the lucky one?” It was good to see a little life return to his face.
“Olivia does not want to see anyone. She is so ashamed. And let me tell you,” William dropped his spoon down on the table with a loud clank, “none of this would be half as bad as it is if her parents would stop treating her with such disdain. I hate the way they speak down to her and treat her like she is unworthy of the common courtesy you would give a dog.” His voice had turned hateful and angry. “And our parents are not much better.” He arose quickly, causing his chair to screech across the floor loudly. “Please, excuse me.” He tossed his napkin on the table and stormed out of the room.
A second later, I heard our mother call his name as they passed on the stairs, but I heard no reply out of William.
A moment later my parents entered the dining room dressed in their Sunday attire and full of smiles.
“Good morning, Jocelyn. Did you sleep well?” my mother inquired as father pulled out her chair before taking his seat at the head of the table.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Why are you not dressed? We have to leave shortly for services,” Father asked.
“I am not feeling well this morning.” It was not exactly a lie. “I believe I am going to lie back down for a while. I thought that perhaps eating something would help, but I am afraid my head is hurting.”
“Would you like me to have Sarah fix you something else?” Mother offered, but I shook my head.
“Please make my apologies to Jackson. He will be here shortly. Please ask him to come over this afternoon. I am sure I will be feeling better by then.” I rose from the table. “Excuse me.” I placed my napkin down on the table and left the room as Sarah brought in their breakfast.
“Of course, darling. I hope you feel better soon,” my father called after me.
I hurried up the stairs quietly and snuck into my room. I returned to my bay window to watch for Jackson to make his way over. I hated deceiving my parents, but I saw no other way to get an opportunity to speak with Olivia. I knew her parents would be leaving shortly for services as well.
Several minutes later, I saw J
ackson cross the street and make his way up the pathway. I heard his knock on our door and then speak with my father. Shortly thereafter, Jackson and my parents left together with his parents for church.
I jumped up and got dressed as quickly as I could. Then I rushed down the hall to William’s room and knocked softly on his door.
“William, it is me. May I please come in?”
“Sure.” His voice was soft and cold.
I found him sitting in the gloomy room with only the light from the fire to show any life left in the place. His head was bowed, and he had his pipe gritted between his teeth. William rarely smoked, only when he was really upset about something.
“William.” I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “Would you please do something for me?”
“Why are you not on your way to church? I thought I heard everyone leave a few minutes ago?”
“They did. I told them I was not feeling well. I wanted to take advantage of the fact that everyone will be gone for the next several hours.”
“Why? What are you up to now?” He looked intrigued.
“I want to speak with Olivia. Her mother has not let anyone talk with her, and I want her to know that I am here for her and am still her friend.”
William’s eyes widened.
“I just want her to know that she is not alone and I figured since everyone was at church, this was my chance.”
“I believe she would appreciate that a great deal.” He smiled up at me. “Come on.”
William took my hand, and the two of us snuck down the stairs like we had when we were children. I grinned at the memories of us doing this so many times throughout our youth. It felt like a lifetime ago or someone else’s memories instead of our own.
William silently opened the front door. We could hear Mimi and Sarah in the kitchen and Missy and Cora were somewhere, cleaning something. Eddie was gone, having driven the carriage to services. We crept off the porch over to the side yard. The grounds were covered in a heavy fog, which made our adventure seem all the more exciting and childish.
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