by E. C. Marsh
“How bad is she?” he asked.
“I can't smell her.” Sandy wrinkled her nose. “If that means anything.”
“Oh well,” Tom said. “Let's get Marty loaded into the back first, then we'll put Ralph into the back seat where he can lie down. With the air conditioner on, it'll be cool in no time. I think there's an old tarp I keep in the back in case I have car trouble in bad weather and don't want to get messed up. We can wrap Marty in that.”
He retrieved an old blue plastic tarp from the back of the Blazer and spread it out in front of the canoe. Slowly he raised up, feeling tired and old. He was acutely aware of an ache in his back he had never felt before. He was missing Chris, suddenly and intensely. He felt his heart racing, heard every pounding beat inside his head. Gotta make it home, he told himself. Just gotta make it home.
Sandy grabbed hold of his forearm, tightly, like a vise.
“I don't want to drive back by myself.” She had an edge in her voice and looked panic stricken.
“You won't be alone. Now let go of me. I need that arm, damn it!”
“Sorry. I'm just suddenly so scared. I don't know why.”
“Try to lighten up a little, okay?” Tom tried to sound more confident then he actually felt. His heart beat so hard and fast, he thought he'd choke.
“Come on Sandy, let's get Marty moved. Sam and Chris should be here pretty quick, and we'd best be ready.”
“Couldn't we just leave Ralph's old clunker here and pick it up later?”
“It's pretty secluded.” Tom nodded. “If that's what you want to do.”
“I do, I do!”
“Let's get Marty moved now, before Sam and Chris get here.”
They stood staring at the small body wrapped in plastic.
“Somehow, I remember her bigger than that.” Tom scratched his head.
“Well, I'm just glad she's not a two-ton woman.”
Sandy still had that edge in her voice, Tom thought. Probably pretty tired, but then so am I. He patted the plastic wrapper.
“This seems to be the feet. Here, you take this end I'll take the upper half.”
“Story of my life, I always get stuck with the ass end.”
“Sandy, if you want the top, just say so. I just thought it'd be easier on you.”
“No, no, no. Don't worry about it. Let's just get this show on the road.”
But it wasn't as they had envisioned. When Tom lifted Marty's torso from the canoe to the tarp, it felt as if he were picking up a bunch of dried up-sticks, only lighter. He didn't dare grab just the bag; the plastic just wasn't strong enough to support any weight, and the last thing he needed was for the bag to rip.
He straightened up again. He felt dizzy and lightheaded, and his left foot felt like it was on fire. For a moment, they stood staring at each other.
“That felt weird.” Sandy looked at Tom. “What happened to her? That felt like a bag of feathers, just skin and bones. I know that Marty weighed at least hundred and forty pounds. What we just lifted wasn't no hundred and forty pounds.”
“I don't know, and right now I don't care.” Suddenly Tom felt very very tired.
“How did you come up with those names anyway?” Sandy asked as they were gathering their belongings together.
“Just made 'em up. How about that phone number in St. Louis? Do you know anyone in St. Louis?”
Sandy laughed; for the first time all day, she really, heartily laughed.
“It's the number for the zoo. I had to call it for the Boy Scouts to set up an outing, and I memorized the number. I thought that was a nice touch.”
Tom had to smile. Yes, he thought, a nice touch. Ralph hadn't said a word since they arrived. He just watched as Sandy and Tom gathered everything up. He looked pale with deep, dark rings under his eyes.
“How are you planning on getting me into the car?”
Tom stretched. “Hey man, relax. We've got the motor running and the air conditioner cooling things down in there for you. We'll drag the canoe, with you in it, right up to the car and then we'll help you up. You just put your weight on your good leg. That's how we're gonna do it.”
“It'll hurt.”
“Yes, it probably will.”
Tom knew he sounded harsh, but he didn't care. They had the army chasing them, Ralph shot, Marty dead, and Chris God knows where. To top it all, he was snake-bitten. What a mess! They positioned the canoe at a ninety-degree angle to the Blazer's back door, and together they lifted Ralph out of the canoe and stood him up. While Tom steadied him, Sandy climbed into the back seat. When they were done, Ralph had to admit that he was pretty comfortable.
“Lets leave the canoes behind.” Tom looked around, feeling dizzy and lightheaded. “And let's get out of here.”
“But what about Chris and Sam?”
“Let's leave them a note.”
Tom dug into the glove box and produced a scrap of paper and a pen. On it, he wrote, 'Been here and headed back.' He stuck the note under the windshield wiper of Ralph's old truck. Together they carried the canoes into the underbrush, closer to the river. Leaving them upright, they pushed both canoes into the dense growth. Then they left.
Chapter 33
I was grateful when Ginny volunteered to take us back down to the river to meet Tom and Sandy and Ralph. It's not that I didn't want to ride with Ben. I liked Ben Stubblefield. But right now I was very impatient. I wanted to be reunited with my husband, and I wanted this nightmare to end. I just couldn't stand it any longer. I felt tired and dirty and I know I smelled bad. No, I wasn't patient enough to ride with Ben. Ben just didn't drive fast enough for my liking.
Ginny had one of those big four-wheel-drive trucks. In her practice, I guess she needed that. It had four doors and lots of stuff in the back seat area. I'm sure Tom could give a more intelligent description, but as tired as I was, I can tell you this much: The three of us fit nicely into the front seat. The air conditioning felt heavenly, and when she stepped on the accelerator the truck lurched forward with its big engine roaring. Yes, we were going somewhere, finally! I let Sam give directions to Ginny. I just bathed in the cool air, soaking it into every pore, listening to Sam.
“Wow!” Ginny exclaimed. “That was a pretty good size trip you had planned.
Underestimated the distance a bit, didn't you?”
“It wouldn't have changed much, even if we had gotten off the river yesterday. Marty was already dead.”
“Quite true.”
“Watch out, up ahead. See that huge hollow tree? That's where we need to turn to get into the river-bottom. It's still a little ways, but here's where we'll need to turn.”
Ginny never even slowed down as she made the turn. I doubted that she knew any speeds besides “go” or “go faster.” Despite the rough road, the ride was remarkably smooth. Must be the size of the truck I thought.
Then my heart skipped a beat. Out of the trees up ahead came a familiar-looking vehicle.
“That's Tom!” I screamed so loud, even Ginny jumped. I just about crawled out of the passenger window, waving my arms and screaming. Ginny turned her big truck without seeming to slow down, and after a perfect ninety-degree turn blocked the road with my side facing Tom. Before Tom had even come to a full stop, I was out of the truck and at his door. I yanked the door open, almost causing him to fall out. I didn't care, I was happy! Finally I was back together with my Tom, and nothing else could possibly bother me anymore. Nothing else could happen. I hugged him, kissed him, touched him and tasted him, savoring his scent, even his stubbly chin rubbing on my face.
“I love you.” I repeated over and over. “I was so worried about you.”
“Later, babe,” Tom said, as he firmly held me to his chest. “Right now we need to get away from here. We need to get Ralph some medical attention and we need to get Marty taken care of. And if I am not mistaken, we will have this whole area swarming with people searching for us, and pretty damn soon.”
I know my husband. When he uses words l
ike 'damn.' something is greatly upsetting him.
“What happened?” asked Sam.
“We were stopped twice by guys in helicopters. No mistaking, they were searching the river. We saw them actually three times, but they didn't see us. I mean it, let's go!”
I climbed into the Blazer, cherishing its familiar feel. I also wanted to check on Ralph. He had propped himself up on one side, obviously curious. He still looked bad, but not as bad as I had expected. When I tried to undo the bandage, he reached out and stopped me. “Just trust me when I say it's bad,” he said. “Don't waste our time here.”
“Let me check this out.”
“Why? There is nothing you can do about it out here. Leave it alone for now and end this goddamn kaffeeklatsch and get me to a fucking hospital. Maybe I won't lose my leg after all. Marty is dead, there's nothing anyone can do for her, but I'm still alive.”
I didn't know what to say. Here I was feeling giddy and happy, and Ralph sounded bitter and harsh. What he said was like a cold shower on my feeling of elation after being reunited with Tom. But he was right. We were so preoccupied we didn't even think about him, and he should have been top priority. I jumped back out of the blazer. With my first deep breath outside the car, I knew he had been correct. The fresh air was in stark contrast to the foul putrid odor inside the Blazer.
“Listen, people,” I said. “We still need to get Ralph to a hospital. We can't save Marty, but we really need to do something for Ralph. That leg's in bad shape.”
They all looked at each other, and I could tell each one felt badly about forgetting Ralph. Then I saw Tom's foot.
“Oh my God, Tom what happened to your foot?” His left foot was swollen and a large Band-Aid had come loose and was just dangling.
“A snake bit me.”
“A snake? What kind of snake? When?” We all spoke at the same time.
“I don't know.” He was pale and sweaty and wiping his forehead. “I don't know what kind of snake. I only saw it for a moment. It was kind of brownish, sort of. No rattles. Maybe a copperhead. I really don't feel well at all.”
“That's bad enough,” said Ginny. “Tom, Chris, Sam you are all wonderful people, but right now I'm going to take charge. So listen up.”
I helped Tom sit down and he put his head between his knees.
“We need to get medical attention for two people, and do it fast. Sandy, that’s you, right? Sandy, you take the blazer and head for the freeway. I'll lead you that far. I know a shortcut. Drive north to Holsum about thirty or so miles away. They have a pretty decent hospital, and you can take your husband there. Tell them it was a camping accident. You two were fooling around with his rifle and it went off. It took you until now to get back to civilization, okay?”
Sandy nodded. “But, what if someone recognizes the bullet?”
“Stick to your story and be very very polite. Polite people never shoot each other on purpose, but pay attention to what you are doing. They will call the cops. Even the rural ER doctors know they have to report all gunshot wounds. We want to be sure and give them enough detail, but not too much and definitely nothing about Marty and the military. Got that?”
Sandy nodded.
“What about you, Ralph?” Ralph nodded, his eyes closed, I'm sure he was in pain, but I was only worried about Tom at this point, Tom and only Tom.
“Sam, you and I are going to move Marty's body from the Blazer to the back of my truck. Then we'll put Tom in the backseat. We'll drive some back roads. I know an old country doc over in Muncie. I happen to know that he is very experienced with snakebites, and always prepared to handle a snakebite emergency. Sandy, we'll connect with you tomorrow. Just stay put at the hospital.”
We all nodded.
“Any questions?”
“We need to get to our other vehicles upriver, also.”
“Whose cars are up there?”
“Well, this Blazer here is Chris and Tom's,” Sandy said. “Sam's van is upriver, and our truck is back there. We can't just leave them there forever. They'll attract attention.”
“We'll pass by there and Sam can pick up his van. Sandy, your husband has priority over your truck. Get him to the hospital, and be glad you have friends who trust you with their car. Lets go.”
Sam had already walked over to the Blazer and had opened the back door. He flung Marty's plastic-wrapped body over his shoulder and hurriedly walked back.
“She feels light as a feather. I can feel her body, but her arms and legs feel like sticks.” He gently put her down in the back of Ginny's Suburban. Then we helped Tom up and into the back seat. Ginny was still talking with Sandy and Ralph. I saw her gesturing and I could just imagine the argument going on. We were used to Sandy and Ralph. Ginny wasn't, and I watched to see how long she could hold on to her temper. She didn't strike me as a timid person at all.
I was in the backseat with Tom. I had found a medical bag which contained a skin cleanser. Ginny may be the vet, but some things are the same even if your patient is not a human being. I took off Tom's sandal and started to wash off his foot. He had lain back and closed his eyes, flinching every time I came near the bite. I could clearly see the single bite mark. The skin in the area was puffy and slightly red. Other than that, it didn't look nearly as bad as I had thought a snakebite ought to look.
“How you doing babe?” I asked and Tom just shrugged.
“I feel cold and sweaty. I feel so odd. My heart is racing and I can't seem to catch my breath. And if I open my eyes I get so dizzy, I could just throw up.”
“Oh Tom, I love you and I want to help you and do all the right things. But I have never seen a snakebite before. I don't know what to do.” I checked his pulse at a hundred and thirty, but had no way to check his blood pressure. He felt warm, but I suspected the thermometer in the bag was not meant to be put into the mouth of a human. I just held him.
Sam and Ginny climbed into the cab. Ginny did not look happy. I sort of sat in the middle facing backward to Tom.
“I hope your friend Sandy isn't as ditzy as she comes across. I'll lead her to the interstate and we'll pick up Sam's car along the way. From there on, she's on her own. Sam, you can just follow us when we cut across to Doc Humphrey's. Chris, keep an eye on Sandy, will you?”
I nodded.
“There's a little cooler back there with it has a couple of sodas in it. I don't know how cold they are. See if Tom would like one, it might help him feel better.”
She stepped on the gas and we took off in a shower of gravel.
“Snakes don't often bite humans,” Ginny said. “They use their venom to paralyze or kill their prey or to defend themselves. Snakes don't hold a grudge against people, but when someone gets too close or seems to threaten the snake, he gets bitten. Usually a snake releases just enough venom to do the job. That's where a human gets into trouble. We're too big, and so the snake gets confused about how much venom to use. It may release no venom at all when it bites in self-defense or it may release all of the venom in its glands. Usually if a snake bites you in self-defense, like when you almost sit on it, it releases less venom then when it hunts. It just wants to get rid of you. You are too big to be dinner.”
“I guess that means the snake and I had a communication problem, eh?”
Ginny chuckled, “You've got it! Usually you see local swelling and tingling or numbness, then nausea. It just depends. Some venom destroys the red blood cells and other venom affects the nervous system. Any dangerous snakes around here would carry the hemo-toxin, which causes the blood poisoning.
“That's why I want to take you to Doc Humphrey. He knows about snakes. He should, he's been bitten too damn many times himself.”
She looked at Tom in the rearview mirror.
“Right now, my friend, you are in no trouble. Your foot is immobilized and, although it is swollen and probably hurts like hell, I've seen far worse! Relax and calm down. That will slow down your pulse and the spread of the toxin. It will take us about thirty or forty m
inutes to get there. Doc likes to use antivenin, within 4 hours of the bite. We have plenty of time.”
“I am feeling a little better,” said Tom. “It's reassuring to hear you talk. How come you know so much about snakebites?”
“She's the local veterinarian, Tom,” said Sam. “Ginny, do you know that little gravel road that used to be called Possum Squat Road?”
“Yeah, I believe I do. Runs right by the old Brenner place, doesn't it?”
Sam nodded.
“I know the one you're talking about. Had to deliver a couple of calves out that way. Why?”
“A long time ago, my Grandma used to take that road and cut across to the highway on it. It may just save us some time if it's still in decent shape.”
