Chapter 6
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I heard far away voices and felt the throbbing of an awful headache. I gradually opened my eyes, which were slow to focus, and heard the excited voice of my mother.
"He's waking up! He's waking up! Oh thank you God. James, get the nurse and Emily. He's waking up. Thank you Jesus. Matt, can you hear me? Matt, please honey. Can you hear me?"
I saw the connected tubes and monitors and quickly realized I was in a hospital bed. I nodded my head, but the pain of doing that was dreadful. Mom reached for my hand, and I lightly squeezed hers. She was thrilled and began bawling.
A nurse came and checked the monitors. She looked into my eyes with a light and asked a few questions. I struggled to respond, as my throat was very dry and sore; I did whisper my name and my mom's name. I knew I was 24 and that I was in Kansas City, or at least I thought I was. I learned it was already Wednesday afternoon and almost three days of my life were missing.
The nurse said to relax, and a doctor would be in shortly. Mom sat beside me and held my hand.
"Can I have water?" I whispered.
"Let me check."
She came back with a cup of ice water and a straw. That was the most refreshing drink I'd ever had... and I could finally talk, at least a little.
"What happened?"
"You were shot. The bullet glanced off your skull above your ear, but the real damage happened when your head hit the pavement. The doctor says it's a severe concussion."
Dad and Emily rushed into the room. She grabbed my other hand and was overcome with emotion and sobbing. Dad brought a chair for her, and he stood behind with his hand on her shoulder as she wept. I noticed him wiping a few tears away.
Emily asked, "Can you talk, sweetheart?"
"Yes, is the doctor in? I have five cents."
Emily laughed through her tears, obviously more from relief than humor.
Dad asked, "What does that mean?"
Emily replied, "It's a little joke we share. It seems as if we take turns needing professional help."
I smiled the best I could. Everything I did with my head hurt. Movement and talking were slow and painful. I mostly listened but was able to ask, "Who shot me?"
Emily responded, "That man who fondled me. He was waiting outside and shot at us when we got near the truck. Clint was shot in the arm, but he and another friend were able to wrestle the guy to the ground and hold him until the police came."
"How's Clint doing?"
"He's fine. The bullet went through flesh and didn't hit a major artery. He's already back at work," she replied.
The doctor arrived and introduced himself. He checked my vitals and shined a light into my eyes. Again, I answered all his questions correctly.
"Mr. Anderson, your vitals are near normal and your eyes are focusing and dilating normally. The scan early this morning showed normal brain activity and there's no evidence of cranial bleeding. The headache you're having will gradually ease, and we'll start medication to help. The concussion you suffered caused some swelling in your brain, but we were able to control that. I know you probably don't feel like it now, but we'll have you out of here in a couple of days. Do you have any questions?"
"Not yet," I responded.
The doctor said he would check back later, then left with the nurse. Emily returned to sit beside me. I turned to Mom and said, "You've met Emily I see."
"Yes and we are thrilled to know her," Mom replied with a smile.
Dad said, "Emily called us early Monday morning and told us what happened. We rushed down immediately and found she had taken full control of the situation."
I asked Emily, "Did you have to move out of the hotel room?"
"No. The manager was extremely nice. He said the suite was not booked until next weekend and told me to keep it. He sends his best to you and so does Jackie. Jodi has been here a few times to visit and bring clothes and food."
"You've been staying here?"
"Matt, it's where I belong. The chair converts into a bed and the nurses have been very sweet to help. Mom relieved me Monday night so I got one good night in a real bed. We were all worried to death about you."
Dad added, "I was going to stay with you last night but Emily wouldn't let me. We're staying at the same hotel, just a couple of rooms down from yours. I wish I could afford a suite like you have."
I began to protest and explain, but he stopped me and said Emily had already told him the story.
"You said the bullet just grazed me?"
Dad responded, "Yeah. Evidently, the shooter was in front and to the side of you. The bullet tore through your scalp above your ear for a couple of inches but then just ricocheted off that hard skull of yours. Another inch to the left, and we'd be burying you today."
Emily added, "Your scalp and hair will be good as new. The doctor said you needed 18 stitches."
"Is the guy in jail?"
"Yes. A detective came yesterday and said it'll be a long time before the guy gets out."
Mom asked, "When were you going to tell us about Emily, other than you were just giving her a ride?" Mom was grinning.
"What did she tell you?" I glanced at Emily, and she was smiling.
"I'll let Emily tell you that. But, your dad and I are excited for you. We love her already." That surprised me.
Dad continued, "Your mom and I need to have lunch. Emily, can we bring you anything?"
"How about a diet cola?"
"Is that all?"
"I had a sandwich earlier so I'm fine."
"Okay. We'll be back." Mom and Dad embraced and kissed Emily before hugging me. After they left, Emily stood and leaned in for a real kiss.
"Sweetheart, I need to brush my teeth. I'm sure my breath stinks."
"I don't care about that, Matt."
We kissed again. "I'm sorry I scared you."
"There was nothing you could do about that."
"I never heard the gunshot so I guess it's true, you never hear the one that kills you."
"We surely heard it. He shot six times but most didn't hit anything. Another man there pulled a gun and rushed over. He shot at the wacko but missed. Then, Clint and a friend rushed him. That's when Clint was shot. They finally slugged him and got him on the ground. The police were quickly there."
"Where were you during the shooting?"
"I was on the pavement next to you. Jodi was on the other side, and we were both screaming. I've never been around guns, and they scared me. All I could think about was whether or not you were alive."
"I bet you were scared."
"Jodi reassured me while we waited for the ambulance. Many others came out from the club and waited with us and said many encouraging words.
"The paramedics were wonderful, and they quickly stabilized you. I was so relieved when they said it was only a graze. They let me ride with you to the emergency room. Jody drove Clint to be treated. I didn't realize until we got here how bad your concussion was."
"You called Mom and Dad Monday morning?"
"Yes, about 7:30. I found their number in your phone. I knew that being farmers they'd be up early. They were shocked and dropped everything to rush down. They were here by noon and were the biggest comfort to me. You have great parents.
