As always, all characters, places, etc are imagined and no characters are minors. Any resemblance to any real person is purely coincidental.
Thanks to those of you (are there any?) who have followed the story from the start (Chapter 2) and please feel free to score and comment (at the end of the chapter); constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Thank You.
Wardenville. Chapter 26 -
Merry frees Jason. Tonya hears the will.
Almost on auto-pilot, Jason tidied things up and tucked the naked Merry back into bed. She smiled at him and thanked him for coming to see her, and filling in some time to resolve her boredom. She asked him if he would come over before college tomorrow, and bring some of her things, and, of course, Jason said Yes. He could not say anything else to her.
She gave him her address and put the zip code into his phone on "Maps" so he could find it. The house had it's own zip code!! She said she would text her Mom what she needed, and if Jason could collect them that would be great. it would only be one bag.
He completed his journey home without incident, still not totally sure what had happened tonight. Merry had wrung him dry, that was for sure, and, strangedly enough, he still adored her, even after the destructive words. It was only just after 11pm. He would have time to phone Tonya! That would bring his senses back and cheer him up. It was an odd feeling; did he need cheering up or what? He had seen Merry totally naked, and that was a beautiful thing, but those words!! Oh, those words! She knew how to turn the knife, and that he would STILL adore her.
Carey was still up, and passed over some notes that had been given to her to help Jason catch up with the missing classes. She said that her and Jed were fine, and asked about Merry and Tonya. He gave her a general outline, to say that Merry would be ok, and he was just about to go and phone Tonya. He remembered to tell her to find her own way to college as he was going to the hospital early to check up on Merry and take her some fresh clothes.
Jason lay out on his bed, trying to clear his mind so he could speak to Tonya with unclouded thoughts. She answered almost on the first ring, and said she was so glad he had called. Her Dad had died, but she had had the chance to speak with him, although it was not clear if he knew who she was. He recognised Lucia and had been able to talk with her too. Tonya said she was so glad she had taken this trip to meet him, even under such terrible circumstances.
He filled her in with the situation with Merry and was going to tell her about Kalisha getting 2 helicopter flights, but she had already called Tonya direct and told her. Tonya remarked again that it was astonishing that Merry had been able to keep her identity a secret, especially from Kalisha. "She feels really bad that she has been with Merry for a year and did not know her surname - she admitted she did not even know the "Gillies" name that Merry used. I think she will be having some long chats once Merry can come home. Do you know when that will be?"
Jason said he hoped she would be home by Friday. He said he was totally surprised too, and then told her that John Warden had asked him to come in for a meeting tomorrow. "I do not know what about," he added, but he does have something of a reputation for making sure everything gets done, however it happens!"
They said their goodnights and Jason told her he loved her, and missed her. He did not elucidate on the evening's activities!
He had set his alarm for just after 6am to give himself enough time to get ready, have some breakfast, go to Merry's parents house to get her stuff and then go to the hospital, all before college. He left before anyone else had come down for breakfast, so just left a note to say he had gone, and would call later.
He put the sat nav code into his phone and found that the address Merry had given was sort of near the hospital. He drove through fairly quiet traffic and arrived at the address in just 10 minutes. The house was not visible when he arrived as he found his way blocked by large iron gates and a tall hedge. There was a small hut type of buidling, from which a security guard emerged. The man asked for his name, and purpose of his visit. He checked his manifest and found that Jason had been marked as an important visitor to go to the main house. The man pulled a sheet off the pad he had with him and showed the map of the site to Jason, pointing out where he was to go....... and where not to!! "There is camera security around the whole estate, so please do not go where you are not supposed to!"
Jason took heed of the 'warning' and said he would follow the right route, and thanked the Security guard for his help. He drove through the gates as they opened and found himself driving along a road bordered by high trees, which suddenly opened out to a massive lawned area with a huge house in the background. He checked his map when he reached a crossroads and found he needed to go right.
Following the driveway around he found himself at the main house, although he was more around the back than at the front. He was astonished that Julie-Anne was there to meet him, with a bag of Merry's possessions. "Thank you so much, Jason," she said, "I could have taken them myself, but I think you are very happy to do the running around for Meredith?"
He said he was happy to do it, as it was not really out of his way, although he had risen a touch earlier than on a normal college day. He realised too, with hearing Merry's proper name, that he had never considered that "Merry" was not her proper name. "Meredith," he said to himself, how obvious!
He was about to drive off when Julie-Anne stopped him and asked if he had a site map to get out. He said he had, and showed her. "Ah, there is another road," she said, "here, see this - pointing at the map - it goes directly to the hospital on a back road. You will need a card to get through the entry gate, but it saves 5 minutes, and all the traffic. Let me get you a card. Be right back!"
The cards were obviously not far away as she was back in just a few seconds. "There you go. Thanks again! And........... I still do not believe all you and Merry have told me about your relationship. I will have a chat with her!" It did not sound like a warning? Was it?
True to her words, the back road took him straight to the far corner of the rear lot at the hospital, where the helicopters landed, if they were not going directly to the roof. He found a spot, reasonably near the entrance, and went in. As he went through the security barrier, it beeped, then beeped twice more quickly. The Security guard approached and asked if he had a gate card from the main estate. Jason said he had, and offered it to the man who took it and said Thanks. He was watching Jason, perhaps wondering why someone he did not know had a private access card. Jason did not look like someone who would normally be on the estate, AND have access to these, very special, cards.
Jason found his route to the 5th floor and to Merry's room. She was awake and sitting up in the bed, laughing with a blonde haired nurse, and seemed to be playing a "slap hand" game. He knocked on the door and she turned, saw him and squealed with happiness.
"My knight in shining armour," she cried, "well when he is wearing ANY clothes." She turned to the nurse to tell her what had happened the previous night, but Jason interrupted her and said he had her clothes. The nurse stood and left the room, saying she would return.
"OH, I am so happy to see you!" Merry continued, "I was afraid that last night might have been too traumatic."
Jason said he was ok, but still had things to consider. She looked at him and said "they will be sorted out!" He sat on the bed, being careful not to dislodge anything, and kissed her cheek. She gave him a one-arm hug in return, and opened the bag her Mom had packed for her. There seemed to be quite a selection of very skimpy, and very lacy, bras and panties.
"Could you do me a favour, please Jason," she asked, " I need to go to the toilet and don't want to get the nurse back again so soon. Could you carry me to the washroom? I am not very heavy!" she added, laughing. Then with what looked like an afterthought, she said, "Lock the door, then you can carry me in there, and we can have a shower. I feel so sticky and dirty!" Jason was going to argue, but she pleaded, and he gave in.
