http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/manuscripts/suspect-star-maker/
You can sure tell this isn't utah!! It's in Morehead Kentucky, by the way.
But Morehead doesn't have mountains like these!!
Or like these!!
Utah has it's beauty, too!!
Chapter Eighteen~
Nan must’ve
dozed off because the sound of rattling bags woke her up. She sat up, feeling
disgustingly nasty. Her face was oily, and her eyes were watery, too. She
needed a shower, but that would have to wait. “Yum, it smells good.”
“I got you a
burger and fries. I didn’t know what you liked on your burger so I brought the
rabbit food in a separate container.”
“Aw, that’s
sweet, thanks.” She grabbed the bag he handed her and sighed inwardly. If only
he didn’t see her as a sister.
“Has she moved
around or anything?”
“I don’t think
so, but I dozed off for a while. They should be coming to get her soon. I hope
this fixes her.”
“I do too.”
“Luckily it
isn’t cancerous.”
“Yep, I don’t
think I could deal with that, too.”
“Me neither. I
kept thinking about how we became friends. Your sister is a great person.”
“I know she is.
I give her a hard way to go, but she knows I’m just teasing, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, I think
so. If you didn’t joke around with her she’d probably worry.”
“She’s always
been there for me, she’s a strong person. I wish mom and dad were here right
now.”
“Nah, think of
the worry they’d be going through. You wouldn’t wish that on anyone, would
you?”
“No, I guess
not. Where’s Wyatt? I figured he’d be back by now.”
“I don’t know. I
haven’t heard from him. I gave him my cell number so he could call me if he
needed to.”
“You better
watch out, Lily might get jealous.”
“That’s true.
I’ve never seen her get jealous over anyone until him. I can’t even tease her because
she gets angry.”
“Maybe he’s the
one.”
“I think he is.
I think he thinks she’s the one, too.”
“Wouldn’t it be
awesome if it worked out for her that way?”
“Yeah, she
deserves to be happy.”
“We can pray for
it.”
“Yes we can.”
Nan bowed her head and said, “Dear Lord, Your will be done, not ours, amen.”
Willie raised
his head and there was a twinkle in his eye. “If you weren’t like a sister to
me, I’d think you were the one for me.”
Nan gasped at
his statement. Was he teasing, or did he really mean it? “You know I like Billy
Barbour…” She began.
“Oh come off it,
Nan. He’s someone to look at, and that’s it. He can barely remember his own
name, let alone yours.”
“If I didn’t
know better I’d think you were jealous.”
“Maybe I am.
That’s what it feels like, but it’s funny, too because you’ve been in the
family for so long.”
“I don’t want to
be like a sister to you.” Nan said.
“You don’t?”
“Nope, I’ve had
a crush on you for a long time.”
“I thought you
liked Billy Barbour.”
“Billy Barbour
couldn’t hold a candle to you. He’s eye candy, that’s all. All brawn and no
brains isn’t a good combination.” She gave Willie a long look, hoping taking
this chance wouldn’t backfire on her. She couldn’t deal with more emotional
stress right now.
He looked up and
smiled. “I hope you’re serious, because I can’t take more emotional stress
right now. Don’t lead me on if you don’t mean it.”
“I think you’re
the only one who didn’t know I liked you.” Nan told him. She reached up with
her napkin and wiped the corner of her mouth. Wow, I had ketchup on my face. She thought.
“I’m so excited
by this Nan, but let’s keep it on hold until after the surgery.”
“I agree with
that. We’ve got to focus on Lily right now. Where are those people? It’s after
noon. They should be coming any time.
As if they heard
her, two aids came in to take Lily down to surgery. She hadn’t regained
consciousness.
Nan rushed over
and took one of Lily’s hands in hers. “I love you, Lily. Wyatt says to tell you
he loves you, too.” Nan inhaled sharply when she thought Lily moved. She
watched for a second longer, but didn’t see an indication of consciousness.
Willie was on
the other side, encouraging. “I love you, sis, it’ll be okay, you’ll see.”
“The surgery
could take a long time. The doc said it’ll be at least three hours, but could
take substantially longer once he gets in there. If you have anything you need
to do, now would be the time to do it.” The male aid said.
“Thanks, we’ll
stick around here for a bit.”
“Okay, use the
buzzer if you need anything.”
“Thanks, we
will.” They wheeled Lily away and Nan burst into tears for what seemed the
umpteenth time in the last twenty four hours.
Willie rushed
over and hugged her. “It’s gonna be okay. The doctor knows what he’s doing.”
“I hope so. I
need to go home and take a shower and change clothes. I’ll be back as soon as
I’m done. If you need to go to the store, now would be the time.”
“I think I’ll
stick around for a bit in case Wyatt comes back.”
“Okay, I’ll see
you in a while then.” Nan pulled away; embarrassed by her need to feel his
touch, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“See you in a
bit.”
Nan hurried out
the door, and then turned around and came back. “Do you need anything?”
“Nope, I’m all
set for the day, thanks though.”
“You’re welcome;
I’m just returning the favor.”
“We’ll talk when
you get back, Nan.” Willie said.
Nan was torn
between two emotions. She was worried about Lily on the one hand, and ecstatic
about Willie on the other. Guilt assailed her. How could she feel anything but
fear when her best friend lay on an operating table, getting a brain tumor
removed, of all things? “Forgive me Dear Lord.” She whispered as she walked out
of the hospital. The heat of the day swamped her as soon as she hit the
sunlight. She’d forgotten it was summer out here.
***
Lily moved
through a dark, dusty tunnel toward a huge light. It was so bright it hurt her
eyes to stare at it. “Is this heaven?” She asked.
“Hardly, this is
your unconscious mind.”
The voice
sounded familiar but she couldn’t place it at first.
“Why is it so
bright then?”
“You chose
brightness over darkness.”
“Oh.”
“You’re having
surgery for a brain tumor.” The voice informed her.
“I know, I
remember that. Isn’t that strange? I’ve gone through life for who knows how
long not remembering one thing to the next, but I can sure recall I’m having
surgery.”
“You can stop
worrying and put your trust in God.”
“I do trust
God.”
“You don’t trust
Him enough.”
“No, probably
not, but who does?”
“Nobody does,
it’s just important that we submit to Him.”
“You’re
beautiful, Lily.” The voice told her.
Suddenly his
image came in loud and clear. It was Wyatt Adams. “Wyatt, what are you doing
inside my mind?”
“I’ve been there
for years, haven’t I?” One corner of his mouth curved up and Lily returned the
smile involuntarily.
“You know you
have.”
“Lily, what kind
of books do you write?”
“I write love
stories.”
“Have you sold
anything?”
“I’ve published
a few magazine articles on recreational photography, but none of my books. I’m
hoping that happens sometime soon.”
“I bet you’re
just as good at writing as you are at everything else you do.”
“I wish that
were true. I fear I would’ve sold something by now if that was a fact.”
“Maybe you
haven’t been exposed to the right person yet. It takes time and determination.”
“I know it does.
I’ve been determined for over a year now.”
“What did you do
before you started writing?”
“I worked at
Jensen Plastics.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s an
automotive plant where they make grills, bevels and other plastic pieces for
cars.”
“Lily, there
isn’t an automotive plant anywhere near where you live.”
“Oh yeah, I
worked at the grocery store.”
“Which one and
what did you do?”
“I worked for
Marietta’s Foods.”
“Oh, that’s
where I shop. Why didn’t I ever see you there?”
“I wasn’t at the
store.
“You’re not
making sense, Lily.”
“I love you
Wyatt.”
“I love you, too
Lily.”
“Nan, what are
you doing?”
“I’m watching
you, sugar.”
“Am I going to
do tricks?”
“I don’t suppose
so. I’m trying to count the freckles on your face.”
“I don’t have
freckles.”
“Oh.”
***
Dr. Wilkes
pushed a button on the wall and said, “Give her some more meds. She’s trying to
wake up. Put the magazine down and pay attention to what you’re doing.” He
stood above the operating room watching the surgery from the glass-enclosed
gallery. Anger at the incompetent anesthesiologist coursed through him. This
would be a relatively easy surgery if they would just follow procedure down
there.
***
Lily thrashed
around, terrified of the tunnel. Her body moved toward it involuntarily and she
fought it all the way. “Wyatt, don’t let them take me.”
“Go with the
flow, Lily, it’ll be fun.” He laughed maniacally.
“Wyatt, that
isn’t you, is it?”
“You need to
wake up silly girl. If it isn’t him, why would whoever it is admit it?”
Lily moaned.
“Please God; let this be a nightmare I can wake up from.”
“You’re never
waking up.” An evil laugh filled the inside of Lily’s mind and she screamed.
Would this ever end?
She began to
run, anxious to reach the light now. At least she could see down there.
Something grabbed onto her blue, flowered hospital gown, trying to stop her
from getting away.
“Stop, let me
go. I need the light.”
“Say the magic
words.” Someone said in a sing-song voice.
“Dear Lord, save
me.” She ran toward the light, her arms out-stretched. She came up against
something hard and she gasped in surprise. “Wyatt, is that you?”
“It is, my love.
Stay here, I’ll keep you safe.” He stroked her hair gently and held her to his
chest protectively.
“Why do you keep
changing into other people?”
“I’m not, my
sweet. I’m still the same as I’ve always been.” The faint smell of candy and
oranges wafted through the air as he stroked her hair. “Go to sleep, sweet
Lily.”
“I don’t want to
sleep. If I sleep I may not wake up.”
“You have to
sleep, Lily.” His gentle hands turned rough, and he began pounding her head
against the wall. “Go to sleep.” He punctuated his words with a hit for each
syllable.
She screamed in
pain. “Wyatt, stop.” But it wasn’t Wyatt. It was some shadowy being in a black
hooded robe. She struggled, straining to see his face, but it wasn’t visible.
“Let me go you…thing.” Her voice broke and she sobbed uncontrollably. Why
wouldn’t it stop?
***
Nan felt a
hundred percent better after her shower. She rushed to get an overnight bag
packed and ran out the door. She wanted to stop at the church on the way to the
hospital.
It only took ten
minutes to get to the church, and that was only because the school zone lights
were on. She pulled up into the parking lot and parked in front of the church.
Pastor Fowler
was kneeling in the flower bed, planting peonies. “Hey Nan, how are you?” He
stood up and slapped the dirt off his hands.
“I’m fine
pastor, but Lily isn’t.”
“What’s wrong?”
The pastor asked, frowning.
“She’s in the
hospital with a brain tumor.”
“My goodness
child, when did this happen?”
“She’s been in
since yesterday. She was hallucinating and passing out so they did an MRI and a
bunch of other tests. They said it isn’t cancerous, but any brain surgery is
dangerous.”
“Yes it is. Are
you going back to the hospital right now?”
“Yeah, I just
jetted home to take a shower and change my clothes. She’s still in surgery.”
“I’ll get the
wife and we’ll be up there as soon as possible.”
“Thanks Pastor
Fowler. I knew you’d be supportive.”
“Of course
child, that’s part of the reason I’m here.”
“I’ll see you
there.”
“Okay Nan. Tell
Willie we’re already praying for her.”
“I will.” She
walked to her car and got in, blowing out a breath of frustration. This was so
hard. She pulled her phone out and dialed Willie’s number. “Hey, is she out
yet?”
“No, I’m still
waiting. Wyatt isn’t back, either.”
Nan heard a
noise from the other end and Wyatt said, “I’m back.”
“Have you heard
any news?”
“Nope, I haven’t
heard a word.”
“I’ll be there
in a few, goodbye.”
“Goodbye future
girlfriend.”
Nan’s heart
pounded as she ended the call and headed to the hospital.
