….AND TRANSPORT by Linda He looks so scared. He's squeezing my hand so tightly like he's afraid to loose contact. Beads of sweat run down his face. Hit by a car. Damm stupid. We make eye contact. I try to convey assurance that everything will be all right. The eyes always give it away. No matter what we say or how we say it, the eyes never lie. He swallows hard and coughs. So, I squeeze his hand a little tighter and try to smile. "Roy, I'll be alright," I say just as the ambulance hits a bump sending a wave of pain through me. I close my eyes tightly and bite down on my lip. Looking up I see him wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Hey, Roy you think I'm gonna have to pay for that drug box?" I smile. "Johnny, just hush now, rest." Roy shakes his head. It is obvious Johnny is in a lot of pain. I know he can see I'm in a lot of pain. He keeps checking his watch and looks out the front of the ambulance. He's trying to will the ambulance to go faster. I can feel myself getting colder. Little stars are dancing in my vision. It's getting harder to hear. I'm going into shock. I focus on Roy, especially, his eyes. I feel my hand start to slip from his. Roy looks at me when he feels my grip loosen. He grips my hand tightly. I know he'll never let my hand go until we get to the hospital. Closing my eyes I see the car coming at me again. My whole body shudders, kinda hard to do on a backboard. I can feel a tear running down my cheek. I feel his hand gently wipe it away. "Johnny, John, don't worry it'll be okay," I feel his fingers run through my hair and pat my head. I draw such comfort and strength from this simple act that conveys more than words ever could. Roy keeps checking my pulse and respirations. Each time he touches my abdomen it hurts more. Internal injuries for sure. I draw a quick breath when he checks again. I hear him barely say damm. "Johnny, can you hear me?" I don't open my eyes, "Yeah, I'm still with you. Internal injuries huh?" I'm shocked at the weakness of my own voice. "I think so, but you're doing great." This time he lays a hand on my forehead. "Johnny we're here, everything is going to be okay," Roy grips my hand not willing to let us break contact. This time I see real hope in his eyes. I know I'll be okay. Roy carefully pats my head and starts to move my gurney from the ambulance. |