Bad Dream

I woke up before the alarm. I laid in the bed and looked around trying to think where I was. This wasn't my room. No handmaid quilt on the bed. No sounds of the nearby ocean coming from the window. Then the events from last night came crashing in to my mind and the feeling of being alone came back.

My heart was so heavy. I know there was so much to do, but I couldn't sit up. The pain was so crippling. What should I do first? Call the hospital? Call the Red cross and see if they could reach out to my uncle Jimmy? Take deep breaths Janie. Calm yourself girl. That's what I needed to do first.

I got out of bed. I found the phone book and searched for the number of the Red Cross. I would call them first. I'm sure I will have to leave a message or something. With shaky fingers, I dialed the number.

"American Red Cross. This is June. How can I help you?"

" Hello, June. My name is Janie Rivers. My uncle James Rivers is on the USS Scott. I need to reach him. My grandfather, his father has fallen very ill and is in the hospital. He isn't doing well." The last words hung in my throat as I struggled to keep from crying.

" Miss Rivers, I am so sorry to hear that. Please hold the line and I will see what I can do quickly."

I sat and listened to elevator music for what seemed like months. In the years since my parents death, Uncle Jimmy had only come home on leave twice. For the funerals of my parents and five years ago for my grandfather's 65th birthday. I think it was hard for him. My mom was his baby sister and they were close. But through the years, he sent cards and presents and a postcards from around the world. Even though we weren't close, I loved him and hoped he could come home.

"Miss Rivers, I am being patched in to the USS Scott. Please hold for Mr. Rivers."

"Thank you."

" Janie! What's wrong? All she said was my niece was on the phone and there was an emergency."

" Uncle Jimmy! Grandpa has fallen ill. He collapsed last night and his heart stopped. They got it started and air lifted him to the hospital in Norfolk. I don't know what to do. They are running tests and they said it's bad. They said cancer."

" Janie, where are you?"

"I'm in a motel that the doctor recommend for me to stay. It's a few blocks from the hospital. I can go back at 5:00. So I will go back. What do I do, Uncle Jimmy?"

" I need to figure things out. I will call you later at the hospital in Dad's room. I don't know yet what will happen. I will have more information then. Give the hospital the number you called the Red Cross. Try and be strong. Talk to you soon. "

Then the line went dead. After talking to Uncle Jimmy, I felt a little better. I looked at my watch and saw it was 3:00. I didn't think to bring any clothes. But I wanted a hot shower. I was just going to have to put back on what I had and head back to the hospital. I would have to go home and get clothes or find a store to get somethings.

The hot shower helped my sore muscles. I didn't realize how sore I was. Standing in the shower, it dawned on me. I had no car. Sam brought me here. Just the thought of Sam sent my heart racing. His brown eyes gave off such a dangerous appeal. I could get lost in them. He was so kind this morning. I didn't even get a number to call him to thank him.

How was I going to get back to the hospital? Maybe the front desk clerk would give me directions and I will walk. Maybe I would find a store and get a few things. I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel. I thought I heard someone knocking. I walked out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around me and towel drying my hair. The knock came again. I went to the door, and looking through the peep hole, my heart stopped.