Flames In The Fire

10

Ellie POV

The ambulance pulls into the house with me in tow. I feel like a sideshow that everyone is coming out to get a good look at for a dollar. The driver pulls up close to the house. The two EMTs open the door and begin to take me into the house. I wish they would let me out of this stupid and give me a walker. I can get myself into the house. There is no need for all of these theatrics. 

I look over to see my darling mother-in-law, Missy waiting on me. Where is John, I wonder? He is probably trying to piece the house back together. I hope he is resting. He has worked himself to death over the last few weeks. I worry about him.

Missy reaches over and takes my hand as the EMTs wheeled me into the house and this very unstable gurney. I feel like I am going to fall through it. “Take her all the way to the back of the house, in the sunroom,” Missy instructs them. 

She has moved my bed to the sunroom. Bless her for being here. I love the sunroom. It is the perfect place for me to be. It is warm and beautiful. I can see the yard, the pond, and I can watch my dogs play. 

The EMTs take me to the sunroom. John is waiting for me there. I smile at him. He looks tired and worried. Oh, my, sweetheart, I hate I have caused you all of this pain. It will be over soon, and then you can rebuild without me. 

I am pulled over into the bed by the EMTs. The EMTs exit and speak to Missy on the way out of the house. John tries to make me comfortable in the bed. He knows how much I hate to be fussed over for any reason. 

“John, stop; I can fix myself in the bed,” I say as he fluffs pillows and moves blankets. 

He sighs at me for fussing at him. “I just want you to be comfortable, that is all,” John says.

“I am fine. I don’t need anything other than maybe a cherry soda,” I say. “I will get it for you,” he says and rushes away. I take a deep breath and try to fix the bed myself.

“It is okay to ask for help,” Missy says, watching as I try to fix myself in the bed. “I am fine, I promise; I do not want you or John or anyone treating me like….” I start to say.

“Like what? That you are sick. Ellie, you are sick, and you need our help. Stop pretending you do not need us because you do,” Missy says to me.

I rise up a little. “Can you fix this pillow?” I ask her. Missy comes to my rescue. She fluffs the pillow perfectly. “Don’t worry, I will not tell John you let me help you,” Missy says. I smile at her. I love her. She is always there for me and has loved me as one of her own since before John and I married. 

*Flash Back*

“Missy, I need your help,” I say into the phone. 

“What is it, dear?” Missy asks.

“I have to find a dress, and I am so overwhelmed. I cannot seem to get it together. I cannot even find my damn car keys,” I say.

I begin to sob into the phone. “We are on our way to pick you up now. Crissy and I will take you shopping,” Missy says.

I hang up the phone. Was I supposed to go shopping with them today? I cannot remember. I check my calendar John made me. Yes, I am going to town with them today. My brain is not working today. It is the new medicine that is supposed to help but seems to cause memory loss from time to time. 

I sit down on the couch and wait for Missy and Crissy to come to pick me up. What if I forget who I am or who John is? I cannot take this medicine anymore. I will deal with the headaches. I want to cry, but I need to get ready to go to town. I look down, wait I am dressed and ready to go already. I am confused. 

Missy comes into the house with Crissy. “Are you okay?” Missy asks me. “No, it is the new meds. I do not want to take the meds anymore. It is supposed to help with my headaches, but it is making me forget things. The wedding is in a few weeks, and I have no idea what has been done or needs to be done,” I say.

Missy kneels in front of me. “Ellie, the wedding is tomorrow. We got your dress weeks ago. We are going to get our nails done today,” Missy says.

I look at her, confused. “Oh, I don’t feel like myself,” I say to her. “Why don’t I call the doctor and see what he thinks?” Missy suggests. “I think you should,” I say to her. Missy goes into the kitchen to call my doctor and explain to him what is going on with me. 

Crissy sits down beside me. “Ellie, you are under a lot of stress from the wedding and the new meds. It is no wonder you forget things. Stop and take it in; just relax a little,” Crissy says.

“You are right; I am losing my mind. I bet I am making John crazy,” I say.

Crissy reaches over and hugs me. “I have never seen my brother happier than with you,” Crissy says to me. 

Missy comes back into the living room. “I talked to the nurse, and she thinks it is stress from the wedding and adjusting to the new meds, but she is going to talk to your doctor and call us back,” Missy says.

I stand up and smile. “I feel better; we should go,” I say. Missy and Crissy look at each other oddly. “I have a better idea. I will call Veronica and have her come here to do our nails,” Crissy says.

“Ellie, I am worried about you. We should wait for your doctor to call back,” Missy says.

I reluctantly agree. She is right. I should wait for the doctor to call back. Crissy goes into the kitchen to call Veronica to come to the house to do our nails. I am getting married tomorrow. I need my brain to work with me and not against me. I want this to be a happy day for us. I cannot be sick on our wedding day. I do not want to forget this day.