Universal

Chapter 6

Judson awoke on the tenth day. He opened his eyes and found a doctor and two nurses standing over him. 

"Welcome back to the land of the living." The doctor said. "How do you feel?"

Judson rubbed lightly over his bruised chest. "Like I got struck by lightening." He started to chuckle at his own joke, but stopped when it made his chest hurt. 

The doctor laughed enough for the both of them. "You are might lucky, Mr.Camp. I've never heard of someone being struck like that and living to tell the story."

"I suppose I've got fate on my side."Judson replied. 

"Yeah." The doctor agreed. "fate, and a farm hand who deserves a raise. That young man saved your life. If he hadn't been there to give you chest compressions, my expert opinion is that you wouldn't be with us right now."

Judson looked around for Troy. "Is he here? I'd like to thank him."

The nurse to Judson's right looked at the clock. "He should be around in about an hour. He comes every evening after he gets done with work." She informed him, then pointed to the stiff looking chair by the bed. "He has slept there most nights since you were brought in. I agree with the doc!" She said as she administered medication through Judson's iv. "The boy deserves a raise!"

The doctor stayed for another few minutes, explaining to Judson that they planned to release him the next morning and outlining all of the restrictions that he would have when it came to physical labor over the next few weeks. He told Judson that he would need someone to stay with him until he was fully healed and asked if Judson had family that he could call. Judson's mind went to Troy. "Ah, no. No family close by." he said. "But I know somebody who just might take the job."

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Troy arrived that evening,  just when the nurse said he would, and he was surprised to see Judson sitting up in bed with a tray of food in front of him. 

"Well, there he is!" Judson said. "The hero who saved the day!" 

Troy sat in his normal spot by Judson's bed. The boys eyes were dark and his clothes were a mess. He looked tired, Judson thought. 

"I'm glad to see you awake!" Troy said to Judson.

"I'm glad to be awake." Judson looked at the boy. "but you don't. Have you been sleeping?"

"Oh, yeah. I've been gettin' plenty of sleep," Troy lied. 

"I can tell."Judson said sarcastically. "Have you been working at the plant all week?"

"Yes'sir, I helped Daddy finish the orders that needed to go out."

Judson could tell that Troy had been doing more work that he let on about, but he didn't press it. The truth was, Troy had been working at the plant most days, and when he wasn't there he had been at home tending the farm. All of that was normal for his schedule, but what he didn't say was that at night, instead of sleeping, he would head back to Judson's farm and work there. Troy had told his parents, and Patricia that he was doing it for the money, and so that there wouldn't be too much work when Judson got home, but it was a lie. He couldn't close his eyes at night without having vivid dreams about Judson's accident. 

At first the dreams just replayed the events of that day over and over. He would work himself up so much in his dream that he would sweat through his clothes. Just before the dream caused him to awaken, he would find himself, again, in the field full of flowers, talking to the sky. He still hadn't learned anything about the voice in the clouds, but it had calmed him enough to rest for a while. The last few nights, though, the dreams had grown darker and darker. Troy had seen Judson in a dark room talking to a fiery light. Their words were muted, but Troy could tell that Judson needed to be saved from the fire. Like clock work, Troy would try to run to Judson but before he could make it to the older man, Judson would be sucked through the darkness until all Troy could do was listen to his screams for help. The desperation that Troy heard was too much for him, so he had stopped sleeping all together. He couldn't take the sight of this man that he had grown to care for and respect being pulled against his will into that unknown dark void. 

Troy didn't mention the dreams to Judson. They didn't mean anything, anyways, he thought. Just the stress of last week's events getting to him, he figured. With time he was sure that they would pass. He hoped so anyways, because the long work days and sleepless nights were taking a toll on his body. 

"I've got a question for you."Judson said to Troy. 

"Yes'sir?"

"Do you think your daddy could manage at the plant now that the orders are up to date if I asked you to stay with me until I'm back on my feet? The doctor says I need someone with me for a few weeks at least to help me out."

Troy looked nervous, and before he spoke Judson continued. "I would pay you, of course. Double what you make at the plant. I just don't really have anyone else I could ask. It sure would be helping me out!" He added. 

"I'd be happy to, Jud." Troy finally replied. "I just need to talk to Daddy. I know he depends on me."

Judson understood, and he never expected Troy's response to be any different. The boy was loyal, almost to a fault. It made total sense that he would make sure things were squared away at home before he agreed to something new. 

"That's a good plan."Judson assured him. "Just let me know what he says." 

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Troy didn't stay at the hospital very long that night, instead he went home to talk with his dad. He felt alright about leaving Jud at the hospital since he was awake now and feeling pretty good, besides the bruising. Since he was being released in the morning, Troy didn't have much time to waste when it came to getting the situation figured out. 

He found his father in the barn, feeding the cows. "Howdy, Hometown Hero." His Daddy said. Roy Rogers was a tall man with broad shoulders and olive skin. He was bigger than Troy, and if he didn't stay so active with work he may have been overweight. Even with his overbearing presence, he was a gentle soul, like his son. His hair, prematurely grey all over, framed kind blue eyes. His smile, like Troy's, was genuine and ever present. 

"Hey Daddy." Troy replied to his father as he grabbed a bucket of feed and helped his father feed the animals. "I need to talk to you about something."

As Troy explained the situation to his father, Roy could tell that his son was overcome with nervous energy. He was afraid that his father would be upset with him for offering help to someone in need. Roy was proud of the man his son was becoming, and while he was sure that having Troy away helping on Judson Camp's farm would mean more work on his own farm, he could never be upset at his son for that. 

"Son," Roy said. "don't you worry about things here. I handled it all before you were big enough to help, and I can handle it now." Roy lovingly grabbed his son by the shoulder. "You are a good boy, and you make me and your mama real proud."