Lost Cowboy

Chapter 8 - Curly Fries

Jessie’s P.O.V.

The past week has been absolute torture. Being stuck in this bed and unable to move around is driving me crazy. Frank had left to make it to the next event. I didn’t expect him to stay around this long. With Frank gone now, I got stuck with my mom. Mom’s backed off since she showed up, but she’d still get in a zinger.

It was easier to breathe, so my lungs and ribs were healing. It still hurts to laugh, but I’ve done little of that. Frank got my phone replaced, but I haven’t turned it on yet. I didn’t want to talk to anyone, and Sunny topped that list. As Frank said, I guess I should’ve expected it. It was for fun, nothing more. It pissed me off she moved on to Clayton that fast. Why did it have to be him? I guess someone with a bum leg wasn’t worth the hassle.

“You need to eat, Jessie,” my mom interrupted my little pity party.

I looked at the tray of hospital food. How can anyone eat this crap? No wonder everyone can’t wait to get out of these places.

“I’m not hungry,” I said and turned back to the window.

She shook her head.

“You have not eaten in days,” she prodded.

I said nothing as I continued watching the clouds roll by the window.

“I can go get you a burger and sneak it in,” she grinned.

The corner of my mouth lifted, and I turned back towards her.

“And curly fries,” I grinned.

“Got it,” she smiled at me.

She walked over and kissed the top of my head as she left. That is the one thing I love. My mom will do everything for my sister and me. That’s why it didn’t surprise me when she showed up here. I’m sure she dropped everything and left as soon as Frank called her. A chuckle escaped my throat as I imagined that. I bet she didn’t even tell dad until she was out of town.

I sat there and waited for my mom to come back with food. My eyes focused on the rods still in my leg and wondered if I’d ever ride a bull again. The more it ran through my head, the more confused I got. Then I wasn’t sure if I wanted to return. Can I handle this extreme pain if something happens once again? I doubted if I desired to ride again.

As these thoughts swirled around inside my head, someone entered the room.

“Hello, Jessie. How are you doing today?” the doctor asked me.

“The metal rods make it hard to slip on my boots, and the cuisine is terrible. Other than that, not terrible,” I chuckled.

“It’s good to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor. How are the ribs?” the doc continued.

“Still tender, but it doesn’t hurt as much to breathe,” I answered him.

“That’s good to hear. We plan on removing the rods from your leg tomorrow. Then we’ll screw in two shiny new plates. Once the swelling recedes from the surgery, we will put a rigid brace around your leg,” the doctor explained.

“OK, when can I get out of this fine establishment?” I asked.

I was dying to get a change of scenery. It gets old staring out the same window every day.

“With no further complications, you should be able to leave in a few days,” Doctor Grant replied.

“Thanks, doc,” I said.

I didn’t know where I’d crash once I got discharged. I can’t live on the road because I will need therapy once I’m able. My home was the motel in the next town. Crap, I didn’t think of that part.

After the doctor exited, my mom came back. She had a brown paper bag hidden under her jacket. She gave me a wide grin when she handed it to me. I tore the bag open and took a large bite out of the burger. Oh my god, that tasted so good. The food at the hospital is comparable to cardboard, but this burger was heaven. My mom laughed at me when I moaned after taking another bite.

“So what did I miss?” mom asked me.

I tossed a curly fry in my mouth before I answered her.

“The doc was here. He said my surgery is tomorrow to remove the rods and replace them with plates. He said if everything goes well, I can leave in a few days,” I said between chews.

“Where will you go when they release you?” she asked.

I popped another fry in my mouth and thought for a moment.

“No idea,” I answered as I turned to look at her.

Her eyes had a glimmer of hope.

“You can always come back home, Jessie,” she said.

As I thought, I chewed on another curly fry. I haven’t returned home in six years. I always made excuses for not returning. During the holidays, I searched for distractions to avoid going back. It’s not that I didn’t want to see my parents. I didn’t wish to be in that town again. Too many old memories that I hope to keep buried.

“I don’t know, ma,” I hedged.

“Come on, Jessie. It’s been six years. It won’t kill you to come home for a while. Your sister misses you. It might do you good getting back to your roots,” she pleaded.

I chewed on another fry and pondered for a moment. It’s such a terrible idea. I won’t be able to get out much anyhow, so it could be possible to avoid everyone except my family while I am there. Hell, I don’t even know if Willow still lives in town. My sister may miss me, but she’ll be madder than a hornet since I kept avoiding the family. I guess I deserve at least that. She did nothing wrong. It was my stubbornness. I looked back over at my mom and drew in a deep breath.

“OK, ma, you win. I will go home with you,” I muttered.

“Thank you, Jessie. You don’t realize how hard not having you around is,” mom replied.

She was fighting to hold back the tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, ma, I only…” my voice faded.

“Jessie, I realize why you don’t want to come home. I promise I won’t bring it up again. I only want my boy back home,” she said as she wiped a tear from her eye.

My fingertips ran over my face, feeling the beard stubble that had grown on my face since I’d been here.

“I guess I better shave before dad sees me this way,” I chuckled.

“God, yes, that will at least give him one less reason to complain,” mom laughed.

I shook my head. My dad will not be very excited to receive me. I’m sure he will remind me how I ended up in this state. I guess that should be the least of my worries with him. He was not happy when I disappeared six years ago. I mean, they visited me a few times at events. This plan has nothing but issues. Oh well, I’ve told my mom I’d go. There’s no backing out now. If I stay at the house, it eliminates the chance of running into anyone. That should work.