The Outsider Series

Chapter 9-1

Chapter Nine

It had been eight days since the accident, Diana spent every waking moment at the hospital with Jed. Rodney and Becky cared for Danny, and Neil chauffeured her to and from the hospital. Brad returned home two days after surgery, when Jed woke up. The first day after regaining consciousness, he had slid out of bed and walked to the bathroom.

Diana lounged in a vinyl chair in Jed’s hospital room in the new sweat suit Becky had bought for her. The way Jed had watched her when she walked in that morning with Neil, and listened quietly as Neil joked and teased, she knew something wasn’t right. “What’s wrong, Jed?”

He lay in bed in the t-shirt and sweatpants she’d brought in yesterday. “That another new outfit? I noticed you have a lot of new clothes. Who bought them?”

“Ah, your mom did. I didn’t pack anything when we came, Jed. I haven’t been home to get any clothes. Danny and I have been here. You know that.”

“Well, don’t get used to it,” Jed snapped.

Diana felt as if she’d just been slapped. “Jed, your mom and dad are just trying to help, is all. You’re not being fair to me, and you know I’m not like that.”

“And this private room,” he swept his hand around the small room, “I don’t have coverage for this. Who’s paying for it?”

The door opened, and in strode Rodney, dressed in slacks and a yellow golf shirt that showed off his tan nicely. His short stylish white hair had been freshly cut.

Jed frowned and turned away. Rodney glanced at Diana with a puzzled expression before saying, “How are you feeling this morning, son?”

“Fine,” Jed snapped.

Diana raised her eyebrows and then moved out of her chair, slipping beside him until he was forced to look at her. She stared at him, letting her disapproval sink in until he shut his eyes.

“Sorry, I just want to get out of here, get home. Diana, I got things to do. What about the kids we had booked to start riding? They were supposed to start already.”

“Jed, I called each of them and told them about the accident and that we had to postpone for now. All except one is willing to wait,” said Diana.

“Jed, your mom and I will stay as long as you need us. We’ll help get this center of yours opened. What needs to be done?” Rodney asked. Diana noted he wasn’t taking control, as Jed wouldn’t stand for that. Rodney obviously knew his son well.

“You and mom have done enough. I can’t have you doing all this for me and Diana. For God’s sake, even Andy is looking after our place and the horses. We’re going to owe him for that, too.”

Diana gripped Jed’s arm and squeezed. “Jed, don’t be rude—”

Rodney cut her off. “Diana, it’s okay. Jed, we’re family. You don’t owe family for helping out. It’s time you realized that.”

The door opened again, and the doctor strode in, wearing a white coat over a shirt and tie, with dark dress pants. “How are you doing this morning, Jed?” He flipped through the chart at the foot of the bed.

“Doc, when can I go home?”

The doctor glanced at Jed and said nothing for several seconds. “Well, there are some things we need to discuss.…”

“No, Doc, when can I get out of here? I feel fine. I want to go home.”

Diana glanced over at Rodney, who frowned back at her.

“Jed, why don’t you let the doctor finish what he needs to say? You have some serious injuries, son, which are going to take time to heal.” Rodney was finally sounding frustrated.

“Actually, Jed’s healed nicely from his injuries. As long as he doesn’t climb any ladders, do any heavy lifting or overdo it, he should be able to go home in a week.” The doctor once again glanced at Jed as if he wanted to say more.

Diana took one look at Jed and knew he’d never last another week in the hospital. The doctor must have, too. “Okay, why don’t we say a few more days?”

Jed turned to Diana. “I want you to take Danny home today. If I’m getting out in a few days, I want you home now. You’re hanging around here, and there is nothing to do but stare at a ceiling and keep me company. Danny needs you.”

Diana opened her mouth to argue, but Jed cut her off. “Diana, come on, honey. Take Danny home. Please.”

“Can Jed really come home that soon?” Diana asked the doctor.

The doctor wrote something on the chart. “As long as he promises to take it easy, he can.”

“All right, we’ll go home, but I’ll be back to pick you up.”