My Dawn

Chapter 41

The paramedics were walking towards the people sitting along the roller coaster stage.

“Not an ambulance. Ciao.” Dawn said.

Dawn started running and both Jessie and Patrick chased her. The jacket was moving back with the wind and her bra was visible to everyone as she ran past them.

“Dawn! You need a hospital!” Jessie shouted.

“I’d rather you drove me! Not going in a whee whoo!” Dawn shouted.

Lots of people laughed at her response as she ran. Jessie was closing in and he wrapped his arms around her.

“See, you’re that injured that you can’t outrun me. I’ll drive you darling.” Jessie said.

Dawn nodded as Jessie carried her.

Jessie pulled the jacket over her to cover her. Patrick was now caught up behind them. Dawn was being held against Jessie’s chest with her legs around his waist. The others reached the exit and saw Jessie carrying her slowly. Derek was watching a video someone posted. He shared it for others to see. He tagged Dawn and captioned Dawn Rivers is an amazing hero #BTL. He made sure she was able to see that she did a great job. Everyone got notification of Derek’s post. They liked and shared his post. Soon many people saw it and even the hospital staff recognised her. It was on the news as they arrived.

“We have an injury from a roller coaster.” Jessie explained.

“Welcome back Dawn, it’s been a while. Figures you’d find an extreme way to injure yourself.” The nurse joked.

Dawn laughed.

“We will access your injuries in a moment. That paramedic has specific orders to let her know when you arrive next.” The nurse said.

Dawn nodded and walked to the water bubbler. She leaned slightly over it drinking as a lot of news reporters arrived at the hospital hearing she would be getting a lift there. Dawn hid her face and hid in the restroom. She rinsed the blood from her wrists and her face. She assessed her body closely and saw it was in fact badly injured. She sighed. A knock occurred on the door. The door opened and it was Wendy.

“Hello Dawn, it’s been a while. Are you okay?” Wendy asked.

“Hey, you’re wearing a name tag. Now I can know your name.” Dawn said.

Wendy laughed.

“You could have asked. I’m Wendy.” Wendy said.

“Hello Wendy. I got a boo boo.” Dawn said.

“A boo boo.” Wendy said.

“Just a little one.” Dawn said.

“How about we take you out back. We can get you looked at straight away. We all saw the footage, you were tossed around like a dog ripping it’s toy apart.” Wendy said.

“I didn’t want to ride in the whee whoo.” Dawn said.

Wendy laughed. She opened the door as she gestured Dawn to follow.

“It’s not called a whee whoo, it’s called an ambulance.” Wendy said.

“If it says whee whoo. It’s a whee whoo.” Dawn said.

Wendy laughed. Jessie was near the door.

“She doesn’t want them to see her.” Jessie said.

“Carry her with her face hidden.” Wendy said.

Jessie nodded and picked Dawn up.

Wendy walked to reception.

“We need Dawn Rivers to get looked at. She is banged up pretty bad.” Wendy said.

The reporters heard her name.

“DAWN! CAN WE PLEASE ASK YOU A FEW QUESTION!” They clamoured as they rushed towards them.

“PATRICK HURRY!” Jessie shouted.

Patrick ran through the door. Dawn kept her face into the crook of Jessie’s neck. She opened her eyes and saw them in the distance in the glass trying to get photos of her. Dawn held him tighter.

“So, if you don’t mind me asking. Why did you risk your safety to help one man?” Wendy asked.

“I always try to help others. And if I didn’t, he would have died. I did it and no one died.” Dawn said.

“True, but you got badly hurt.” Patrick said.

“I don’t care about myself.” Dawn said.

“Well, I do. And I don’t want you to risk your life again.” Jessie said.

“We all care about you Dawn.” Wendy said.

Wendy pushed the door open and they walked towards an X-ray machine.

“Dawn, take off your clothes so we can get X-rays of your whole body. There’s a gown over there for you.” Wendy said.

“Even my underwear?” Dawn asked.

“Underwear can stay on. No pants, bra or jacket.” Wendy said.

Dawn nodded. She removed the jacket and the pants. Patrick saw her legs were scraped pretty bad. He walked out. Jessie grabbed the gown for her. Dawn took her bra off in front of Jessie. He visibly gulped and got nervous.

“Can you please tie the gown up for me?” Dawn asked sweetly.

Jessie nodded. He helped her into the gown and tied it up repeatedly. Dawn hugged him then Jessie grabbed her clothes and walked out.

Wendy helped Dawn lay down and waited near her as she was getting X-rays done by the radiologist. Dawn was visibly nervous as she lay down for them to X-ray her legs and feet.

“Do you remember Mr Bridge?” Dawn asked.

“Yes sweetie. What about him?” Wendy asked.

“I just learned he slept with my mother 9 months before I was born.” Dawn said.

Wendy’s eyes opened wide.

“That’s great!” Wendy said.

“How is that great?” Dawn asked.

“Means you might still have a father. And he can permanently have you live with him if he is your biological dad.” Wendy said.

“I didn’t think of it that way. I think of it as betrayal. They were cheating on their partners. And he said I look like her and sound like her. But part of me feels like he knew all along.” Dawn said.

“Sweetie, sometimes people are slow to realize something so simple. He may not have caught on for a while.” Wendy said.

“But it makes no sense. 5 years, he would have picked up on it.” Dawn said.

“Not necessarily. My husband was raised by his dad without realising it was his dad. His dad never caught on until he was 24. And he was with him since the age of 8. It just takes time for some people.” Wendy said.

Dawn sighed.

“I don’t think I want to know. Not until I am 18. I want to make sure I am okay. After school, so no distraction. And after the college responses arrive.” Dawn said.

“What colleges are you thinking of?” Wendy asked.

“Any that offer a scholarship. But preferably I want an Ivy League. I can’t afford it though.” Dawn said.

“Surely you will find something that suits you.” Wendy said.

“I already got a letter from my school saying next year I am being bumped up a grade, I haven’t told anyone. So, I graduate at the end of next year. I just want no distractions so I can get through it.” Dawn said.

“That’s great news! How have you not celebrated?” Wendy asked.

“Because there is nothing to celebrate. I will be in a class without people I know, I will be doing harder work and I will be struggling. I will be 16 and in my last year. I keep getting bumped and it isolates me.” Dawn said.

“Believe in yourself. Your friends Lucas and Scott will be in the same grade right?” Wendy asked.

“Yes. But I don’t think they will appreciate me following them like a lost puppy.” Dawn said.

“Well, it’s their loss if they don’t. Puppies are cute, just like you.” Wendy said.