idioms...sayings understood by native speakers part fifty two

Carl lay on the gurney. He felt like his head was going to explode from the headache he had, but then he saw Jenny, Charlie, Rick and Lynn enter into the observation area. He closed his eyes against the pain and struggled to sit up.

"What do you think you are doing?" Jenny asked, as she put her hand on his chest and firmly laid him back.

"I just wanted to..."

"Shut up. I bet it hurts worse to talk." She left for a second and then came back with an ice pack. "Here. Put this on your face."

Carl sighed. The coolness eased some of the throb and he was able to see a little clearer.

"Jenny, thank you."

"Thank me? For what, for being too stupid to realize what that old coot was planning?"

"No." He spoke gently. "For getting mom out of there. For standing up for me." He paused. "Hell, just thank you." He grabbed her hand and squeezed it...trying to convey what he was feeling.

"Ah, I get it. Well, you have to get better, because we have that rematch. Or did you forget?"

Carl smiled a little. "Hey Rick."

"Carl?"

"What? You are looking at me like I did something wrong."

Rick arched his eyebrow. "No. I just think you might need some boxing lessons, that's all."

"Shut up. I did land one."

Rick smiled and walked up to his cousin. He gently ruffled his hair. "I would have loved to have seen that."

"Yeah, I knocked him on his butt."

Lynn took Charlie by the hand. She felt like they should just wait outside, but as she turned, she heard.

"Ah, Lynn?"

Lynn turned and smiled. "Yes, Carl."

"I don't think I will be at work in the morning. Until I can get back, you are in charge. Can you do it?"

"Sure. No problem."

"Oh, and Charlie?"

"Yes, Carl."

"Thank you for helping my mom."

Charlie grinned. "No problem. Charlie is strong. Is Carl's mommy going to be okay?"

Carl sighed. "The doctor said she was in emergency surgery. He said, that she was lucky to be alive.... if we hadn't gone over there...." He trailed off.

"But you did, and you helped her." Rick stated for the record.

Jenny felt Carl's hand weaken, and noticed he was really feeling the pain.

"I plan to stay. So, why don't you guys take off."

"Um, shouldn't we stay till your mom gets out of surgery?" Rick asked.  "Otherwise, there won't be anyone there for her when she wakes up."

Lynn smiled. "Jenny, why don't you stay here with Carl. We will go and wait in the surgery waiting room to find out how Sara is doing."

---

John looked at his phone list. He found the number and called it. "Sam?"

"Yeah, it has been a crazy welcome home. I need you to spring A.J. He just got arrested by the State Police."

John contemplated his nails as he listened to the legal eagle

"I suppose he was arrested for beating his wife to a pulp and the crap out of his son."

"Yeah. I tried to spin it and keep it local. Somehow, the State Police got involved."

"I know. But we keep your retainer up. So, it is time you earn it. Understand?"

He hung up and then walked down the hallway past the surgery waiting room of Charity, when he noticed a Hispanic family, crying and hugging each other. The surgeon walked away towards the vending machines and got a cup of coffee.

"Trouble?" John asked.

"No. It is always a shock when someone that young dies." He sighed.

"Well, just remember how many lives Miguel saved." John stated.

"Yes. And no one wants to be a quad for the rest of their life."

"That's right." He smiled at the doctor. "See ya."

"Yeah, take care, Mr. Matthews."

John walked out to the setting sun. It has turned out to be an interesting day, he thought, as he hopped into the back of the limo. He sighed. Sara... where are you?

He hit the speed dial. "Sheriff, mind telling what happened?"

"So, it was  Carl who  got the State Police involved. I thought jurisdiction was ours."

"I see. Do you know where Sara and Carl are?"

"Lansing Memorial?" He paused. "Got it."

John leaned forward after hanging up. "Simon. We have to stop and buy two bouquets. Then we have to go to Lansing Memorial."

"Yes. Sir."

John settled in and closed his eyes.  Remembering that tall beautiful blond standing like a statue  between Carl and A.J., daring  A.J. to get up and fight.  She was prepared to take him on.  He smiled at her telling A.J. she would protect her important people.   John could not keep his mind off of her.  She just seemed interesting.

Rick brought coffee and a coke to the two siblings who were trying to stay awake. It had been such a long day. But they had gotten word that Sara was in the recovery room and was holding her own. She would be transferred to the ICU soon.

Handing Lynn a coffee, and the drink to Charlie, Rick settled in beside her.

"I really hate hospitals."

"I know what you mean. Mom made it to the hospital after her car accident but she never woke up." Lynn grew quiet.

"Yeah, My mom died in one of these places, too."

Charlie hopped up.

"What? Charlie, do you need to go to the bathroom?" Lynn asked tiredly.

Charlie pointed.

Rick looked in that direction. He stood up, in front of Charlie. "Charlie, stay here protect your sister."

Charlie nodded and sat down beside Lynn holding her hand.

"Rick, come on. We are in a hospital, for pity's sake.

"Wait here." Rick walked away.

Lynn turned and saw an older, greying, tall man slowing down as he saw Rick.

"Nephew. I see you made an appearance."

"Why wouldn't I? Carl is my cousin, his mother is my aunt."

"Ah, fine.... " John sighed. "I will let that slide for now. Can you tell me how my nephew and sister in law are doing?"

"I can tell you that they are both alive, if that is what you mean."

"So hostile." John held up the two bouquets. "I even brought flowers. Doesn't that deserve some civility?

"Save it, Uncle John. Your presence is not welcomed here."

"I see." He turned and saw a particular tall blond heading towards them.

"Rick, Carl wants to know how his mom is doing."

Rick looked at John gazing at Jenny.

"Go see Lynn, she is right over there."

Jenny looked a little surprised at Rick's curtness then noticed an older man. She glanced up and more surprise was revealed.

"Hello, Miss...er... I am sorry I did not catch your name earlier."

"As I recall, it was never given."

"I just wanted to give these flowers to Carl and Sara."

Jenny glared and bristled. Rick put his hand on her shoulder and pointed to where Lynn was at. "Go."

She nodded, turned and headed off in that direction.

"Well, Rick. I guess I should be going. Tell your friend I plan to see her soon."

"Uncle John, I would not mess with my friend if I were you."

"Is that a threat?"

"More like a promise."

"Rick, Rick, Rick. When will you ever learn? The Matthews family always get what they want." He started to walk away. Then turned, "By the way, shouldn't you be getting your presentation ready? Tomorrow is the board meeting and all. Seems that all of those contracts of yours got misplaced." John walked away, smiling.

to be continued.