But you’ll miss them all if you don’t wake up.”
“But I haven’t seen you for so long daddy. I ‘m afraid I’ll never see you again and I want to stay right here with you.”
“Don’t be afraid Susan. I’m in your heart. Always have been and nothing can ever keep me away. I love you Susan.”
“I love you too daddy.”
“Trust me now and wake up. Wake up to the wonderful things I have in store for you.
Wake up Susan… wake up now.”
Susan woke up to the sounds of sirens and the feeling of being in motion. She realized she was on a gurney in the back of an ambulance heading to the hospital. She looked to her left and saw a man. A handsome man smiling at her and thought she was still dreaming because the man looked like Ryan Reynolds. Nick was the first to speak. “Welcome back! We’re taking you over to Norwegian American Hospital. Sorry for the bumpy ride, a lot of pot holes on this road.”
Susan pulled off her air mask and spoke with a bit of scratchiness to her voice, “Was I in a fire?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Nick said sorrowfully. “What’s your full name Miss?”
“Susan Taylor.”
Nick looked at the EMS tech, “Did you get that?” The tech nodded yes.
“How did I get here?” Susan asked
“I got you out. My name is Nick Gates.” Susan stared at him. My hero is Ryan Reynolds . She felt her eyes getting heavy.
Nick noticed that her eyes were slowly closing and thought it best to put her air mask back on, “Miss Taylor, I’m going to put your air mask back on.”
She mumbled just before her eyes shut completely, “Thank you. Call me Susan.”
Chapter 9
Susan woke up at the hospital the next day remembering the dream she had with her father. He was so alive. I touched his hands and could feel their warmth. Wish I could’ve stayed in such a vivid dream. And that fireman; what an attractive hunk of a man. Even though it was a brief moment they shared she remembered the tenderness of his light brown eyes. His eyes that communicated to her that she was safe and still had a long life ahead of her.
She reached the remote to buzz the nurse’s station, “Yes?”
“Can you send the nurse in please?” Susan asked.
“She’ll be there shortly.”
“Good morning, how are you feeling?” The nurse asked. “Other than my sore throat and chest hurting when I breathe, I’m alright.”
“Do you remember what happened?”
“I was in a fire.” Susan said.
“Yes and the soreness you’re feeling as you breathe is due to the smoke you inhaled but the antibiotics we’re giving you will help with that and you’ll be good as new in no time. Is there anyone you would like me to contact for you?”
The nurse handed Susan a pad and pen. Susan wrote down Tom’s Liz’s names and phone numbers including her assignment editor at the news station.
“By any chance, do you know the name of the fireman that rescued me and the fire station he’s assigned to? He told me his name but I can’t remember and I would like to thank him properly.”
“According to the report the EMS tech provided, the fireman’s name is Nicholas Gates from the Logan Square Fire Station. I’ll Google it for you and give you the stations address and phone number. Meanwhile, get some rest as it’ll be a few days before you’re released.”
“Ok, thank you.”
“No problem Miss Taylor. I’ll check on you later.”
***
Later on that evening Tom entered the hospital room, “Oh Susan thank God you’re fine. I took the next flight back as soon as I heard the news. “How are you feeling darling?” Tom asked.
Susan replied, “I’m feeling a whole lot better now that your here.”
“Is there anything I can get for you?”
“Some water would be great.” Tom grabbed the water bottle on the movable bed tray that was out of reach for Susan and handed it
The Big Rich: The Rise, Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes