Locomotive to the Past, George Schultz [snow like ashes series txt] 📗

heartbroken young woman, if she’d needed a ride to the hospital.

Jason had sustained a hairline fracture of the right thigh! Well, there were also a multitude of scrapes, bruises and abrasions! But, the thigh injury was—by far—the most serious of all the “accident’s” consequences! Medical accomplishments—and scientific progress, in general—could almost be considered “medieval”, in the forties, when compared with those Jason had known in 2001.

None of the three visitors were anxious to relate, to the patient, their extremely-limited extent, of his problems! As soon as it had become evident—that her former-roomer was beginning to “come out of it”—Susan had pressed the Nurse’s Call Button. The “Angel of Mercy” had responded—almost immediately! She promised that she would send the night physician in—to consult with them, as quickly as possible!

Jason had remained exceptionally woozy—even at that late hour! The medical staff had—intentionally—kept him heavily sedated! It did not occur to him, until a lengthy number of minutes had passed—after the night physician had informed him, and his guests, of his condition—that he’d, fully, became aware, of the heavy, still-saturated, plaster-of-paris, cast that was, tightly, enveloping his thigh!

It was beginning to seep—into what was fast becoming his rapidly-expanding consciousness—that he would be leaving the hospital! But, not until the following day. Had he wanted to go home—that very night—the hospital’s business staff would’ve/could’ve accommodated him. But, at that point, the patient, himself, couldn’t imagine even moving four or five feet—let alone four or five miles—and had, politely, declined.

The three newcomers had agreed, as how it was best—that Jason spend the night (and, maybe even, a generous amount—of the following day), in the medical facility. Eric would have to set in motion the procedure, to enact his company-paid hospitalization. That would require a few hours, come the morrow. He and Susan would “liberate” his Dodge, from the parking lot of the A&P—and park it, on Ohio Street. (Its “rightful” spot.)

All eyes then centered—on Valerie! She’d more or less blanched, at the sudden show of attention. She’d seemed to find recluse—in a, hastily-self-constructed, emotional shell. She’d buried her face—in her trembling hands! At that point, the, still-badly-shaken, patient appeared to have a “better handle” on the situation (both present and potential)—than his, somber, intended!

Thursday morning had come and gone! And—even at one-thirty, in the afternoon—there’d not been one peep, from any of Jason’s three cohorts. Understandable? Yes, he supposed. Still, the deafening silence was terribly disconcerting! And—well—deafening! Nothing of this sort had ever happened to him before. He was—most assuredly—in uncharted waters. All of the confidence, that he’d seemingly built up—since his arrival, in 1942—had, abruptly, deserted him! Had left him “high-and-dry”!

He was, at that point, immersed—in the most frustrating, confusing, troubling, time of his life! Or so it seemed! He’d found himself looking to any (well, to each one) of his, highly-cherished, trio—for guidance! For consolation! For—he-didn’t-know-what!

Where could they be? Where could any of them be? What could they be doing? What could they be thinking? Any of them? All of them? And this damnable headache! Would it ever stop?

Plainly, the situation—vis-a-vis Susan, Eric, and Valerie—was not helping! And this was only one facet—of his problems! Many problems! For instance, he was unsure—as to whether he was even able to walk! The nurse had brought him a pair of crutches—at 6:00AM, of all hours! She’d done her best to instruct/assist him—to get to the bathroom! He’d actually made it! But, it had been a Herculean—a monumental—struggle! Presumably, he would walk! Eventually! It would be a real adventure!

His appetite was completely nonexistent! Part of that—he was sure—stemmed from his highly-emotional state. Most of it—probably! Not hearing from his close friends—was not any conceivable sort of boon, to the consistently-rattled young man!

These were, he was positive, the most troubled hours of his life! Yes—his entire life! He’d thought, that he’d found an almost-perfect panacea—certainly, a most-ideal one—in his “new life”, in 1942! He’d never met anyone like Susan. Or Eric. And/or Valerie! The only one who’d have even come close—in 2001—had been his beloved “Aunt Debbie”. That had been especially true—once his beloved, Grandpa Piepczyk, had passed away!

Maybe he was being too judgmental—the fracture notwithstanding. He constantly reminded himself—that, in 2001, he would’ve thought it impossible, to have even dreamed of having his own apartment. Having his own car. Imagine! His own girl, for heaven’s sake! Hell—his own fiancée! Incredible! Even a few dollars in his pocket! Amazing! Three friends! Three actual people—who, “for real”. care about him! And a few bucks! But, mostly, three dear friends! Unimaginable!

On the other hand . . . if they’re so concerned about me . . . where the hell are they?

When the “cherished” friends did show up, the unexpected gathering turned out to be—quite a cast of characters. There was—surprisingly—Nicholas Stainback, the “hard guy”, to whom the confused patient had been introduced, a mere four days previously. A real shocker!

And yet another unexpected guest: A woman! One that Jason had never met! Her name was Alberta Howick. A very beautiful—and very shapely—woman, with long, shimmering, brunette locks. A friend of Susan’s—for “many years”. The ladies were about the same age.

The presence of Nicholas and Alberta were puzzling enough! But, when Our Boy beheld the presence of Father Roman Benjamin—pastor of Gate Of Heaven Catholic Church—he was positively stunned! It left him totally speechless!

The remaining personnel—of what would become known as “The Original Cast”—were, of course, Susan, Eric, and Valerie. The latter lady did not appear as shocked, as Jason! But, she was—by any evaluation—much more uncomfortable, than her fiancé! And she looked almost as confused!

“What… what is this?” stuttered the, totally-overwhelmed, patient. “What… what’s going on?”

“We want you to take a deep breath, Jason dear,” counseled Susan, firmly. “Eric and I have come up with… in our devious little minds… come up with this, totally-warped, evil, little plan!”

“Mostly Susie” demurred Eric. “And it… our minds… they ain’t little,” he added—defensively. “Pretty devious!”

“And,” expanded his wife, “we’d had to… just about… chloroform Valerie. And then, drag her… drag her, bodily… down