I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Humor, Pictures, Stories and Poems => Topic started by: kitkatz on February 11, 2007, 09:50:48 AM
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Okay so for a little fun here is the beginning of our great dialysis story. I am going to begin a story and everyone can add a little to the story at a time. You can add a paragraph at a time per post. This way everyone can write a little part. The story should be posted in bold letters, that way comments can be made as we write this story. Remember we are all readers and writers, as well as editors. If you do not like what is happening in the story change it.
Here it begins.
Samantha was tired. The day had been long and it was not over yet. Dialysis was waiting for her next. She swore at the hallway walls as she pulled her bra off and threw a shirt on. She was running late as usual and would probably get caught in traffic on the way to the dialysis center. She packed a small bag of snacks and barrelled out the door. She told her cat goodbye as she closed the door to her apartment.
EDITED: Stickied for easy reference - Sluff, Moderator
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:2thumbsup; An interesting idea! I remember when Sandman's gaming group did this sort of thing in his forums and called it "Never ending story..." and it went on for 8 pages. I wonder how long we can make this one ;)
Samantha walked briskly down the hallway to the elevator hoping no one would be in it. She didn't feel like being delayed at all by chatty people. Not that she minded a good conversation but she didn't like coming across as rude as the door opened and she had to cut the conversation short.
She pushed the button and waited for a minute until the door opened and she was glad to see her luck was with her today. She rode down to the lobby and then walked out to ...
** thx Black. I knew it didn't look right but I was too tired to think straight :P
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Angie -- I think you meant : "rode" down to the lobby
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... the hallway lined with wheelchairs. The stench of bleach and plastic filled the air. That familiar smell that made her sick to her stomach everytime. As she entered the office the waiting room was full. Not a good sign as that meant they were running late. The receptionist was on the phone so "Sam" as her family called her, waited patiently. When the receptionist hung up she....
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This is fun. On my family's website we did one for a while, but you were only able to put in 3 words at a time. It was quite hilarious, but it took us a long time to even get one paragraph!
...said to her, in as nice a voice as she could make it, "I am here for my dialysis session. When do you think I would be able to go on?"
"Well, as you can see, " the receptionist drawled, as she hooked the chewing-gum from her mouth, "the waiting-room is full. No telling when you can get a chair."
Sam slumped into a chair in the waiting-room. Just then she saw that Jim was there waiting too. 'Should I go over and say 'hello', or just stay here, pretending I didn't see him?' she asked herself. He was the shift before hers and was usually leaving when she was coming. She remembered the first day she met him when.....
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he was alone and looking frightened and nervous. Must be a "first-timer"
Sam thought. Just as Sam decided to go over and see how Jim was
doing, the receptionist called his name. She was rather glad. Not in the
talking mood anway. He stood up to go with the nurse and ............
EDITED: Added Bold to text - Sluff, Moderator
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he was alone and looking frightened and nervous. Must be a "first-timer"
Sam thought. Just as Sam decided to go over and see how Jim was
doing, the receptionist called his name. She was rather glad. Not in the
talking mood anway. He stood up to go with the nurse and ............
EDITED: Added Bold to text - Sluff, Moderator
::) If anyone is going to reply to this thread to add to the story, PLEASE follow the rules set forth by kitkatz in the very FIRST post. I do not want to have to have the mods edit several posts because a member did not follow the rules. The mods have enough work to do on this site as it is. So please if you are going to post at least have the courtesy to follow the rules "kitkatz" has placed.
- Epoman
Owner/Admin
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smiled at Sam as he passed by. "Hey" , Sam kinda half-smiled at him as he went into the treatment room. She was weary today and weary of the never-ending sessions still ahead of her. Even though the common denominator for everyone in the waiting room was dialysis, Sam still felt like an alien among the complainers, coughers, and vacant-eyed patients who seemed to dominant this particular clinic. She had been in others over the many years. Some better, some worse. It was always a breath of fresh air to meet someone like Jim, who seemed to not be defined by the repetitious but unavoidable life support system that joined all of them together for long hours every few days.
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The sound of her name "Samantha" startled her and she jumped. "We're ready for you" said the nurse. Wow, that was fast she thought. She picked up her things and followed the nurse to the scale. "Crap" she thought I'm over 1.4kg. That usually meant a rough run for her. But, she tried to think positive. "You'll be in the back on chair 4 today". She hated being switched from one chair to the next everytime. Couldn't they just give her the same damn chair! Then she rounded the corner and they sat her right next to....
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Jim! He was already seated and hooked up and had his headphones in. Sam got her standing BP while seeing if Jim noticed that she was seated beside him. Then the nurse/tech made a comment but Sam didn't hear it and asked her to repeat it. She said ...
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...try to look sexy just in case Jim lookes up at you". She then sat down and got comfortable. She had a chest catheter so she had to wear a mask while the nurse unbuttoned her top and pulled out her catheter ends for the bloodlines. Then she smelled something bad.....
:rofl;
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... it was the techs in their breakroom, burning the microwave popcorn again! But this time it looked bad!
Smoke was accumulating near the ceiling across the room. No one seemed to notice! She glanced over at
Jim and...
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...he looked back at her with a look of horror across his face. Sam pointed the smoke out to the nurse/tech. The nurse rushed into the breakroom with a fire extinguisher, leaving Sam's top still unbuttoned and catheter ends out. She looked back at Jim, who was looking back at her with a dreamy look about his face. They looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment, and then...
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Jim turned his head and threw-up. The smoke and smell was really getting to him.
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Sam remembered her "clamp, cut and run" training, and begin to clamp off all her tubing. Then she began to look frantically around, realizing that there were no scissors anywhere in reach.
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I just wanted to let you all know your doing GREAT on this story... Im loving it. Ill add something soon, I cant think of nothing at this part, lol.. im not good at writing! Keep up the good work. :2thumbsup;
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I'm sorry. I could not get mine in bold.
I kept clicking the B but would get this instead of bold.
I don't know what I did wrong.
I don't know how to get smileys either. instead get :thx;
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The nurse with the fire extinguisher came out of the breakroom, loudly declaring that everything was fine, just a small microwave fire, but all was well. Sam breathed a sigh of relief, looked over at Jim, and said, "Glad they weren't doing any REAL cooking in that thing!" As she looked over at Jim, who appeared a bit embarrassed, she smiled and said, "I was going to pretend to be aloof and mysterious, but given that we've just been through a major disaster, I guess we can consider the ice to be broken!" Jim laughed and said.......
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I'm sorry. I could not get mine in bold.
I kept clicking the B but would get this instead of bold.
I don't know what I did wrong.
I don't know how to get smileys either. instead get :thx;
Type first, then select the whole thing you want to be bold, and then hit that bold button.
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I'm sorry. I could not get mine in bold.
I kept clicking the B but would get this instead of bold.
I don't know what I did wrong.
I don't know how to get smileys either. instead get :thx;
You need to type what you want then left click and highlight (select) the entire text you want to bold THEN hit the "BOLD" button.
- Epoman
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"Yeah, but I can't believe I already puked in front of you. We haven't even been on a first date yet!" He smiled at her with vomit still in his teeth. Sam was disgusted at his sight and decided to discontinue the flirting. They finished their dialysis sessions in silence and went their separate ways. Later that day...
EDITED:Added Bold To Text - Sluff, Moderator
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Sam was awoke from a dead sleep by the phone. She said "hello" in a groggy voice. "Hello", said .....
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Jim. It was Jim on the phone, another Jim, Jim from work. "What is it with you? I just got to sleep and you call me?" she ranted into the phone.
"Better check your clock, Sweetie."he chirped into her ear. "You are late for work today. The boss is looking for blood this morning, too."
"Oh crap!" she mumbled at the phone receiver. "I will be in as soon as I can."
She slammed down the phone, threw back the covers, stood up, and promptly...
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...headed for the kitchen. I need coffee before I can face THIS day, she thought. Why me? If it
weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!
Sam wasn't going to hurry. It was too late to slip in unnoticed. She was just going to have to show
up late to work and face the consequences. She looked over the newspaper as she sipped the hot
coffee, and on the front page she saw...
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She saw that her buddy at the dialysis center, Jim, had gotten into a fatal car wreck with a drunk driver. The drunk driver had crossed over the yellow line and hit Jim's car head-on. Jim was killed instantly. "At least he didn't suffer," Sam thought to herself. She knew this week wasn't going to be a normal week whatsoever; she would have to attend his funeral in a few days. She then wondered if the drunk driver was an organ donor? What a thought to think after her friend had just died! She couldn't help it; she's a dialysis patient and needs a kidney!
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Cancel that one. I didn't read it right. sorry.
EDITED: Removed last Post By Ohio Buckeye at Her Request - Sluff, Moderator
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As Sam pondered the ironies of life, her phone rang again. She thought about not answering it, then remembering how she had been scolded by her transplant co-ordinator for missing a couple of calls, relunctantly got up and answered, knowing it was work again. "Hello?" "Samantha, it's Carol. Are you ready? We've got a kidney for you!"
Sam sat down abruptly, mind racing through all the questions she had planned out. "Before you say anything", gushed Carol "this is a perfect match for you, and the donor had a closed head injury from a drunk driving accident."
"I'll be right there!" shouted Sam. "You can give me the rest of the details when I get there."
She hopped in her car and her cell rang. It was one of her friends from the unit. "Did you see the paper?"
"I know, but I'm on the way to the hospital. I just got the call" Sam replied.
"Omygosh! That's great!" said Sheronda. "But I gotta tell you....Jim's okay. The paper got it wrong! The drunk driver was the one killed!"
"Oh wow," thought Sam......that could mean...........
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the light suddenly turned red and Sam slammed on her brakes. Man, that is all I need, Sam thought, is to get in a wreck myself on the way to the hospital. She fumbled with her cell phone so she could call her parents. "Hello, Mom? I'm on my way to the hospital, they have a kidney for me." "No, don't come yet until I'm sure it is a go." The light turned green so she clicked her cell phone closed and started out once again. A million things ran through her head........
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Now where was the list of questions she was supposed to ask about the kidney when she go to the hospital? In the over night bag she hoped. It was driving her crazy. All the waiting came down to now, a kidney for her. Would it work? Would it be viable? Was she going to get it?
She checked in with the transplant coordinator at the hospital and began the slow blood draw process for compatability...
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Comment: I just wanted to say what a GREAT idea this is as now anyone who hasn't been through this experience can read this and actually LIVE the experience so they will KNOW what to expect! :2thumbsup;
Maybe we could eventually make this into a BOOK Epoman?? :clap; :2thumbsup;
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...wondering why so many conflicting thoughts were running through her head. What about Jim? The idea that he was still alive filled her with such a thrill. But why should it? And if this transplant works out, it means she might not be seeing him again. 'Oh well,' she said to herself.'Let me focus on what is going on right now. This is the most important thing for me.' But certain thoughts just wouldn't go away. Just then the nurse said......
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"Samantha", she said quietly. "You're running a low grade fever today. They're sending you home, Hon."
"Crap!" she thought and out loud, "Was it a good match?" The nurse replied, "No matter what the match, it wouldn't be a good 'match' if we made you sicker, now would it?"
"Right", Sam whispered as she began to gather her belongings for the long, slow trip back to the dialysis world. For a few brief moments, she had traveled out and away from that place to a hopeful future free of machines.
"Try not to get too down", the nurse gave her a hug and then let her go.
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I have to say that so far this has been a great story. Within only a few paragraphs the story has covered several topics, and emotions. Keeping writing so I can see how the story ends.
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I have to say that so far this has been a great story. Within only a few paragraphs the story has covered several topics, and emotions. Keeping writing so I can see how the story ends.
IF it ever ends! lol It could go on forever!
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Try not to get too down, easy for her to say thought Sam as she was leaving.
In a flash new hope for her future had vanished. Well, she thought I just have to accept that
this time was not meant to be for some reason. Would she ever get a kidney, would it
ever happen for her she wondered. Part of the day was shot. She debated whether she should
go on to work or just go home as she traveled down the highway. Then........
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...she decided she was hungry and stopped off at a fast food restaurant. She then realized that she had forgotten her binders, because she thought she would be getting a transplant and wouldn't be needing them anymore. She's had a really rough day, though, and figures that it would be OK to skip them with this one meal. She splurges and orders a big juicy hamburger with extra cheese, fries with lots of salt, and a large chocolate milkshake. While waiting at the drive-thru window, she ponders, "So I wonder if the kidney I was going to get was from the drunk driver that I thought killed Jim?" Then they handed her the food she ordered, and she was on her way home when...
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her cell phone rang. She fumbled around in her coat pocket for it and caught it on its last ring. "SAM" a voice yelled! "Yes" she said. "This is Jagdeep Sing at the hospital" she said in a thick East Indian accent. "The thermometer was malfunctioning. It said we all have fevers! Come back as soon as you can to see if you indeed have a fever." Samantha shuttered at the thought. "What a p*cking roller-coaster" she said. She started to turn around...........
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... and her car sputtered, lurching forward, it chugged along - then died. What in the world...? she thought, What now!?! The driver in the car behind her leaned on his horn. She stared at the dash and he honked again. Rolling down her window, she waved him around. Unfortunately the traffic heading out of town at rush hour filled the oncoming lanes. There was no where to go. She reached for the key and tried to restart the car. It seemed to catch for a moment, then whimpered to a dead silence. Now the driver behind her was flashing his headlights AND honking. Sam put her head on the steering wheel and began to cry. Suddenly there was a sharp knock on her driver's side window. Startled, she looked up and ...
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...there was Jim! She never felt so happy to see someone before.
"How can I help?" he asked. "I was coming in the opposite direction and saw you here in a bind."
"Please help me push this car over to the shoulder. And I need to get to the hospital right away! Can you help me?"
"It would be my pleasure! Please don't cry anymore!"
Jim just took over the situation. He asked her not to cry, but pure relief made her weep even more. He sent for roadside assistance and they both got into his car. 'Nice car,' thought Sam, but she decided to say nothing. Then Jim looked over at her and asked.....
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"So what you are going to the hospital for? Are you okay or did you get the call?" She was so happy to tell him that she got the call but it has been a crazy day. Anything that could go wrong was going wrong. She told him about the fever and then the call back about the thermometers. He laughed in disbelief and they drove on their way.
She had chatted so much about how bad her day had gone so far that time flew and they were there. As he parked she stole a glance and noticed his strong jaw line as if she had never noticed before. Maybe it was the fact that he came to her rescue that he seemed now like a prince in shining armor. She was lost in thought when he suddenly asked, "Are you coming?" "Oh ya!" she snapped to! "Sorry it has just been a long day!" He locked the doors and they walked toward the hospital in silent thought. Then he turned to her and asked, "...
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"....so, did you bring a bag or anything?"
"Oh, great! I must've left it in my car! I'm usually not such an air-head....ok, maybe, SOMETIMES, I can be an airhead, but really, I'm usually pretty good in a crisis...not that this is a crisis or anything...I mean, its a really good thing that this is happening, but it started out so weird...I mean first I heard you were dead and then I get a call saying I'm gonna get a kidney and then I find out you're alive but I'm NOT gonna get a kidney and so I go get a HUGE meal of junk food which I'm just about to scarf down and then I find out I MIGHT get a kidney but my car dies and then you're suddenly there to rescue me....and ......I'm babbling randomly aren't I...."
"Um....you thought I was dead?" asked Jim.
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"Oh," Sam replied.She figured he had seen the newspaper. "Yeah, it was on the front page of the newspaper this morning. It said that you had gotten into a car wreck with a drunk driver. Someone later called me and said that they got the name wrong. Turns out it was James Beam, not James Bean. It was just a typo."
"Oh. I didn't get the paper this morning." Jim replied as they entered the building. Just then....
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Three nurses came running up to Sam.
"You are here finally! Let's go!"
Bewildered Sam went with them. They whisked her away to an exam room and told her to strip down. A thermometer went into her mouth and onto a gurney she went. One nurse took her blood pressure, another called the doctor, the third took the thermometer out of her mouth.
"Uh Oh." the nurse on the phone said. She turned to Sam and asked. "How long have you been on dialysis?"
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Kitkatz, PLEASE continue! I want to know what the 'uh-oh' is about, and why she should ask how long Sam was on dialysis. pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!
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"Turns out it was James Beam, not James Bean. It was just a typo."
Hey girl, I am LOVING, your sense of humor! First you kill him off and now the stupid drunk's name!!!! LOL long & hard. Hope you don't mind me bringing Jimbo back to life....I wanted to have some more soapy flirting amidst the vomit in the unit!
EDITED: Fixed bold error in quote box - Sluff, Moderator
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"About 15 years", Sam replied.
"Well, when was your last heart cath?"
"I've never had one." Sam was getting nervous now. She'd always hated the idea of someone jamming, THREADING, a wire into her pumping heart. That particular procedure always sounded more suited for those hearts that had already stopped beating.
"I've never needed one, she continued. "I always passed all the cardiac tests with flying colors....the echo, doppler, stress test...all of 'em. When I had my evaluation a couple of years ago, they didn't think I needed it then..."
"Hmmmmmmm," Nurse Ratchitt pursed her lips and turned back to the phone.
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"Turns out it was James Beam, not James Bean. It was just a typo."
Hey girl, I am LOVING, your sense of humor! First you kill him off and now the stupid drunk's name!!!! LOL long & hard. Hope you don't mind me bringing Jimbo back to life....I wanted to have some more soapy flirting amidst the vomit in the unit!
EDITED: Fixed bold error in quote box - Sluff, Moderator
Thank you! lol I try to stay happy and humorous! And, nah, I dont mind that you brought him back. It makes for great twists and turns in the story!
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Sam slumped, staring in space...'What now?' she thought.
She straightened up.
"NURSE!!" she yelled. Get me the transplant coordinator NOW!"
The nurse turned and said, "She's with the donor family," and turned back to the phone.
"Well we need to talk. I have some questions of my own!"
Just then Carol, the TC came through the door. "Hey, how are you? Looks like they're
getting you all checked out!"
"Carol, listen. I have been thinking. I know I should ask questions. I couldn't think until now, but I need to know.
What can you tell me about the donor? How old is he? What about his health history? Can I ask what the injuries are? Is he married?
I just need to know more before we go any further."
Just then Nurse Ratchitt marched over to Carol and Sam and said...
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"SHE should've had a cath done when she had her work up. She's never had one! Now we have to waste time getting that cath and I just don't know if she's even gonna be able to get this kidney now!" All that was missing was the finger snap in Carol's face.
Carol just rolled her eyes and then calmly told Nurse 'I Know Everything About Everything', "Excuse me doctor.........Oh! You almost had me fooled for a minute......the way you were talking, for a moment there, I thought you were the transplant physician."
And to Sam, "C'mon Samantha, let's get you upstairs where all your questions can be answered."
Sam and Carol left Nurse Ratchitt spluttering her objections to an empty room.
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"Amazing, that nurse can sure find ways to prevent a transplant." the TC muttered under her breath. Sam grinned at her as they whisked her on the gurney up to the transplant waiting area. The surgeon stepped out of the surgical area not smiling at all.
" Well Sam. It is not good news. The kidney is too damaged from the car wreck to use. The other one has already been sent out of the area."
Sam groaned along with the Transplant Coordinator. " Awww.Hell."
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Sam laid there on the gurney for a while trying to absorb this devastating news.
"how could it be?" she thought. "Twice in one day a chance for a new kidney
gone". She was so depressed. She finally remembered that Jim had brought her in
would be waiting in the waiting area. She would have to ask him to drive her home.
She would have to tell her parents the bad news. Then.........
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She dressed into her civilian clothes out of the hospital garb. She said goodbye to the nurses and tried not to cry on her way out of the building. She ran into Jim as she crossed the waiting room and stopped in surprise.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked.
"Waiting to hear about you." he replied looking surpised. "What happened?"
" Nothing. Not one damned thing. The kidney was too damaged in the car accident to be used and the other one is gone to another county. Not meant to be." Tears cascaded down Sam's face.
Jim offered to drive her home. They walked out to his car in the parking lot.
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keep reading
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"Let's just go get stinkin' drunk...." Sam said suddenly.
"What?" Jim said, "wait a minute."
"I mean it!" Sam cried,"I'm sick of this. I wanna be drunk and I wanna be drunk, right NOW!" She turned to Jim with her hands on her hips, just about stomping her foot. The look of surprise on his face stopped her and she realized how ridiculous she must sound and look.
"Ummmmm......I'm thinking that fluid restriction is not primary in your mind at the moment?"
"DARN right its not!" Sam looked up and down the street. Where's the bar that's always right around the corner from the hospital in all the medical shows? The one where all the interns meet after their shift to discuss who's going home with whom.........not a bar in sight.
"C'mon," she pulled on Jim's arm toward the Denny's across the street.
"Sam, I don't think they serve alcohol in there," he hesitated.
"No, but they've got chocolate malts and I'm having the biggest one they've got!" Sam declared and started across the street.
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funny, we 3 must have been writing at the same time, i had to change mine to accomodate Kits changes. And I thought about getting drunk too! So funny.
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"Damn There's the Transplant Coodinator." Sam said as she and Jim entered the diner. "No chocolate shake tonight."
Sam turned around and she stalked out of the diner. Jim trailing behind her.
"I am so damned frustrated. It just isn't fair! I have to go back to my life." Sam yelled at the parking lot as they walked toward Jim's car again. Jim was silent. What could he say that would help? Nothing. It was pretty awful when you thought about it.
Sam pulled on the locked car door and stopped. Her head rested on the top of the car.
"You going to be all right?" Jim asked.
"Yeah. Take me home. I have dialysis tomorrow." she said.
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They stopped next to his car. Jim put his hands on her face and told her how sorry he was. He took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. "Let's get you home. Do you feel like eating?" said Jim, as helped her into the car.
"Please..." whispered Sam, "I just cannot be alone right now." They got in his car and she told him how to get to her house.
She and Jim rode in silence. "I know I should call my mom, but I just can't." Jim reached down and held her hand. She felt a connection with him just then. Here he was, rescuing her again when she really needed someone. Somehow she felt like she had known him forever.
They got to Sam's place and went inside. Jim went to the kitchen to make something for them to eat as Sam headed for the shower.
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funny, we 3 must have been writing at the same time, i had to change mine to accomodate Kits changes. And I thought about getting drunk too! So funny.
Just another example of great minds thinking alike!!
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That is so much better.
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Sam came out of the shower dressed in her robe and slippers. Towel wrapped up around her hair. Her face was still tear stained from the sob session she had done in the shower. Even with the radio turned all the way up in the kitchen Jim had heard her crying. He acted like everything was okay, when she appeared in the kitchen. It looked like he was preparing scrambled eggs until he dipped the bread into the eggs.
"Is French toast okay with you?" he asked.
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"Anything is OK at this point. I don't even care." She sat at the table watching Jim cook the French toast, pondering what will happen next in this peculiar day. Jim brings her plate of French toast to the table in front of her. She realizes just how hungry she actually was and began scarfing down the warm, syrupy French toast. Jim watches her with stars in his eyes and a slight grin on his face. When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very soul, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
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"Penny for your thoughts" she said with a gleam in her eye. Jim started to speak and then paused, "I am just so happy to be here with you tonight. I've been wanting to get to know you for a while now, but didn't think I would have a chance." "Have a chance?" Sam replied. "Yeah, you know, with you. You are so amazing." "Amazing?" Sam Repeated. Her mind spiraled. What must Jim mean? Does he really like me, or is he maybe trying to lead up to leaving? Just then Jim took her hand in his and leaned over to her and said......
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"What I mean is I just started down this road you have been on and I don't think I could handle it as well as you do! I can't help but be ... " she noticed that he was blushing now as he continued, "b- be attracted to .. to .. to how you handle yourself!" She nearly choked on her bite. She just stared at him in shock and said, "R-Really??"
I couldn't remember since the story of Jim changed directions so many times. Is this the Jim on dialysis or Jim from work with healthy kidneys? I know there were 2 Jims (http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2660.msg38078#msg38078). Man.. I have to go back and read the whole thread again :P
I think this Jim that is driving her is her dialysis buddy so I had to change my post. :P
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When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very sole, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
-- Shay - can you fix this? I can't bear to have Sam gazing into Jim's shoe.
-- Angie, it's Jim from dialysis, the one she thought was a dead kidney donor.
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When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very sole, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
-- Shay - can you fix this? I can't bear to have Sam gazing into Jim's shoe.
-- Angie, it's Jim from dialysis, the one she thought was a dead kidney donor.
i said to myself i wasn't gonna interfere but you are too funny okarol, you made my day today hahahahaha
keep up the good work ladies and gentlemen :clap;
Rolando
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So the question is does this Jim like her because she is on dialysis and he wants to know how she survived so long, or are we taking these guys to a romantic level?
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So the question is does this Jim like her because she is on dialysis and he wants to know how she survived so long, or are we taking these guys to a romantic level?
well it looks like a romantic level .. but you know us dialysis types ;) We are the more cautious sort ;) lol
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We could get real sarcastic and make him just want information.
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I want the Jim from her work to give her a kidney and then the 2 Jims around her confuse the nurses at the hospital ;) lol
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When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very sole, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
-- Shay - can you fix this? I can't bear to have Sam gazing into Jim's shoe.
My mind went blank. I can't remember how to spell it right! lol I know that's bad, but I can't remember. Could a mod/admin fix it for me, plz?? I'm very sorry to have done that, but, like I said, my mind went blank. I even Googled it and couldn't figure it out! Sry... ;D
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shay....modify it .........soul
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"Yeah, really," said Jim. "You just never give up. Remember the fire at dialysis? You were ready to clamp and cut! And today, with being whipsawed with all the transplant drama, you just kept going. I don't know how you do it. You are wonderful," he grinned.
"Well, it may look like that on the outside, but on the inside I feeling like a raving maniac! Ohh...! And I didn't even thank you! I'm sorry... you came through when my car broke down... and you waited to be sure I was okay at the hospital. I am so grateful. On top of that, you make great french toast!"
Just then Sam's phone rang, "Honey, it's Mom. What's happened? You cell phone is off or dead and your dad and I are out of our minds with worry!"
"I'm sorry Mom, the transplant fell through. It's been a really tough day, but I am okay. I will call you tomorrow."
She hung up and turned around as Jim was getting his coat.
-
"No where are you going?" Sam said louder and more anxious than she intended to sound. Jim looked startled and laughed. Then he explained, "I thought you would be on the phone a long time so I thought I would give you some privacy." Then she followed his eyes to the phone. "Oh .. umm.. I let her go! I said I would call her back tomorrow," she said while realizing that her mom being sick with worry probably didn't appreciate her hanging up so fast. "I didn't want to be rude and we were in the middle of dinner."
"Well that is okay. I already finished eating anyway. Why? Did you want dessert? I can go get us something." He said smiling at her now. His smile made her cheeks grow warm and she didn't know why. Then she stumbled over her words but eventually said, "Yes I would LOVE to have dessert with you!" Then they both were blushing and laughing as he grabbed her coat.
-
shay....modify it .........soul
Thank you SSSOOOOO much!!! I don't know why I couldn't remember that!! I'm SO sorry everyone!! :D
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Say it together with me Shay...Brain fart....
Everyone has one now and then.
-
The phone in the apartment rang again. Sam picked it up.
"Samantha, if you hang up on me, so help me I will come over there and tan your hind end." her mother's voice practically leaped through the phone into her ear. "Are you okay? Want me to come over tonight?"
"Mom, I am okay. I have a friend over with me tonight." Sam answered. She smiled at Jim.
"Okay. I know how disappointed you are. Things will work out, honey."
""I know Mom." Sam answered. "I am out the door going for some dessert right now. Love ya. Bye bye"
Sam hung up the phone. The phone rang again. Sam ignored it. Phone calls hurt too much today. She closed the apartment door and she and Jim went down the stairs to his car.
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TheFirst Dialysis Story written, by members. As of today Just thought you may like to see what you have, unedited.
Samantha was tired. The day had been long and it was not over yet. Dialysis was waiting for her next. She swore at the hallway walls as she pulled her bra off and threw a shirt on. She was running late as usual and would probably get caught in traffic on the way to the dialysis center. She packed a small bag of snacks and barrelled out the door. She told her cat goodbye as she closed the door to her apartment.
Samantha walked briskly down the hallway to the elevator hoping no one would be in it. She didn't feel like being delayed at all by chatty people. Not that she minded a good conversation but she didn't like coming across as rude as the door opened and she had to cut the conversation short.
She pushed the button and waited for a minute until the door opened and she was glad to see her luck was with her today. She rode down to the lobby and then walked out to ...
.. the hallway lined with wheelchairs. The stench of bleach and plastic filled the air. That familiar smell that made her sick to her stomach everytime. As she entered the office the waiting room was full. Not a good sign as that meant they were running late. The receptionist was on the phone so "Sam" as her family called her, waited patiently. When the receptionist hung up she....
...said to her, in as nice a voice as she could make it, "I am here for my dialysis session. When do you think I would be able to go on?"
"Well, as you can see, " the receptionist drawled, as she hooked the chewing-gum from her mouth, "the waiting-room is full. No telling when you can get a chair."
Sam slumped into a chair in the waiting-room. Just then she saw that Jim was there waiting too. 'Should I go over and say 'hello', or just stay here, pretending I didn't see him?' she asked herself. He was the shift before hers and was usually leaving when she was coming. She remembered the first day she met him when.....
he was alone and looking frightened and nervous. Must be a "first-timer"
Sam thought. Just as Sam decided to go over and see how Jim was
doing, the receptionist called his name. She was rather glad. Not in the
talking mood anway. He stood up to go with the nurse and ............
smiled at Sam as he passed by. "Hey" , Sam kinda half-smiled at him as he went into the treatment room. She was weary today and weary of the never-ending sessions still ahead of her. Even though the common denominator for everyone in the waiting room was dialysis, Sam still felt like an alien among the complainers, coughers, and vacant-eyed patients who seemed to dominant this particular clinic. She had been in others over the many years. Some better, some worse. It was always a breath of fresh air to meet someone like Jim, who seemed to not be defined by the repetitious but unavoidable life support system that joined all of them together for long hours every few days.
The sound of her name "Samantha" startled her and she jumped. "We're ready for you" said the nurse. Wow, that was fast she thought. She picked up her things and followed the nurse to the scale. "Crap" she thought I'm over 1.4kg. That usually meant a rough run for her. But, she tried to think positive. "You'll be in the back on chair 4 today". She hated being switched from one chair to the next everytime. Couldn't they just give her the same damn chair! Then she rounded the corner and they sat her right next to....
Jim! He was already seated and hooked up and had his headphones in. Sam got her standing BP while seeing if Jim noticed that she was seated beside him. Then the nurse/tech made a comment but Sam didn't hear it and asked her to repeat it. She said ...
..try to look sexy just in case Jim lookes up at you". She then sat down and got comfortable. She had a chest catheter so she had to wear a mask while the nurse unbuttoned her top and pulled out her catheter ends for the bloodlines. Then she smelled something bad.....
.. it was the techs in their breakroom, burning the microwave popcorn again! But this time it looked bad!
Smoke was accumulating near the ceiling across the room. No one seemed to notice! She glanced over at
Jim and...
...he looked back at her with a look of horror across his face. Sam pointed the smoke out to the nurse/tech. The nurse rushed into the breakroom with a fire extinguisher, leaving Sam's top still unbuttoned and catheter ends out. She looked back at Jim, who was looking back at her with a dreamy look about his face. They looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment, and then...
Jim turned his head and threw-up. The smoke and smell was really getting to him.
Sam remembered her "clamp, cut and run" training, and begin to clamp off all her tubing. Then she began to look frantically around, realizing that there were no scissors anywhere in reach.
The nurse with the fire extinguisher came out of the breakroom, loudly declaring that everything was fine, just a small microwave fire, but all was well. Sam breathed a sigh of relief, looked over at Jim, and said, "Glad they weren't doing any REAL cooking in that thing!" As she looked over at Jim, who appeared a bit embarrassed, she smiled and said, "I was going to pretend to be aloof and mysterious, but given that we've just been through a major disaster, I guess we can consider the ice to be broken!" Jim laughed and said.......
"Yeah, but I can't believe I already puked in front of you. We haven't even been on a first date yet!" He smiled at her with vomit still in his teeth. Sam was disgusted at his sight and decided to discontinue the flirting. They finished their dialysis sessions in silence and went their separate ways. Later that day...
Sam was awoke from a dead sleep by the phone. She said "hello" in a groggy voice. "Hello", said .....
Jim. It was Jim on the phone, another Jim, Jim from work. "What is it with you? I just got to sleep and you call me?" she ranted into the phone.
"Better check your clock, Sweetie."he chirped into her ear. "You are late for work today. The boss is looking for blood this morning, too."
"Oh crap!" she mumbled at the phone receiver. "I will be in as soon as I can."
She slammed down the phone, threw back the covers, stood up, and promptly...
...headed for the kitchen. I need coffee before I can face THIS day, she thought. Why me? If it
weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!
Sam wasn't going to hurry. It was too late to slip in unnoticed. She was just going to have to show
up late to work and face the consequences. She looked over the newspaper as she sipped the hot
coffee, and on the front page she saw...
She saw that her buddy at the dialysis center, Jim, had gotten into a fatal car wreck with a drunk driver. The drunk driver had crossed over the yellow line and hit Jim's car head-on. Jim was killed instantly. "At least he didn't suffer," Sam thought to herself. She knew this week wasn't going to be a normal week whatsoever; she would have to attend his funeral in a few days. She then wondered if the drunk driver was an organ donor? What a thought to think after her friend had just died! She couldn't help it; she's a dialysis patient and needs a kidney!
As Sam pondered the ironies of life, her phone rang again. She thought about not answering it, then remembering how she had been scolded by her transplant co-ordinator for missing a couple of calls, relunctantly got up and answered, knowing it was work again. "Hello?" "Samantha, it's Carol. Are you ready? We've got a kidney for you!"
Sam sat down abruptly, mind racing through all the questions she had planned out. "Before you say anything", gushed Carol "this is a perfect match for you, and the donor had a closed head injury from a drunk driving accident."
"I'll be right there!" shouted Sam. "You can give me the rest of the details when I get there."
She hopped in her car and her cell rang. It was one of her friends from the unit. "Did you see the paper?"
"I know, but I'm on the way to the hospital. I just got the call" Sam replied.
"Omygosh! That's great!" said Sheronda. "But I gotta tell you....Jim's okay. The paper got it wrong! The drunk driver was the one killed!"
"Oh wow," thought Sam......that could mean...........
the light suddenly turned red and Sam slammed on her brakes. Man, that is all I need, Sam thought, is to get in a wreck myself on the way to the hospital. She fumbled with her cell phone so she could call her parents. "Hello, Mom? I'm on my way to the hospital, they have a kidney for me." "No, don't come yet until I'm sure it is a go." The light turned green so she clicked her cell phone closed and started out once again. A million things ran through her head........
Now where was the list of questions she was supposed to ask about the kidney when she go to the hospital? In the over night bag she hoped. It was driving her crazy. All the waiting came down to now, a kidney for her. Would it work? Would it be viable? Was she going to get it?
She checked in with the transplant coordinator at the hospital and began the slow blood draw process for compatability...
...wondering why so many conflicting thoughts were running through her head. What about Jim? The idea that he was still alive filled her with such a thrill. But why should it? And if this transplant works out, it means she might not be seeing him again. 'Oh well,' she said to herself.'Let me focus on what is going on right now. This is the most important thing for me.' But certain thoughts just wouldn't go away. Just then the nurse said......
"Samantha", she said quietly. "You're running a low grade fever today. They're sending you home, Hon."
"Crap!" she thought and out loud, "Was it a good match?" The nurse replied, "No matter what the match, it wouldn't be a good 'match' if we made you sicker, now would it?"
"Right", Sam whispered as she began to gather her belongings for the long, slow trip back to the dialysis world. For a few brief moments, she had traveled out and away from that place to a hopeful future free of machines.
"Try not to get too down", the nurse gave her a hug and then let her go.
Try not to get too down, easy for her to say thought Sam as she was leaving.
In a flash new hope for her future had vanished. Well, she thought I just have to accept that
this time was not meant to be for some reason. Would she ever get a kidney, would it
ever happen for her she wondered. Part of the day was shot. She debated whether she should
go on to work or just go home as she traveled down the highway. Then........
...she decided she was hungry and stopped off at a fast food restaurant. She then realized that she had forgotten her binders, because she thought she would be getting a transplant and wouldn't be needing them anymore. She's had a really rough day, though, and figures that it would be OK to skip them with this one meal. She splurges and orders a big juicy hamburger with extra cheese, fries with lots of salt, and a large chocolate milkshake. While waiting at the drive-thru window, she ponders, "So I wonder if the kidney I was going to get was from the drunk driver that I thought killed Jim?" Then they handed her the food she ordered, and she was on her way home when...
her cell phone rang. She fumbled around in her coat pocket for it and caught it on its last ring. "SAM" a voice yelled! "Yes" she said. "This is Jagdeep Sing at the hospital" she said in a thick East Indian accent. "The thermometer was malfunctioning. It said we all have fevers! Come back as soon as you can to see if you indeed have a fever." Samantha shuttered at the thought. "What a p*cking roller-coaster" she said. She started to turn around...........
... and her car sputtered, lurching forward, it chugged along - then died. What in the world...? she thought, What now!?! The driver in the car behind her leaned on his horn. She stared at the dash and he honked again. Rolling down her window, she waved him around. Unfortunately the traffic heading out of town at rush hour filled the oncoming lanes. There was no where to go. She reached for the key and tried to restart the car. It seemed to catch for a moment, then whimpered to a dead silence. Now the driver behind her was flashing his headlights AND honking. Sam put her head on the steering wheel and began to cry. Suddenly there was a sharp knock on her driver's side window. Startled, she looked up and ...
...there was Jim! She never felt so happy to see someone before.
"How can I help?" he asked. "I was coming in the opposite direction and saw you here in a bind."
"Please help me push this car over to the shoulder. And I need to get to the hospital right away! Can you help me?"
"It would be my pleasure! Please don't cry anymore!"
Jim just took over the situation. He asked her not to cry, but pure relief made her weep even more. He sent for roadside assistance and they both got into his car. 'Nice car,' thought Sam, but she decided to say nothing. Then Jim looked over at her and asked.....
"So what you are going to the hospital for? Are you okay or did you get the call?" She was so happy to tell him that she got the call but it has been a crazy day. Anything that could go wrong was going wrong. She told him about the fever and then the call back about the thermometers. He laughed in disbelief and they drove on their way.
She had chatted so much about how bad her day had gone so far that time flew and they were there. As he parked she stole a glance and noticed his strong jaw line as if she had never noticed before. Maybe it was the fact that he came to her rescue that he seemed now like a prince in shining armor. She was lost in thought when he suddenly asked, "Are you coming?" "Oh ya!" she snapped to! "Sorry it has just been a long day!" He locked the doors and they walked toward the hospital in silent thought. Then he turned to her and asked, "...
"....so, did you bring a bag or anything?"
"Oh, great! I must've left it in my car! I'm usually not such an air-head....ok, maybe, SOMETIMES, I can be an airhead, but really, I'm usually pretty good in a crisis...not that this is a crisis or anything...I mean, its a really good thing that this is happening, but it started out so weird...I mean first I heard you were dead and then I get a call saying I'm gonna get a kidney and then I find out you're alive but I'm NOT gonna get a kidney and so I go get a HUGE meal of junk food which I'm just about to scarf down and then I find out I MIGHT get a kidney but my car dies and then you're suddenly there to rescue me....and ......I'm babbling randomly aren't I...."
"Um....you thought I was dead?" asked Jim.
"Oh," Sam replied.She figured he had seen the newspaper. "Yeah, it was on the front page of the newspaper this morning. It said that you had gotten into a car wreck with a drunk driver. Someone later called me and said that they got the name wrong. Turns out it was James Beam, not James Bean. It was just a typo."
"Oh. I didn't get the paper this morning." Jim replied as they entered the building. Just then....
hree nurses came running up to Sam.
"You are here finally! Let's go!"
Bewildered Sam went with them. They whisked her away to an exam room and told her to strip down. A thermometer went into her mouth and onto a gurney she went. One nurse took her blood pressure, another called the doctor, the third took the thermometer out of her mouth.
"Uh Oh." the nurse on the phone said. She turned to Sam and asked. "How long have you been on dialysis?"
"About 15 years", Sam replied.
"Well, when was your last heart cath?"
"I've never had one." Sam was getting nervous now. She'd always hated the idea of someone jamming, THREADING, a wire into her pumping heart. That particular procedure always sounded more suited for those hearts that had already stopped beating.
"I've never needed one, she continued. "I always passed all the cardiac tests with flying colors....the echo, doppler, stress test...all of 'em. When I had my evaluation a couple of years ago, they didn't think I needed it then..."
"Hmmmmmmm," Nurse Ratchitt pursed her lips and turned back to the phone.
Sam slumped, staring in space...'What now?' she thought.
She straightened up.
"NURSE!!" she yelled. Get me the transplant coordinator NOW!"
The nurse turned and said, "She's with the donor family," and turned back to the phone.
"Well we need to talk. I have some questions of my own!"
Just then Carol, the TC came through the door. "Hey, how are you? Looks like they're
getting you all checked out!"
"Carol, listen. I have been thinking. I know I should ask questions. I couldn't think until now, but I need to know.
What can you tell me about the donor? How old is he? What about his health history? Can I ask what the injuries are? Is he married?
I just need to know more before we go any further."
Just then Nurse Ratchitt marched over to Carol and Sam and said...
"SHE should've had a cath done when she had her work up. She's never had one! Now we have to waste time getting that cath and I just don't know if she's even gonna be able to get this kidney now!" All that was missing was the finger snap in Carol's face.
Carol just rolled her eyes and then calmly told Nurse 'I Know Everything About Everything', "Excuse me doctor.........Oh! You almost had me fooled for a minute......the way you were talking, for a moment there, I thought you were the transplant physician."
And to Sam, "C'mon Samantha, let's get you upstairs where all your questions can be answered."
Sam and Carol left Nurse Ratchitt spluttering her objections to an empty room.
"Amazing, that nurse can sure find ways to prevent a transplant." the TC muttered under her breath. Sam grinned at her as they whisked her on the gurney up to the transplant waiting area. The surgeon stepped out of the surgical area not smiling at all.
" Well Sam. It is not good news. The kidney is too damaged from the car wreck to use. The other one has already been sent out of the area."
Sam groaned along with the Transplant Coordinator. " Awww.Hell."
Sam laid there on the gurney for a while trying to absorb this devastating news.
"how could it be?" she thought. "Twice in one day a chance for a new kidney
gone". She was so depressed. She finally remembered that Jim had brought her in
would be waiting in the waiting area. She would have to ask him to drive her home.
She would have to tell her parents the bad news. Then.........
She dressed into her civilian clothes out of the hospital garb. She said goodbye to the nurses and tried not to cry on her way out of the building. She ran into Jim as she crossed the waiting room and stopped in surprise.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked.
"Waiting to hear about you." he replied looking surpised. "What happened?"
" Nothing. Not one damned thing. The kidney was too damaged in the car accident to be used and the other one is gone to another county. Not meant to be." Tears cascaded down Sam's face.
Jim offered to drive her home. They walked out to his car in the parking lot.
"Let's just go get stinkin' drunk...." Sam said suddenly.
"What?" Jim said, "wait a minute."
"I mean it!" Sam cried,"I'm sick of this. I wanna be drunk and I wanna be drunk, right NOW!" She turned to Jim with her hands on her hips, just about stomping her foot. The look of surprise on his face stopped her and she realized how ridiculous she must sound and look.
"Ummmmm......I'm thinking that fluid restriction is not primary in your mind at the moment?"
"DARN right its not!" Sam looked up and down the street. Where's the bar that's always right around the corner from the hospital in all the medical shows? The one where all the interns meet after their shift to discuss who's going home with whom.........not a bar in sight.
"C'mon," she pulled on Jim's arm toward the Denny's across the street.
"Sam, I don't think they serve alcohol in there," he hesitated.
"No, but they've got chocolate malts and I'm having the biggest one they've got!" Sam declared and started across the street.
"Damn There's the Transplant Coodinator." Sam said as she and Jim entered the diner. "No chocolate shake tonight."
Sam turned around and she stalked out of the diner. Jim trailing behind her.
"I am so damned frustrated. It just isn't fair! I have to go back to my life." Sam yelled at the parking lot as they walked toward Jim's car again. Jim was silent. What could he say that would help? Nothing. It was pretty awful when you thought about it.
Sam pulled on the locked car door and stopped. Her head rested on the top of the car.
"You going to be all right?" Jim asked.
"Yeah. Take me home. I have dialysis tomorrow." she said.
They stopped next to his car. Jim put his hands on her face and told her how sorry he was. He took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. "Let's get you home. Do you feel like eating?" said Jim, as helped her into the car.
"Please..." whispered Sam, "I just cannot be alone right now." They got in his car and she told him how to get to her house.
She and Jim rode in silence. "I know I should call my mom, but I just can't." Jim reached down and held her hand. She felt a connection with him just then. Here he was, rescuing her again when she really needed someone. Somehow she felt like she had known him forever.
They got to Sam's place and went inside. Jim went to the kitchen to make something for them to eat as Sam headed for the shower.
Sam came out of the shower dressed in her robe and slippers. Towel wrapped up around her hair. Her face was still tear stained from the sob session she had done in the shower. Even with the radio turned all the way up in the kitchen Jim had heard her crying. He acted like everything was okay, when she appeared in the kitchen. It looked like he was preparing scrambled eggs until he dipped the bread into the eggs.
"Is French toast okay with you?" he asked.
"Anything is OK at this point. I don't even care." She sat at the table watching Jim cook the French toast, pondering what will happen next in this peculiar day. Jim brings her plate of French toast to the table in front of her. She realizes just how hungry she actually was and began scarfing down the warm, syrupy French toast. Jim watches her with stars in his eyes and a slight grin on his face. When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very soul, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
"Penny for your thoughts" she said with a gleam in her eye. Jim started to speak and then paused, "I am just so happy to be here with you tonight. I've been wanting to get to know you for a while now, but didn't think I would have a chance." "Have a chance?" Sam replied. "Yeah, you know, with you. You are so amazing." "Amazing?" Sam Repeated. Her mind spiraled. What must Jim mean? Does he really like me, or is he maybe trying to lead up to leaving? Just then Jim took her hand in his and leaned over to her and said......
"What I mean is I just started down this road you have been on and I don't think I could handle it as well as you do! I can't help but be ... " she noticed that he was blushing now as he continued, "b- be attracted to .. to .. to how you handle yourself!" She nearly choked on her bite. She just stared at him in shock and said, "R-Really??"
"Yeah, really," said Jim. "You just never give up. Remember the fire at dialysis? You were ready to clamp and cut! And today, with being whipsawed with all the transplant drama, you just kept going. I don't know how you do it. You are wonderful," he grinned.
"Well, it may look like that on the outside, but on the inside I feeling like a raving maniac! Ohh...! And I didn't even thank you! I'm sorry... you came through when my car broke down... and you waited to be sure I was okay at the hospital. I am so grateful. On top of that, you make great french toast!"
Just then Sam's phone rang, "Honey, it's Mom. What's happened? You cell phone is off or dead and your dad and I are out of our minds with worry!"
"I'm sorry Mom, the transplant fell through. It's been a really tough day, but I am okay. I will call you tomorrow."
She hung up and turned around as Jim was getting his coat.
"No where are you going?" Sam said louder and more anxious than she intended to sound. Jim looked startled and laughed. Then he explained, "I thought you would be on the phone a long time so I thought I would give you some privacy." Then she followed his eyes to the phone. "Oh .. umm.. I let her go! I said I would call her back tomorrow," she said while realizing that her mom being sick with worry probably didn't appreciate her hanging up so fast. "I didn't want to be rude and we were in the middle of dinner."
"Well that is okay. I already finished eating anyway. Why? Did you want dessert? I can go get us something." He said smiling at her now. His smile made her cheeks grow warm and she didn't know why. Then she stumbled over her words but eventually said, "Yes I would LOVE to have dessert with you!" Then they both were blushing and laughing as he grabbed her coat.
The phone in the apartment rang again. Sam picked it up.
"Samantha, if you hang up on me, so help me I will come over there and tan your hind end." her mother's voice practically leaped through the phone into her ear. "Are you okay? Want me to come over tonight?"
"Mom, I am okay. I have a friend over with me tonight." Sam answered. She smiled at Jim.
"Okay. I know how disappointed you are. Things will work out, honey."
""I know Mom." Sam answered. "I am out the door going for some dessert right now. Love ya. Bye bye"
Sam hung up the phone. The phone rang again. Sam ignored it. Phone calls hurt too much today. She closed the apartment door and she and Jim went down the stairs to his car..
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I love it.. its going GREAT... :clap; :thumbup;
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:clap;
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This is so coincidental because in my 8th, 9th and 10th grade classes I am teaching the short story, or narrative, if that is what you call it. This is going really great.
Thanks, Sluff :thx;
I copied and pasted it to Word and it is 8 pages!!! Wow. I am proofreading and formatting now, making it into a shiny piece of word.
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WOW! I didn't realize how long it is!! That's great!!
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That looks really good. I read it to a friend of mine and she says good going! My daughter wants me to be sure and let her read the next couple of sections of the story! I like the fact that we can all write a short part of it and then add to it. Makes the story go so much better. Now on to the next part of the story!
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Too bad she forgot to shut off the cell phone in her purse. It was ringing by the time she got down to Jim's car.
-
Sam answered it. "Hello?" said the woman on the phone, "May I please speak with Jim please?"
"Uhhh... I'm sorry... Jim?" Sam said as she looked at Jim "It's for you...?"
"Me? How can that be?" He took the phone and Sam walked toward the streetlight.
Jim spoke for less than a minute.
"I'm sorry Sam. I don't know how she tracked me down. My cell is dead and... well. I need to go."
"Oh yeah, sure, ok, listen... I am better now. I should just get some sleep anyway," said Sam, as she thought 'what the hell?'
"I am so sorry. I can't explain now. It's been a great night, well, you know. I am glad I could be here with you. See you at dialysis tomorrow?"
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"Sure," she replied in a distant voice. Jim ran to his car and sped away. Sam turned slowly and began to walk back inside her house. Many questions ran through her head: "Who was on the phone? How did they get my number? What was the emergency that he couldn't take me out for dessert?" She went back into her house and realized how tired she was. She had had a very busy day! She changed into her pajamas and headed to the bedroom. As soon as she lay her head on the pillow...
-
her legs started jumping all over the place. "Damn!" she thought. "This is all I need to keep me up when I just want to fall into sleep!!" She tossed and turned for about an hour until she finally fell into a bad dream about an ex-girlfriend pulling Jim away from her. She woke up all sweaty and irritable. She sat up in bed deep in thought for awhile trying to remember her dream but couldn't quite remember the details. The only thing she could remember is the girl but didn't remember what she looked like. She got up and walked to the kitchen and looked in the fridge. She was thirsty but knew she shouldn't have a full glass of anything. So she opened up the freezer and sucked on a freezie-pop. "30ml of fluid isn't bad at all!" she thought to herself. She sat on her couch thinking about the phone call to Jim earlier. "I wonder if that was an ex-girlfriend." She wondered, "I know so little about him." Then her thoughts went even further and she wondered..
-
"maybe it's not an ex-girlfriend but an ex-wife." and she wondered again how someone got
her phone number. "Could it have beene someone from the dialysis cllinic or the hospital?"
she wondered. Probably not since he said he'd see her at dialysis tomorrow.
She finished her freezer pop and decided to lay back down for a while tho being able
to sleep looked pretty hopeless. Then the phone rang again and a woman said "I need to talk to Jim again".
Sam asked "Who is speaking? Jim is not here". And the caller replied....
-
"I'm sorry." a woman's voice said. "Jim told me I could probably get him at this number after I talked to him tonight."
"What? Are you looking for Jim Bean? You do know it's three in the morning." Samantha told her.
"Oops. I am sorry. I live halfway across the world. The time change gets me." the voice said.
"Can I tell Jim who called? I will see him later today." Sam offered.
"Tell him everything is okay now. Marion made it." the voice said.
"Okay." Samantha yawned.
She hung up the phone and wondered who Marion was and what happened. What made Jim leave so suddenly?
The alarm clock by the bed went off seconds after she closed her eyes and went to sleep. It was going to be a long day.
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She jumped in the shower and thought about the plan for the day. She had some work to finish up from the day before...thank God she worked at home and didn't have to commute anywhere! As she headed toward the kitchen with her wet hair wrapped in a towel, her kitten leaped and danced around her feet. He was out of food; that would have to be first on her list of errands. Sam scooped out her favorite Starbucks blend for her single cherished cup of coffee. It was her one fluid indulgence every day, unless of course, she was experiencing the bothersome (and painful) reflux that went along with having too much fluid over a weekend. As she was pouring her coffee and immersing herself in the exotic smell emanating from her favorite polka dot coffee mug, her phone rang. As she stared at it wondering if it would be Jim, she
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answered it on the 3rd ring. "Hello, Samantha Ward please," said the voice at the other end. "Yes, speaking."
"This is Rick at the dealership, we've got your car here and it's ready to be picked up."
She had completely forgotten that her car wasn't outside! "Oh, what was wrong with it?"
"Actually, the tow truck driver should have checked. It appears that all you needed was gas," he said.
"You're kidding? Well, I guess that's a relief, not having a big repair bill. I'll come in before you close, thanks."
Sam was tired already, and hadn't even been to dialysis yet. She knew she had to squeeze in some work before it was time to leave.
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I thought hemo patients went every other day...didn't she just go the day before? Or am I confused? ;D
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umm i guess i am confused. she went on thurs. now its sat?
she overslept on friday. got the call friday. missed work.
the work thing threw me too. her boss was looking for her, when her co-worker called.
now she has work to do at home. what about missing work
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Yeah, and I thought that her oversleeping was the same day she went to dialysis. I thought she went home and took a nap...???
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ok...my bad...I FORGOT about her boss calling her...so she could still work at home and just go into the office and drop her work off...internet based employment! :banghead;
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Sam sipped her coffee and logged on to the company network. She HAD to get this report finished and drop it off to her boss today. She was soon immersed in her facts and figures when a message notice flashed at the bottom of her screen. It was the other Jim, Jimmy as she affectionately thought of him because he was so much younger than her; kind of like Jimmy Olson in the comics. She clicked over to the message and saw that there was a meeting she had forgotten about at 12:30. If she hurried, she would just have time to finish this up and get to the meeting. But how was she going to get her car before dialysis this evening?
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Does this lady not have friends to take her to get her car? We have to show she has a life here, right?
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Does this lady not have friends to take her to get her car? We have to show she has a life here, right?
A life? What's that? :P I have been waiting for someone to help me get my car on the road! lol I just figured this lady had MY life! :rofl;
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But it is a story, right? Not real. right? God I hope so.
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Sam called her friend Barbara. "Hey, how are you? I am sorry I have been out of touch but life has been crazy lately." She had been friends with Barbara before she got sick. They used to spend more time together, but since Barbara had gotten married, she was only available for an occasional pedicure with Sam. "I miss you Sam. Can you have lunch sometime... hey how about today?" Sam explained about the near miss kidney, the car and briefly about Jim. "Sam, I am so sorry about the transplant not working out!" said Barbara. "Yeah, me too. Somehow I have to believe that it just wasn't meant to be this time. My problem right now is that I am still without my car. Any chance you could drop me over at the dealer today?" Barbara agreed to come by in an hour and get her.
As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. It was Jim, her rescuer. "I am really sorry about leaving you so abruptly. I was wondering if you were able to get your car straightened away." Sam had questions for Jim, but didn't feel right asking them on the phone. "My friend Barbara is going to take me to the dealer to get the car soon. Thanks for checking." Jim hesitated, then said "Okay, well, I will see you later then. You sound good. Ummm... listen, I want to explain a few things. When can we talk, I mean, in person?"
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I have proofread and formatted the first section that Sluff had cut and pasted for us. Here is it as a Word document. Now, if only Sluff would do the same (hint, hint) with the rest so far, I would be able to continue.......
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"Yeah, definitely! Umm...When and where?" Sam replied.
"Well, I was thinking...umm...maybe we could...have dinner?...Or lunch, whatever you want?? Uh..or not....? Y-your choice..." Jim finally spat out nervously.
Sam's stomach was in knots and her face burning up. "Uh, dinner? Sure...when is good for you?" Then the call waiting beeped in. "Umm...Hold that thought, Jim. I have another call."
"OK," he replied. 'Who is calling NOW?' Sam thought. It was none other than...
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her mom! She realized she never did call her mom back! "Oh crap!" she thought! 'Hi mom! Sorry I got someone on the other line! Can I call you back.. uh .. or you can wait on the line??" she laughed nerviously as she realized her mom probably wouldn't believe that she would call back.
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Just then the doorbell rang and Sam peeked out the window. "Mom, Barbara is here to take me to pick my car up at the dealer. Then I need to go by work and dialysis tonight. I will call you back, I am ok, but I need to go." She clicked back to the other line. "Jim, my ride is here. I'll call you from my cell in a bit." She opened the door and headed out with Barbara. The drive was a few minutes, and during that time she filled Barbara in about Jim and the late night phone call. "I hate to say this, but it sounds like he might be married," warned Barbara. "No, I don't think so," said, Sam, "Why would the caller leave a message with me? Something else is up. I am going to see him later, I'll let ya know what's happening." Barbara hugged her quickly and Sam headed inside get her car. On the drive toward the office she called Jim. They agreed to meet before dialysis, at the cafe across the street. When she got to work her boss Gene was waiting for her. "Sam, Jimmy filled me in on your last couple of days. I am sorry you've had some real challenges. But that doesn't excuse the fact that your project is late and other people are hung up waiting. If you don't think you can handle your responsibility, this isn't going to work. I'm sorry, but I can't bend over backwards for you, when other people are waiting in the wings, ready to take your job." She left the meeting frustrated and worried. No one really seemed to understand how hard she was trying to live a "normal" life.
Sam headed to the cafe and spotted Jim at a table. He stood up as she approached. "Hi, how are you?" he smiled. Sam felt some of her anxiety lift when he smiled at her. The waitress dropped off menus and they ordered sandwiches. "I still want that malt, but I will hold off until the next crisis," Sam laughed. Jim then said, "I want to apologize. There's so much I want to tell you, but I had to be careful about who I could trust." "Trust?" said Sam, "About what? Is it about Marion?" Jim said "Oh yes, I guess I need to explain about that too. First of all, I need to tell you, I don't really need dialysis. I am a reporter, and the call you got was from my editor." "What??? said Sam. "I don't understand..."
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WHAT?!?! lol ooh I GOTTA keep reading this!!
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OMG....doesn't really need dialysis???? Wouldn't that like....kill him? Electolytes and stuff....LOL LOL LOL
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Yeah, what did they do? PRETEND to hook him up and no one noticed? I know I am always gawking at other patients (well at least I was before I got the fistula as it scared the hell outta me lol)
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did I make it too complicated? Sorry my imagination went overtime. I envisioned him having a secret. And maybe an
accomplice. Maybe a different name? Shall I modify it? I don't want to steer the story so let me know if it's too weird to follow.
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did I make it too complicated? Sorry my imagination went overtime. I envisioned him having a secret. And maybe an
accomplice. Maybe a different name? Shall I modify it? I don't want to steer the story so let me know if it's too weird to follow.
No .. no .. go with it ;) The show must go on and the name of this game is improv! ;) lol I am curious where this is going! Heheh ;)
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OMG....doesn't really need dialysis???? Wouldn't that like....kill him? Electolytes and stuff....LOL LOL LOL
Maybe it should kill him, and then a big secret lawsuit or murder investigation to lengthy your story. Just my :twocents; worth
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I was thinking of him being a reporter doing a story about a week in the life
of a dialysis patient. But I don't know how you explain him being on dialysis.
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"I saw you get hooked up!" said Sam. "Yes, I have been working on a story about dialysis centers and patient care. I realized the only way to understand what it's like for patients is to become one. A friend supplied blood and urine for the tests. As far as the nephrologist and clinic know, I am a dialysis patient. The last few weeks have been a real eyeopener," explained Jim. "But aren't you risking your health?" asked Sam. "Yes, there have been side effects. But I knew this before I started, and have been supplementing to keep my body balanced. Remember the day I threw up at dialysis? Well, sometimes I just can't keep it under control. But I am fine." Sam was stunned. An undercover reporter? Nothing was what she thought. 'Am I just part of his project?' she wondered to herself.
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I love the way this story is going!! I just can't think of anything to put after that....Keep it going ppl!! lol :clap;
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Sam continued to stare at Jim in amazement with eyes full of questions.
"I'm sorry Sam. This job has been the most eye-opening experience of my
career. I had no idea what the life of a dialysis patient is like until now.
Just seeing what you've been through in this short time has astonished
me. You mean a lot to me Sam. I admire your strenth and your
determination and courage. I did not go into this wanting or expecting to become
attracted to anyone." " I hope we can see each other again, Sam."
Sam, still feeling as tho this could not be possible. trying to absorb
this news looked at Jim and said "So................are you working on your article
right now, or is the article comcpleted? What else should I know about you.
Jim?"
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"Well, my time at the clinic is over. Please remember that this is a secret. You are the only person I have shared it with, apart from Marion, my editor"
"But....b-b-but...," Sam stammered trying to get her thoughts together as her brain raced and raced.
Jim reached and held her hand. "I know this must be difficult for you to understand."
"Not that it is so difficult to understand - you reporters do some weird things to get a story. Why are you telling me, if it is to be a secret?"
"I really want to take this all slowly, but I have to let you know that I care about you a great deal. I know that we don't really know each other that well, but somehow, it seems as if we have been thrown together these days and I feel as if I have known you forever."
Sam lowered her head and whispered, "I know what you mean. I feel rather comfortable with you. But....."
"Let's leave the 'buts' for now. Let's just get to really know each other and see how things go. Is that okay?". He lifted her hand and gave it a soft kiss.
"But....."
"
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Sam thought about it for a few more minutes, holding Jim's Hand. "No, Jim, you are a self absorbed prick for leading me on this way! I never want to see you again!" She snatched her hand away from his and whirled around and stomped out the door.
Jim stood there with his mouth hanging open.
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For the next few days, Jim sends her flowers, candy, cards, and anything else he can think of to get Sam to talk to him again. Sam wants to talk to him and be with him but figures that if he can lie about something as serious as being on dialysis then he could lie about anything. She'd never be able to trust him in a relationship. She was so confused now...
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As Sam stood there contemplating what should be her next move or direction she should take she realized
how very tired she was. She had been on an emotional roller coaster because of the
transplant possibilities, now this thing with Jim only added to it. The thought of getting away
even for a couple of days seemed like would be beneficial for her to rest and clear her
mind, think things through. She would have to decide where to go and see if she could get in
for a dialysis treatment or two. Her good friends she used to work with, Sue and Maria, loved to do getaways.
Maybe they would be interested. The more Sam thought about it, the more appealing the
idea became. Maybe LV, hummmmmmm. She was trying to remember where it was she went one
time and had the most wonderful tacos, Tito's Tacos, they were called. Hadn't found any like that
anywhere again. Wow, that sounded sooooooooooo good to her as her mouth began to
water just thinking about them. And she'd heard that some guy went there often who was on home dialysis.
Owner of some kind of website about dialysis. Maybe she'd run into him there or someone from
the site. So Sam picked up the phone to call..........
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If it's not ok to use a real name of a place etc. as I did, then delete where necessary.
Hope I didn't do any no-nos there.
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Sam thought about it for a few more minutes, holding Jim's Hand. "No, Jim, you are a self absorbed prick for leading me on this way! I never want to see you again!" She snatched her hand away from his and whirled around and stomped out the door.
Jim stood there with his mouth hanging open.
You GO girl (SNAP!) and I mean YOU Kitkatz!!! LOL
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her mother and let her know about her plans.
"Mom? What are you doing? Got a minute?"
Margie said sure and Sam began to tell her about her plans to getaway to Vegas for a few days. Her mother thought it was a great idea, so great that she decided to pack a bag and join Sam on the trip! Sam hung up the phone with mixed emotions. Her mom was super and they always had fun when they were together, but Sam kept very few secrets from her mother and she hadn't told her about Jim's subterfuge. She didn't know if she could keep the secret she'd promised on a roadtrip with her mother. Really, as she thought about it, the angrier she got. What obligation did she have to him anyway? The thought of anyone being able to just walk away from those machines whenever they wanted just made her feel crazy.
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She started grabbing the flowers and candy and throwing them into the trash. At the last minute she stopped herself and decided to donate the flowers to the dialysis center. It might brighten up the place a bit. The candy her Mom could have. Might as well not waste this stuff. As far as she was concened Jim was a non-entity.
But then she thought, "He sure was good looking and kind of nice."
She jerked herself out of her thoughts and grabbed the vase full of flowers. She walked out of her apartment to go put the flowers into her car. Jim was standing by her car.
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Now think, is this going to be Jim the reperter, or Jim from work? I just love the twists and turns this is taking.
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"Oh...Hi, Jim," Sam told Jim from her work.
"Were you heading out? I can come back later?" Jim said.
"No. I was just putting these in my car so I'd remember them later. What are you doing here?"
"I was coming to see if you were OK. I heard about how rough the past wee has been for you."
"Thanks! That's sweet of you! I'm OK, though. Things will get better!"
"Oh, OK. Well, are you up for going out sometime?" Jim asked.
"Uhh...Actually, I don't think so...I've just been through a lot...I don't think that's a good idea right now. Maybe another time?" Sam replied. She didn't really like this Jim. He was part of the computer programming team at work; he was just too nerdy for her.
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And way too young for her tastes. He was in his early twenties and Sam just did not have anything in common with him. He played computer games on the weekends. Nerd stuff. She turned to go into her apartment, Jim following close on her heels.
" Look Jim I have work to do. I will see you later." San turned to go down the hallway to her apartment door.
"Well, geez, Sam. Don't be rude to me. I just wanted to have some fun." Jim whined at her.
"Jim, I have had a rough week. I will see you at work." Sam opened her apartment door.
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"Can't you stay and chill a while," Jim said in a whiny voice that irritated Sam.
"Sorry, but I have some important stuff to do, as I already told you," she said, trying to keep annoyance out of her voice. "Bye. See you later."
She entered her apartment, and closed it firmly. She just stood quietly for a moment, trying to organize herself mentally. Just as she moved to continue her packing, the doorbell rang. 'That silly Jim!' she thought. 'I seems I am going to have to be rude to him."
She opened the door decisively and was just about to speak her mind when, standing there before her, she saw .....
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...her mother. "Why have you been avoiding me?? I've been worried sick about you!!" She walked inside and began complaining and cleaning things up a bit. "Look at how messy this place is! Didn't I teach you how to clean up after yourself??"
Sam was trying to tell her mom that everything was ok and that she'd clean up later, but her mom was determined to help.
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"Mom! Mom! Just leave it!" Sam said. " I know the place looks rough. Come one in and sit a spell."
Sam's mother came into the apartment stepping over the clothing in the front hallway. Sam was going to do laundry that day and had stacked it all in the front of the hallway to take to the laundry room.
"Sam, this place is a wreck."
"I know Mom. Just let it go." Sam told her Mom. "It is a rough time for me right now. My boss told me he might fire me if I don't get it together. The hospital visits and sick time have to stop. He is pretty much done being patient with me. And to top it off the hospital visit the other night and I am dog tired.
"Well I don't know why you are tired. Obviously you have not done anything around here in awhile." her Mom looked at Sam
Sam just burst into tears and walked into the kitchen.
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She walked towards the knife block contemplating what her next step would be. She grabbed the biggest knife she could find, when he mother walked in.
"Sam don't do it", shouted her Mom.
"What keep cutting the onions?", Sam said.
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:clap; That was unexpected!! I thought she was going to go after her mother!!! :lol;
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Yep i thought we needed something unexpected, i thought about going after the mother, but then i thought that would be downright NASTY! ;D
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There was a knock at the door. Just as Sam started to say, "Don't answer it..." her mom had already reached the door. "Don't be silly," she said, as she pulled it open. There stood Jim. Sam stood frozen, not sure what to do. The knife hung in her hand, by her side. "Well... who's this...? asked her mother, smiling, and looking confused at Sam's reaction. ""Hello... I am Jim... a friend from dialysis... Sam... I am sorry. I see this is a bad time. You've got company." "Okay," Sam said. But of course, her mother could not leave it at that. "Jim, don't worry about me. I am going to just gather up these things and head to the laundry. You two go ahead and visit and I will be back in no time." She quickly headed out the open door.
Sam felt torn. She was upset with Jim, but had missed him too. He looked so awkward, standing there. "Come in. That was my mother. I'm sorry, I should have introduced you." She turned to walk back to the kitchen and Jim followed. "Sam, please listen. I don't blame you for being mad. I want to start over. I need to. I have felt awful the last few days, and I cannot think of anything else. Will you give me another chance, please? Just hear me out. I would like to take you to dessert, just to talk."
"Jim, I have had so much stress and drama in my life lately. I just can't handle anymore." She knew she should just kick him out, finish packing for the Vegas trip and drop her kitten off at Barbara's house. But she suddenly said, "Ya know what? I will go with you. Let me grab my purse."
Jim was pleasantly surprised, "... what about your Mom?"
Sam said, "I will leave her a note. I need to be back soon because I am going away for he weekend. But I think it's time you and I came to an understanding."
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She wrote her mom a quick note, "Mom. went out. Be back later. I love you. Sam." She put the note on the table next to the door. She and Jim walked out to Jim's car in silence. She wasn't sure what to say to him at this point. He opened the car door for her; she got in. He walked around and got in the driver seat. Before he started the car, he glanced over at Sam. She felt so akward; she looked away quickly. She had this weird feeling in her stomach. She figured it was because of his lies. Jim started the car and headed for the nearest DQ.
As he was backing out of the driveway, a car rammed into Jim's side of the car at 60 mph. Sam went into shock. She didn't realize what had just happened. She looked around; Jim was knocked out. She heard sirens; they were getting louder. She was so very confused. The ambulance and cops pulled up. One came to Sam and began asking her all kinds of questions, but Sam didn't know what to say. She just looked at the guy blankly. She heard the guy yell to someone else, "This one's in shock! Bring me the stretcher!" He kept talking to Sam and asking her questions. She continued to stare at him blankly. Another guy came up with the stretcher. The first guy opened the door and helped Sam out of the car and onto the stretcher. He started an IV on her; soon after that, she fell asleep.
Sam awoke in the hospital. Her entire body ached. She couldn't remember what happened nor why she was in the hospital. She struggled to regain her memories of the previous day. A nurse came in, "Oh...you're awake! Good. Here's your dinner. How are you feeling?"
Sam wasn't sure what to say, "My body hurts, and I don't know why."
The nurse looked at her a little bewildered, "Do you know why you're here?"
"No," Sam replied. "What happened?"
The nurse explained that she and her friend Jim had gotten into a car wreck. She said that it was really bad. It killed the guy in the other car and her friend Jim. Sam broke into tears. The last things she had said and done with Jim were not the nicest. She felt SO bad for all the things she said to him. She wanted SO badly to be able to tell him that she was sorry for everything and that she really loved him.
Sorry it's so long. The feelings I feel...I feel bad that I caused Epoman so much drama since I've been here. I wish I could have apologized to him. That's where this part of the story came from. It's sort of...my feelings fit into the story. Well, minus the "loved him" part....Not in the same way Sam loved Jim...Anyway...sorry so long...got carried away with feelings.
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Sorry it's so long. The feelings I feel...I feel bad that I caused Epoman so much drama since I've been here. I wish I could have apologized to him. That's where this part of the story came from. It's sort of...my feelings fit into the story. Well, minus the "loved him" part....Not in the same way Sam loved Jim...Anyway...sorry so long...got carried away with feelings.
I know what you mean. Epoman's last conversation with me on Skype was so happy and we were laughing our asses off but someone tonight pointed out how I made his life a living hell. It made me feel so bad. So Yeah, I can totally relate to how you feel Shay! I am sure everyone knows to overlook the bad and remember the good times! Especially with you as you have learned from everything here and have changed your mind. They can only respect that. We all miss Epoman.
Anyway, wasn't this the same Jim that was thought to have died once already?
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yup. same Jim.
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Sam's immediate thought was where did the kidneys go? Two people died in the town and she was on the top of the list. Then she remembered it was her friend Jim who had died. She hoped he was in heaven and was happy. His expose on the dialysis center was going to appear in this week's paper. It would be a memorial to him, she guessed.
She was sore. Her head hurt and her back hurt, but there was nothing broken.
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Let's keep this going people. Sounds great so far. :thumbup;
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Sluff, how about doing what you did before so I can do what I did before?
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Her lower abdomen hurt, too and she could see she was in isolation.
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She was just about to turn herself completely over when she realized that she was bandaged and they had drips going. She stood quietly wondering what on earth happened to her.
Then she tried to shout "Nurse!", but her voice seemed so weak. She remembered that there is always a buzzer. She located it and pressed as hard as she could with fingers feeling a bit weak.
The door opened quietly, and a nurse with a theatre clothing and a face mask entered the room.
"So you are up?" she asked in a pleasant voice which gave Sam courage.
"What has happened to me? Was I badly hurt in the accident?"
"Not at all!" said the nurse, cheerfully. "In fact.......
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Sluff, how about doing what you did before so I can do what I did before?
Will do.
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The First Dialysis Story written, by members.
As of today Just thought you may like to see what you have, unedited.
The IHD Story, by members.
Samantha was tired. The day had been long and it was not over yet. Dialysis was waiting for her next. She swore at the hallway walls as she pulled her bra off and threw a shirt on. She was running late as usual and would probably get caught in traffic on the way to the dialysis center. She packed a small bag of snacks and barrelled out the door. She told her cat goodbye as she closed the door to her apartment.
Samantha walked briskly down the hallway to the elevator hoping no one would be in it. She didn't feel like being delayed at all by chatty people. Not that she minded a good conversation but she didn't like coming across as rude as the door opened and she had to cut the conversation short.
She pushed the button and waited for a minute until the door opened and she was glad to see her luck was with her today. She rode down to the lobby and then walked out to ...
.. the hallway lined with wheelchairs. The stench of bleach and plastic filled the air. That familiar smell that made her sick to her stomach everytime. As she entered the office the waiting room was full. Not a good sign as that meant they were running late. The receptionist was on the phone so "Sam" as her family called her, waited patiently. When the receptionist hung up she....
...said to her, in as nice a voice as she could make it, "I am here for my dialysis session. When do you think I would be able to go on?"
"Well, as you can see, " the receptionist drawled, as she hooked the chewing-gum from her mouth, "the waiting-room is full. No telling when you can get a chair."
Sam slumped into a chair in the waiting-room. Just then she saw that Jim was there waiting too. 'Should I go over and say 'hello', or just stay here, pretending I didn't see him?' she asked herself. He was the shift before hers and was usually leaving when she was coming. She remembered the first day she met him when.....
he was alone and looking frightened and nervous. Must be a "first-timer"
Sam thought. Just as Sam decided to go over and see how Jim was
doing, the receptionist called his name. She was rather glad. Not in the
talking mood anway. He stood up to go with the nurse and ............
smiled at Sam as he passed by. "Hey" , Sam kinda half-smiled at him as he went into the treatment room. She was weary today and weary of the never-ending sessions still ahead of her. Even though the common denominator for everyone in the waiting room was dialysis, Sam still felt like an alien among the complainers, coughers, and vacant-eyed patients who seemed to dominant this particular clinic. She had been in others over the many years. Some better, some worse. It was always a breath of fresh air to meet someone like Jim, who seemed to not be defined by the repetitious but unavoidable life support system that joined all of them together for long hours every few days.
The sound of her name "Samantha" startled her and she jumped. "We're ready for you" said the nurse. Wow, that was fast she thought. She picked up her things and followed the nurse to the scale. "Crap" she thought I'm over 1.4kg. That usually meant a rough run for her. But, she tried to think positive. "You'll be in the back on chair 4 today". She hated being switched from one chair to the next everytime. Couldn't they just give her the same damn chair! Then she rounded the corner and they sat her right next to....
Jim! He was already seated and hooked up and had his headphones in. Sam got her standing BP while seeing if Jim noticed that she was seated beside him. Then the nurse/tech made a comment but Sam didn't hear it and asked her to repeat it. She said ...
..try to look sexy just in case Jim lookes up at you". She then sat down and got comfortable. She had a chest catheter so she had to wear a mask while the nurse unbuttoned her top and pulled out her catheter ends for the bloodlines. Then she smelled something bad.....
.. it was the techs in their breakroom, burning the microwave popcorn again! But this time it looked bad!
Smoke was accumulating near the ceiling across the room. No one seemed to notice! She glanced over at
Jim and...
...he looked back at her with a look of horror across his face. Sam pointed the smoke out to the nurse/tech. The nurse rushed into the breakroom with a fire extinguisher, leaving Sam's top still unbuttoned and catheter ends out. She looked back at Jim, who was looking back at her with a dreamy look about his face. They looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment, and then...
Jim turned his head and threw-up. The smoke and smell was really getting to him.
Sam remembered her "clamp, cut and run" training, and begin to clamp off all her tubing. Then she began to look frantically around, realizing that there were no scissors anywhere in reach.
The nurse with the fire extinguisher came out of the breakroom, loudly declaring that everything was fine, just a small microwave fire, but all was well. Sam breathed a sigh of relief, looked over at Jim, and said, "Glad they weren't doing any REAL cooking in that thing!" As she looked over at Jim, who appeared a bit embarrassed, she smiled and said, "I was going to pretend to be aloof and mysterious, but given that we've just been through a major disaster, I guess we can consider the ice to be broken!" Jim laughed and said.......
"Yeah, but I can't believe I already puked in front of you. We haven't even been on a first date yet!" He smiled at her with vomit still in his teeth. Sam was disgusted at his sight and decided to discontinue the flirting. They finished their dialysis sessions in silence and went their separate ways. Later that day...
Sam was awoke from a dead sleep by the phone. She said "hello" in a groggy voice. "Hello", said .....
Jim. It was Jim on the phone, another Jim, Jim from work. "What is it with you? I just got to sleep and you call me?" she ranted into the phone.
"Better check your clock, Sweetie."he chirped into her ear. "You are late for work today. The boss is looking for blood this morning, too."
"Oh crap!" she mumbled at the phone receiver. "I will be in as soon as I can."
She slammed down the phone, threw back the covers, stood up, and promptly...
...headed for the kitchen. I need coffee before I can face THIS day, she thought. Why me? If it
weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!
Sam wasn't going to hurry. It was too late to slip in unnoticed. She was just going to have to show
up late to work and face the consequences. She looked over the newspaper as she sipped the hot
coffee, and on the front page she saw...
She saw that her buddy at the dialysis center, Jim, had gotten into a fatal car wreck with a drunk driver. The drunk driver had crossed over the yellow line and hit Jim's car head-on. Jim was killed instantly. "At least he didn't suffer," Sam thought to herself. She knew this week wasn't going to be a normal week whatsoever; she would have to attend his funeral in a few days. She then wondered if the drunk driver was an organ donor? What a thought to think after her friend had just died! She couldn't help it; she's a dialysis patient and needs a kidney!
As Sam pondered the ironies of life, her phone rang again. She thought about not answering it, then remembering how she had been scolded by her transplant co-ordinator for missing a couple of calls, relunctantly got up and answered, knowing it was work again. "Hello?" "Samantha, it's Carol. Are you ready? We've got a kidney for you!"
Sam sat down abruptly, mind racing through all the questions she had planned out. "Before you say anything", gushed Carol "this is a perfect match for you, and the donor had a closed head injury from a drunk driving accident."
"I'll be right there!" shouted Sam. "You can give me the rest of the details when I get there."
She hopped in her car and her cell rang. It was one of her friends from the unit. "Did you see the paper?"
"I know, but I'm on the way to the hospital. I just got the call" Sam replied.
"Omygosh! That's great!" said Sheronda. "But I gotta tell you....Jim's okay. The paper got it wrong! The drunk driver was the one killed!"
"Oh wow," thought Sam......that could mean...........
the light suddenly turned red and Sam slammed on her brakes. Man, that is all I need, Sam thought, is to get in a wreck myself on the way to the hospital. She fumbled with her cell phone so she could call her parents. "Hello, Mom? I'm on my way to the hospital, they have a kidney for me." "No, don't come yet until I'm sure it is a go." The light turned green so she clicked her cell phone closed and started out once again. A million things ran through her head........
Now where was the list of questions she was supposed to ask about the kidney when she go to the hospital? In the over night bag she hoped. It was driving her crazy. All the waiting came down to now, a kidney for her. Would it work? Would it be viable? Was she going to get it?
She checked in with the transplant coordinator at the hospital and began the slow blood draw process for compatability...
...wondering why so many conflicting thoughts were running through her head. What about Jim? The idea that he was still alive filled her with such a thrill. But why should it? And if this transplant works out, it means she might not be seeing him again. 'Oh well,' she said to herself.'Let me focus on what is going on right now. This is the most important thing for me.' But certain thoughts just wouldn't go away. Just then the nurse said......
"Samantha", she said quietly. "You're running a low grade fever today. They're sending you home, Hon."
"Crap!" she thought and out loud, "Was it a good match?" The nurse replied, "No matter what the match, it wouldn't be a good 'match' if we made you sicker, now would it?"
"Right", Sam whispered as she began to gather her belongings for the long, slow trip back to the dialysis world. For a few brief moments, she had traveled out and away from that place to a hopeful future free of machines.
"Try not to get too down", the nurse gave her a hug and then let her go.
Try not to get too down, easy for her to say thought Sam as she was leaving.
In a flash new hope for her future had vanished. Well, she thought I just have to accept that
this time was not meant to be for some reason. Would she ever get a kidney, would it
ever happen for her she wondered. Part of the day was shot. She debated whether she should
go on to work or just go home as she traveled down the highway. Then........
...she decided she was hungry and stopped off at a fast food restaurant. She then realized that she had forgotten her binders, because she thought she would be getting a transplant and wouldn't be needing them anymore. She's had a really rough day, though, and figures that it would be OK to skip them with this one meal. She splurges and orders a big juicy hamburger with extra cheese, fries with lots of salt, and a large chocolate milkshake. While waiting at the drive-thru window, she ponders, "So I wonder if the kidney I was going to get was from the drunk driver that I thought killed Jim?" Then they handed her the food she ordered, and she was on her way home when...
her cell phone rang. She fumbled around in her coat pocket for it and caught it on its last ring. "SAM" a voice yelled! "Yes" she said. "This is Jagdeep Sing at the hospital" she said in a thick East Indian accent. "The thermometer was malfunctioning. It said we all have fevers! Come back as soon as you can to see if you indeed have a fever." Samantha shuttered at the thought. "What a p*cking roller-coaster" she said. She started to turn around...........
... and her car sputtered, lurching forward, it chugged along - then died. What in the world...? she thought, What now!?! The driver in the car behind her leaned on his horn. She stared at the dash and he honked again. Rolling down her window, she waved him around. Unfortunately the traffic heading out of town at rush hour filled the oncoming lanes. There was no where to go. She reached for the key and tried to restart the car. It seemed to catch for a moment, then whimpered to a dead silence. Now the driver behind her was flashing his headlights AND honking. Sam put her head on the steering wheel and began to cry. Suddenly there was a sharp knock on her driver's side window. Startled, she looked up and ...
...there was Jim! She never felt so happy to see someone before.
"How can I help?" he asked. "I was coming in the opposite direction and saw you here in a bind."
"Please help me push this car over to the shoulder. And I need to get to the hospital right away! Can you help me?"
"It would be my pleasure! Please don't cry anymore!"
Jim just took over the situation. He asked her not to cry, but pure relief made her weep even more. He sent for roadside assistance and they both got into his car. 'Nice car,' thought Sam, but she decided to say nothing. Then Jim looked over at her and asked.....
"So what you are going to the hospital for? Are you okay or did you get the call?" She was so happy to tell him that she got the call but it has been a crazy day. Anything that could go wrong was going wrong. She told him about the fever and then the call back about the thermometers. He laughed in disbelief and they drove on their way.
She had chatted so much about how bad her day had gone so far that time flew and they were there. As he parked she stole a glance and noticed his strong jaw line as if she had never noticed before. Maybe it was the fact that he came to her rescue that he seemed now like a prince in shining armor. She was lost in thought when he suddenly asked, "Are you coming?" "Oh ya!" she snapped to! "Sorry it has just been a long day!" He locked the doors and they walked toward the hospital in silent thought. Then he turned to her and asked, "...
"....so, did you bring a bag or anything?"
"Oh, great! I must've left it in my car! I'm usually not such an air-head....ok, maybe, SOMETIMES, I can be an airhead, but really, I'm usually pretty good in a crisis...not that this is a crisis or anything...I mean, its a really good thing that this is happening, but it started out so weird...I mean first I heard you were dead and then I get a call saying I'm gonna get a kidney and then I find out you're alive but I'm NOT gonna get a kidney and so I go get a HUGE meal of junk food which I'm just about to scarf down and then I find out I MIGHT get a kidney but my car dies and then you're suddenly there to rescue me....and ......I'm babbling randomly aren't I...."
"Um....you thought I was dead?" asked Jim.
"Oh," Sam replied.She figured he had seen the newspaper. "Yeah, it was on the front page of the newspaper this morning. It said that you had gotten into a car wreck with a drunk driver. Someone later called me and said that they got the name wrong. Turns out it was James Beam, not James Bean. It was just a typo."
"Oh. I didn't get the paper this morning." Jim replied as they entered the building. Just then....
hree nurses came running up to Sam.
"You are here finally! Let's go!"
Bewildered Sam went with them. They whisked her away to an exam room and told her to strip down. A thermometer went into her mouth and onto a gurney she went. One nurse took her blood pressure, another called the doctor, the third took the thermometer out of her mouth.
"Uh Oh." the nurse on the phone said. She turned to Sam and asked. "How long have you been on dialysis?"
"About 15 years", Sam replied.
"Well, when was your last heart cath?"
"I've never had one." Sam was getting nervous now. She'd always hated the idea of someone jamming, THREADING, a wire into her pumping heart. That particular procedure always sounded more suited for those hearts that had already stopped beating.
"I've never needed one, she continued. "I always passed all the cardiac tests with flying colors....the echo, doppler, stress test...all of 'em. When I had my evaluation a couple of years ago, they didn't think I needed it then..."
"Hmmmmmmm," Nurse Ratchitt pursed her lips and turned back to the phone.
Sam slumped, staring in space...'What now?' she thought.
She straightened up.
"NURSE!!" she yelled. Get me the transplant coordinator NOW!"
The nurse turned and said, "She's with the donor family," and turned back to the phone.
"Well we need to talk. I have some questions of my own!"
Just then Carol, the TC came through the door. "Hey, how are you? Looks like they're
getting you all checked out!"
"Carol, listen. I have been thinking. I know I should ask questions. I couldn't think until now, but I need to know.
What can you tell me about the donor? How old is he? What about his health history? Can I ask what the injuries are? Is he married?
I just need to know more before we go any further."
Just then Nurse Ratchitt marched over to Carol and Sam and said...
"SHE should've had a cath done when she had her work up. She's never had one! Now we have to waste time getting that cath and I just don't know if she's even gonna be able to get this kidney now!" All that was missing was the finger snap in Carol's face.
Carol just rolled her eyes and then calmly told Nurse 'I Know Everything About Everything', "Excuse me doctor.........Oh! You almost had me fooled for a minute......the way you were talking, for a moment there, I thought you were the transplant physician."
And to Sam, "C'mon Samantha, let's get you upstairs where all your questions can be answered."
Sam and Carol left Nurse Ratchitt spluttering her objections to an empty room.
"Amazing, that nurse can sure find ways to prevent a transplant." the TC muttered under her breath. Sam grinned at her as they whisked her on the gurney up to the transplant waiting area. The surgeon stepped out of the surgical area not smiling at all.
" Well Sam. It is not good news. The kidney is too damaged from the car wreck to use. The other one has already been sent out of the area."
Sam groaned along with the Transplant Coordinator. " Awww.Hell."
Sam laid there on the gurney for a while trying to absorb this devastating news.
"how could it be?" she thought. "Twice in one day a chance for a new kidney
gone". She was so depressed. She finally remembered that Jim had brought her in
would be waiting in the waiting area. She would have to ask him to drive her home.
She would have to tell her parents the bad news. Then.........
She dressed into her civilian clothes out of the hospital garb. She said goodbye to the nurses and tried not to cry on her way out of the building. She ran into Jim as she crossed the waiting room and stopped in surprise.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked.
"Waiting to hear about you." he replied looking surpised. "What happened?"
" Nothing. Not one damned thing. The kidney was too damaged in the car accident to be used and the other one is gone to another county. Not meant to be." Tears cascaded down Sam's face.
Jim offered to drive her home. They walked out to his car in the parking lot.
"Let's just go get stinkin' drunk...." Sam said suddenly.
"What?" Jim said, "wait a minute."
"I mean it!" Sam cried,"I'm sick of this. I wanna be drunk and I wanna be drunk, right NOW!" She turned to Jim with her hands on her hips, just about stomping her foot. The look of surprise on his face stopped her and she realized how ridiculous she must sound and look.
"Ummmmm......I'm thinking that fluid restriction is not primary in your mind at the moment?"
"DARN right its not!" Sam looked up and down the street. Where's the bar that's always right around the corner from the hospital in all the medical shows? The one where all the interns meet after their shift to discuss who's going home with whom.........not a bar in sight.
"C'mon," she pulled on Jim's arm toward the Denny's across the street.
"Sam, I don't think they serve alcohol in there," he hesitated.
"No, but they've got chocolate malts and I'm having the biggest one they've got!" Sam declared and started across the street.
"Damn There's the Transplant Coodinator." Sam said as she and Jim entered the diner. "No chocolate shake tonight."
Sam turned around and she stalked out of the diner. Jim trailing behind her.
"I am so damned frustrated. It just isn't fair! I have to go back to my life." Sam yelled at the parking lot as they walked toward Jim's car again. Jim was silent. What could he say that would help? Nothing. It was pretty awful when you thought about it.
Sam pulled on the locked car door and stopped. Her head rested on the top of the car.
"You going to be all right?" Jim asked.
"Yeah. Take me home. I have dialysis tomorrow." she said.
They stopped next to his car. Jim put his hands on her face and told her how sorry he was. He took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. "Let's get you home. Do you feel like eating?" said Jim, as helped her into the car.
"Please..." whispered Sam, "I just cannot be alone right now." They got in his car and she told him how to get to her house.
She and Jim rode in silence. "I know I should call my mom, but I just can't." Jim reached down and held her hand. She felt a connection with him just then. Here he was, rescuing her again when she really needed someone. Somehow she felt like she had known him forever.
They got to Sam's place and went inside. Jim went to the kitchen to make something for them to eat as Sam headed for the shower.
Sam came out of the shower dressed in her robe and slippers. Towel wrapped up around her hair. Her face was still tear stained from the sob session she had done in the shower. Even with the radio turned all the way up in the kitchen Jim had heard her crying. He acted like everything was okay, when she appeared in the kitchen. It looked like he was preparing scrambled eggs until he dipped the bread into the eggs.
"Is French toast okay with you?" he asked.
"Anything is OK at this point. I don't even care." She sat at the table watching Jim cook the French toast, pondering what will happen next in this peculiar day. Jim brings her plate of French toast to the table in front of her. She realizes just how hungry she actually was and began scarfing down the warm, syrupy French toast. Jim watches her with stars in his eyes and a slight grin on his face. When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very soul, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
"Penny for your thoughts" she said with a gleam in her eye. Jim started to speak and then paused, "I am just so happy to be here with you tonight. I've been wanting to get to know you for a while now, but didn't think I would have a chance." "Have a chance?" Sam replied. "Yeah, you know, with you. You are so amazing." "Amazing?" Sam Repeated. Her mind spiraled. What must Jim mean? Does he really like me, or is he maybe trying to lead up to leaving? Just then Jim took her hand in his and leaned over to her and said......
"What I mean is I just started down this road you have been on and I don't think I could handle it as well as you do! I can't help but be ... " she noticed that he was blushing now as he continued, "b- be attracted to .. to .. to how you handle yourself!" She nearly choked on her bite. She just stared at him in shock and said, "R-Really??"
"Yeah, really," said Jim. "You just never give up. Remember the fire at dialysis? You were ready to clamp and cut! And today, with being whipsawed with all the transplant drama, you just kept going. I don't know how you do it. You are wonderful," he grinned.
"Well, it may look like that on the outside, but on the inside I feeling like a raving maniac! Ohh...! And I didn't even thank you! I'm sorry... you came through when my car broke down... and you waited to be sure I was okay at the hospital. I am so grateful. On top of that, you make great french toast!"
Just then Sam's phone rang, "Honey, it's Mom. What's happened? You cell phone is off or dead and your dad and I are out of our minds with worry!"
"I'm sorry Mom, the transplant fell through. It's been a really tough day, but I am okay. I will call you tomorrow."
She hung up and turned around as Jim was getting his coat.
"No where are you going?" Sam said louder and more anxious than she intended to sound. Jim looked startled and laughed. Then he explained, "I thought you would be on the phone a long time so I thought I would give you some privacy." Then she followed his eyes to the phone. "Oh .. umm.. I let her go! I said I would call her back tomorrow," she said while realizing that her mom being sick with worry probably didn't appreciate her hanging up so fast. "I didn't want to be rude and we were in the middle of dinner."
"Well that is okay. I already finished eating anyway. Why? Did you want dessert? I can go get us something." He said smiling at her now. His smile made her cheeks grow warm and she didn't know why. Then she stumbled over her words but eventually said, "Yes I would LOVE to have dessert with you!" Then they both were blushing and laughing as he grabbed her coat.
The phone in the apartment rang again. Sam picked it up.
"Samantha, if you hang up on me, so help me I will come over there and tan your hind end." her mother's voice practically leaped through the phone into her ear. "Are you okay? Want me to come over tonight?"
"Mom, I am okay. I have a friend over with me tonight." Sam answered. She smiled at Jim.
"Okay. I know how disappointed you are. Things will work out, honey."
""I know Mom." Sam answered. "I am out the door going for some dessert right now. Love ya. Bye bye"
Sam hung up the phone. The phone rang again. Sam ignored it. Phone calls hurt too much today. She closed the apartment door and she and Jim went down the stairs to his car..
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Added since the last time........
Too bad she forgot to shut off the cell phone in her purse. It was ringing by the time she got down to Jim's car.
Sam answered it. "Hello?" said the woman on the phone, "May I please speak with Jim please?"
"Uhhh... I'm sorry... Jim?" Sam said as she looked at Jim "It's for you...?"
"Me? How can that be?" He took the phone and Sam walked toward the streetlight.
Jim spoke for less than a minute.
"I'm sorry Sam. I don't know how she tracked me down. My cell is dead and... well. I need to go."
"Oh yeah, sure, ok, listen... I am better now. I should just get some sleep anyway," said Sam, as she thought 'what the hell?'
"I am so sorry. I can't explain now. It's been a great night, well, you know. I am glad I could be here with you. See you at dialysis tomorrow?"
"Sure," she replied in a distant voice. Jim ran to his car and sped away. Sam turned slowly and began to walk back inside her house. Many questions ran through her head: "Who was on the phone? How did they get my number? What was the emergency that he couldn't take me out for dessert?" She went back into her house and realized how tired she was. She had had a very busy day! She changed into her pajamas and headed to the bedroom. As soon as she lay her head on the pillow...
her legs started jumping all over the place. "Damn!" she thought. "This is all I need to keep me up when I just want to fall into sleep!!" She tossed and turned for about an hour until she finally fell into a bad dream about an ex-girlfriend pulling Jim away from her. She woke up all sweaty and irritable. She sat up in bed deep in thought for awhile trying to remember her dream but couldn't quite remember the details. The only thing she could remember is the girl but didn't remember what she looked like. She got up and walked to the kitchen and looked in the fridge. She was thirsty but knew she shouldn't have a full glass of anything. So she opened up the freezer and sucked on a freezie-pop. "30ml of fluid isn't bad at all!" she thought to herself. She sat on her couch thinking about the phone call to Jim earlier. "I wonder if that was an ex-girlfriend." She wondered, "I know so little about him." Then her thoughts went even further and she wondered..
"maybe it's not an ex-girlfriend but an ex-wife." and she wondered again how someone got
her phone number. "Could it have beene someone from the dialysis cllinic or the hospital?"
she wondered. Probably not since he said he'd see her at dialysis tomorrow.
She finished her freezer pop and decided to lay back down for a while tho being able
to sleep looked pretty hopeless. Then the phone rang again and a woman said "I need to talk to Jim again".
Sam asked "Who is speaking? Jim is not here". And the caller replied....
"I'm sorry." a woman's voice said. "Jim told me I could probably get him at this number after I talked to him tonight."
"What? Are you looking for Jim Bean? You do know it's three in the morning." Samantha told her.
"Oops. I am sorry. I live halfway across the world. The time change gets me." the voice said.
"Can I tell Jim who called? I will see him later today." Sam offered.
"Tell him everything is okay now. Marion made it." the voice said.
"Okay." Samantha yawned.
She hung up the phone and wondered who Marion was and what happened. What made Jim leave so suddenly?
The alarm clock by the bed went off seconds after she closed her eyes and went to sleep. It was going to be a long day.
She jumped in the shower and thought about the plan for the day. She had some work to finish up from the day before...thank God she worked at home and didn't have to commute anywhere! As she headed toward the kitchen with her wet hair wrapped in a towel, her kitten leaped and danced around her feet. He was out of food; that would have to be first on her list of errands. Sam scooped out her favorite Starbucks blend for her single cherished cup of coffee. It was her one fluid indulgence every day, unless of course, she was experiencing the bothersome (and painful) reflux that went along with having too much fluid over a weekend. As she was pouring her coffee and immersing herself in the exotic smell emanating from her favorite polka dot coffee mug, her phone rang. As she stared at it wondering if it would be Jim, she
answered it on the 3rd ring. "Hello, Samantha Ward please," said the voice at the other end. "Yes, speaking."
"This is Rick at the dealership, we've got your car here and it's ready to be picked up."
She had completely forgotten that her car wasn't outside! "Oh, what was wrong with it?"
"Actually, the tow truck driver should have checked. It appears that all you needed was gas," he said.
"You're kidding? Well, I guess that's a relief, not having a big repair bill. I'll come in before you close, thanks."
Sam was tired already, and hadn't even been to dialysis yet. She knew she had to squeeze in some work before it was time to leave.
Sam sipped her coffee and logged on to the company network. She HAD to get this report finished and drop it off to her boss today. She was soon immersed in her facts and figures when a message notice flashed at the bottom of her screen. It was the other Jim, Jimmy as she affectionately thought of him because he was so much younger than her; kind of like Jimmy Olson in the comics. She clicked over to the message and saw that there was a meeting she had forgotten about at 12:30. If she hurried, she would just have time to finish this up and get to the meeting. But how was she going to get her car before dialysis this evening?
Sam called her friend Barbara. "Hey, how are you? I am sorry I have been out of touch but life has been crazy lately." She had been friends with Barbara before she got sick. They used to spend more time together, but since Barbara had gotten married, she was only available for an occasional pedicure with Sam. "I miss you Sam. Can you have lunch sometime... hey how about today?" Sam explained about the near miss kidney, the car and briefly about Jim. "Sam, I am so sorry about the transplant not working out!" said Barbara. "Yeah, me too. Somehow I have to believe that it just wasn't meant to be this time. My problem right now is that I am still without my car. Any chance you could drop me over at the dealer today?" Barbara agreed to come by in an hour and get her.
As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. It was Jim, her rescuer. "I am really sorry about leaving you so abruptly. I was wondering if you were able to get your car straightened away." Sam had questions for Jim, but didn't feel right asking them on the phone. "My friend Barbara is going to take me to the dealer to get the car soon. Thanks for checking." Jim hesitated, then said "Okay, well, I will see you later then. You sound good. Ummm... listen, I want to explain a few things. When can we talk, I mean, in person?"
"Yeah, definitely! Umm...When and where?" Sam replied.
"Well, I was thinking...umm...maybe we could...have dinner?...Or lunch, whatever you want?? Uh..or not....? Y-your choice..." Jim finally spat out nervously.
Sam's stomach was in knots and her face burning up. "Uh, dinner? Sure...when is good for you?" Then the call waiting beeped in. "Umm...Hold that thought, Jim. I have another call."
"OK," he replied. 'Who is calling NOW?' Sam thought. It was none other than...
her mom! She realized she never did call her mom back! "Oh crap!" she thought! 'Hi mom! Sorry I got someone on the other line! Can I call you back.. uh .. or you can wait on the line??" she laughed nerviously as she realized her mom probably wouldn't believe that she would call back.
Just then the doorbell rang and Sam peeked out the window. "Mom, Barbara is here to take me to pick my car up at the dealer. Then I need to go by work and dialysis tonight. I will call you back, I am ok, but I need to go." She clicked back to the other line. "Jim, my ride is here. I'll call you from my cell in a bit." She opened the door and headed out with Barbara. The drive was a few minutes, and during that time she filled Barbara in about Jim and the late night phone call. "I hate to say this, but it sounds like he might be married," warned Barbara. "No, I don't think so," said, Sam, "Why would the caller leave a message with me? Something else is up. I am going to see him later, I'll let ya know what's happening." Barbara hugged her quickly and Sam headed inside get her car. On the drive toward the office she called Jim. They agreed to meet before dialysis, at the cafe across the street. When she got to work her boss Gene was waiting for her. "Sam, Jimmy filled me in on your last couple of days. I am sorry you've had some real challenges. But that doesn't excuse the fact that your project is late and other people are hung up waiting. If you don't think you can handle your responsibility, this isn't going to work. I'm sorry, but I can't bend over backwards for you, when other people are waiting in the wings, ready to take your job." She left the meeting frustrated and worried. No one really seemed to understand how hard she was trying to live a "normal" life.
Sam headed to the cafe and spotted Jim at a table. He stood up as she approached. "Hi, how are you?" he smiled. Sam felt some of her anxiety lift when he smiled at her. The waitress dropped off menus and they ordered sandwiches. "I still want that malt, but I will hold off until the next crisis," Sam laughed. Jim then said, "I want to apologize. There's so much I want to tell you, but I had to be careful about who I could trust." "Trust?" said Sam, "About what? Is it about Marion?" Jim said "Oh yes, I guess I need to explain about that too. First of all, I need to tell you, I don't really need dialysis. I am a reporter, and the call you got was from my editor." "What??? said Sam. "I don't understand..."
"I saw you get hooked up!" said Sam. "Yes, I have been working on a story about dialysis centers and patient care. I realized the only way to understand what it's like for patients is to become one. A friend supplied blood and urine for the tests. As far as the nephrologist and clinic know, I am a dialysis patient. The last few weeks have been a real eyeopener," explained Jim. "But aren't you risking your health?" asked Sam. "Yes, there have been side effects. But I knew this before I started, and have been supplementing to keep my body balanced. Remember the day I threw up at dialysis? Well, sometimes I just can't keep it under control. But I am fine." Sam was stunned. An undercover reporter? Nothing was what she thought. 'Am I just part of his project?' she wondered to herself.
Sam continued to stare at Jim in amazement with eyes full of questions.
"I'm sorry Sam. This job has been the most eye-opening experience of my
career. I had no idea what the life of a dialysis patient is like until now.
Just seeing what you've been through in this short time has astonished
me. You mean a lot to me Sam. I admire your strenth and your
determination and courage. I did not go into this wanting or expecting to become
attracted to anyone." " I hope we can see each other again, Sam."
Sam, still feeling as tho this could not be possible. trying to absorb
this news looked at Jim and said "So................are you working on your article
right now, or is the article comcpleted? What else should I know about you.
Jim?"
"Well, my time at the clinic is over. Please remember that this is a secret. You are the only person I have shared it with, apart from Marion, my editor"
"But....b-b-but...," Sam stammered trying to get her thoughts together as her brain raced and raced.
Jim reached and held her hand. "I know this must be difficult for you to understand."
"Not that it is so difficult to understand - you reporters do some weird things to get a story. Why are you telling me, if it is to be a secret?"
"I really want to take this all slowly, but I have to let you know that I care about you a great deal. I know that we don't really know each other that well, but somehow, it seems as if we have been thrown together these days and I feel as if I have known you forever."
Sam lowered her head and whispered, "I know what you mean. I feel rather comfortable with you. But....."
"Let's leave the 'buts' for now. Let's just get to really know each other and see how things go. Is that okay?". He lifted her hand and gave it a soft kiss.
"But....."
Sam thought about it for a few more minutes, holding Jim's Hand. "No, Jim, you are a self absorbed prick for leading me on this way! I never want to see you again!" She snatched her hand away from his and whirled around and stomped out the door.
Jim stood there with his mouth hanging open.
For the next few days, Jim sends her flowers, candy, cards, and anything else he can think of to get Sam to talk to him again. Sam wants to talk to him and be with him but figures that if he can lie about something as serious as being on dialysis then he could lie about anything. She'd never be able to trust him in a relationship. She was so confused now...
As Sam stood there contemplating what should be her next move or direction she should take she realized
how very tired she was. She had been on an emotional roller coaster because of the
transplant possibilities, now this thing with Jim only added to it. The thought of getting away
even for a couple of days seemed like would be beneficial for her to rest and clear her
mind, think things through. She would have to decide where to go and see if she could get in
for a dialysis treatment or two. Her good friends she used to work with, Sue and Maria, loved to do getaways.
Maybe they would be interested. The more Sam thought about it, the more appealing the
idea became. Maybe LV, hummmmmmm. She was trying to remember where it was she went one
time and had the most wonderful tacos, Tito's Tacos, they were called. Hadn't found any like that
anywhere again. Wow, that sounded sooooooooooo good to her as her mouth began to
water just thinking about them. And she'd heard that some guy went there often who was on home dialysis.
Owner of some kind of website about dialysis. Maybe she'd run into him there or someone from
the site. So Sam picked up the phone to call..........
her mother and let her know about her plans.
"Mom? What are you doing? Got a minute?"
Margie said sure and Sam began to tell her about her plans to getaway to Vegas for a few days. Her mother thought it was a great idea, so great that she decided to pack a bag and join Sam on the trip! Sam hung up the phone with mixed emotions. Her mom was super and they always had fun when they were together, but Sam kept very few secrets from her mother and she hadn't told her about Jim's subterfuge. She didn't know if she could keep the secret she'd promised on a roadtrip with her mother. Really, as she thought about it, the angrier she got. What obligation did she have to him anyway? The thought of anyone being able to just walk away from those machines whenever they wanted just made her feel crazy.
She started grabbing the flowers and candy and throwing them into the trash. At the last minute she stopped herself and decided to donate the flowers to the dialysis center. It might brighten up the place a bit. The candy her Mom could have. Might as well not waste this stuff. As far as she was concened Jim was a non-entity.
But then she thought, "He sure was good looking and kind of nice."
She jerked herself out of her thoughts and grabbed the vase full of flowers. She walked out of her apartment to go put the flowers into her car. Jim was standing by her car.
"Oh...Hi, Jim," Sam told Jim from her work.
"Were you heading out? I can come back later?" Jim said.
"No. I was just putting these in my car so I'd remember them later. What are you doing here?"
"I was coming to see if you were OK. I heard about how rough the past wee has been for you."
"Thanks! That's sweet of you! I'm OK, though. Things will get better!"
"Oh, OK. Well, are you up for going out sometime?" Jim asked.
"Uhh...Actually, I don't think so...I've just been through a lot...I don't think that's a good idea right now. Maybe another time?" Sam replied. She didn't really like this Jim. He was part of the computer programming team at work; he was just too nerdy for her.
And way too young for her tastes. He was in his early twenties and Sam just dd not have anything in common with him. He played computer games on the weekends. Nerd stuff. She turned to go into her apartment, Jim following close on her heels.
" Look Jim I have work to do. I will see you later." San turned to go down the hallway to her apartment door.
"Well, geez, Sam. Don't be rude to me. I just wanted to have some fun." Jim whined at her.
"Jim, I have had a rough week. I will see you at work." Sam opened her apartment door.
"Can't you stay and chill a while," Jim said in a whiny voice that irritated Sam.
"Sorry, but I have some important stuff to do, as I already told you," she said, trying to keep annoyance out of her voice. "Bye. See you later."
She entered her apartment, and closed it firmly. She just stood quietly for a moment, trying to organize herself mentally. Just as she moved to continue her packing, the doorbell rang. 'That silly Jim!' she thought. 'I seems I am going to have to be rude to him."
She opened the door decisively and was just about to speak her mind when, standing there before her, she saw .....
..her mother. "Why have you been avoiding me?? I've been worried sick about you!!" She walked inside and began complaining and cleaning things up a bit. "Look at how messy this place is! Didn't I teach you how to clean up after yourself??"
Sam was trying to tell her mom that everything was ok and that she'd clean up later, but her mom was determined to help.
"Mom! Mom! Just leave it!" Sam said. " I know the place looks rough. Come one in and sit a spell."
Sam's mother came into the apartment stepping over the clothing in the front hallway. Sam was going to do laundry that day and had stacked it all in the front of the hallway to take to the laundry room.
"Sam, this place is a wreck."
"I know Mom. Just let it go." Sam told her Mom. "It is a rough time for me right now. My boss told me he might fire me if I don't get it together. The hospital visits and sick time have to stop. He is pretty much done being patient with me. And to top it off the hospital visit the other night and I am dog tired.
"Well I don't know why you are tired. Obviously you have not done anything around here in awhile." her Mom looked at Sam
Sam just burst into tears and walked into the kitchen.
She walked towards the knife block contemplating what her next step would be. She grabbed the biggest knife she could find, when he mother walked in.
"Sam don't do it", shouted her Mom.
"What keep cutting the onions?", Sam said.
There was a knock at the door. Just as Sam started to say, "Don't answer it..." her mom had already reached the door. "Don't be silly," she said, as she pulled it open. There stood Jim. Sam stood frozen, not sure what to do. The knife hung in her hand, by her side. "Well... who's this...? asked her mother, smiling, and looking confused at Sam's reaction. ""Hello... I am Jim... a friend from dialysis... Sam... I am sorry. I see this is a bad time. You've got company." "Okay," Sam said. But of course, her mother could not leave it at that. "Jim, don't worry about me. I am going to just gather up these things and head to the laundry. You two go ahead and visit and I will be back in no time." She quickly headed out the open door.
Sam felt torn. She was upset with Jim, but had missed him too. He looked so awkward, standing there. "Come in. That was my mother. I'm sorry, I should have introduced you." She turned to walk back to the kitchen and Jim followed. "Sam, please listen. I don't blame you for being mad. I want to start over. I need to. I have felt awful the last few days, and I cannot think of anything else. Will you give me another chance, please? Just hear me out. I would like to take you to dessert, just to talk."
"Jim, I have had so much stress and drama in my life lately. I just can't handle anymore." She knew she should just kick him out, finish packing for the Vegas trip and drop her kitten off at Barbara's house. But she suddenly said, "Ya know what? I will go with you. Let me grab my purse."
Jim was pleasantly surprised, "... what about your Mom?"
Sam said, "I will leave her a note. I need to be back soon because I am going away for he weekend. But I think it's time you and I came to an understanding."
She wrote her mom a quick note, "Mom. went out. Be back later. I love you. Sam." She put the note on the table next to the door. She and Jim walked out to Jim's car in silence. She wasn't sure what to say to him at this point. He opened the car door for her; she got in. He walked around and got in the driver seat. Before he started the car, he glanced over at Sam. She felt so akward; she looked away quickly. She had this weird feeling in her stomach. She figured it was because of his lies. Jim started the car and headed for the nearest DQ.
As he was backing out of the driveway, a car rammed into Jim's side of the car at 60 mph. Sam went into shock. She didn't realize what had just happened. She looked around; Jim was knocked out. She heard sirens; they were getting louder. She was so very confused. The ambulance and cops pulled up. One came to Sam and began asking her all kinds of questions, but Sam didn't know what to say. She just looked at the guy blankly. She heard the guy yell to someone else, "This one's in shock! Bring me the stretcher!" He kept talking to Sam and asking her questions. She continued to stare at him blankly. Another guy came up with the stretcher. The first guy opened the door and helped Sam out of the car and onto the stretcher. He started an IV on her; soon after that, she fell asleep.
Sam awoke in the hospital. Her entire body ached. She couldn't remember what happened nor why she was in the hospital. She struggled to regain her memories of the previous day. A nurse came in, "Oh...you're awake! Good. Here's your dinner. How are you feeling?"
Sam wasn't sure what to say, "My body hurts, and I don't know why."
The nurse looked at her a little bewildered, "Do you know why you're here?"
"No," Sam replied. "What happened?"
The nurse explained that she and her friend Jim had gotten into a car wreck. She said that it was really bad. It killed the guy in the other car and her friend Jim. Sam broke into tears. The last things she had said and done with Jim were not the nicest. She felt SO bad for all the things she said to him. She wanted SO badly to be able to tell him that she was sorry for everything and that she really loved him.
Sam's immediate thought was where did the kidneys go? Two people died in the town and she was on the top of the list. Then she remembered it was her friend Jim who had died. She hoped he was in heaven and was happy. His expose on the dialysis center was going to appear in this week's paper. It would be a memorial to him, she guessed.
She was sore. Her head hurt and her back hurt, but there was nothing broken.
Her lower abdomen hurt, too and she could see she was in isolation.
She was just about to turn herself completely over when she realized that she was bandaged and they had drips going. She stood quietly wondering what on earth happened to her.
Then she tried to shout "Nurse!", but her voice seemed so weak. She remembered that there is always a buzzer. She located it and pressed as hard as she could with fingers feeling a bit weak.
The door opened quietly, and a nurse with a theatre clothing and a face mask entered the room.
"So you are up?" she asked in a pleasant voice which gave Sam courage.
"What has happened to me? Was I badly hurt in the accident?"
"Not at all!" said the nurse, cheerfully. "In fact.......
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"You had your appendix taken out last night."
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Hehehehehehehehe!
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KITKATZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You naughty girl!!
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Before I intervene and straighten up this twist in the tale, here is where we are so far, formatted and proofread, a Word document.
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"My appendix! I had that out when I was ten!!"
"I know. I was just kidding. Congratulations! You just had a successful kidney transplant!"
"What!!!!"
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Ha Ha Bajanne can play dirty also... :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
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"Yes, it's true!" said the nurse as she held up a collection bag for Sam to see, "that's liquid gold right there! Looks like that kidney is working like a charm. We are checking your labs, but everything looks right on track!" Just then a doctor came in. He was the surgeon, Dr. Chris Williams. Sam remembered meeting him long ago, during her evaluation. He took her hand as he spoke. "Samantha, it's good to see you doing so well. Your surgery went beautifully. I am concerned about you, though. You were quite hysterical when you were brought in. Do you remember what happened?" Sam said, "The crash... and Jim... I don't really know all the details ... Jim is .. gone." "Yes," Chris said, "it was a violent crash, I am sorry to say your friend did not survive. I am a little confused though. The man in the car was carrying his driver's license... his name was Jon...?"
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"No that was Jim Bean." Sam answered the doctor.
"Well according to his identification that was Jon Bean who was in the car with you the other night."the doctor replied.
"That can't be right." Sam said. "But then I have only known Jim a few weeks through dialysis."
"Well we shall see if he shows up at the dialysis center today." the doctor said as he moved out of Sam's room.
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Now please explain how she signed for a kidney transplant after a serious car accident and was hysterical in the emergency room? I could understand emergency appendectomy, but kidney transplant?
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Well Kit ya gotta have a leap of faith here. She was in shock, but they probably spoke to her mom and transplant coordinator, then she signed, but doesn't remember. She was sedated afterwards, the match results came in and BOOM - off to the OR! She will remember it all later, if neccessary... I imagine! Wonder where you are going, because neither Jon nor Jim would have shown up at the dialysis center...? Oh well, looking forward to see what's up with the Bean family!
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I love this story! I can totally believe it, but there sure are a lot twists in the story!
Can't wait to see what else happens...it's not done, is it?
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Sam giggled to herself as the pain meds took effect in her system. The doctor had no idea the Jim was not a real dialysis patient. Oh well, it would be one hell of a shock when the articles were printed in the newspapers. Then everyone would know and she would not have a secret to keep any longer.
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But she had already been prepped for a transplant at that same hospital. So I thought that all the preliminaries would already have been done.
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Six months later, Samantha has recovered beautifully from the kidney surgery and all tests pointed to the fact she was going to do fine. She and her mother were now planning to go to Las Vegas and no dialysis center had to be contacted this time! One more appointment with the transplant team and she would be turned over to her own nephrologist for follow ups from then on.
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Looking back over the last six months, Sam knew how lucky she had been. Leaving the dialysis center behind was a kind of freedom she had not known in a long time. She had gotten so accustomed to feeling marginal that it was her norm, but now she could see how much she had struggled. Her thoughts went back to Jim as well. The memories were painful, but she did not want to close the door on them either. When his article hit the newspaper the week after he was killed, she was stunned. While the article began as an in-depth, revealing picture of the life of dialysis patients and the care they received, it ended poignantly. Jim told the story of a patient he had met, a woman, whose courage and frailty he admired. Despite the physical and emotional toll she had suffered from treatments, evaluations and set backs, she had remained a vibrant and free spirit. And yet the war she had battled was not without cost, each disappointment making it's mark on her soul. Sam felt he was speaking to her, trying in some way to offer an apology for the lies. At Jim's funeral she stood with the other dialysis patients that he had befriended. He had given them a voice and they quietly honored him as they said good-bye.
The hospital was investigated due to the confusion with Jim's and his brother Jon's mixed up identification. Because they were twin brothers there was no way to prove who was who. Adding to the confusion was the fact that there were no other family members to help sort things out, and Jon had left town. The transplant center had gotten a 30 day probation for negligence, but were back to business as usual.
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Great going, guys. I am looking forward to the continuation.
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Las Vegas! What fun! She had not been since she was a little kid and was not allowed to do anything in the casinos! She was going to see Shark Reef and the MGM casino. They were staying in the Pyramid in a room near the top of the place. Her mom had entertainment connections, so they were going to see a couple of shows, too. And the tour of the south rim of the Grand Canyon would be great. Mom was also trying to get a helicopter tour of the city arranged. It would be a whirlwind trip. Sam was so looking forward to everything. Her first real trip anywhere in years!
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Put your thinking caps on and Join in on the story!!
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Sam was doing her hair and finishing up some last touches before they headed out. She yelled to her mom, "Are you almost ready??" Her mom laughed and replied, "I'm done, your the one fooling with your hair." "Okay, okay! I'm ready. I'm just so excited I haven't been out to do something fun in years!" Sam said. They headed out of their room and down the hallway. The elevator was open and waiting for someone to enter it, so they got in and headed for the lobby. They had gotten tickets to one of the most amazing shows in Las Vegas, Blue Man Group. Once they arrived at the show they went to their seats. They had front row seats! Sam headed up to the bar to get a drink and asked her mom if she wanted anything. Her om replied, "I'll take a Pina Colada." She returned with the drinks and the show started. Samantha watched with a huge smile upon her face. The show was so spectacular she was having the time of her life. On their way out Sam wondered where they would be going tomorrow night....
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Out of the corner of her eye Sam thought she saw someone who looked familiar. When she turned to look for them they were gone. "Hmmmm. " She thought. " That man looked a lot like Jim Bean." Even though his death had ended the hope of a relationship she remembered him fondly. Her Mom caught up with her in the lobby of the theater and they continued out to the casino floor.
"Hey Mom." said Sam "Let's play the nickel slots for a little bit."
"Okay." Mom answered over the crowd.
They wandered over to the slot machines and played. Sam won a little. but mostly lost.
"Well, I should have just thrown the money on the casino floor!" Sam said to her mother. Her mother laughed as she pushed the last button on the slot machine.
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"Ching! Ching! Ching!!!" Jackpot!!!! Sam and her mom screamed and screamed. Her mom had won over ten thousand dollars. In fact, it was nearly eleven thousand. "I can't believe this!" Sam said, semi-shocked. Her mom said, "At least, this will cover all we spent to come here." 'Mom, ever the practical one,' thought Sam, but said nothing.
"Let's go and celebrate!" said her mom. "I refuse to lose any of this, trying to get more!"
"At least, I can drink as I please now," added Sam.
They went to the restaurant next door to casino, and went up to the bar. Sam felt quite excited. She looked around the restaurant. It had quite a few people, but it was not full. There was a pleasant ambiance there.'This trip is turning out nicely,' she said to herself. After all she had been through, this was like a breath of fresh air.
Then she looked over to the corner and saw two men and a women seated. Her eyes were just passing over them, when the head of the man backing her looked very familiar. She looked back again. It couldn't be! 'I have him on my mind too much,' she said to herself.
But she would know that head anywhere... or would she.....?
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Sam hid behind the menu when she saw the table he was at get up to leave. They were going to pass right by their table.
Sam took a good look at him as he walked by. She must be seeing things. Jim Bean walked on by her table. She resisted the urge to trip him.
When she brought the menu down, her Mom said: "What's wrong? You look like you have just seen a ghost."
Sam aswered: "I think I just did."
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Sam ate but her mind was elsewhere. Her mother kept talking as Sam pretended to listen. 'Am I losing it?' she wondered.
On the way out of the restaurant she stopped at the waitress station as her mom headed for the lobby. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you waited on the table in the corner." The waitress looked up, "Yes, can I help you?" "Yes, actually, I'm not sure, but I think it was an old friend and I was wondering if you could tell me if they signed the check as hotel guests?" The waitress eyed her suspiciously, but seemed to loosen up as Sam slipped a folded twenty dollar bill into her hand. "All I can say," said the waitress, looking around, "Is that the gentleman who signed the bill is a registered guest. Sorry, I can't risk my job," and she quickly put the money into her pocket and turned away.
Her cell phone rang. "Sam!" her mother said, "Where are you? I was walking along, apparently talking to myself when I realized you weren't with me! The man in the elevator looked at me like I was half crazy!" "Sorry Mom, I got distracted. I'll be right up." "Ok, but hurry," said her mom, "I have a surprise for you..."
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Sam hurried along to meet her Mom wondering what the surprise could be. Winning all that money was enough of a surprise and seeing someone who looked just like Jim Bean had really floored her. In a big hotel like the Pyramid it would be hard to spot him again even if she staked out the front lobby. What was she thinking? Sam pulled her thoughts back to Las Vegas and her mother. The ten thousand dollars was going to go along way to helping pay for the trip.
Sam found her mother with suitcases in hand.
"What is going on?" She asked her mother. They were staying in this hotel for a week. "What's with the suitcase?"
"Oh honey. I ran into an old friend and he offered us the use of his penthouse suite. He had no idea we were in town and I took him up on his offer."
"Mom! The penthouse! Who did you run into?" San grinned. Her mom was well known is the entertainment world and she was always running into people she knew.
Sam went to grab her suitcases.
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lol, yah the 10k will go a lonngggggggg ways in paying for the trip. A trip to Vegas for a week... only about 3k, and thats pushing it really... ad thats onsidering they go to an expensive show like blue man group every night.
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Plus a free penthouse stay! Cool.
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The penthouse overlooked the whole city. Sam and her mom Suzie explored the entire penthouse like little kids. The phone rang and Suzie took the call, so Sam headed outside. The large French doors led out to a rooftop garden with blooming bougainvillea and large potted palms. On the south side was a shady striped cabana next to a bubbling hot tub. Big, fluffy white robes hung waiting. The warm desert air was filled with the scent of sage and far off thunderclouds. Sam stood still, eyes closed, feeling the breeze, listening to the sound of nothingness. She felt happy and calm as she spied two lounge chairs near an umbrella. She lowered her self into one and almost immediately fell asleep.
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When she awoke from a refreshing nap, she heard her Mom wandering around. She thought it was her Mom. She heard someone come out into the garden.
"Mom, some ice tea might be nice." Samantha said. There was no answer. Sam had her eyes closed and was enjoying the sensation of being quiet. "Mom!" she called again. Not hearing her Mom anymore Sam sat up and looked directly into the blue eyes of Jim Bean.
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Really enjoying the story. We anxiously look forward to reading it each day. I think the writers are readers who have a vivid, wild, but healthy imagination. Keep up the good work.
Sandi
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lol, yah the 10k will go a lonngggggggg ways in paying for the trip. A trip to Vegas for a week... only about 3k, and thats pushing it really... ad thats onsidering they go to an expensive show like blue man group every night.
well....there IS shopping......I could make 10k disappear in a week!
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She was stunned and speechless.
"Before you say anything," he rushed "just hear me out." Jim waited just a moment to see if Sam was actually going to listen, then plunged ahead.
"I'm so sorry about everything Sam. I couldn't have done anything differently. I had a twin brother, Jon. He did die in that car accident, but I have to explain.....we were BOTH investigative reporters. Jon specialized in exposing seemingly legitimate businessmen and their illicit connections to drugs and organized crime. He had been working a story for months but had been discovered. He was getting ready to "disappear" and had followed me to quickly let me know what was up. Apparently his car had been tampered with and that's why he ran into us. At the hospital his editors were notified and when they came to identify his body, they told me about all of it. It was thought that the best thing was for both of us to "die" in the accident , for my protection. Being identical twins, everyone, including the FBI thought that I might be in danger....I couldn't tell you Sam. No one, even my OWN editors didn't know. I've been hiding for the past 6 months. I finally put my own "feelers" out, to see if there had been any contracts out on me. All of my info tells me that I'm safe. The guys that Jon had been working, didn't seem to care about me...they just wanted him dead."
Sam just stared at him. He looked a bit different.......his hair was darker and he had grown a beard, but the eyes were his. She needed a moment to take all of this in and got up to catch her breath and just get away for a moment.
"I wanted to call you, Sam. I wanted to, but I was afraid you'd hang up on me....that you wouldn't believe me."
She didn't say a word.
"Who'd make this stuff up, Sam? It's too weird even for me to believe!" he said bitterly.
Sam took a deep breath, turned and
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walked away. She had to sit. She felt as if she was on that roller coaster again.
Jim followed her and sat next to her. He started to say something, then stopped.
"I really don't know anything now. This is too much for me to handle," she whispered, her head bent down.
"I totally understand. That is why I did not try to contact you before. But there is something else you must know."
"Well, just say it. What further shocking revelation could you have?" she retorted, trying to keep the bitterness from her voice.
"You know," he said. "You are now closer to me than ever."
"What on earth could that mean?" she said, looking full into his face for the first time. Her heart gave a little flutter, but she fought for total self-control.
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"My brother....he...." Jim stopped and Sam could see there were tears in his eyes. "Jon and I had not been close for some years. Our work...it kept us on the move but when I began work on my story about dialysis...we met before I started and we had a conversation....he wanted to be an organ donor and showed me the back of his license. When the accident happened, I knew that we were identical, so our blood types matched. I knew he had the same blood type as me and I knew that you and I matched form the conversations we'd had at dialysis. I pulled strings, and had them do the tissue typing to see if it matched you. By the grace of God it did, but then further.....when they put it all in the computer, you were number three for the two kidneys available. But then one of the recipients....he was sick and so......" Jim choked up again.
"Are you telling me that the transplant I got was from your brother...your twin?" Her mind was reeling. Could this really have happened or was this another "secret" that she'd find out the truth about later on.
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Sam walked back into the Penthouse suite. She grabbed her purse and coat and flung open the door to the penthouse. Jim followed her into the hallway.
At the door she hollered: "Mom, I am going out for a bit." Mom came out into the hallway smiling at Sam and Jim.
"Okay, Sam. See you later." Mom said.
Sam gritted her teeth. Mom knew about Jim. She turned to Jim and said;" Look. I am going out for awhile. Don't follow me. I don't want to talk to you right now."
Jim watched her step onto the elevator and push a button. He made for the stairs and a few floors down he watched where the elevator stopped. The casino floor. He followed Sam down to the casino in the next elevator. He followed her from a distance.
Every now and then Sam would turn around and he would duck into a slot machine area or somewhere else to hide so she would not see him.
Sam wandered aimlessly through the casino. Thoughts whirling through her mind. Jim Bean was alive, it was his brother that died and she had that kidney.
Sam turned around suddenly and saw Jim ducking behind a slot machine. She walked up to a security person and said: "Excuse me. I think a man is following me."
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"Nevermind", Sam said to the security guard. She realized she had feelings for him no matter how mad she was with the situation, she didn't want him to go. She still felt things for Jim, and just wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her, of course she could never tell him this at this point in time. She soon found a Monopoly slot machine ad sat down. After playing for awhile and slowly winning, someone sat down next to her. It was Jim. She held back a smile and said "What are you doing following me?" Jim replied, "I can't stop thinking about you, and I know you want nothing to do with me, but I let love slip away from me once before, I won't let it happen again." Sam turned and looked at him, she was gleaming inside, but did not let it show on the outside.
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"Do you know," said Jim, choosing his words very carefully,"we never had a chance to get to know each other properly. There was always some kind of crisis, or catastrophe."
"And there always some kind of weird secret that you had," Sam retorted.
"I know, I know. But what about trying to start from the beginning. You know, let bygones be bygones, as they say."
"But these are kind of heavy bygones, don't you think? Not exactly things to just throw behind you!"
"So, what are you saying, then?"
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"I need time. Time to get used to the idea you are not dead. Time to get to know you and for you to get to know me." Samantha told him. "This is all new and who knows what other secrets you might have."
Jim just sat there and listened. There was little he could say to change the situation. He and Samantha played the slots for a while longer in companionable silence. Neither won alot of money but broke about even. Sam took her card over to the money machine and got her money out of it. Samantha headed for the elevator. "I need to talk to Mom, alone." She told Jim. They agreed to meet later in the hotel lobby and go to dinner.
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Before Sam could say anything, her mom said "You really care about him, don't you."
"Why would you say something like that?" Sam asked, in a peevish tone.
"This is your mother, you know. In spite of the negative things I have heard you say, each time I see you with him, you have this look that tells me."
"Mom, I am really confused!" Sam replied, bursting into tears. Her mother held her and let her just cry it all out. They sat on a divan together, her mother's arms still around her.
'He's taking me out to dinner, and I don't know what to do!"
"You don't have to do anything. It isn't a marriage proposal, you know!"
They both started to laugh. Sam felt better.
"Thanks, Mom. You have a way of putting things into perspective for me."
"That's what moms are for!"
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"But you know I really am still pissed at him!" Sam told her Mom later when she had calmed down enough to talk again.
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"Not too pissed to cancel dinner, right?" Her mom asked. "Of course not!" Sam replied.
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"Might as well get a free meal out of him after all the crap he has put me through."
"Go wash up sweetie. You have a date to get ready for." Her Mom said.
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I give up. :)
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Sam looked in the mirror as she brushed her hair. 'What am I doing? I want to stay mad because of the pain I felt. I don't want to hurt again. But part of me wants to take a chance with Jim and find out, one way or another, who he really is...'
"Sam!" Called her mom, "I want to talk to you before you go."
Sam came into the suite and sat down. She was a little mad at her mom too. Didn't anyone understand how she felt?
"Sweetie, I love you so much, and I want you to be happy. Sometimes life takes us on a journey that can't be explained. Some people may say that these reoccurring events where you have crossed paths with Jim are just coincidences. But I really feel that there is a reason that he has been brought into your life. And I just hope you can open your mind a little. Carrying around resentments is like drinking poison and thinking it will harm the other person. It only hurts you."
Sam knew she was right. 'Do I have the courage to allow Jim in, to see where this is leading, and to protect myself at the same time?' she thought.
It was 7:00, time to go.
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This is going so well, but I feel that there is a perspective that we have allowed to drop. I am not qualified to do it, but many of you can. That is the transplant issue. It is as if everything was just hunkydory after the transplant. She doesn't even seem to be on medication! Can we add a little reality here? Okarol and Angela515, I am depending on you, and others.
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In Jenna's case, it has been hunky-dory so far, 2 months after transplant.
And Sam is 6 months post op. Pills in the morn, pills at night. But as we
know, anything can change....
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I am enjoying this story.
Talented writers we have here and it sure has some interesting twists.
Never know what's going to happen next.
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I'm enjoying it too!! So what's gonna happen???
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Get Involved members!! Everyone can add to this story. :thumbup;
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Ummm. Sluff...you too, sweetie!
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Sam reached for her bottles of pills that were lined up on the counter. So much better than dialysis was. Pills in the morning, pills at noon, and even more pills at suppertime. She said aloud to the mirror in the bathroom: "Loads better than dialysis." She popped the pills for suppertime and was ready to go.
"Okay Mom. I am out the door." Sam called down the hallway.
Her Mom came down the hallway. She was all dressed up in a gown and diamonds.
"You look awesome!" Sam declared looking at her Mom. "You got a date?"
"As a matter of fact, I do." Her Mom answered.
Both ladies walked out of the penthouse suite door and entered the elevator.
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Okay Bajanne? I addressed it a little bit.
Angela, Don't give up! You add spice to this story!
I thought maybe later she could flashback in her mind to scenes from transplant recovery times.
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"So, Mommy dear," said Sam in a bantering tone."who is this special person who has you dressed up like this? Now don't hide anything from me!"
"I wanted to talk to you about it, but you seemed to have so much going on...with your transplant and all the other things."
"Who is he?" Sam asked.
"The friend who loaned us his penthouse."
"You never gave me his name."
"Darrell DeFord," giving a name very familiar to Sam, as he was a celebrated musician.
"Mom, you got to be kidding!"
"I kid you not. I knew him since high school when had 'puppy love' crushes on each other. After I went away to college and met your father, we just lost contact. Some years ago, we ran into each other at an entertainment do, and the old friendship just rekindled."
"Wow..w...w.." whispered Sam, at a loss for words.
Just then, the elevator stopped and the door opened....
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Sam saw Jim walking towards them across the casino floor. She and her mother stepped out of the elevator and crossed the hotel lobby.
Her Mom swam with the big fishies sometimes. Sam thought.
"I am going to his first Las Vegas performance tonight. He invited me to come as his personal guest."
"Well have fun. See you later." Sam said to her mom as they exited the elevator and went opposite ways.
"Was that your Mother?" Jim asked as he sauntered up the walkway to where Sam was standing.
"Yes, that sure was. Anyway I think that was my mother!" Sam looked up at Jim. "She has a date tonight."
"She looks good. But then so do you. Are you ready for dinner?" Jim asked.
"Yes." Sam answered. They both turned and walked out of the hotel/casino doors and out on the Las Vegas Strip.
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there was a limo waiting outside for them. jim opened the door for sam. champagne and roses filled the limo. sam felt as if she were floating on air! then, all of a sudden, she awoke in the hospital. "what am i doing here?" she asked the nurse, who was messing with sam's iv.
EDITED: Fixed bold error-Kitkatz, moderator
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Evil, pure evil >:D >:D >:D
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??? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr
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:rofl;
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She's just had the transplant, crying uncontrollably in the hospital, then FLASH, she's back to Vegas! Jim, looking confused, stares at Sam, when she suddenly slaps him right across the face, "I MOURNED YOUR DEATH!!!"
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Jim rubbed his cheek where it had just been slapped.
"Sam! That hurt." He pushed her hand away before she added another slap to the red cheek.
She was crying now. "I mourned your death. Like a fool. I mourned you for days." Sam cried at Jim.
"I know." Jim tried to calm Sam down.
The limousine was no place for this conversation. Sam pushed by Jim and made her way back into the lobby of the hotel.
"I don't feel well." Sam said. She pushed the button on the elevator.
This particular flashback had been bad. The doctors said it was a side effect of medications she had been on when the pain medications in the hospital would not work for her. Sometimes she would wake up in her mind back in the hospital room in severe pain. They had to seriously sedate her as she mourned Jim's death and her living.
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She didn't even realize that Jim had followed her. She stumbled into the elevator. Her head was swimming. At one point, she felt as if she was losing it and swayed a bit. A strong arm came around her and she was gently pulled to a muscular body. She did not even have the strength to protest. Once again there was this feeling of strength and security transmitted to her.
They got out of the elevator and entered the penthouse. Sam felt in a bit of a whirl. Jim carried her over to the divan, went into the kitchen and brought her a cold glass of water. She took it gratefully.
"I am not going to leave until I am sure that you are better," Jim insisted. "you are not going to get rid of me that easily."
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Sam staggered into her bedroom and fell asleep even before her head hit the pillow. The flashbacks were always exhausting.
Jim made himself as comfortable as he could on the livingroom couch. Not bad for a motel penthouse he thought.
Sam's mom burst into the livingroom. "Sam, Sam!" She called excitedly.
Jim popped up off of the couch. "Sam's asleep." he said. "What time is it?"
"Five a.m. What are you....never mind." She said rushing into Sam's room
A few minutes later Sam came out of her room rubbing her eyes, following her mother.
"Married? Mother are you nuts? You cannot get married at 6 a.m. today?" Sam hollered after her Mom's retreating back.
"Yes, I can. Get ready. I want you there. We are going to be married by an Elvis impersonator/minister." her mom answered from her bedroom.
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I love it. I love it!
Wish when I got married we'd went to LV and got married by an Elvis.
That would've been soooooooooo cool!
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We invited you guys, writers and readers to submit a possible title for the story. Only Kitkatz has responded. Is it because you feel that this should be the title. Here is the link to post your suggestion -
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=3094.0
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Sluff, time for a update! Pretty please?
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Darrell, Margie, Sam and Jim headed to the Graceland Chapel, open 24 hours! Elvis performed the ceremony and finished with a very authentic sounding version of "Love Me Tender" while Sam sobbed. The newlyweds kissed and smiled for the premium photo package as a faux Priscilla Presley threw handfuls of rice. "Oh Sam, we have to go! Darrell has booked a private plane to take us to Cabo for a honeymoon!" gushed Margie. "Here...!" she cried as she tossed her bouquet to Sam. "I will call you later! Take care of her Jim!" and off they went.
Sam watched as they sped away in a white limo.
Jim hailed a cab and the driver dropped them at the entrance to the hotel. "Listen, I don't know what you'd like to do. I can stay... I'd like to stay... if you want."
Sam turned and looked at Jim. His eyes searched hers for a sign. Sam thought, 'I know what I'd like..." and she put her arms around Jim's neck and kissed him. Being close to him felt good. Really good. She had fantasized about this kiss for a long time, but something always stopped her. What she wanted now was to have him alone.
Jim smiled. "Wow that was really nice." He pulled her close and kissed her again.
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After they parted from the tender kiss Jim looked into Sam's eyes and said " How about a nice breakfast in the hotel's dining room, it is just 7 o'clock and you must be hungry since you didn't eat last evening!"
" Oh, I guess that would be...um, nice" stammered Sam, still reeling from the rush of emotions the kiss had evoked.
How about I run up to my room to put myself together a bit better, this morning was rather rushed, you know."
"Oh, no you don't, I'm not going to chance you getting out of my sight again! he protested. "Anyway , you look just fine to me!"
He gently took her arm and led her to the dining room where he asked for a corner table with a window view. He felt so proud to have her on his arm, he felt a foot taller.
" I almost forgot my medication!" she announced. "I'll remind you as soon as we return to your room," he said confidently," that will be soon enough, won't it?"
She pondered, looking at her watch, " Yes, as long as I take them by 9."
The smell of bacon and pancakes filling the air suddenly made her realize just how hungry she really was. The waitress approached their table and asked what drinks they would like. "Tomato juice for me!" she declared, since she now had a transplant it was no longer on her ' Do Not Drink' list, " My, I have really missed that wonderful flavor!"
Jim nodded to the waitress, "Make that two!"
As they read their menus they looked over the tops at one another and he gave her a quick wink. There was that little increase in her heart rate again and she could feel the blood rushing into her cheeks making her smile shyly and look back to her menu.
"Have you decided what you'd like, Sam? he said ,still gazing at her.
"I am famished , think I will order the short stack, bacon, and scrambled eggs." she said, still avoiding his eyes.
The waitress returned with their drinks and he rambled off her order and added his biscuits and gravy.
The air seemed too still as they sipped their juice, she blurted, "What do you make of my mom suddenly marrying Mr.DeFord, umm, Darrell, and them jetting off to Cabo?"
He inhaled deeply and said, " I think it is absolutely wonderful, them connecting again after so many years, and sort of romantic too, don't you agree?"
EDITED: Bold tag fixed, Kitkatz,Moderator
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AWWWWWW... Okarol and Anja, you romantics you! How sweet! Way to go, Jim!
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We invited you guys, writers and readers to submit a possible title for the story. Only Kitkatz has responded. Is it because you feel that this should be the title. Here is the link to post your suggestion -
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=3094.0
ok there are a few more suggestions now!
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As requested
The First Dialysis Story written, by members.
As of today Just thought you may like to see what you have, unedited.
The IHD Book, by members.
Samantha was tired. The day had been long and it was not over yet. Dialysis was waiting for her next. She swore at the hallway walls as she pulled her bra off and threw a shirt on. She was running late as usual and would probably get caught in traffic on the way to the dialysis center. She packed a small bag of snacks and barrelled out the door. She told her cat goodbye as she closed the door to her apartment.
Samantha walked briskly down the hallway to the elevator hoping no one would be in it. She didn't feel like being delayed at all by chatty people. Not that she minded a good conversation but she didn't like coming across as rude as the door opened and she had to cut the conversation short.
She pushed the button and waited for a minute until the door opened and she was glad to see her luck was with her today. She rode down to the lobby and then walked out to ...
.. the hallway lined with wheelchairs. The stench of bleach and plastic filled the air. That familiar smell that made her sick to her stomach everytime. As she entered the office the waiting room was full. Not a good sign as that meant they were running late. The receptionist was on the phone so "Sam" as her family called her, waited patiently. When the receptionist hung up she....
...said to her, in as nice a voice as she could make it, "I am here for my dialysis session. When do you think I would be able to go on?"
"Well, as you can see, " the receptionist drawled, as she hooked the chewing-gum from her mouth, "the waiting-room is full. No telling when you can get a chair."
Sam slumped into a chair in the waiting-room. Just then she saw that Jim was there waiting too. 'Should I go over and say 'hello', or just stay here, pretending I didn't see him?' she asked herself. He was the shift before hers and was usually leaving when she was coming. She remembered the first day she met him when.....
he was alone and looking frightened and nervous. Must be a "first-timer"
Sam thought. Just as Sam decided to go over and see how Jim was
doing, the receptionist called his name. She was rather glad. Not in the
talking mood anway. He stood up to go with the nurse and ............
smiled at Sam as he passed by. "Hey" , Sam kinda half-smiled at him as he went into the treatment room. She was weary today and weary of the never-ending sessions still ahead of her. Even though the common denominator for everyone in the waiting room was dialysis, Sam still felt like an alien among the complainers, coughers, and vacant-eyed patients who seemed to dominant this particular clinic. She had been in others over the many years. Some better, some worse. It was always a breath of fresh air to meet someone like Jim, who seemed to not be defined by the repetitious but unavoidable life support system that joined all of them together for long hours every few days.
The sound of her name "Samantha" startled her and she jumped. "We're ready for you" said the nurse. Wow, that was fast she thought. She picked up her things and followed the nurse to the scale. "Crap" she thought I'm over 1.4kg. That usually meant a rough run for her. But, she tried to think positive. "You'll be in the back on chair 4 today". She hated being switched from one chair to the next everytime. Couldn't they just give her the same damn chair! Then she rounded the corner and they sat her right next to....
Jim! He was already seated and hooked up and had his headphones in. Sam got her standing BP while seeing if Jim noticed that she was seated beside him. Then the nurse/tech made a comment but Sam didn't hear it and asked her to repeat it. She said ...
..try to look sexy just in case Jim lookes up at you". She then sat down and got comfortable. She had a chest catheter so she had to wear a mask while the nurse unbuttoned her top and pulled out her catheter ends for the bloodlines. Then she smelled something bad.....
.. it was the techs in their breakroom, burning the microwave popcorn again! But this time it looked bad!
Smoke was accumulating near the ceiling across the room. No one seemed to notice! She glanced over at
Jim and...
...he looked back at her with a look of horror across his face. Sam pointed the smoke out to the nurse/tech. The nurse rushed into the breakroom with a fire extinguisher, leaving Sam's top still unbuttoned and catheter ends out. She looked back at Jim, who was looking back at her with a dreamy look about his face. They looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment, and then...
Jim turned his head and threw-up. The smoke and smell was really getting to him.
Sam remembered her "clamp, cut and run" training, and begin to clamp off all her tubing. Then she began to look frantically around, realizing that there were no scissors anywhere in reach.
The nurse with the fire extinguisher came out of the breakroom, loudly declaring that everything was fine, just a small microwave fire, but all was well. Sam breathed a sigh of relief, looked over at Jim, and said, "Glad they weren't doing any REAL cooking in that thing!" As she looked over at Jim, who appeared a bit embarrassed, she smiled and said, "I was going to pretend to be aloof and mysterious, but given that we've just been through a major disaster, I guess we can consider the ice to be broken!" Jim laughed and said.......
"Yeah, but I can't believe I already puked in front of you. We haven't even been on a first date yet!" He smiled at her with vomit still in his teeth. Sam was disgusted at his sight and decided to discontinue the flirting. They finished their dialysis sessions in silence and went their separate ways. Later that day...
Sam was awoke from a dead sleep by the phone. She said "hello" in a groggy voice. "Hello", said .....
Jim. It was Jim on the phone, another Jim, Jim from work. "What is it with you? I just got to sleep and you call me?" she ranted into the phone.
"Better check your clock, Sweetie."he chirped into her ear. "You are late for work today. The boss is looking for blood this morning, too."
"Oh crap!" she mumbled at the phone receiver. "I will be in as soon as I can."
She slammed down the phone, threw back the covers, stood up, and promptly...
...headed for the kitchen. I need coffee before I can face THIS day, she thought. Why me? If it
weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!
Sam wasn't going to hurry. It was too late to slip in unnoticed. She was just going to have to show
up late to work and face the consequences. She looked over the newspaper as she sipped the hot
coffee, and on the front page she saw...
She saw that her buddy at the dialysis center, Jim, had gotten into a fatal car wreck with a drunk driver. The drunk driver had crossed over the yellow line and hit Jim's car head-on. Jim was killed instantly. "At least he didn't suffer," Sam thought to herself. She knew this week wasn't going to be a normal week whatsoever; she would have to attend his funeral in a few days. She then wondered if the drunk driver was an organ donor? What a thought to think after her friend had just died! She couldn't help it; she's a dialysis patient and needs a kidney!
As Sam pondered the ironies of life, her phone rang again. She thought about not answering it, then remembering how she had been scolded by her transplant co-ordinator for missing a couple of calls, relunctantly got up and answered, knowing it was work again. "Hello?" "Samantha, it's Carol. Are you ready? We've got a kidney for you!"
Sam sat down abruptly, mind racing through all the questions she had planned out. "Before you say anything", gushed Carol "this is a perfect match for you, and the donor had a closed head injury from a drunk driving accident."
"I'll be right there!" shouted Sam. "You can give me the rest of the details when I get there."
She hopped in her car and her cell rang. It was one of her friends from the unit. "Did you see the paper?"
"I know, but I'm on the way to the hospital. I just got the call" Sam replied.
"Omygosh! That's great!" said Sheronda. "But I gotta tell you....Jim's okay. The paper got it wrong! The drunk driver was the one killed!"
"Oh wow," thought Sam......that could mean...........
the light suddenly turned red and Sam slammed on her brakes. Man, that is all I need, Sam thought, is to get in a wreck myself on the way to the hospital. She fumbled with her cell phone so she could call her parents. "Hello, Mom? I'm on my way to the hospital, they have a kidney for me." "No, don't come yet until I'm sure it is a go." The light turned green so she clicked her cell phone closed and started out once again. A million things ran through her head........
Now where was the list of questions she was supposed to ask about the kidney when she go to the hospital? In the over night bag she hoped. It was driving her crazy. All the waiting came down to now, a kidney for her. Would it work? Would it be viable? Was she going to get it?
She checked in with the transplant coordinator at the hospital and began the slow blood draw process for compatability...
...wondering why so many conflicting thoughts were running through her head. What about Jim? The idea that he was still alive filled her with such a thrill. But why should it? And if this transplant works out, it means she might not be seeing him again. 'Oh well,' she said to herself.'Let me focus on what is going on right now. This is the most important thing for me.' But certain thoughts just wouldn't go away. Just then the nurse said......
"Samantha", she said quietly. "You're running a low grade fever today. They're sending you home, Hon."
"Crap!" she thought and out loud, "Was it a good match?" The nurse replied, "No matter what the match, it wouldn't be a good 'match' if we made you sicker, now would it?"
"Right", Sam whispered as she began to gather her belongings for the long, slow trip back to the dialysis world. For a few brief moments, she had traveled out and away from that place to a hopeful future free of machines.
"Try not to get too down", the nurse gave her a hug and then let her go.
Try not to get too down, easy for her to say thought Sam as she was leaving.
In a flash new hope for her future had vanished. Well, she thought I just have to accept that
this time was not meant to be for some reason. Would she ever get a kidney, would it
ever happen for her she wondered. Part of the day was shot. She debated whether she should
go on to work or just go home as she traveled down the highway. Then........
...she decided she was hungry and stopped off at a fast food restaurant. She then realized that she had forgotten her binders, because she thought she would be getting a transplant and wouldn't be needing them anymore. She's had a really rough day, though, and figures that it would be OK to skip them with this one meal. She splurges and orders a big juicy hamburger with extra cheese, fries with lots of salt, and a large chocolate milkshake. While waiting at the drive-thru window, she ponders, "So I wonder if the kidney I was going to get was from the drunk driver that I thought killed Jim?" Then they handed her the food she ordered, and she was on her way home when...
her cell phone rang. She fumbled around in her coat pocket for it and caught it on its last ring. "SAM" a voice yelled! "Yes" she said. "This is Jagdeep Sing at the hospital" she said in a thick East Indian accent. "The thermometer was malfunctioning. It said we all have fevers! Come back as soon as you can to see if you indeed have a fever." Samantha shuttered at the thought. "What a p*cking roller-coaster" she said. She started to turn around...........
... and her car sputtered, lurching forward, it chugged along - then died. What in the world...? she thought, What now!?! The driver in the car behind her leaned on his horn. She stared at the dash and he honked again. Rolling down her window, she waved him around. Unfortunately the traffic heading out of town at rush hour filled the oncoming lanes. There was no where to go. She reached for the key and tried to restart the car. It seemed to catch for a moment, then whimpered to a dead silence. Now the driver behind her was flashing his headlights AND honking. Sam put her head on the steering wheel and began to cry. Suddenly there was a sharp knock on her driver's side window. Startled, she looked up and ...
...there was Jim! She never felt so happy to see someone before.
"How can I help?" he asked. "I was coming in the opposite direction and saw you here in a bind."
"Please help me push this car over to the shoulder. And I need to get to the hospital right away! Can you help me?"
"It would be my pleasure! Please don't cry anymore!"
Jim just took over the situation. He asked her not to cry, but pure relief made her weep even more. He sent for roadside assistance and they both got into his car. 'Nice car,' thought Sam, but she decided to say nothing. Then Jim looked over at her and asked.....
"So what you are going to the hospital for? Are you okay or did you get the call?" She was so happy to tell him that she got the call but it has been a crazy day. Anything that could go wrong was going wrong. She told him about the fever and then the call back about the thermometers. He laughed in disbelief and they drove on their way.
She had chatted so much about how bad her day had gone so far that time flew and they were there. As he parked she stole a glance and noticed his strong jaw line as if she had never noticed before. Maybe it was the fact that he came to her rescue that he seemed now like a prince in shining armor. She was lost in thought when he suddenly asked, "Are you coming?" "Oh ya!" she snapped to! "Sorry it has just been a long day!" He locked the doors and they walked toward the hospital in silent thought. Then he turned to her and asked, "...
"....so, did you bring a bag or anything?"
"Oh, great! I must've left it in my car! I'm usually not such an air-head....ok, maybe, SOMETIMES, I can be an airhead, but really, I'm usually pretty good in a crisis...not that this is a crisis or anything...I mean, its a really good thing that this is happening, but it started out so weird...I mean first I heard you were dead and then I get a call saying I'm gonna get a kidney and then I find out you're alive but I'm NOT gonna get a kidney and so I go get a HUGE meal of junk food which I'm just about to scarf down and then I find out I MIGHT get a kidney but my car dies and then you're suddenly there to rescue me....and ......I'm babbling randomly aren't I...."
"Um....you thought I was dead?" asked Jim.
"Oh," Sam replied.She figured he had seen the newspaper. "Yeah, it was on the front page of the newspaper this morning. It said that you had gotten into a car wreck with a drunk driver. Someone later called me and said that they got the name wrong. Turns out it was James Beam, not James Bean. It was just a typo."
"Oh. I didn't get the paper this morning." Jim replied as they entered the building. Just then....
hree nurses came running up to Sam.
"You are here finally! Let's go!"
Bewildered Sam went with them. They whisked her away to an exam room and told her to strip down. A thermometer went into her mouth and onto a gurney she went. One nurse took her blood pressure, another called the doctor, the third took the thermometer out of her mouth.
"Uh Oh." the nurse on the phone said. She turned to Sam and asked. "How long have you been on dialysis?"
"About 15 years", Sam replied.
"Well, when was your last heart cath?"
"I've never had one." Sam was getting nervous now. She'd always hated the idea of someone jamming, THREADING, a wire into her pumping heart. That particular procedure always sounded more suited for those hearts that had already stopped beating.
"I've never needed one, she continued. "I always passed all the cardiac tests with flying colors....the echo, doppler, stress test...all of 'em. When I had my evaluation a couple of years ago, they didn't think I needed it then..."
"Hmmmmmmm," Nurse Ratchitt pursed her lips and turned back to the phone.
Sam slumped, staring in space...'What now?' she thought.
She straightened up.
"NURSE!!" she yelled. Get me the transplant coordinator NOW!"
The nurse turned and said, "She's with the donor family," and turned back to the phone.
"Well we need to talk. I have some questions of my own!"
Just then Carol, the TC came through the door. "Hey, how are you? Looks like they're
getting you all checked out!"
"Carol, listen. I have been thinking. I know I should ask questions. I couldn't think until now, but I need to know.
What can you tell me about the donor? How old is he? What about his health history? Can I ask what the injuries are? Is he married?
I just need to know more before we go any further."
Just then Nurse Ratchitt marched over to Carol and Sam and said...
"SHE should've had a cath done when she had her work up. She's never had one! Now we have to waste time getting that cath and I just don't know if she's even gonna be able to get this kidney now!" All that was missing was the finger snap in Carol's face.
Carol just rolled her eyes and then calmly told Nurse 'I Know Everything About Everything', "Excuse me doctor.........Oh! You almost had me fooled for a minute......the way you were talking, for a moment there, I thought you were the transplant physician."
And to Sam, "C'mon Samantha, let's get you upstairs where all your questions can be answered."
Sam and Carol left Nurse Ratchitt spluttering her objections to an empty room.
"Amazing, that nurse can sure find ways to prevent a transplant." the TC muttered under her breath. Sam grinned at her as they whisked her on the gurney up to the transplant waiting area. The surgeon stepped out of the surgical area not smiling at all.
" Well Sam. It is not good news. The kidney is too damaged from the car wreck to use. The other one has already been sent out of the area."
Sam groaned along with the Transplant Coordinator. " Awww.Hell."
Sam laid there on the gurney for a while trying to absorb this devastating news.
"how could it be?" she thought. "Twice in one day a chance for a new kidney
gone". She was so depressed. She finally remembered that Jim had brought her in
would be waiting in the waiting area. She would have to ask him to drive her home.
She would have to tell her parents the bad news. Then.........
She dressed into her civilian clothes out of the hospital garb. She said goodbye to the nurses and tried not to cry on her way out of the building. She ran into Jim as she crossed the waiting room and stopped in surprise.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked.
"Waiting to hear about you." he replied looking surpised. "What happened?"
" Nothing. Not one damned thing. The kidney was too damaged in the car accident to be used and the other one is gone to another county. Not meant to be." Tears cascaded down Sam's face.
Jim offered to drive her home. They walked out to his car in the parking lot.
"Let's just go get stinkin' drunk...." Sam said suddenly.
"What?" Jim said, "wait a minute."
"I mean it!" Sam cried,"I'm sick of this. I wanna be drunk and I wanna be drunk, right NOW!" She turned to Jim with her hands on her hips, just about stomping her foot. The look of surprise on his face stopped her and she realized how ridiculous she must sound and look.
"Ummmmm......I'm thinking that fluid restriction is not primary in your mind at the moment?"
"DARN right its not!" Sam looked up and down the street. Where's the bar that's always right around the corner from the hospital in all the medical shows? The one where all the interns meet after their shift to discuss who's going home with whom.........not a bar in sight.
"C'mon," she pulled on Jim's arm toward the Denny's across the street.
"Sam, I don't think they serve alcohol in there," he hesitated.
"No, but they've got chocolate malts and I'm having the biggest one they've got!" Sam declared and started across the street.
"Damn There's the Transplant Coodinator." Sam said as she and Jim entered the diner. "No chocolate shake tonight."
Sam turned around and she stalked out of the diner. Jim trailing behind her.
"I am so damned frustrated. It just isn't fair! I have to go back to my life." Sam yelled at the parking lot as they walked toward Jim's car again. Jim was silent. What could he say that would help? Nothing. It was pretty awful when you thought about it.
Sam pulled on the locked car door and stopped. Her head rested on the top of the car.
"You going to be all right?" Jim asked.
"Yeah. Take me home. I have dialysis tomorrow." she said.
They stopped next to his car. Jim put his hands on her face and told her how sorry he was. He took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. "Let's get you home. Do you feel like eating?" said Jim, as helped her into the car.
"Please..." whispered Sam, "I just cannot be alone right now." They got in his car and she told him how to get to her house.
She and Jim rode in silence. "I know I should call my mom, but I just can't." Jim reached down and held her hand. She felt a connection with him just then. Here he was, rescuing her again when she really needed someone. Somehow she felt like she had known him forever.
They got to Sam's place and went inside. Jim went to the kitchen to make something for them to eat as Sam headed for the shower.
Sam came out of the shower dressed in her robe and slippers. Towel wrapped up around her hair. Her face was still tear stained from the sob session she had done in the shower. Even with the radio turned all the way up in the kitchen Jim had heard her crying. He acted like everything was okay, when she appeared in the kitchen. It looked like he was preparing scrambled eggs until he dipped the bread into the eggs.
"Is French toast okay with you?" he asked.
"Anything is OK at this point. I don't even care." She sat at the table watching Jim cook the French toast, pondering what will happen next in this peculiar day. Jim brings her plate of French toast to the table in front of her. She realizes just how hungry she actually was and began scarfing down the warm, syrupy French toast. Jim watches her with stars in his eyes and a slight grin on his face. When she finishes, she looks up and locks eyes with Jim again, gazing into his very soul, wondering what he is thinking at this very moment.
"Penny for your thoughts" she said with a gleam in her eye. Jim started to speak and then paused, "I am just so happy to be here with you tonight. I've been wanting to get to know you for a while now, but didn't think I would have a chance." "Have a chance?" Sam replied. "Yeah, you know, with you. You are so amazing." "Amazing?" Sam Repeated. Her mind spiraled. What must Jim mean? Does he really like me, or is he maybe trying to lead up to leaving? Just then Jim took her hand in his and leaned over to her and said......
"What I mean is I just started down this road you have been on and I don't think I could handle it as well as you do! I can't help but be ... " she noticed that he was blushing now as he continued, "b- be attracted to .. to .. to how you handle yourself!" She nearly choked on her bite. She just stared at him in shock and said, "R-Really??"
"Yeah, really," said Jim. "You just never give up. Remember the fire at dialysis? You were ready to clamp and cut! And today, with being whipsawed with all the transplant drama, you just kept going. I don't know how you do it. You are wonderful," he grinned.
"Well, it may look like that on the outside, but on the inside I feeling like a raving maniac! Ohh...! And I didn't even thank you! I'm sorry... you came through when my car broke down... and you waited to be sure I was okay at the hospital. I am so grateful. On top of that, you make great french toast!"
Just then Sam's phone rang, "Honey, it's Mom. What's happened? You cell phone is off or dead and your dad and I are out of our minds with worry!"
"I'm sorry Mom, the transplant fell through. It's been a really tough day, but I am okay. I will call you tomorrow."
She hung up and turned around as Jim was getting his coat.
"No where are you going?" Sam said louder and more anxious than she intended to sound. Jim looked startled and laughed. Then he explained, "I thought you would be on the phone a long time so I thought I would give you some privacy." Then she followed his eyes to the phone. "Oh .. umm.. I let her go! I said I would call her back tomorrow," she said while realizing that her mom being sick with worry probably didn't appreciate her hanging up so fast. "I didn't want to be rude and we were in the middle of dinner."
"Well that is okay. I already finished eating anyway. Why? Did you want dessert? I can go get us something." He said smiling at her now. His smile made her cheeks grow warm and she didn't know why. Then she stumbled over her words but eventually said, "Yes I would LOVE to have dessert with you!" Then they both were blushing and laughing as he grabbed her coat.
The phone in the apartment rang again. Sam picked it up.
"Samantha, if you hang up on me, so help me I will come over there and tan your hind end." her mother's voice practically leaped through the phone into her ear. "Are you okay? Want me to come over tonight?"
"Mom, I am okay. I have a friend over with me tonight." Sam answered. She smiled at Jim.
"Okay. I know how disappointed you are. Things will work out, honey."
""I know Mom." Sam answered. "I am out the door going for some dessert right now. Love ya. Bye bye"
Sam hung up the phone. The phone rang again. Sam ignored it. Phone calls hurt too much today. She closed the apartment door and she and Jim went down the stairs to his car..
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Too bad she forgot to shut off the cell phone in her purse. It was ringing by the time she got down to Jim's car.
Sam answered it. "Hello?" said the woman on the phone, "May I please speak with Jim please?"
"Uhhh... I'm sorry... Jim?" Sam said as she looked at Jim "It's for you...?"
"Me? How can that be?" He took the phone and Sam walked toward the streetlight.
Jim spoke for less than a minute.
"I'm sorry Sam. I don't know how she tracked me down. My cell is dead and... well. I need to go."
"Oh yeah, sure, ok, listen... I am better now. I should just get some sleep anyway," said Sam, as she thought 'what the hell?'
"I am so sorry. I can't explain now. It's been a great night, well, you know. I am glad I could be here with you. See you at dialysis tomorrow?"
"Sure," she replied in a distant voice. Jim ran to his car and sped away. Sam turned slowly and began to walk back inside her house. Many questions ran through her head: "Who was on the phone? How did they get my number? What was the emergency that he couldn't take me out for dessert?" She went back into her house and realized how tired she was. She had had a very busy day! She changed into her pajamas and headed to the bedroom. As soon as she lay her head on the pillow...
her legs started jumping all over the place. "Damn!" she thought. "This is all I need to keep me up when I just want to fall into sleep!!" She tossed and turned for about an hour until she finally fell into a bad dream about an ex-girlfriend pulling Jim away from her. She woke up all sweaty and irritable. She sat up in bed deep in thought for awhile trying to remember her dream but couldn't quite remember the details. The only thing she could remember is the girl but didn't remember what she looked like. She got up and walked to the kitchen and looked in the fridge. She was thirsty but knew she shouldn't have a full glass of anything. So she opened up the freezer and sucked on a freezie-pop. "30ml of fluid isn't bad at all!" she thought to herself. She sat on her couch thinking about the phone call to Jim earlier. "I wonder if that was an ex-girlfriend." She wondered, "I know so little about him." Then her thoughts went even further and she wondered..
"maybe it's not an ex-girlfriend but an ex-wife." and she wondered again how someone got
her phone number. "Could it have beene someone from the dialysis cllinic or the hospital?"
she wondered. Probably not since he said he'd see her at dialysis tomorrow.
She finished her freezer pop and decided to lay back down for a while tho being able
to sleep looked pretty hopeless. Then the phone rang again and a woman said "I need to talk to Jim again".
Sam asked "Who is speaking? Jim is not here". And the caller replied....
"I'm sorry." a woman's voice said. "Jim told me I could probably get him at this number after I talked to him tonight."
"What? Are you looking for Jim Bean? You do know it's three in the morning." Samantha told her.
"Oops. I am sorry. I live halfway across the world. The time change gets me." the voice said.
"Can I tell Jim who called? I will see him later today." Sam offered.
"Tell him everything is okay now. Marion made it." the voice said.
"Okay." Samantha yawned.
She hung up the phone and wondered who Marion was and what happened. What made Jim leave so suddenly?
The alarm clock by the bed went off seconds after she closed her eyes and went to sleep. It was going to be a long day.
She jumped in the shower and thought about the plan for the day. She had some work to finish up from the day before...thank God she worked at home and didn't have to commute anywhere! As she headed toward the kitchen with her wet hair wrapped in a towel, her kitten leaped and danced around her feet. He was out of food; that would have to be first on her list of errands. Sam scooped out her favorite Starbucks blend for her single cherished cup of coffee. It was her one fluid indulgence every day, unless of course, she was experiencing the bothersome (and painful) reflux that went along with having too much fluid over a weekend. As she was pouring her coffee and immersing herself in the exotic smell emanating from her favorite polka dot coffee mug, her phone rang. As she stared at it wondering if it would be Jim, she
answered it on the 3rd ring. "Hello, Samantha Ward please," said the voice at the other end. "Yes, speaking."
"This is Rick at the dealership, we've got your car here and it's ready to be picked up."
She had completely forgotten that her car wasn't outside! "Oh, what was wrong with it?"
"Actually, the tow truck driver should have checked. It appears that all you needed was gas," he said.
"You're kidding? Well, I guess that's a relief, not having a big repair bill. I'll come in before you close, thanks."
Sam was tired already, and hadn't even been to dialysis yet. She knew she had to squeeze in some work before it was time to leave.
Sam sipped her coffee and logged on to the company network. She HAD to get this report finished and drop it off to her boss today. She was soon immersed in her facts and figures when a message notice flashed at the bottom of her screen. It was the other Jim, Jimmy as she affectionately thought of him because he was so much younger than her; kind of like Jimmy Olson in the comics. She clicked over to the message and saw that there was a meeting she had forgotten about at 12:30. If she hurried, she would just have time to finish this up and get to the meeting. But how was she going to get her car before dialysis this evening?
Sam called her friend Barbara. "Hey, how are you? I am sorry I have been out of touch but life has been crazy lately." She had been friends with Barbara before she got sick. They used to spend more time together, but since Barbara had gotten married, she was only available for an occasional pedicure with Sam. "I miss you Sam. Can you have lunch sometime... hey how about today?" Sam explained about the near miss kidney, the car and briefly about Jim. "Sam, I am so sorry about the transplant not working out!" said Barbara. "Yeah, me too. Somehow I have to believe that it just wasn't meant to be this time. My problem right now is that I am still without my car. Any chance you could drop me over at the dealer today?" Barbara agreed to come by in an hour and get her.
As soon as she hung up, the phone rang again. It was Jim, her rescuer. "I am really sorry about leaving you so abruptly. I was wondering if you were able to get your car straightened away." Sam had questions for Jim, but didn't feel right asking them on the phone. "My friend Barbara is going to take me to the dealer to get the car soon. Thanks for checking." Jim hesitated, then said "Okay, well, I will see you later then. You sound good. Ummm... listen, I want to explain a few things. When can we talk, I mean, in person?"
"Yeah, definitely! Umm...When and where?" Sam replied.
"Well, I was thinking...umm...maybe we could...have dinner?...Or lunch, whatever you want?? Uh..or not....? Y-your choice..." Jim finally spat out nervously.
Sam's stomach was in knots and her face burning up. "Uh, dinner? Sure...when is good for you?" Then the call waiting beeped in. "Umm...Hold that thought, Jim. I have another call."
"OK," he replied. 'Who is calling NOW?' Sam thought. It was none other than...
her mom! She realized she never did call her mom back! "Oh crap!" she thought! 'Hi mom! Sorry I got someone on the other line! Can I call you back.. uh .. or you can wait on the line??" she laughed nerviously as she realized her mom probably wouldn't believe that she would call back.
Just then the doorbell rang and Sam peeked out the window. "Mom, Barbara is here to take me to pick my car up at the dealer. Then I need to go by work and dialysis tonight. I will call you back, I am ok, but I need to go." She clicked back to the other line. "Jim, my ride is here. I'll call you from my cell in a bit." She opened the door and headed out with Barbara. The drive was a few minutes, and during that time she filled Barbara in about Jim and the late night phone call. "I hate to say this, but it sounds like he might be married," warned Barbara. "No, I don't think so," said, Sam, "Why would the caller leave a message with me? Something else is up. I am going to see him later, I'll let ya know what's happening." Barbara hugged her quickly and Sam headed inside get her car. On the drive toward the office she called Jim. They agreed to meet before dialysis, at the cafe across the street. When she got to work her boss Gene was waiting for her. "Sam, Jimmy filled me in on your last couple of days. I am sorry you've had some real challenges. But that doesn't excuse the fact that your project is late and other people are hung up waiting. If you don't think you can handle your responsibility, this isn't going to work. I'm sorry, but I can't bend over backwards for you, when other people are waiting in the wings, ready to take your job." She left the meeting frustrated and worried. No one really seemed to understand how hard she was trying to live a "normal" life.
Sam headed to the cafe and spotted Jim at a table. He stood up as she approached. "Hi, how are you?" he smiled. Sam felt some of her anxiety lift when he smiled at her. The waitress dropped off menus and they ordered sandwiches. "I still want that malt, but I will hold off until the next crisis," Sam laughed. Jim then said, "I want to apologize. There's so much I want to tell you, but I had to be careful about who I could trust." "Trust?" said Sam, "About what? Is it about Marion?" Jim said "Oh yes, I guess I need to explain about that too. First of all, I need to tell you, I don't really need dialysis. I am a reporter, and the call you got was from my editor." "What??? said Sam. "I don't understand..."
"I saw you get hooked up!" said Sam. "Yes, I have been working on a story about dialysis centers and patient care. I realized the only way to understand what it's like for patients is to become one. A friend supplied blood and urine for the tests. As far as the nephrologist and clinic know, I am a dialysis patient. The last few weeks have been a real eyeopener," explained Jim. "But aren't you risking your health?" asked Sam. "Yes, there have been side effects. But I knew this before I started, and have been supplementing to keep my body balanced. Remember the day I threw up at dialysis? Well, sometimes I just can't keep it under control. But I am fine." Sam was stunned. An undercover reporter? Nothing was what she thought. 'Am I just part of his project?' she wondered to herself.
Sam continued to stare at Jim in amazement with eyes full of questions.
"I'm sorry Sam. This job has been the most eye-opening experience of my
career. I had no idea what the life of a dialysis patient is like until now.
Just seeing what you've been through in this short time has astonished
me. You mean a lot to me Sam. I admire your strenth and your
determination and courage. I did not go into this wanting or expecting to become
attracted to anyone." " I hope we can see each other again, Sam."
Sam, still feeling as tho this could not be possible. trying to absorb
this news looked at Jim and said "So................are you working on your article
right now, or is the article comcpleted? What else should I know about you.
Jim?"
"Well, my time at the clinic is over. Please remember that this is a secret. You are the only person I have shared it with, apart from Marion, my editor"
"But....b-b-but...," Sam stammered trying to get her thoughts together as her brain raced and raced.
Jim reached and held her hand. "I know this must be difficult for you to understand."
"Not that it is so difficult to understand - you reporters do some weird things to get a story. Why are you telling me, if it is to be a secret?"
"I really want to take this all slowly, but I have to let you know that I care about you a great deal. I know that we don't really know each other that well, but somehow, it seems as if we have been thrown together these days and I feel as if I have known you forever."
Sam lowered her head and whispered, "I know what you mean. I feel rather comfortable with you. But....."
"Let's leave the 'buts' for now. Let's just get to really know each other and see how things go. Is that okay?". He lifted her hand and gave it a soft kiss.
"But....."
Sam thought about it for a few more minutes, holding Jim's Hand. "No, Jim, you are a self absorbed prick for leading me on this way! I never want to see you again!" She snatched her hand away from his and whirled around and stomped out the door.
Jim stood there with his mouth hanging open.
For the next few days, Jim sends her flowers, candy, cards, and anything else he can think of to get Sam to talk to him again. Sam wants to talk to him and be with him but figures that if he can lie about something as serious as being on dialysis then he could lie about anything. She'd never be able to trust him in a relationship. She was so confused now...
As Sam stood there contemplating what should be her next move or direction she should take she realized
how very tired she was. She had been on an emotional roller coaster because of the
transplant possibilities, now this thing with Jim only added to it. The thought of getting away
even for a couple of days seemed like would be beneficial for her to rest and clear her
mind, think things through. She would have to decide where to go and see if she could get in
for a dialysis treatment or two. Her good friends she used to work with, Sue and Maria, loved to do getaways.
Maybe they would be interested. The more Sam thought about it, the more appealing the
idea became. Maybe LV, hummmmmmm. She was trying to remember where it was she went one
time and had the most wonderful tacos, Tito's Tacos, they were called. Hadn't found any like that
anywhere again. Wow, that sounded sooooooooooo good to her as her mouth began to
water just thinking about them. And she'd heard that some guy went there often who was on home dialysis.
Owner of some kind of website about dialysis. Maybe she'd run into him there or someone from
the site. So Sam picked up the phone to call..........
her mother and let her know about her plans.
"Mom? What are you doing? Got a minute?"
Margie said sure and Sam began to tell her about her plans to getaway to Vegas for a few days. Her mother thought it was a great idea, so great that she decided to pack a bag and join Sam on the trip! Sam hung up the phone with mixed emotions. Her mom was super and they always had fun when they were together, but Sam kept very few secrets from her mother and she hadn't told her about Jim's subterfuge. She didn't know if she could keep the secret she'd promised on a roadtrip with her mother. Really, as she thought about it, the angrier she got. What obligation did she have to him anyway? The thought of anyone being able to just walk away from those machines whenever they wanted just made her feel crazy.
She started grabbing the flowers and candy and throwing them into the trash. At the last minute she stopped herself and decided to donate the flowers to the dialysis center. It might brighten up the place a bit. The candy her Mom could have. Might as well not waste this stuff. As far as she was concened Jim was a non-entity.
But then she thought, "He sure was good looking and kind of nice."
She jerked herself out of her thoughts and grabbed the vase full of flowers. She walked out of her apartment to go put the flowers into her car. Jim was standing by her car.
"Oh...Hi, Jim," Sam told Jim from her work.
"Were you heading out? I can come back later?" Jim said.
"No. I was just putting these in my car so I'd remember them later. What are you doing here?"
"I was coming to see if you were OK. I heard about how rough the past wee has been for you."
"Thanks! That's sweet of you! I'm OK, though. Things will get better!"
"Oh, OK. Well, are you up for going out sometime?" Jim asked.
"Uhh...Actually, I don't think so...I've just been through a lot...I don't think that's a good idea right now. Maybe another time?" Sam replied. She didn't really like this Jim. He was part of the computer programming team at work; he was just too nerdy for her.
And way too young for her tastes. He was in his early twenties and Sam just dd not have anything in common with him. He played computer games on the weekends. Nerd stuff. She turned to go into her apartment, Jim following close on her heels.
" Look Jim I have work to do. I will see you later." San turned to go down the hallway to her apartment door.
"Well, geez, Sam. Don't be rude to me. I just wanted to have some fun." Jim whined at her.
"Jim, I have had a rough week. I will see you at work." Sam opened her apartment door.
"Can't you stay and chill a while," Jim said in a whiny voice that irritated Sam.
"Sorry, but I have some important stuff to do, as I already told you," she said, trying to keep annoyance out of her voice. "Bye. See you later."
She entered her apartment, and closed it firmly. She just stood quietly for a moment, trying to organize herself mentally. Just as she moved to continue her packing, the doorbell rang. 'That silly Jim!' she thought. 'I seems I am going to have to be rude to him."
She opened the door decisively and was just about to speak her mind when, standing there before her, she saw .....
..her mother. "Why have you been avoiding me?? I've been worried sick about you!!" She walked inside and began complaining and cleaning things up a bit. "Look at how messy this place is! Didn't I teach you how to clean up after yourself??"
Sam was trying to tell her mom that everything was ok and that she'd clean up later, but her mom was determined to help.
"Mom! Mom! Just leave it!" Sam said. " I know the place looks rough. Come one in and sit a spell."
Sam's mother came into the apartment stepping over the clothing in the front hallway. Sam was going to do laundry that day and had stacked it all in the front of the hallway to take to the laundry room.
"Sam, this place is a wreck."
"I know Mom. Just let it go." Sam told her Mom. "It is a rough time for me right now. My boss told me he might fire me if I don't get it together. The hospital visits and sick time have to stop. He is pretty much done being patient with me. And to top it off the hospital visit the other night and I am dog tired.
"Well I don't know why you are tired. Obviously you have not done anything around here in awhile." her Mom looked at Sam
Sam just burst into tears and walked into the kitchen.
She walked towards the knife block contemplating what her next step would be. She grabbed the biggest knife she could find, when he mother walked in.
"Sam don't do it", shouted her Mom.
"What keep cutting the onions?", Sam said.
There was a knock at the door. Just as Sam started to say, "Don't answer it..." her mom had already reached the door. "Don't be silly," she said, as she pulled it open. There stood Jim. Sam stood frozen, not sure what to do. The knife hung in her hand, by her side. "Well... who's this...? asked her mother, smiling, and looking confused at Sam's reaction. ""Hello... I am Jim... a friend from dialysis... Sam... I am sorry. I see this is a bad time. You've got company." "Okay," Sam said. But of course, her mother could not leave it at that. "Jim, don't worry about me. I am going to just gather up these things and head to the laundry. You two go ahead and visit and I will be back in no time." She quickly headed out the open door.
Sam felt torn. She was upset with Jim, but had missed him too. He looked so awkward, standing there. "Come in. That was my mother. I'm sorry, I should have introduced you." She turned to walk back to the kitchen and Jim followed. "Sam, please listen. I don't blame you for being mad. I want to start over. I need to. I have felt awful the last few days, and I cannot think of anything else. Will you give me another chance, please? Just hear me out. I would like to take you to dessert, just to talk."
"Jim, I have had so much stress and drama in my life lately. I just can't handle anymore." She knew she should just kick him out, finish packing for the Vegas trip and drop her kitten off at Barbara's house. But she suddenly said, "Ya know what? I will go with you. Let me grab my purse."
Jim was pleasantly surprised, "... what about your Mom?"
Sam said, "I will leave her a note. I need to be back soon because I am going away for he weekend. But I think it's time you and I came to an understanding."
She wrote her mom a quick note, "Mom. went out. Be back later. I love you. Sam." She put the note on the table next to the door. She and Jim walked out to Jim's car in silence. She wasn't sure what to say to him at this point. He opened the car door for her; she got in. He walked around and got in the driver seat. Before he started the car, he glanced over at Sam. She felt so akward; she looked away quickly. She had this weird feeling in her stomach. She figured it was because of his lies. Jim started the car and headed for the nearest DQ.
As he was backing out of the driveway, a car rammed into Jim's side of the car at 60 mph. Sam went into shock. She didn't realize what had just happened. She looked around; Jim was knocked out. She heard sirens; they were getting louder. She was so very confused. The ambulance and cops pulled up. One came to Sam and began asking her all kinds of questions, but Sam didn't know what to say. She just looked at the guy blankly. She heard the guy yell to someone else, "This one's in shock! Bring me the stretcher!" He kept talking to Sam and asking her questions. She continued to stare at him blankly. Another guy came up with the stretcher. The first guy opened the door and helped Sam out of the car and onto the stretcher. He started an IV on her; soon after that, she fell asleep.
Sam awoke in the hospital. Her entire body ached. She couldn't remember what happened nor why she was in the hospital. She struggled to regain her memories of the previous day. A nurse came in, "Oh...you're awake! Good. Here's your dinner. How are you feeling?"
Sam wasn't sure what to say, "My body hurts, and I don't know why."
The nurse looked at her a little bewildered, "Do you know why you're here?"
"No," Sam replied. "What happened?"
The nurse explained that she and her friend Jim had gotten into a car wreck. She said that it was really bad. It killed the guy in the other car and her friend Jim. Sam broke into tears. The last things she had said and done with Jim were not the nicest. She felt SO bad for all the things she said to him. She wanted SO badly to be able to tell him that she was sorry for everything and that she really loved him.
Sam's immediate thought was where did the kidneys go? Two people died in the town and she was on the top of the list. Then she remembered it was her friend Jim who had died. She hoped he was in heaven and was happy. His expose on the dialysis center was going to appear in this week's paper. It would be a memorial to him, she guessed.
She was sore. Her head hurt and her back hurt, but there was nothing broken.
Her lower abdomen hurt, too and she could see she was in isolation.
She was just about to turn herself completely over when she realized that she was bandaged and they had drips going. She stood quietly wondering what on earth happened to her.
Then she tried to shout "Nurse!", but her voice seemed so weak. She remembered that there is always a buzzer. She located it and pressed as hard as she could with fingers feeling a bit weak.
The door opened quietly, and a nurse with a theatre clothing and a face mask entered the room.
"So you are up?" she asked in a pleasant voice which gave Sam courage.
"What has happened to me? Was I badly hurt in the accident?"
"Not at all!" said the nurse, cheerfully. "In fact.......
________________________________________________________________________________________
Added March 22nd 2007
"You had your appendix taken out last night." "My appendix! I had that out when I was ten!!"
"I know. I was just kidding. Congratulations! You just had a successful kidney transplant!"
"What!!!!"
"Yes, it's true!" said the nurse as she held up a collection bag for Sam to see, "that's liquid gold right there! Looks like that kidney is working like a charm. We are checking your labs, but everything looks right on track!" Just then a doctor came in. He was the surgeon, Dr. Chris Williams. Sam remembered meeting him long ago, during her evaluation. He took her hand as he spoke. "Samantha, it's good to see you doing so well. Your surgery went beautifully. I am concerned about you, though. You were quite hysterical when you were brought in. Do you remember what happened?" Sam said, "The crash... and Jim... I don't really know all the details ... Jim is .. gone." "Yes," Chris said, "it was a violent crash, I am sorry to say your friend did not survive. I am a little confused though. The man in the car was carrying his driver's license... his name was Jon...?"
"No that was Jim Bean." Sam answered the doctor.
"Well according to his identification that was Jon Bean who was in the car with you the other night."the doctor replied.
"That can't be right." Sam said. "But then I have only known Jim a few weeks through dialysis."
"Well we shall see if he shows up at the dialysis center today." the doctor said as he moved out of Sam's room.
Sam giggled to herself as the pain meds took effect in her system. The doctor had no idea the Jim was not a real dialysis patient. Oh well, it would be one hell of a shock when the articles were printed in the newspapers. Then everyone would know and she would not have a secret to keep any longer.
Six months later, Samantha has recovered beautifully from the kidney surgery and all tests pointed to the fact she was going to do fine. She and her mother were now planning to go to Las Vegas and no dialysis center had to be contacted this time! One more appointment with the transplant team and she would be turned over to her own nephrologist for follow ups from then on.
Looking back over the last six months, Sam knew how lucky she had been. Leaving the dialysis center behind was a kind of freedom she had not known in a long time. She had gotten so accustomed to feeling marginal that it was her norm, but now she could see how much she had struggled. Her thoughts went back to Jim as well. The memories were painful, but she did not want to close the door on them either. When his article hit the newspaper the week after he was killed, she was stunned. While the article began as an in-depth, revealing picture of the life of dialysis patients and the care they received, it ended poignantly. Jim told the story of a patient he had met, a woman, whose courage and frailty he admired. Despite the physical and emotional toll she had suffered from treatments, evaluations and set backs, she had remained a vibrant and free spirit. And yet the war she had battled was not without cost, each disappointment making it's mark on her soul. Sam felt he was speaking to her, trying in some way to offer an apology for the lies. At Jim's funeral she stood with the other dialysis patients that he had befriended. He had given them a voice and they quietly honored him as they said good-bye.
The hospital was investigated due to the confusion with Jim's and his brother Jon's mixed up identification. Because they were twin brothers there was no way to prove who was who. Adding to the confusion was the fact that there were no other family members to help sort things out, and Jon had left town. The transplant center had gotten a 30 day probation for negligence, but were back to business as usual.
Las Vegas! What fun! She had not been since she was a little kid and was not allowed to do anything in the casinos! She was going to see Shark Reef and the MGM casino. They were staying in the Pyramid in a room near the top of the place. Her mom had entertainment connections, so they were going to see a couple of shows, too. And the tour of the south rim of the Grand Canyon would be great. Mom was also trying to get a helicopter tour of the city arranged. It would be a whirlwind trip. Sam was so looking forward to everything. Her first real trip anywhere in years!
Sam was doing her hair and finishing up some last touches before they headed out. She yelled to her mom, "Are you almost ready??" Her mom laughed and replied, "I'm done, your the one fooling with your hair." "Okay, okay! I'm ready. I'm just so excited I haven't been out to do something fun in years!" Sam said. They headed out of their room and down the hallway. The elevator was open and waiting for someone to enter it, so they got in and headed for the lobby. They had gotten tickets to one of the most amazing shows in Las Vegas, Blue Man Group. Once they arrived at the show they went to their seats. They had front row seats! Sam headed up to the bar to get a drink and asked her mom if she wanted anything. Her om replied, "I'll take a Pina Colada." She returned with the drinks and the show started. Samantha watched with a huge smile upon her face. The show was so spectacular she was having the time of her life. On their way out Sam wondered where they would be going tomorrow night....
Out of the corner of her eye Sam thought she saw someone who looked familiar. When she turned to look for them they were gone. "Hmmmm. " She thought. " That man looked a lot like Jim Bean." Even though his death had ended the hope of a relationship she remembered him fondly. Her Mom caught up with her in the lobby of the theater and they continued out to the casino floor.
"Hey Mom." said Sam "Let's play the nickel slots for a little bit."
"Okay." Mom answered over the crowd.
They wandered over to the slot machines and played. Sam won a little. but mostly lost.
"Well, I should have just thrown the money on the casino floor! Sam said to her mother. Her mather laughed as she pushed the last button on the slot machine.
"Ching! Ching! Ching!!!" Jackpot!!!! Sam and her mom screamed and screamed. Her mom had won over ten thousand dollars. In fact, it was nearly eleven thousand. "I can't believe this!" Sam said, semi-shocked. Her mom said, "At least, this will cover all we spent to come here." 'Mom, ever the practical one,' thought Sam, but said nothing.
"Let's go and celebrate!" said her mom. "I refuse to lose any of this, trying to get more!"
"At least, I can drink as I please now," added Sam.
They went to the restaurant next door to casino, and went up to the bar. Sam felt quite excited. She looked around the restaurant. It had quite a few people, but it was not full. There was a pleasant ambiance there.'This trip is turning out nicely,' she said to herself. After all she had been through, this was like a breath of fresh air.
Then she looked over to the corner and saw two men and a women seated. Her eyes were just passing over them, when the head of the man backing her looked very familiar. She looked back again. It couldn't be! 'I have him on my mind too much,' she said to herself.
But she would know that head anywhere... or would she.....?
Sam hid behind the menu when she saw the table he was at get up to leave. They were going to pass right by their table.
Sam took a good look at him as he walked by. She must be seeing things. Jim Bean walked on by her table. She resisted the urge to trip him.
When she brought the menu down, her Mom said: "What's wrong? You look like you have just seen a ghost."
Sam aswered: "I think I just did."
Sam ate but her mind was elsewhere. Her mother kept talking as Sam pretended to listen. 'Am I losing it?' she wondered.
On the way out of the restaurant she stopped at the waitress station as her mom headed for the lobby. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you waited on the table in the corner." The waitress looked up, "Yes, can I help you?" "Yes, actually, I'm not sure, but I think it was an old friend and I was wondering if you could tell me if they signed the check as hotel guests?" The waitress eyed her suspiciously, but seemed to loosen up as Sam slipped a folded twenty dollar bill into her hand. "All I can say,"
-
Thanks, Sluff! You are a good person! :thx;
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"It really is! I am glad to see my Mom so happy. I know that it was difficult when she and Dad divorced. At least it wasn't a messy divorce, and they left on good terms. They would even come together when it was anything concerning me. But as a teenager, I found it difficult dealing with the separation."
"That could be really difficult. But at least you said that they parted on good terms and still came together for you. It wasn't like that for Jon and me. Our parents had a very bitter divorce and we were like a piece of steak between two dogs! We were back and forth, and having to deal with the parent we were with wanting to triumph over the other. It was great when we went off to college and then we were on our own."
"I'm sorry to hear it."
"Well, it helped us to grow up quickly. I made myself a vow that if and when I got married, I would do all in my power to make sure that it worked and that it was a solid relationship."
The conversation was getting too serious for Sam.
She tried to change the subject, with "I wonder what Mom is doing now?"
Here is the story so far as captured by Sluff and formatted by me - a Word document. (If you don't have Word, maybe WordPad could open it)
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I like it so far. Aren't we just a bunch a special writers?
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We duh bess!
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Yeah, we are da best! None like US in the world!
-
"Your mom is probably having the time of her life! Honeymoons are supposed to be that way, you know" Jim smiled at Sam
Sam had a dreamy far away look on her face as she contemplated a honeymoon in the distant future. She had always wanted to get married and have children, but dialysis and illness had cut her dreams from her. Only now with the transplant working so well she had began to dream maybe....one day....with the right guy.
She looked into Jim's eyes. "Are you the right guy?"
Jim looked startled. "For what?" he asked.
Sam came back to the conversation. "Did I say that out loud? I am sorry. Daydreaming about how lucky my mom is."
Jim just grinned at her and they continued with their meal. Breakfast was great and they soon were finished with the meal.
Sam had reservations for two for a trip out to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for nine o'clock in the morning. She invited Jim to come along. They both ran for their rooms and changed clothes quickly in order to meet the tour guide on time.
-
The jeep picked them up on time and they headed for the first part of the tour, a 25 minute aerial tour of the majestic canyon by helicopter. Sam sat close to Jim and he held her tight. "This is so beautiful Sam, I am happy we could do this together," said Jim, speaking close to Sam so he could be heard over the noise of the helicopter. She could feel the warmth of his breath and turned to smile at him. "I am happy too," she said. They flew to 8000 feet at the north, over the roaring Colorado River and back up to the south rim which is 7000 feet. When they landed their driver Rick had lunch stashed in a box and the open-air 4 wheel drive jeep was ready to go. They saw a coyote and an elk, and learned about the early settlers, the cowboys, native wildlife and local folklore. By the time they headed back to the hotel they were tired, but had grown more comfortable with each other. Sam wondered...
-
if any other day had ever been more perfect. She could not remember having had a better time with anyone else.
Sam and Jim returned to the Luxor Resort in the jeep. Jim tipped the tour guide and Sam thanked him for a beautiful ride and tour. Jim had taken the bottle of champagne from the tour guide as they left the Jeep. Two souvenir glasses were wrapped in a cloth bag in the bottom of the picnic basket Sam had in her hand. They walked hand in hand into the hotel lobby. Jim stopped to kiss Sam softly on the forehead while they waited for the elevator.
Sam looked up at him and said:”I want pancakes for dinner tonight.”
Jim smiled at her. “More pancakes! Good thing I know my Grandmothers recipe for pancakes.”
Jim got off the elevator at his room floor. Sam said: “ Might as well come on up to the penthouse with your stuff. Shame to waste all that space with just me up there.”
Jim grinned sheepishly. “I will see you in a few minutes.”
Sam laughed and grinned. It was good to have a male friend again.
About an hour later Sam opened the door the door to the penthouse to find Jim standing there with the manager. The manager smiles at Sam and said: “Samantha Ward?”
“Yes, I am Samantha Ward.” Sam answered.
-
Sam looked at Jim and the manager, she asked what they both were doing there, but quickly put it out of her head and sort of forgot the manager even came along when Jim started to speak.
Jim could see that she needed to freshen up, so he told her to go shower and change into something elegant. She smiled and turned to go do just that. Jim called behind her, "We shall return in 20 minutes, be ready gorgeous." She nodded and closed the bedroom door behind her. Blood was rushing through her entire body, she was very excited and anxious and nervous all wrapped into one. 'What could Jim have planned?' She wondered.
-
Grant Lange, the manager, turned to Jim and said "We were contacted by Canyon Tours. Ms. Ward left her purse on the helicopter. They just dropped it off so I could bring it up."
“Thank you. I am sure Sam would miss this.” "Yes sir, Mr. Bean," said Grant as he and Jim shook hands. Taking him aside Jim said, "Grant, I would prefer that Ms. Ward didn't know about my... well, my relationship with the hotel, for now. Thanks." Grant nodded and left the penthouse suite. Jim had just sat down when…
-
Sam was ready and coming out of the bedroom when there was a knock at the penthouse door. She was dressed in jeans and sweatshirt. After all the plans for dinner were for pancakes made by Jim. Jim opened the door. This time a strange man stood in the hallway.
Excuse me, Samantha Ward? " He said.
Sam stepped forward. "Yes?"
" Ms. Ward, I am Don Harding, the overall manager of the Luxor. We have a problem I need to discuss with you."
"Oh?" Sam answered him. "We just saw the day manager, He said nothing about a problem."
" He does not know about this matter." He continued. " When your mother checked out this morning it seems she checked you both out of the penthouse under Mr. DeFord's name. Unfortunately we have the penthouse booked tonight with another party coming in. I am going to have to ask you to move to another area of the resort."
Sam stood there shocked. It figures her Mother was in such a tizzy that morning she would have done something like that in her rush out the door to her honeymoon. She said: "Allright. I understand. Let me get my stuff packed and I will be out of here in an hour."
"Thank you so much, Ms. Ward. For your inconvenience we will allow you free access to shows anywhere in our resort conglomerate for the rest of your stay."
"Why thank you, Mr. Harding." Sam answered graciously.
"Come see me in my office and I will give you your passes to the shows." Mr Harding turned to go.
Jim said:" Don't worry about another room, Mr. Harding. I have it covered."
Sam gasped in surprise.
-
Don looked at Jim Bean, and suddenly realized who he was, "Oh, I..." but before he could finish Jim put his finger to his lips, signaling quiet, so Sam could not see. "We appreciate your thoughtfulness, and Ms. Ward will have her bags ready in no time. Please send up the bellman." Don said no more, and quickly left.
"But Jim, where will i go? The strip is packed with guests for the weekend."
"Don't worry, I have a friend who owes me a favor. Let me get a cab and we'll be on our way."
Sam was packed within minutes and they got the elevator to the lobby with the bellman in tow. Jim spoke briefly to the doorman and a cab pulled up to the curb. "To the Bellagio please."
As they drove Sam said, "Jim, I cannot believe all the ups and downs we've had trying to get to know each other. It seems like something always happens to sidetrack this relationship. There are so many things I want to know. I am curious how you ended up in Las Vegas after the accident. And who is this friend that owes you a favor? The Bellagio? How on earth can I stay there?"
"Sam, I have a friend, someone I knew in college. His name is Steve Wynn, ever hear of him? Anyway, he knew I need to make a new start and invited me here. One night about a month ago, he invited me to a high-stakes poker game. There were some heavy duty high rollers there. I got lucky, really lucky. That night changed my future, for now anyway." Sam smiled, "Great, that sounds like fun! How much did you win!?!" "Jim looked down for a moment, then said, "I won the Bellagio."
-
"Holy cow! The Bellagio! You're kidding." Sam exclaimed."That must have been one heck of a poker game!
"Oh it was! It was!" Jim replied. "I gave back the hotel eventually and made a great busineess deal out of it, but I have penthouse privileges for life here."
Sam grinned at him. Jim was a good person to know.
-
Two hours later….
Jim had come into the penthouse kitchen from the hot tub. He was going to start dinner for both of them. Not pancakes in spite of what Sam had said earlier. It would be something nutritious. He looked in the well stocked refrigerator and in the cupboard. “Hmmmm” He said out loud. The Bellagio penthouse was always kept well stocked with fresh food and canned goods. The wait staff was magnificent In the penthouse area. He could have left dinner to a chef, but when hey had arrived he had sent everyone off for the night. Tonight was for Sam and himself.
He found the makings for easy spaghetti. Frozen sauce the chef had left him and spaghetti in the cupboard.
“Okay, now. I can do this.” He said aloud. French toast was his specialty, anything else was fair game. He read the directions on the frozen package the chef had left. Microwave directions. He could do that. He put the container into the microwave and set the timer. He put the spaghetti water onto boil.
Sam strolled into the kitchen. She had climbed out the hot tub a few minutes after Jim had come into the kitchen. Her hair was damp and hung down to her shoulders. He looked at her and smiled.
“Spaghetti okay?” he asked.
“Sounds good.” She answered. “Can I make dessert?”
Sam rummaged through the cupboards and came up with a chocolate cake mix and a diet root beer.
“Umm, don’t you need more than that, like eggs and oil?" Jim asked.
“Nope, this will be the best cake you ever had.” Sam answered.
She dumped the cake mix into a mixing bowl. She had to search the kitchen for the hand mixer. She dumped the diet root beer into the cake mix and turned on the mixer.
Jim turned to put the spaghetti into the boiling water, He set the timer for seven minutes. The mixer went wild in Sam’s hands and cake mix started to fling out of the bowl. The bowl was twirling on the counter and the mixer was spinning cake mix out of it as fast it could. Sam was laughing as she tried to turn the mixer off.
“Eeek. Help.” She laughed and cried.
Jim grabbed the bowl and held it still. Sam managed to get the mixer turned off. Cake batter dripped down the microwave and was on the ceiling. Sam was laughing hysterically by now. Jim stood there and watched her laugh. When the big splotch of cake batter dropped off of the ceiling onto his head, he started to laugh, too.
They were both covered in cake batter. Jim turned to Sam and they both stopped laughing at the same time.
“Oh boy! What a mess!” Sam said.
Jim looked at her and smiled. She giggled. He pulled her close to him and kissed cake mess off of her forehead. She leaned into him. Her lips met his in the second kiss. She tasted chocolate cake on his lips. She licked some chocolate cake off of his chin.
“Mmmmm.” She said. “You taste pretty good. Chocolatey.”
Jim laughed. He kissed her again. She felt good to him. He lifted her onto the counter in the kitchen and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close.
The timer went off.
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Getting all steamy, are we?
-
The timer's sharp bell made Sam jump. Jim let her go, rubbing a little piece of cake batter on her ear gently.
"We have to clean this place up, don't we?"
"Of course not!" retorted Jim. "I'll just call and let someone do it. Since our dinner making seems to have died an unnatural death, I will get send out for dinner. What do you want to eat?"
"Anything! I am hungry!" said Sam, as she started to realize that her stomach was giving a muted growl.
"Okay, I'll have a sumptuous feast up here for you in no time. Just give me a few minutes."
Sam decided to go and have a lie down while he was ordering the food. The bed was absolutely luxurious - fluffy pillows and all. 'I could get accustomed to this kind of life,' she said laughingly to herself.
Jim came and sat on the bed next to her. "That's that,"he said. "I hope you're really hungry, because I think I overdid it."
"Now," he continued, "to answer a question you asked earlier. How did I end up in Las Vegas? I don't think you understand. I know you were shunning me, but I resolved never to lose sight of you. You have no idea the impact you have had on me, and I am not just talking about your body - although......"he paused.
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I wonder whats in store for this story in about 9 months?
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I wonder whats in store for this story in about 9 months?
Nothing, if Aunty Aurora has a say!
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I wonder whats in store for this story in about 9 months?
Some of the writer's are encouraging Samantha to practice abstinence and save it for marriage.
And some of the other writer's are frustrated at the thought.
Wondering what will happen next? Me too!
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I say go for it, Sam!
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Sam sat up and leaned forward, pulling the front of Jim's shirt to bring him closer to her.
"How long do we have before dinner?" she asked.
-
Jim replied: "About ten minutes. Room service is fast around here.
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"Hmmmm, did you order dessert?" Sam said, smiling.
-
" Yes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, you don't have an allergy do you?" he queried. "No, none at all, and no food restrictions now that I have a transplant!" Sam said matter-of-factly. Just then a knowing look passed between them, remembering the circumstances of that last statement. " Let's
-
Just then the doorbell rang. "Darn!" said Jim, under his breath. He stood still for a while as if contemplating ignoring the sound, when it sounded again, this time more forcefully.
"Well, time for our meal!" he said, in a falsely cheerful tone, as he went to get the door.
Sam smiled, and at the same time felt a slight sense of relief, mixed with disappointment. Was she ready for seemed to have been looming on the horizon? Everything had just been happening so fast. 'I need to get off this rollercoaster and think things through,' she said to herself.
-
Yet Sam had to admit that she felt more alive and optimistic than she had in a long time. She had laughed and felt happy lately, and had nearly forgotten how good that felt. She got up to go find Jim, just as he walked in the door. He was holding a bottle of wine and a plate of hors d' oeuvres. "Do you think a snack will do for now? I have something for you..." he said as he motioned to the bathroom door. Sam followed him and saw that he had filled the large tub with bubble bath, and surrounded the room with candles. "I you might enjoy a little food and wine, plus a chance to get that glob of cake batter out of your hair while you had a nice tub." Sam reached up and felt her hair and laughed. "I'll bet I look great!" Jim smiled "You look beautiful to me." He poured the wine and set the glass next to the tub. Sam hugged Jim and said, "This is so nice, thank you."
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CALLING SLUFF!! Could you do us the usual, please? Pretty please?
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So does he stay and watch or does he do the gentlemanly thing? Heheheheheheh!
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He does the gentlemanly thing, Kitkatz. After all, the bath is to help to relax her, mind and body.
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>:D >:D
So Bajanne you better write the next part, or else I might sneak in something here. Hehehehhee!
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ok so we need to have sam and jim have the big talk, about HIV and herpes and birth control and being in a committed relationship? then they
can get closer? huh?
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>:D >:D
So Bajanne you better write the next part, or else I might sneak in something here. Hehehehhee!
Thank you so much, Kitkatz
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"The pleasure is all mine, my dear," he said. "Now get into your tub and I will go and see about getting the dinner ready for your pleasure."
Sam got into the tub, slid down, closed her eyes and just let the warm scented water do its magic to her body and mind. What a thoughtful person Jim was turning out to be. She almost regretted how she had rebuffed him and ignored his overtures. She lay there, replaying their recent time together. She felt so good when she was with him. There was always this sense of security and safety. She remembered that she had felt that even before any romantic attachment was in the mix. Was this someone with whom she could spend her life? This thought made her feel especially happy. She lay her head back, enjoying the beauty of the bathroom, the lovely scents of the water and the candles. What beauty, what a feeling of peace...she drifted off to sleep...
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As requested
The First Dialysis Story written, by members.
As of today Just thought you may like to see what you have, unedited.
The IHD Book, by members.
Just added since last update.
Updated March 31, 2007
It really is! I am glad to see my Mom so happy. I know that it was difficult when she and Dad divorced. At least it wasn't a messy divorce, and they left on good terms. They would even come together when it was anything concerning me. But as a teenager, I found it difficult dealing with the separation."
"That could be really difficult. But at least you said that they parted on good terms and still came together for you. It wasn't like that for Jon and me. Our parents had a very bitter divorce and we were like a piece of steak between two dogs! We were back and forth, and having to deal with the parent we were with wanting to triumph over the other. It was great when we went off to college and then we were on our own."
"I'm sorry to hear it."
"Well, it helped us to grow up quickly. I made myself a vow that if and when I got married, I would do all in my power to make sure that it worked and that it was a solid relationship."
The conversation was getting too serious for Sam.
She tried to change the subject, with "I wonder what Mom is doing now?"
"Your mom is probably having the time of her life! Honeymoons are supposed to be that way, you know" Jim smiled at Sam
Sam had a dreamy far away look on her face as she contemplated a honeymoon in the distant future. She had always wanted to get married and have children, but dialysis and illness had cut her dreams from her. Only now with the transplant working so well she had began to dream maybe....one day....with the right guy.
She looked into Jim's eyes. "Are you the right guy?"
Jim looked startled. "For what?" he asked.
Sam came back to the conversation. "Did I say that out loud? I am sorry. Daydreaming about how lucky my mom is."
Jim just grinned at her and they continued with their meal. Breakfast was great and they soon were finished with the meal.
Sam had reservations for two for a trip out to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for nine o'clock in the morning. She invited Jim to come along. They both ran for their rooms and changed clothes quickly in order to meet the tour guide on time.
The jeep picked them up on time and they headed for the first part of the tour, a 25 minute aerial tour of the majestic canyon by helicopter. Sam sat close to Jim and he held her tight. "This is so beautiful Sam, I am happy we could do this together," said Jim, speaking close to Sam so he could be heard over the noise of the helicopter. She could feel the warmth of his breath and turned to smile at him. "I am happy too," she said. They flew to 8000 feet at the north, over the roaring Colorado River and back up to the south rim which is 7000 feet. When they landed their driver Rick had lunch stashed in a box and the open-air 4 wheel drive jeep was ready to go. They saw a coyote and an elk, and learned about the early settlers, the cowboys, native wildlife and local folklore. By the time they headed back to the hotel they were tired, but had grown more comfortable with each other. Sam wondered...
if any other day had ever been more perfect. She could not remember having had a better time with anyone else.
Sam and Jim returned to the Luxor Resort in the jeep. Jim tipped the tour guide and Sam thanked him for a beautiful ride and tour. Jim had taken the bottle of champagne from the tour guide as they left the Jeep. Two souvenir glasses were wrapped in a cloth bag in the bottom of the picnic basket Sam had in her hand. They walked hand in hand into the hotel lobby. Jim stopped to kiss Sam softly on the forehead while they waited for the elevator.
Sam looked up at him and said:”I want pancakes for dinner tonight.”
Jim smiled at her. “More pancakes! Good thing I know my Grandmothers recipe for pancakes.”
Jim got off the elevator at his room floor. Sam said: “ Might as well come on up to the penthouse with your stuff. Shame to waste all that space with just me up there.”
Jim grinned sheepishly. “I will see you in a few minutes.”
Sam laughed and grinned. It was good to have a male friend again.
About an hour later Sam opened the door the door to the penthouse to find Jim standing there with the manager. The manager smiles at Sam and said: “Samantha Ward?”
“Yes, I am Samantha Ward.” Sam answered.
Sam looked at Jim and the manager, she asked what they both were doing there, but quickly put it out of her head and sort of forgot the manager even came along when Jim started to speak.
Jim could see that she needed to freshen up, so he told her to go shower and change into something elegant. She smiled and turned to go do just that. Jim called behind her, "We shall return in 20 minutes, be ready gorgeous." She nodded and closed the bedroom door behind her. Blood was rushing through her entire body, she was very excited and anxious and nervous all wrapped into one. 'What could Jim have planned?' She wondered. Grant Lange, the manager, turned to Jim and said "We were contacted by Canyon Tours. Ms. Ward left her purse on the helicopter. They just dropped it off so I could bring it up."
“Thank you. I am sure Sam would miss this.” "Yes sir, Mr. Bean," said Grant as he and Jim shook hands. Taking him aside Jim said, "Grant, I would prefer that Ms. Ward didn't know about my... well, my relationship with the hotel, for now. Thanks." Grant nodded and left the penthouse suite. Jim had just sat down when…
Sam was ready and coming out of the bedroom when there was a knock at the penthouse door. She was dressed in jeans and sweatshirt. After all the plans for dinner were for pancakes made by Jim. Jim opened the door. This time a strange man stood in the hallway.
Excuse me, Samantha Ward? " He said.
Sam stepped forward. "Yes?"
" Ms. Ward, I am Don Harding, the overall manager of the Luxor. We have a problem I need to discuss with you."
"Oh?" Sam answered him. "We just saw the day manager, He said nothing about a problem."
" He does not know about this matter." He continued. " When your mother checked out this morning it seems she checked you both out of the penthouse under Mr. DeFord's name. Unfortunately we have the penthouse booked tonight with another party coming in. I am going to have to ask you to move to another area of the resort."
Sam stood there shocked. It figures her Mother was in such a tizzy that morning she would have done something like that in her rush out the door to her honeymoon. She said: "Allright. I understand. Let me get my stuff packed and I will be out of here in an hour."
"Thank you so much, Ms. Ward. For your inconvenience we will allow you free access to shows anywhere in our resort conglomerate for the rest of your stay."
"Why thank you, Mr. Harding." Sam answered graciously.
"Come see me in my office and I will give you your passes to the shows." Mr Harding turned to go.
Jim said:" Don't worry about another room, Mr. Harding. I have it covered."
Sam gasped in surprise.
Don looked at Jim Bean, and suddenly realized who he was, "Oh, I..." but before he could finish Jim put his finger to his lips, signaling quiet, so Sam could not see. "We appreciate your thoughtfulness, and Ms. Ward will have her bags ready in no time. Please send up the bellman." Don said no more, and quickly left.
"But Jim, where will i go? The strip is packed with guests for the weekend."
"Don't worry, I have a friend who owes me a favor. Let me get a cab and we'll be on our way."
Sam was packed within minutes and they got the elevator to the lobby with the bellman in tow. Jim spoke briefly to the doorman and a cab pulled up to the curb. "To the Bellagio please."
As they drove Sam said, "Jim, I cannot believe all the ups and downs we've had trying to get to know each other. It seems like something always happens to sidetrack this relationship. There are so many things I want to know. I am curious how you ended up in Las Vegas after the accident. And who is this friend that owes you a favor? The Bellagio? How on earth can I stay there?"
"Sam, I have a friend, someone I knew in college. His name is Steve Wynn, ever hear of him? Anyway, he knew I need to make a new start and invited me here. One night about a month ago, he invited me to a high-stakes poker game. There were some heavy duty high rollers there. I got lucky, really lucky. That night changed my future, for now anyway." Sam smiled, "Great, that sounds like fun! How much did you win!?!" "Jim looked down for a moment, th "Holy cow! The Bellagio! You're kidding." Sam exclaimed."That must have been one heck of a poker game!
"Oh it was! It was!" Jim replied. "I gave back the hotel eventually and made a great busineess deal out of it, but I have penthouse privileges for life here."
Sam grinned at him. Jim was a good person to know.
en said, "I won the Bellagio." Two hours later….
Jim had come into the penthouse kitchen from the hot tub. He was going to start dinner for both of them. Not pancakes in spite of what Sam had said earlier. It would be something nutritious. He looked in the well stocked refrigerator and in the cupboard. “Hmmmm” He said out loud. The Bellagio penthouse was always kept well stocked with fresh food and canned goods. The wait staff was magnificent In the penthouse area. He could have left dinner to a chef, but when hey had arrived he had sent everyone off for the night. Tonight was for Sam and himself.
He found the makings for easy spaghetti. Frozen sauce the chef had left him and spaghetti in the cupboard.
“Okay, now. I can do this.” He said aloud. French toast was his specialty, anything else was fair game. He read the directions on the frozen package the chef had left. Microwave directions. He could do that. He put the container into the microwave and set the timer. He put the spaghetti water onto boil.
Sam strolled into the kitchen. She had climbed out the hot tub a few minutes after Jim had come into the kitchen. Her hair was damp and hung down to her shoulders. He looked at her and smiled.
“Spaghetti okay?” he asked.
“Sounds good.” She answered. “Can I make dessert?”
Sam rummaged through the cupboards and came up with a chocolate cake mix and a diet root beer.
“Umm, don’t you need more than that, like eggs and oil?" Jim asked.
“Nope, this will be the best cake you ever had.” Sam answered.
She dumped the cake mix into a mixing bowl. She had to search the kitchen for the hand mixer. She dumped the diet root beer into the cake mix and turned on the mixer.
Jim turned to put the spaghetti into the boiling water, He set the timer for seven minutes. The mixer went wild in Sam’s hands and cake mix started to fling out of the bowl. The bowl was twirling on the counter and the mixer was spinning cake mix out of it as fast it could. Sam was laughing as she tried to turn the mixer off.
“Eeek. Help.” She laughed and cried.
Jim grabbed the bowl and held it still. Sam managed to get the mixer turned off. Cake batter dripped down the microwave and was on the ceiling. Sam was laughing hysterically by now. Jim stood there and watched her laugh. When the big splotch of cake batter dropped off of the ceiling onto his head, he started to laugh, too.
They were both covered in cake batter. Jim turned to Sam and they both stopped laughing at the same time.
“Oh boy! What a mess!” Sam said.
Jim looked at her and smiled. She giggled. He pulled her close to him and kissed cake mess off of her forehead. She leaned into him. Her lips met his in the second kiss. She tasted chocolate cake on his lips. She licked some chocolate cake off of his chin.
“Mmmmm.” She said. “You taste pretty good. Chocolatey.”
Jim laughed. He kissed her again. She felt good to him. He lifted her onto the counter in the kitchen and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close.
The timer went off.
The timer's sharp bell made Sam jump. Jim let her go, rubbing a little piece of cake batter on her ear gently.
"We have to clean this place up, don't we?"
"Of course not!" retorted Jim. "I'll just call and let someone do it. Since our dinner making seems to have died an unnatural death, I will get send out for dinner. What do you want to eat?"
"Anything! I am hungry!" said Sam, as she started to realize that her stomach was giving a muted growl.
"Okay, I'll have a sumptuous feast up here for you in no time. Just give me a few minutes."
Sam decided to go and have a lie down while he was ordering the food. The bed was absolutely luxurious - fluffy pillows and all. 'I could get accustomed to this kind of life,' she said laughingly to herself.
Jim came and sat on the bed next to her. "That's that,"he said. "I hope you're really hungry, because I think I overdid it."
"Now," he continued, "to answer a question you asked earlier. How did I end up in Las Vegas? I don't think you understand. I know you were shunning me, but I resolved never to lose sight of you. You have no idea the impact you have had on me, and I am not just talking about your body - although......"he paused. Sam sat up and leaned forward, pulling the front of Jim's shirt to bring him closer to her.
"How long do we have before dinner?" she asked.
Jim replied: "About ten minutes. Room service is fast around here.
"Hmmmm, did you order dessert?" Sam said, smiling.
" Yes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, you don't have an allergy do you?" he queried. "No, none at all, and no food restrictions now that I have a transplant!" Sam said matter-of-factly. Just then a knowing look passed between them, remembering the circumstances of that last statement. " Let's
Just then the doorbell rang. "Darn!" said Jim, under his breath. He stood still for a while as if contemplating ignoring the sound, when it sounded again, this time more forcefully.
"Well, time for our meal!" he said, in a falsely cheerful tone, as he went to get the door.
Sam smiled, and at the same time felt a slight sense of relief, mixed with disappointment. Was she ready for seemed to have been looming on the horizon? Everything had just been happening so fast. 'I need to get off this rollercoaster and think things through,' she said to herself. Yet Sam had to admit that she felt more alive and optimistic than she had in a long time. She had laughed and felt happy lately, and had nearly forgotten how good that felt. She got up to go find Jim, just as he walked in the door. He was holding a bottle of wine and a plate of hors d' oeuvres. "Do you think a snack will do for now? I have something for you..." he said as he motioned to the bathroom door. Sam followed him and saw that he had filled the large tub with bubble bath, and surrounded the room with candles. "I you might enjoy a little food and wine, plus a chance to get that glob of cake batter out of your hair while you had a nice tub." Sam reached up and felt her hair and laughed. "I'll bet I look great!" Jim smiled "You look beautiful to me." He poured the wine and set the glass next to the tub. Sam hugged Jim and said, "This is so nice, thank you." The pleasure is all mine, my dear," he said. "Now get into your tub and I will go and see about getting the dinner ready for your pleasure."
Sam got into the tub, slid down, closed her eyes and just let the warm scented water do its magic to her body and mind. What a thoughtful person Jim was turning out to be. She almost regretted how she had rebuffed him and ignored his overtures. She lay there, replaying their recent time together. She felt so good when she was with him. There was always this sense of security and safety. She remembered that she had felt that even before any romantic attachment was in the mix. Was this someone with whom she could spend her life? This thought made her feel especially happy. She lay her head back, enjoying the beauty of the bathroom, the lovely scents of the water and the candles. What beauty, what a feeling of peace...she drifted off to sleep...
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Oh my I will have a lot to read to my friend who wants to hear the story!
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Sluff, you are a gem. :thx;
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Here is the entire story so far, formatted and in a Word document. 27 pages!!!!!!
:thumbup;
You guys are doing well. But we need some more authors! Please! Be part of this creative expression by IHD!
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the hotel bath...
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WOW!!!!!!!!!
:thumbup;
That was great, Okarol!!
I am imaging it with the lights dimmed and candles burning all around! I could do with some of that!
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Sam felt someone near, but kept her eyes closed. She was warm and relaxed in the tub but sensed she was not alone. Almost in a whisper she heard Jim say, "Hey are you awake?" She felt his mouth kiss her forehead, moving down, kissing her nose, then finally her lips. The kiss was warm and strong and made her awaken. She reached out of the water and put her arms around Jim's neck and kissed him passionately. She felt intense desire as he kissed her back. Sam looked into Jim's eyes, and said, "I want you." Pulling him toward her, Jim started to slip over the edge, right into the tub on top of her. Sam let out a scream as the water sloshed in a big wave out of the tub. That's when she woke up!
Jim ran into the bathroom and saw Sam sitting in the tub. "What's wrong???" he yelled. Sam said, "Oh, nothing. I guess I was dreaming... I'm sorry... it seemed so real."
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Man if that pic were my bathroom I would never leave it!
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"oh my god" Jim said "you scared me i thought something happened" he knelt down next to the tub and held her chin in his hand ever so delicate " i don't know what i would do if something happened to you" he slowly brought his face to hers and
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kissed her gently on the lips...
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Then he stood up, saying "Finish your bath. Dinner is waiting outside for you." He then left the bathroom.
Once more Sam felt overwhelmed by the emotions that were overtaking her. She stepped out of the luxurious bath tub, got her towel and dried herself almost mechanically. Thoughts of Jim were just swirling around in her head. There was something so gentle yet strong about him. She felt as if she was on the verge of tears, but she fought them bravely. She put on a pretty little house dress, and joined Jim outside.
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Room service had out done themselves preparing a sumptuous dinner. They tucked into the fine food and laughed and talked through out the dinner. Jim served coffee and dessert out on the veranda in the moonlight. Dessert was a to die for chocolate mousse, worth every calorie. Sam had a great time. They danced after dessert to music only heard in their hearts. It had been a beautiful night.
Jim kissed her goodnight outside of her suite and said:"Goodnight Sam."
She smiled at him as she turned to go into her suite of rooms in his penthouse. She drifted onto her bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.
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Sam woke during the night. She sat up and began to think about all that was happening in her life. It was only a few days before she had to leave Las Vegas. She didn't want to think about it, but she had to get back to work. It was going to be strange with her Mom not around. And what about Jim? How could she lieave him at this point? She was just getting to know him, and finding herself getting more and more attached to him. She enjoyed every moment she spent with him. What a precious time they had together at dinner. Their conversation flowed as if they were thinking the same exact thoughts. Once or twice they even said the same thing together like a duet, and burst out laughing each time. She laughed to herself at the thought of some of the jokes Jim told her. She lay back down on the bed.
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okay, rolling up the sleeves of my bathrobe....
Sam awoke the next morning to Jim bringing her a tray of breakfast to her bedside. She sat up and slowly blinked the sleep out of her eyes. Then covered her head up with the blanket.
"Get out. I look horrible." She mumbled from under the covers.
"Okay. I brought you breakfast with coffee." Jim said. He closed her bedroom door and left the room. Sam bolted out of her bed into the bathroom and washed her face and combed her hair. She put a bathrobe on and then poked her head out of the bedroom door. She heard Jim puttering around the penthouse and hollered out to him: "Have you eaten yet?"
"No." He answered back. "Come on out and bring the tray."
San picked the tray up off of the bedside table and carried it out to the breakfast nook area. Jim had his breakfast set up. The patio doors were open and a breeze filtered into the room from outside.
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Oh be still my heart... breakfast in bed...
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After breakfast the phone rang and Jim spoke for a minute. He came out to the patio and said "Sam, if it's okay with you, I have scheduled a massage." Sam said, "Oh that's great.. I will go shopping... or read at the pool... I'll be fine!" "What?? No! I booked it for both of us!," he said. Just then the penthouse doorbell rang. Jim escorted in the man and woman, each carrying a massage table, a basket of scented oils and some fluffy white towels. After undressing and coming out in a robe, Sam was surprised that it was the man who motioned for her to lie down on the table he had set up. The woman got Jim ready next to her. The drapes were pulled and the lights were low. Music from somewhere played quietly in the background. During the massage Sam occasionally spoke with Jim quietly, then softly moaned as her muscles relaxed and she drifted in and out of a serene slumber.
Not knowing how much time had passed, Sam became aware that the door closed as the masseuses left, although she was still slightly napping. Jim whispered, "Looks like a storm's coming in, I saw some flickers of lightening in the distance." "Ohh I love storms," said Sam. Suddenly a crack of thunder crashed outside. Sam let out a little scream! Jim stood close by and said "Don't worry, we are safe here." Sam gathered the towel around her and sat up. Jim put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. Sam kissed him back, biting his lower lip playfully. BOOM! the thunder crackled right overhead. The rain was really coming down now. Jim took Sam by the hand and led her to the bedroom, and shut the door behind them. The wild desert storm raged on, rain lapping at the windows as the wind screamed outside.
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I don't think the storm was the only thing that raged on but I guess only Jim and Sam know the truth.. >:D
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My heart skipped a beat when I saw that Sluff had posted in this section....did he really write the next paragraph ????!! But, no, just a comment- and a >:D one at that !!!
Bajanne, shall we explain that the bedroom has the safe-room of the penthouse in it??? Has reinforced walls and a door lock inside with a telephone, radio, and emergency food and equipment.....ummmmmmm
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Whose storm raged on in the bedroom?
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Whose storm raged on in the bedroom?
Seeing how we have people under the age of 18 on this site you will have to use your imagination. ;)
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Hopefully Kit is going to do some research in Las Vegas this weekend and bring back some photos of the Bellagio where the story is taking place now.
Think she will sneak into the penthouse suite? http://www.bellagio.com/pages/accom_pop_pentsuites.asp We may have to arrange bail money.
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Hopefully Kit is going to do some research in Las Vegas this weekend and bring back some photos of the Bellagio where the story is taking place now.
Think she will sneak into the penthouse suite? http://www.bellagio.com/pages/accom_pop_pentsuites.asp We may have to arrange bail money.
Who needs to raise bail money when we got a Pimp who will pay ;) ;) Right? Livecam 8)
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Livecam says he is having nothing to do with this scheme tomorrow! He has a car, too so we can make a quick getaway! Karol what did you tel lhim we planned?
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Livecam says he is having nothing to do with this scheme tomorrow! He has a car, too so we can make a quick getaway! Karol what did you tel lhim we planned?
A heist? No, i dunno, only what he read here. Pimp's are cautious, I think.
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Okay here goes.....
Sam and Jim were having lunch at a Sushi restaurant off of the strip later in the afternoon. They had gambled a little bit in the casino. Then went off to a private lunch. Jim knew of this little Sushi bar with all you can eat Sushi. They were having great conversation and making plans to see a show later in the evening.
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When the Police came in to tell Sam her room had been broken into. Sam rushed to her room with the Police closely following, Sam was trying to figure out how the Police knew where she was. Until She arrived at her room, she couldn't believe her eyes.....
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"SURPRISE!!!" The suite was filled with all Samantha's friends! Her first instinct was to run! Everyone applauded and cheered. Sam was stunned. She looked at Jim, who was grinning ear to ear. "Happy Birthday Baby," he said. "I forgot," Sam laughed "I forgot my own birthday!" Sam looked around. Her friends Sue and Maria ran up and hugged her! Her cousins and her aunt were clapping and jumping up and down! Next to them was Barbara and her husband, Sam's work friend Jimmy and their boss Gene, even her transplant coordinator Carol! Her neighbors were, there, as well as her friends from dialysis, including Lucy, and her boyfriend too. Even her mom and Darrell were there. Her mom grabbed her and said, "Isn't it wonderful?! Jim sure surprised you! I can tell, you didn't have a clue!!" Sam smiled and stifled a sob. She felt overwhelmed and said "I need to sit down." Jim took her arm and got her a drink from the bar. She saw a catered buffet, a cake, and hotel staff carrying trays of hors d' oeuvres into the room. Bottles of champagne were popping like crazy. "Are you okay?" asked Jim. "Yes, but it's all so incredible." she said. "You are crazy!" and she gave him a little punch in the arm. Jim smiled.
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The scheme was not acted upon. We drove by the Belagio on the way to the Olive Garden for lunch. Kit had chicken marsala and moi had chicken parmiagiana, with salad and bread sticks it was way too much as usual. Good thing my drug paraphernalia and insulin were close at hand. Las Vegas is a wonderful town but daddy prefers surfing the web to feeding the slots.
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I have never had a birthday party much less a surprise party, Sam responded with excitement. How did you manage to pull this off without me knowing? Very carefully, said Jim. I have something very special that I want to give you for your birthday, we have known each other for awhile now and I think it's time that we.......
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...finally get things right. Sam, will you marry me?"
He had gotten down on his knees in front of Sam, and held the most perfect looking engagement ring in his hand.
Sam did not know what to do. Everyone was waiting, seemingly holding their collective breath.....
Sluff, it is really nice that you joined us in contributing to the story. It would be great if many others would do the same.
Goofynina, I don't want this story to end yet. We need some more complications, like an old girlfriend of Jon's turning up and thinking Jim is Jon, and stuff like that. Sam's life always has these unforeseen complications that threaten to throw her off whack! What do you other guys think?
Kitkatz and Livecam, we need some authentic material, straight from Las Vegas please! I have none; I haven't been west of New York, in the US!
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That was a superb start to the story. I never expected a surprise party. Sluff, good job!
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The things that were having Sam do, are nothing a normal person in Vegas can really do.. she is with a rich person... I LIVED IN Las Vegas for the last 7 years of my life and never once had as much fun as she is having... :lol;
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Yeah, it's a pretty unbelievable story in general, huh? The girl gets off dialysis by getting a kidney from her friends brother, but thinks its her friend that is dead. Then meets the guy again, has one adventure after another, now a marriage proposal? She had such bad luck before it was time she had some fun!
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So, what's it going to be? I'm holding my breath too!
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As Sam opened her mouth to reply she turned white as a sheet and passed out. All the excitement of the past few days, the huge surprise of all her friends and family, and the emotions running through her head proved to be too much. When she awoke everyone had gone to their rooms and Jim was standing by the door talking to the Hotel Doctor. "Will she be ok Doc?"asked Jim. "She will be fine, just let her get some rest and she will be back to her old self in no time.",replied the Doctor. Jim closed the door and turned to look at Sam when he realized she was awake. "You gave us quite a scare there for a minute", said Jim as he walked over to the couch where Sam was laying. "I'm sorry. I've ruined everything you worked so hard to do for me.",said Sam as she started to cry. "No, no you haven't ruined anything, I'm just glad your ok. How do you feel?", replied Jim. Sam looked up at Jim and said said with a smile "I still feel a little odd in my stomach, but I think it's just the butterflies". She reached up and put her hand on Jim's face. "By the way your answer is yes.", said Sam as she started to cry all over again. Jim reached down and pulls Sam up off the couch giving her a huge embrace and a kiss to stop all time.
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Now do we break their hearts or do we run with wedding plans or both?
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No broken hearts, now wedding plans just yet - just excitement. Let them enoy being engaged, please!
There was a knock on the door. It was Margie and Darrell. Jim let them in.
"You're just in time," he said. "I got my answer!! She says she will marry me!"
Just as Margie was going to speak, he interrupted, "Wait! I still have something to do!" With that, he walked over to Sam and lovingly put the ring on her finger.
Margie rushed over to Sam and hugged her as if she wasn't going to stop. Darrell just stood there beaming from ear to ear.
Sam felt so happy, she couldn't even talk.
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Kitkatz rolls up sleeves...hmmm how to get this story out of Vegas and moving onward. Back to regular lives now...Hmmmmmmm...I am thinking here.
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Kitkatz rolls up sleeves...hmmm how to get this story out of Vegas and moving onward. Back to regular lives now...Hmmmmmmm...I am thinking here.
Easy, get them in the car and gooooooooooooooooooo ;)
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Kitkatz rolls up sleeves...hmmm how to get this story out of Vegas and moving onward. Back to regular lives now...Hmmmmmmm...I am thinking here.
Easy, get them in the car and gooooooooooooooooooo ;)
Easy... ok Goofynina... write it! C'mon - give us 2 or 3 sentences...
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DOH!!! Sorry, no can do, not good with public speaking or writing ;) :P
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As they packed up Jim's car Sam thought about the last year. So much had happened. She had a transplant and was engaged to be married, two things she hadn't dared wish for in the past! She glanced at Jim and saw him looking at her, smiling. She winked at him and hopped in the front seat. They were headed to...
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Story writers! What has happened? Have we grown tired? Isn't Sam' life going to have any more excitement? Where are you?
For the answer to these and other questions...
POST!!!!
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the airport so she could fly back to her apartment. She was having mixed emotions about returning to her lonely place, with only the cat to keep her company. Thank goodness for her furry friend at least. She had so many things to get accustomed to . Her life was totally changed for now she was off dialysis and an engaged woman. How do things change so drastically in such a short timeframe? How could she be so lucky as to have Jim in her life? Her mother was now married to Darrell and would be much busier with her own life, thankfully, thought Sam. She had so many plans to make, though she wanted a long engagement, why shorten such a happy time in her life? She glanced sideways at Jim beside her in the car, yes, she was anxious to spend more time with Jim, but they had a lifetime for that! She placed her hand upon his in the seat and gave it a gentle squeeze, "a penny for your thoughts, Jim." Jim looked startled at the question and answered,
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"You made me jump. I was there lost in my thoughts about us. I am so thankful how things worked out for us. I am looking forward to a wonderful future with you. I was lost in my dreams about us. I can't wait to have you all to myself!"
Sam felt so warm. She gave him a tender hug.
He continued, "When are we going to set a date?"
Now Sam was the startled one. "Do we have to set a date right away?"
"What would we be waiting for? Aren't you ready for us to start our life together?"
"Yes, but I want us to get to know each other better. I want to be your wife, with all my heart. But don't let's rush."
Jim was quiet for a while, then he said...
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"Samantha, I don't know if I can wait. I never thought I could meet someone like you, it's like I have waited my whole life to find you. I lost you once and I am not willing to take a chance that fate could take you from me again. We don't know where life will take us, but I don't want to miss one moment with you. Those months where I couldn't contact you, knowing you thought I had died... it was the worst time of my life."
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"But Jim, you know...I really feel I want to get to know you better. I do not want to rush into things right now. I mean you have been alive to me just about a week and now we are engaged. I need some time. Let's just be engaged for awhile and in a few months we can talk about the wedding date. Okay?" Sam explained to Jim in the car.
Jim just nodded his head. Sam could see his jaw clenched in his profile. Oh well. She thought. This going to be a fun trip home on the airplane. Jim took her to the drop off area of the Las Vegas airport.
"Wait a minute..."Sam exclaimed. "Aren't you coming with me?"
Jim looked at her and said: "No..."
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"No, what do you mean NO!?!?" said Sam as tears started welling up in her eyes. Jim turned to her and began to explain himself. "I have already moved out of my place there, and moved out here. There is nothing left for me there except you, and I had made surprise plans for you to just go back to pack up your stuff and move out here with me. I had even arranged a packing company to come out to help you and ship all your stuff too. From the talk we just had I don't think that is what you a really wanting right now, and I have unfinished business here that cant wait. I thought everything was flowing smoothly and we were on the same page with where this was headed, but I guess I was wrong. I will cancel all the arrangements for you to move and will fly out in a few days when I am done here." Sam's mouth stood wide open in disbelief as Jim ranted on. She never imagined that things would progress so quickly with Jim. She thought she had some time to adjust, but it didn't seem Jim had the same ideas. Very confused and angry at the same time Sam climbed out of the car. Jim joined her and pulled her bags out of the trunk and put them on a waiting cart. Sam turned to Jim and said. "I really don't know what to say right now, except I Love You. Even though we may not be seeing eye to eye at the moment my feelings are still the same. When you come back we will have to sit down and have a long talk about what we want from each other and where we are going. This time in Vegas has all just been a huge whirlwind and I cant think straight." Jim looked at her and saw the confusion and longing in her eyes. "Maybe your right, maybe we are going too fast. Like I said I just cant imagine living without you by my side, and I don't want to leave anything to chance. I thought that what I was doing was the right thing, but I should have talked to you first since it is your life I am effecting now too. I will be there in a few days time and we will work everything out. I LOVE YOU SAM."
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Sam kissed Jim tenderly, then said "Goodbye." She tunred and walked into the airport terminal. Tears flowing down her cheeks. It felt like she was leaving Jim forever.
Jim turned to get into his car, stopped, flipped the keys to one of the airport redcaps and said "Return it to the rental lot for me. I have to talk to her" He handed the recap a fifty dollar bill. The redcap smiled at him and said:"Women, can't live with them, can't live without them." Jim dashed into the airport terminal to find Sam.
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I love this!!! Thanks for your great contribution, Hawkeye!
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He found her at the counter, just about to give her ticket to the attendant. He shouted "Sam!"
She turned around, saw him, and ran to him, bursting into tears.
"It was so hard leaving you!" she blurted out, between sobs. He held her tightly for a while, saying nothing. She clung to him as if she would never let him go.
When she calmed down, he led her to a seat and they both sat. He held her close to him and asked her gently: "So what are we going to do?"
She looked at him through her tears and answered...
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"I have to go home, today. They expect me at work, tomorrow. Jim, what are we going to do?" Sam cried onto his shoulder.
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"Well, we will just have to tell them that you are moving away. If they still want you to work for them from your home, as you used to do, that would be fine. Couldn't you do that?" Jim suggested.
He continued, "I will come with you and help you get your stuff sorted out. What about that?"
Once again, Sam had that feeling of security, that here was someone on whom she could depend to help her deal with her challenges. It was as if there was a load taken from off her shoulders.
"Okay," she said. She didn't know what else to say.
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Since Jim made such a good business deal when he gave back the Belagio is he well off now? Does Sam or Jim need to work?
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Sam's cell phone rang. It was the transplant nurse. "Sam, you missed your appointment today. You were scheduled for labs and protocol biopsy. You know this is important for making sure your meds are working. Are you okay?" "Oh I am so sorry, I ended up taking more time than I had planned on my trip. Can we reschedule?" She made an appointment for the following week.
"Jim, I can't just run out on my life. Getting this call reminds me of all the things I have neglected since mom and I took off for Vegas. I need to go home and get busy. How soon can you come to me?" Now Sam was beginning to feel a little panicked. "You will come, won't you?"
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CALLING SLUFF!!!! Time for an update!
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"Oh damn!" said Jim. "Damn, damn, damn!" he jumped up. "What?" said Sam.
"I left my luggage in the rental car! I gave the guy my keys.... man, I am crazy around you... crazy about you..." as he hugged her he turned to go and said "Be careful, call me when you land... you have my heart baby... Don't forget!" Sam watched as he hurried away, just as they were anouncing the boarding call for her flight.
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Unedited Update complete May 8th 2007
Sam felt someone near, but kept her eyes closed. She was warm and relaxed in the tub but sensed she was not alone. Almost in a whisper she heard Jim say, "Hey are you awake?" She felt his mouth kiss her forehead, moving down, kissing her nose, then finally her lips. The kiss was warm and strong and made her awaken. She reached out of the water and put her arms around Jim's neck and kissed him passionately. She felt intense desire as he kissed her back. Sam looked into Jim's eyes, and said, "I want you." Pulling him toward her, Jim started to slip over the edge, right into the tub on top of her. Sam let out a scream as the water sloshed in a big wave out of the tub. That's when she woke up!
Jim ran into the bathroom and saw Sam sitting in the tub. "What's wrong???" he yelled. Sam said, "Oh, nothing. I guess I was dreaming... I'm sorry... it seemed so real."
"oh my god" Jim said "you scared me i thought something happened" he knelt down next to the tub and held her chin in his hand ever so delicate " i don't know what i would do if something happened to you" he slowly brought his face to hers and
kissed her gently on the lips...Then he stood up, saying "Finish your bath. Dinner is waiting outside for you." He then left the bathroom.
Once more Sam felt overwhelmed by the emotions that were overtaking her. She stepped out of the luxurious bath tub, got her towel and dried herself almost mechanically. Thoughts of Jim were just swirling around in her head. There was something so gentle yet strong about him. She felt as if she was on the verge of tears, but she fought them bravely. She put on a pretty little house dress, and joined Jim outside.
Room service had out done themselves preparing a sumptuous dinner. They tucked into the fine food and laughed and talked through out the dinner. Jim served coffee and dessert out on the veranda in the moonlight. Dessert was a to die for chocolate mousse, worth every calorie. Sam had a great time. They danced after dessert to music only heard in their hearts. It had been a beautiful night.
Jim kissed her goodnight outside of her suite and said:"Goodnight Sam."
She smiled at him as she turned to go into her suite of rooms in his penthouse. She drifted onto her bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Sam woke during the night. She sat up and began to think about all that was happening in her life. It was only a few days before she had to leave Las Vegas. She didn't want to think about it, but she had to get back to work. It was going to be strange with her Mom not around. And what about Jim? How could she lieave him at this point? She was just getting to know him, and finding herself getting more and more attached to him. She enjoyed every moment she spent with him. What a precious time they had together at dinner. Their conversation flowed as if they were thinking the same exact thoughts. Once or twice they even said the same thing together like a duet, and burst out laughing each time. She laughed to herself at the thought of some of the jokes Jim told her. She lay back down on the bed.
Sam awoke the next morning to Jim bringing her a tray of breakfast to her bedside. She sat up and slowly blinked the sleep out of her eyes. Then covered her head up with the blanket.
"Get out. I look horrible." She mumbled from under the covers.
"Okay. I brought you breakfast with coffee." Jim said. He closed her bedroom door and left the room. Sam bolted out of her bed into the bathroom and washed her face and combed her hair. She put a bathrobe on and then poked her head out of the bedroom door. She heard Jim puttering around the penthouse and hollered out to him: "Have you eaten yet?"
"No." He answered back. "Come on out and bring the tray."
San picked the tray up off of the bedside table and carried it out to the breakfast nook area. Jim had his breakfast set up. The patio doors were open and a breeze filtered into the room from outside.
After breakfast the phone rang and Jim spoke for a minute. He came out to the patio and said "Sam, if it's okay with you, I have scheduled a massage." Sam said, "Oh that's great.. I will go shopping... or read at the pool... I'll be fine!" "What?? No! I booked it for both of us!," he said. Just then the penthouse doorbell rang. Jim escorted in the man and woman, each carrying a massage table, a basket of scented oils and some fluffy white towels. After undressing and coming out in a robe, Sam was surprised that it was the man who motioned for her to lie down on the table he had set up. The woman got Jim ready next to her. The drapes were pulled and the lights were low. Music from somewhere played quietly in the background. During the massage Sam occasionally spoke with Jim quietly, then softly moaned as her muscles relaxed and she drifted in and out of a serene slumber.
Not knowing how much time had passed, Sam became aware that the door closed as the masseuses left, although she was still slightly napping. Jim whispered, "Looks like a storm's coming in, I saw some flickers of lightening in the distance." "Ohh I love storms," said Sam. Suddenly a crack of thunder crashed outside. Sam let out a little scream! Jim stood close by and said "Don't worry, we are safe here." Sam gathered the towel around her and sat up. Jim put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. Sam kissed him back, biting his lower lip playfully. BOOM! the thunder crackled right overhead. The rain was really coming down now. Jim took Sam by the hand and led her to the bedroom, and shut the door behind them. The wild desert storm raged on, rain lapping at the windows as the wind screamed outside.
Sam and Jim were having lunch at a Sushi restaurant off of the strip later in the afternoon. They had gambled a little bit in the casino. Then went off to a private lunch. Jim knew of this little Sushi bar with all you can eat Sushi. They were having great conversation and making plans to see a show later in the evening.
When the Police came in to tell Sam her room had been broken into. Sam rushed to her room with the Police closely following, Sam was trying to figure out how the Police knew where she was. Until She arrived at her room, she couldn't believe her eyes....."SURPRISE!!!" The suite was filled with all Samantha's friends! Her first instinct was to run! Everyone applauded and cheered. Sam was stunned. She looked at Jim, who was grinning ear to ear. "Happy Birthday Baby," he said. "I forgot," Sam laughed "I forgot my own birthday!" Sam looked around. Her friends Sue and Maria ran up and hugged her! Her cousins and her aunt were clapping and jumping up and down! Next to them was Barbara and her husband, Sam's work friend Jimmy and their boss Gene, even her transplant coordinator Carol! Her neighbors were, there, as well as her friends from dialysis, including Lucy, and her boyfriend too. Even her mom and Darrell were there. Her mom grabbed her and said, "Isn't it wonderful?! Jim sure surprised you! I can tell, you didn't have a clue!!" Sam smiled and stifled a sob. She felt overwhelmed and said "I need to sit down." Jim took her arm and got her a drink from the bar. She saw a catered buffet, a cake, and hotel staff carrying trays of hors d' oeuvres into the room. Bottles of champagne were popping like crazy. "Are you okay?" asked Jim. "Yes, but it's all so incredible." she said. "You are crazy!" and she gave him a little punch in the arm. Jim smiled.
I have never had a birthday party much less a surprise party, Sam responded with excitement. How did you manage to pull this off without me knowing? Very carefully, said Jim. I have something very special that I want to give you for your birthday, we have known each other for awhile now and I think it's time that we.......
...finally get things right. Sam, will you marry me?"
He had gotten down on his knees in front of Sam, and held the most perfect looking engagement ring in his hand.
Sam did not know what to do. Everyone was waiting, seemingly holding their collective breath.....As Sam opened her mouth to reply she turned white as a sheet and passed out. All the excitement of the past few days, the huge surprise of all her friends and family, and the emotions running through her head proved to be too much. When she awoke everyone had gone to their rooms and Jim was standing by the door talking to the Hotel Doctor. "Will she be ok Doc?"asked Jim. "She will be fine, just let her get some rest and she will be back to her old self in no time.",replied the Doctor. Jim closed the door and turned to look at Sam when he realized she was awake. "You gave us quite a scare there for a minute", said Jim as he walked over to the couch where Sam was laying. "I'm sorry. I've ruined everything you worked so hard to do for me.",said Sam as she started to cry. "No, no you haven't ruined anything, I'm just glad your ok. How do you feel?", replied Jim. Sam looked up at Jim and said said with a smile "I still feel a little odd in my stomach, but I think it's just the butterflies". She reached up and put her hand on Jim's face. "By the way your answer is yes.", said Sam as she started to cry all over again. Jim reached down and pulls Sam up off the couch giving her a huge embrace and a kiss to stop all time
There was a knock on the door. It was Margie and Darrell. Jim let them in.
"You're just in time," he said. "I got my answer!! She says she will marry me!"
Just as Margie was going to speak, he interrupted, "Wait! I still have something to do!" With that, he walked over to Sam and lovingly put the ring on her finger.
Margie rushed over to Sam and hugged her as if she wasn't going to stop. Darrell just stood there beaming from ear to ear.
Sam felt so happy, she couldn't even talk.
As they packed up Jim's car Sam thought about the last year. So much had happened. She had a transplant and was engaged to be married, two things she hadn't dared wish for in the past! She glanced at Jim and saw him looking at her, smiling. She winked at him and hopped in the front seat. They were headed to...the airport so she could fly back to her apartment. She was having mixed emotions about returning to her lonely place, with only the cat to keep her company. Thank goodness for her furry friend at least. She had so many things to get accustomed to . Her life was totally changed for now she was off dialysis and an engaged woman. How do things change so drastically in such a short timeframe? How could she be so lucky as to have Jim in her life? Her mother was now married to Darrell and would be much busier with her own life, thankfully, thought Sam. She had so many plans to make, though she wanted a long engagement, why shorten such a happy time in her life? She glanced sideways at Jim beside her in the car, yes, she was anxious to spend more time with Jim, but they had a lifetime for that! She placed her hand upon his in the seat and gave it a gentle squeeze, "a penny for your thoughts, Jim." Jim looked startled at the question and answered,
"You made me jump. I was there lost in my thoughts about us. I am so thankful how things worked out for us. I am looking forward to a wonderful future with you. I was lost in my dreams about us. I can't wait to have you all to myself!"
Sam felt so warm. She gave him a tender hug.
He continued, "When are we going to set a date?"
Now Sam was the startled one. "Do we have to set a date right away?"
"What would we be waiting for? Aren't you ready for us to start our life together?"
"Yes, but I want us to get to know each other better. I want to be your wife, with all my heart. But don't let's rush."
Jim was quiet for a while, then he said..."Samantha, I don't know if I can wait. I never thought I could meet someone like you, it's like I have waited my whole life to find you. I lost you once and I am not willing to take a chance that fate could take you from me again. We don't know where life will take us, but I don't want to miss one moment with you. Those months where I couldn't contact you, knowing you thought I had died... it was the worst time of my life." "But Jim, you know...I really feel I want to get to know you better. I do not want to rush into things right now. I mean you have been alive to me just about a week and now we are engaged. I need some time. Let's just be engaged for awhile and in a few months we can talk about the wedding date. Okay?" Sam explained to Jim in the car.
Jim just nodded his head. Sam could see his jaw clenched in his profile. Oh well. She thought. This going to be a fun trip home on the airplane. Jim took her to the drop off area of the Las Vegas airport.
"Wait a minute..."Sam exclaimed. "Aren't you coming with me?"
Jim looked at her and said: "No..."
"No, what do you mean NO!?!?" said Sam as tears started welling up in her eyes. Jim turned to her and began to explain himself. "I have already moved out of my place there, and moved out here. There is nothing left for me there except you, and I had made surprise plans for you to just go back to pack up your stuff and move out here with me. I had even arranged a packing company to come out to help you and ship all your stuff too. From the talk we just had I don't think that is what you a really wanting right now, and I have unfinished business here that cant wait. I thought everything was flowing smoothly and we were on the same page with where this was headed, but I guess I was wrong. I will cancel all the arrangements for you to move and will fly out in a few days when I am done here." Sam's mouth stood wide open in disbelief as Jim ranted on. She never imagined that things would progress so quickly with Jim. She thought she had some time to adjust, but it didn't seem Jim had the same ideas. Very confused and angry at the same time Sam climbed out of the car. Jim joined her and pulled her bags out of the trunk and put them on a waiting cart. Sam turned to Jim and said. "I really don't know what to say right now, except I Love You. Even though we may not be seeing eye to eye at the moment my feelings are still the same. When you come back we will have to sit down and have a long talk about what we want from each other and where we are going. This time in Vegas has all just been a huge whirlwind and I cant think straight." Jim looked at her and saw the confusion and longing in her eyes. "Maybe your right, maybe we are going too fast. Like I said I just cant imagine living without you by my side, and I don't want to leave anything to chance. I thought that what I was doing was the right thing, but I should have talked to you first since it is your life I am effecting now too. I will be there in a few days time and we will work everything out. I LOVE YOU SAM."
Sam kissed Jim tenderly, then said "Goodbye." She tunred and walked into the airport terminal. Tears flowing down her cheeks. It felt like she was leaving Jim forever.
Jim turned to get into his car, stopped, flipped the keys to one of the airport redcaps and said "Return it to the rental lot for me. I have to talk to her" He handed the recap a fifty dollar bill. The redcap smiled at him and said:"Women, can't live with them, can't live without them." Jim dashed into the airport terminal to find Sam.
He found her at the counter, just about to give her ticket to the attendant. He shouted "Sam!"
She turned around, saw him, and ran to him, bursting into tears.
"It was so hard leaving you!" she blurted out, between sobs. He held her tightly for a while, saying nothing. She clung to him as if she would never let him go.
When she calmed down, he led her to a seat and they both sat. He held her close to him and asked her gently: "So what are we going to do?"
She looked at him through her tears and answered...
"I have to go home, today. They expect me at work, tomorrow. Jim, what are we going to do?" Sam cried onto his shoulder."Well, we will just have to tell them that you are moving away. If they still want you to work for them from your home, as you used to do, that would be fine. Couldn't you do that?" Jim suggested.
He continued, "I will come with you and help you get your stuff sorted out. What about that?"
Once again, Sam had that feeling of security, that here was someone on whom she could depend to help her deal with her challenges. It was as if there was a load taken from off her shoulders.
"Okay," she said. She didn't know what else to say.
Sam's cell phone rang. It was the transplant nurse. "Sam, you missed your appointment today. You were scheduled for labs and protocol biopsy. You know this is important for making sure your meds are working. Are you okay?" "Oh I am so sorry, I ended up taking more time than I had planned on my trip. Can we reschedule?" She made an appointment for the following week.
"Jim, I can't just run out on my life. Getting this call reminds me of all the things I have neglected since mom and I took off for Vegas. I need to go home and get busy. How soon can you come to me?" Now Sam was beginning to feel a little panicked. "You will come, won't you?"
"Oh damn!" said Jim. "Damn, damn, damn!" he jumped up. "What?" said Sam.
"I left my luggage in the rental car! I gave the guy my keys.... man, I am crazy around you... crazy about you..." as he hugged her he turned to go and said "Be careful, call me when you land... you have my heart baby... Don't forget!" Sam watched as he hurried away, just as they were anouncing the boarding call for her flight.
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We be the writers!!! Thank you Sluff for all of your work on this for us! ;D
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Just waiting for Bajanne to do her magic.
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Just waiting for Bajanne to do her magic.
My computer is down for a little while. I am using my daughter's laptop. Until next week I wouldn't be able to format it. But keep adding to the story, contributors!
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Jim turned around as she was watching him leave her once again at the ticket counter. He walked back up to her as she was checking in her bags and said: "What the hell! They can send it to me in L.A. My name is on everything. I will call the rental car company from the airplane."
All Sam could do was stare as Jim paid for his plane ticket and checked on in right beside her. It was wonderful knowing he would be with her for the trip home.
Okay now go to it. Make something happen here!
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My Internet connection at home is still down. However, I have managed to format the last section and add it to our story. We are now at page 32! Enjoy!
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"Sam looked at her ticket. "First Class? Well, that's a first for me," she said. Jim smiled as he hung his coat up. "Yeah, don't look now, but there's a celebrity on board," Jim replied. Sam slowly turned to look, and to her surprise, sitting in the aisle seat was...
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My Internet at home is alive again!!! But I don't want to touch that, Okarol! Please continue. Pretty please!
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Come on Okarol who was it?
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...George Lopez, comedian and kidney transplant recipient. He was with his wife Ann, his kidney donor. Jim said, "I just read a story about Lopez in the paper. He turned down $130,000 to open for Rod Stewart at an Indian casino in Las Vegas because on Thursday he was golfing with Samuel L. Jackson, Cheech Marin and Justin Leonard at the Bob Hope Open. He did not want anything distracting him from his golf game. They upped the price twice and he told Rod Stewart he would have to pass. The promoter thought he was crazy, and his response was, "I am, crazy about golf."
Sam said, "Hang on a moment," and she got up and walked toward George. Ann Lopez looked up as she approached. "I am sorry to bother you," said Sam, "But I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you. Someone who puts herself at risk to rescue another person is a hero in my book." Ann smiled, and they spoke for a few more minutes. When she sat back down next to Jim she smiled and said, "They thought I wanted George's autograph."
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Picture of how George looked when he met Sam ;)
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Looks like George borrowed his wife's dress!
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Sam waited for their bags while Jim went to rent a car. She didn't know what the next few days would be like. She had been gone so long -- her get-away weekend with her mom had turned into an extended stay away that was unexpected. She needed to call her mom, and her boss, she needed to reorder her meds and talk to her landlord. The lists were reeling through her mind.
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What she was certain about, however, was that she would not have to go it all alone. She had Jim with her. The thought made her feel very warm. She was smiling away when Jim came to tell her that he had the car.
"Why are you smiling like that? What happened when I was gone?" he enquired mildly.
"Just thankful that you are with me. I was thinking of all that I had to do, feeling a little overwhelmed, and then I remembered that I am not alone."
"You better believe it!" he said and held her hand tenderly.
Sam felt ready to take on what ever would come her way.
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A few days later Sam awoke to her cat Moochie walking across her head. She reached up and scratched his head. He purred, happy to be home with her again. Sam got up and walked to the window. The sun was just creeping over the horizon. She stood quietly, watching the light change. Sam reached for the...
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....the remote for the TV so she could watch the morning news. No sooner had she done so than Jim walked in with a tray of food for breakfast in bed. Jim had been stayed the night because they were out rather late they night before and he didn't want to drive back home. "So what do you say we go to a movie tonight" asked Jim. I hear there are a few good ones that just opened this week. "We have been out every night since we got back", replied Sam. Why don't we just stay home tonight. We can rent some movies and curl up on the couch if you like, but I'm not used to being out all the time like this. I would really just like a nice quite night at home for a change. After they had finished breakfast Sam and Jim got rounded around and headed out to the video store.
EDITED:fixed bold tag error-kitkatz,moderator
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At the video store they disgreed over every movie. Jim wanted horror or action films and Sam was looking for a romance or drama. Jim suggested Die Hard with a Vengence or Snakes on a Plane. Sam vetoed them both.
"Jim I just want a small calm film. Those would get me riled up." Sam told him.
Jim whispered:" Well maybe I want you a little riled up." He growled softly in her ear. Sam giggled.
"Jim!" She said. " How about Lassie, or Shrek?"
"Kid's movies!" he told her.
They looked some more at the DVDS the store had for rent. Sam wandered around the store picking up movies and putting them back. Finally they both agreed on the last Star Wars movie. Neither had seen it and both were fans of Star Wars. Jim bought some movie candy at the register and they carried their packages to the car.
"Okay. What about take out for dinner?" Jim suggested.
"Nah. There are salad fixings in my fridge." Sam answered him.
"Okay. To your house it is." Jim replied and he started the car.
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The one thing that hasn't happened yet in this story is a murder...hmm >:D
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As they began to back out of the parking space their attention was drawn to an alarm bell ringing loudly. The sound came from the First National Bank next door. Jim stopped just in time to avoid hitting 3 masked running from the door of the bank. "Get down, Sam, get down now!" screamed Jim. Sam quickly ducked down in the passenger side of the car. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! - gunshots rang out as the security guard exchanged fire with the gunmen. Head down, but peering over the dash, Jim tried to move the car forward, to get out of line of fire. Sam reached up with her right hand and pushed the LOCK button on the door.
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The three men ran by the car. One of them tried the door handle, but the doors were locked. Jim pulled a 38 special revolver out from under the front seat and kept it in one hand. As he watched carefully the robbers ran by the car. They grabbed a woman out of her SUV in the parking lot, threw her to the ground, and climbed into her car. Sam was still crouched down below the windows in their car.
"Jim what is going on?" Sam yelled at Jim.
"Stay down. I am going to follow these guys. Call the police on 911 and make sure they know where we are. I will call out street names to you as we go."
San dialed 911 with shaking hands on her cell phone. She told the operator they were following the robbers of the bank and gave the license number of the SUV as Jim gave it to her. He was saying street names as they roared through town. Sam could hear the sirens as the police joined inth e chase. As soon as the first police car drove up, Jim slowed down and waved them on. He slid the 35 revolver back under the seat. Sam sat back up in the seat and pulled her seatbelt on.
"That was fun." She said shakily to Jim." I was scared to death."
"I know. Nerve wracking wasn't it." Jim answered her.
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Wow, Okarol & Kitkatz, that action just blew me away. You really put an adrenlin shot into our story. A needed one, I might add.!
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"And all I wanted was a calm night!" Sam laughed "Good thing we didn't rent one of those thrillers that you wanted. How would I have been able to deal with that now?"
Jim laughed and laughed, then put his arm around her and gave a kiss on the cheek.
"I just love my scaredy cat!" he said, still laughing.
He started the car and soon they were home.
Sam went straight to the kitchen and started to prepare the salad. While she was there, the phone rang.
"Mommy!" she screamed with joy.
please guys, nothing sad, like Darrel dead or anything like that. Save bad things for later, please.
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Sam's Mom was quite happy and filled her in on her life since they had been in Vegas. Her mom was happy to be married and had big plans for a reception at her new home in a few months. Sam agreed to help to with planning strategy sessions. She hung up the phone and there was Jim, DVD in hand, waiting on her.
" Okay, let me get the popcorn." she said to Jim.
They watched the movie, with occassional glances and kisses for each other. Eventually Sam fell asleep in Jim's arms on the couch just as the movie ended and Jim put the news on. He nudged her awake when the bank robbery came on the news. The robbers had been thwarted by the quick thinking of local residents.
Sam sat up and looked at Jim. "Hey Jim. Why do you carry a gun?' she asked. "You are a news reporter, right?
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"I hope the gun doesn't freak you out Sam," said Jim. "As you know my brother was involved in some, well, let's just call them "unconventional" business dealings. He hung out with some pretty shady characters. Being an identical twin can be a challenge when it comes to mistaken identity. I want to be prepared if I run into some of the guys he knew, who may not have heard that he's passed away." Sam looked worried. "It sounds as though you expect trouble Jim... is there more that I need to know?" Jim laughed, "No baby, nothing at all... try not to worry."
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:banghead; what happens next??????
You guys are such a creative group. Don't keep me in suspense. :waving;
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Romona maybe you could add to the story.
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Sam tried to forget about the gun Jim carried. It would pop into her mind at the strangest times. She was so busy with the party plans and helping her mother re-decorate her new home. If she looked at another fabric swatch or sampled one more appetizer, she was sure she would lose it. She'd rather be planning her own wedding and future, rather than her mother's celebration. "I bet she can't decide between paper or plastic at the grocery store without my help" Sam thought sarcastically. The ringing of the phone brought Sam back to reality, expecting to hear her mother's voice on the line she was surprised it was Darrell instead. "Sam, how are you?". "I'm fine," Sam answered automatically. "is something wrong with my mother?". "No everything is fine",replied Darrell. "Sam, I'll spare you the small talk. The reason I am calling is that I routinely check out people that are in contact with me. You have to understand I need to be secure as I am in the public eye. I'd really like to meet with you privately. I don't want your mother to worry." Sam's heart skipped a beat, "worry about what?" she asked. There was a long pause, finally Darrell spoke" It is not what to worry about, it is who to worry about. I found somethings out about Jim............"
EDITED: Fixed bold prompt - okarol/moderator
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Great addition to the story!
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Wowie!!!!
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Sam hurried into the club where she was meet Darrell. She had thought about telling Jim where she was going, but something told her to wait. She walked in from the bright sunlight and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the club. She couldn't see anyone besides the couple sitting at the bar. The bartender appeared to be busy restocking. Did she have the wrong place? Her cell phone rang. "Hey baby," said Jim "I thought we'd grab some lunch. Where are you now?" Sam hesitated, "Ummm, I was just... I was going home." Jim said, "Is everything alright?" Sam felt like she had been caught doing something wrong. "No, no, I am good, I will be home in a minute," she said, as she quickly hung up. Sam walked to the bar and asked the bartender, "Do you know Darrell? I was supposed to meet him." The man nodded and she continued, "If you see him, tell him I had to go," She hurried out to her car, feeling confused. In the parking lot she saw what she thought was Darrell, in the back of a black Mercedez. It was hard to see and she just got a glimpse as the car sped off, driven by two men she could not recognize. 'What is going on..? Should I call Mom?' she wondered. She hopped in her car.
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Low on gas, Sam stopped at the gas station near home. She thought about her previous conversation with Darrell. Could she have misunderstood about the meeting time? Why would he leave while she was there?
She finished with the car and drove toward home. Waiting for the signal to change, she noticed the same black Mercedes, idling at the curb in front of her house, about a block ahead! A man escorted Jim to the car and he got into the back seat. The light turned green and Sam sped toward the car, but they had already begun to move away quickly! Sam grabbed her cell phone as she attempted to follow the car. 'What should I do? Where is Jim going?' she thought, feeling panic begin to rise. She dialed Jim's cell as she sped forward, the Mercedes pulling farther ahead. No answer. She dialed again and tried to stay focused, keeping the car in her sight. Sam checked her mirrors, increasing her speed, now knowing something was seriously wrong, but not knowing what to do next. The black sedan hopped on the freeway and she just made the light to merge onto the ramp. She thought about calling 911. But what was she witnessing? Was this a kidnapping? How could she prove anything? Sam kept her attention on the car, staying back enough so as not to be noticed, but close enough to not lose it. Her heart was pounding. After about 10 minutes the car headed down the offramp and turned right. She saw the sign "Airport - Next Right" and sped through the intersection. About 1/4 mile ahead was a gate, and the sedan turned into the driveway, heading toward a hangar. Every instinct told Sam to hold back, but her fear pushed her forward.
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The black car disappeared into the hanger. Sam continued around the hanger so she was turned around facing the open gate. A man walked out of the hanger and looked over at her car. Sam ducked, but he had seen her already. He began to slowly walk towards the car. San gunned the engine and took off for the gate. The man took out a walkie talkie and before Sam could get to the gate with the car, the gate was slowly closing. She was trapped!
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The man walked over to the the car door and ordered Sam out of it. San complied quickly. She was terrified. She could see the gun at the man's belt. She was in trouble this time and she knew it. The man walked her into the hanger. In the hanger she saw a small plane. She also saw Jim and Darrell and three men huddled together in a serious conversation.
Sam heard: "She can't be here."
One of the men looked up and saw her approaching. All conversation stopped...
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She was hustled passed the men and into the airpalne.
"Okay Boss. Here we go. " She heard.
Everyone in the hanger boarded the plane. Soon the plane was soaring out over the California desert.
Sam looked out of the window until someone closed it.
This was scary not knowing where she was going and who these people were.
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Come on people. Add to the story!
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I need to scroll back and read the last updated full version, I haven't read it in months... then I shall contribute again :)
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...(laughing) "i guess i didnt get the fenergan in time!
As "Sam" calms her nerves, her nurse comes back in, takes off her "super nurse" cape and proceeds to initiate treatment. Shecant help but think,...i swear, they're gonna try and kill me one way or the other! Sam reclines back into her chair and notices that blood had leaked in between the side. Her flesh crawls at the thought of her bing seated in an unclean chair. This was one of her her clinic pet peaves. She starts to get irritated and says to the nurse.....
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...(laughing) "i guess i didnt get the fenergan in time!
As "Sam" calms her nerves, her nurse comes back in, takes off her "super nurse" cape and proceeds to initiate treatment. Shecant help but think,...i swear, they're gonna try and kill me one way or the other! Sam reclines back into her chair and notices that blood had leaked in between the side. Her flesh crawls at the thought of her bing seated in an unclean chair. This was one of her her clinic pet peaves. She starts to get irritated and says to the nurse.....
Two things to note - contributions to the story are to be done in BOLD. I don't know what you are having happen to Sam, but she already has a functioning transplant.
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Updated non-edited version since May 2007
.......Jim turned around as she was watching him leave her once again at the ticket counter. He walked back up to her as she was checking in her bags and said: "What the hell! They can send it to me in L.A. My name is on everything. I will call the rental car company from the airplane."
All Sam could do was stare as Jim paid for his plane ticket and checked on in right beside her. It was wonderful knowing he would be with her for the trip home. "Sam looked at her ticket. "First Class? Well, that's a first for me," she said. Jim smiled as he hung his coat up. "Yeah, don't look now, but there's a celebrity on board," Jim replied. Sam slowly turned to look, and to her surprise, sitting in the aisle seat was...
...George Lopez, comedian and kidney transplant recipient. He was with his wife Ann, his kidney donor. Jim said, "I just read a story about Lopez in the paper. He turned down $130,000 to open for Rod Stewart at an Indian casino in Las Vegas because on Thursday he was golfing with Samuel L. Jackson, Cheech Marin and Justin Leonard at the Bob Hope Open. He did not want anything distracting him from his golf game. They upped the price twice and he told Rod Stewart he would have to pass. The promoter thought he was crazy, and his response was, "I am, crazy about golf."
Sam said, "Hang on a moment," and she got up and walked toward George. Ann Lopez looked up as she approached. "I am sorry to bother you," said Sam, "But I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you. Someone who puts herself at risk to rescue another person is a hero in my book." Ann smiled, and they spoke for a few more minutes. When she sat back down next to Jim she smiled and said, "They thought I wanted George's autograph."
Sam waited for their bags while Jim went to rent a car. She didn't know what the next few days would be like. She had been gone so long -- her get-away weekend with her mom had turned into an extended stay away that was unexpected. She needed to call her mom, and her boss, she needed to reorder her meds and talk to her landlord. The lists were reeling through her mind.
What she was certain about, however, was that she would not have to go it all alone. She had Jim with her. The thought made her feel very warm. She was smiling away when Jim came to tell her that he had the car.
"Why are you smiling like that? What happened when I was gone?" he enquired mildly.
"Just thankful that you are with me. I was thinking of all that I had to do, feeling a little overwhelmed, and then I remembered that I am not alone."
"You better believe it!" he said and held her hand tenderly.
Sam felt ready to take on what ever would come her way.
A few days later Sam awoke to her cat Moochie walking across her head. She reached up and scratched his head. He purred, happy to be home with her again. Sam got up and walked to the window. The sun was just creeping over the horizon. She stood quietly, watching the light change. Sam reached for the...
....the remote for the TV so she could watch the morning news. No sooner had she done so than Jim walked in with a tray of food for breakfast in bed. Jim had been stayed the night because they were out rather late they night before and he didn't want to drive back home. "So what do you say we go to a movie tonight" asked Jim. I hear there are a few good ones that just opened this week. "We have been out every night since we got back", replied Sam. Why don't we just stay home tonight. We can rent some movies and curl up on the couch if you like, but I'm not used to being out all the time like this. I would really just like a nice quite night at home for a change. After they had finished breakfast Sam and Jim got rounded around and headed out to the video store.
As they began to back out of the parking space their attention was drawn to an alarm bell ringing loudly. The sound came from the First National Bank next door. Jim stopped just in time to avoid hitting 3 masked running from the door of the bank. "Get down, Sam, get down now!" screamed Jim. Sam quickly ducked down in the passenger side of the car. BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! - gunshots rang out as the security guard exchanged fire with the gunmen. Head down, but peering over the dash, Jim tried to move the car forward, to get out of line of fire. Sam reached up with her right hand and pushed the LOCK button on the door.
The three men ran by the car. One of them tried the door handle, but the doors were locked. Jim pulled a 38 special revolver out from under the front seat and kept it in one hand. As he watched carefully the robbers ran by the car. They grabbed a woman out of her SUV in the parking lot, threw her to the ground, and climbed into her car. Sam was still crouched down below the windows in their car.
"Jim what is going on?" Sam yelled at Jim.
"Stay down. I am going to follow these guys. Call the police on 911 and make sure they know where we are. I will call out street names to you as we go."
San dialed 911 with shaking hands on her cell phone. She told the operator they were following the robbers of the bank and gave the license number of the SUV as Jim gave it to her. He was saying street names as they roared through town. Sam could hear the sirens as the police joined inth e chase. As soon as the first police car drove up, Jim slowed down and waved them on. He slid the 35 revolver back under the seat. Sam sat back up in the seat and pulled her seatbelt on.
"That was fun." She said shakily to Jim." I was scared to death."
"I know. Nerve wracking wasn't it." Jim answered her.
"And all I wanted was a calm night!" Sam laughed "Good thing we didn't rent one of those thrillers that you wanted. How would I have been able to deal with that now?"
Jim laughed and laughed, then put his arm around her and gave a kiss on the cheek.
"I just love my scaredy cat!" he said, still laughing.
He started the car and soon they were home.
Sam went straight to the kitchen and started to prepare the salad. While she was there, the phone rang.
"Mommy!" she screamed with joy.
Sam's Mom was quite happy and filled her in on her life since they had been in Vegas. Her mom was happy to be married and had big plans for a reception at her new home in a few months. Sam agreed to help to with planning strategy sessions. She hung up the phone and there was Jim, DVD in hand, waiting on her.
" Okay, let me get the popcorn." she said to Jim.
They watched the movie, with occassional glances and kisses for each other. Eventually Sam fell asleep in Jim's arms on the couch just as the movie ended and Jim put the news on. He nudged her awake when the bank robbery came on the news. The robbers had been thwarted by the quick thinking of local residents.
Sam sat up and looked at Jim. "Hey Jim. Why do you carry a gun?' she asked. "You are a news reporter, right?
"I hope the gun doesn't freak you out Sam," said Jim. "As you know my brother was involved in some, well, let's just call them "unconventional" business dealings. He hung out with some pretty shady characters. Being an identical twin can be a challenge when it comes to mistaken identity. I want to be prepared if I run into some of the guys he knew, who may not have heard that he's passed away." Sam looked worried. "It sounds as though you expect trouble Jim... is there more that I need to know?" Jim laughed, "No baby, nothing at all... try not to worry."
Sam tried to forget about the gun Jim carried. It would pop into her mind at the strangest times. She was so busy with the party plans and helping her mother re-decorate her new home. If she looked at another fabric swatch or sampled one more appetizer, she was sure she would lose it. She'd rather be planning her own wedding and future, rather than her mother's celebration. "I bet she can't decide between paper or plastic at the grocery store without my help" Sam thought sarcastically. The ringing of the phone brought Sam back to reality, expecting to hear her mother's voice on the line she was surprised it was Darrell instead. "Sam, how are you?". "I'm fine," Sam answered automatically. "is something wrong with my mother?". "No everything is fine",replied Darrell. "Sam, I'll spare you the small talk. The reason I am calling is that I routinely check out people that are in contact with me. You have to understand I need to be secure as I am in the public eye. I'd really like to meet with you privately. I don't want your mother to worry." Sam's heart skipped a beat, "worry about what?" she asked. There was a long pause, finally Darrell spoke" It is not what to worry about, it is who to worry about. I found somethings out about Jim............"
Sam hurried into the club where she was meet Darrell. She had thought about telling Jim where she was going, but something told her to wait. She walked in from the bright sunlight and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the club. She couldn't see anyone besides the couple sitting at the bar. The bartender appeared to be busy restocking. Did she have the wrong place? Her cell phone rang. "Hey baby," said Jim "I thought we'd grab some lunch. Where are you now?" Sam hesitated, "Ummm, I was just... I was going home." Jim said, "Is everything alright?" Sam felt like she had been caught doing something wrong. "No, no, I am good, I will be home in a minute," she said, as she quickly hung up. Sam walked to the bar and asked the bartender, "Do you know Darrell? I was supposed to meet him." The man nodded and she continued, "If you see him, tell him I had to go," She hurried out to her car, feeling confused. In the parking lot she saw what she thought was Darrell, in the back of a black Mercedez. It was hard to see and she just got a glimpse as the car sped off, driven by two men she could not recognize. 'What is going on..? Should I call Mom?' she wondered. She hopped in her car.
Low on gas, Sam stopped at the gas station near home. She thought about her previous conversation with Darrell. Could she have misunderstood about the meeting time? Why would he leave while she was there?
She finished with the car and drove toward home. Waiting for the signal to change, she noticed the same black Mercedes, idling at the curb in front of her house, about a block ahead! A man escorted Jim to the car and he got into the back seat. The light turned green and Sam sped toward the car, but they had already begun to move away quickly! Sam grabbed her cell phone as she attempted to follow the car. 'What should I do? Where is Jim going?' she thought, feeling panic begin to rise. She dialed Jim's cell as she sped forward, the Mercedes pulling farther ahead. No answer. She dialed again and tried to stay focused, keeping the car in her sight. Sam checked her mirrors, increasing her speed, now knowing something was seriously wrong, but not knowing what to do next. The black sedan hopped on the freeway and she just made the light to merge onto the ramp. She thought about calling 911. But what was she witnessing? Was this a kidnapping? How could she prove anything? Sam kept her attention on the car, staying back enough so as not to be noticed, but close enough to not lose it. Her heart was pounding. After about 10 minutes the car headed down the offramp and turned right. She saw the sign "Airport - Next Right" and sped through the intersection. About 1/4 mile ahead was a gate, and the sedan turned into the driveway, heading toward a hangar. Every instinct told Sam to hold back, but her fear pushed her forward.
The black car disappeared into the hanger. Sam continued around the hanger so she was turned around facing the open gate. A man walked out of the hanger and looked over at her car. Sam ducked, but he had seen her already. He began to slowly walk towards the car. San gunned the engine and took off for the gate. The man took out a walkie talkie and before Sam could get to the gate with the car, the gate was slowly closing. She was trapped!
The man walked over to the the car door and ordered Sam out of it. San complied quickly. She was terrified. She could see the gun at the man's belt. She was in trouble this time and she knew it. The man walked her into the hanger. In the hanger she saw a small plane. She also saw Jim and Darrell and three men huddled together in a serious conversation.
Sam heard: "She can't be here."
One of the men looked up and saw her approaching. All conversation stopped...
She was hustled passed the men and into the airpalne.
"Okay Boss. Here we go. " She heard.
Everyone in the hanger boarded the plane. Soon the plane was soaring out over the California desert.
Sam looked out of the window until someone closed it.
This was scary not knowing where she was going and who these people were.
Your turn Aurora.
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Thanks, Sluff! I will get on it.
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Here it is, folks - the updated version of our story. It is now 35 pages and is at a very suspenseful point. I am not able to contribute. I am too interested in finding out what will happen. So, our creative ones, please keep it going!
A special note of appreciation to Sluff - he puts all the pieces together nicely so I have an easy job of formatting.
Please note that the story is now called 'Sam's Story'
BTW, did anyone notice that Darrell in the story got married in Vegas by an Elvis! Talk about life mirroring art!
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Here it is, folks - the updated version of our story. It is now 35 pages and is at a very suspenseful point. I am not able to contribute. I am too interested in finding out what will happen. So, our creative ones, please keep it going!
A special note of appreciation to Sluff - he puts all the pieces together nicely so I have an easy job of formatting.
Please note that the story is now called 'Sam's Story'
Thanks Sluff and Bajanne!
BTW, did anyone notice that Darrell in the story got married in Vegas by an Elvis! Talk about life mirroring art!
Funny, I did not notice! That's pretty cool! :thumbup;
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Sam was sure that she had stumbled onto something serious but nothing made sense. First it was Jim with his hidden gun, then the mysterious meeting with Darrell that never materialized. She looked toward the front of the plane, but could only see men she didn’t recognize. The man near her was eyeing her. “Where are we going? She asked him.
“It’s better if you don’t ask any questions.” he said, and turned away.
Near the middle of the plane sat Darrell with an older man, named Tony Giorgio. He was about 65 years old, heavyset, expensive suit, tinted glasses.
“This wasn’t part of the plan Tony. What were you thinking? My stepdaughter has nothing to do with this! Bringing her along complicates everything.”
"Yes, it does Darrell, but I am afraid we had no choice. She had already seen us together and could have messed up everything.”
Darrell shook his head, clearly upset.
Jim sat in the front next to Rocco, the pilot. He turned to him and asked, “How long until we get to Vegas?”
“About 40 minutes, if that storm over Phoenix doesn’t force us to go around,” said Rocco. As Jim sat there he held his cell phone down by his side, so Rocco could not see it.
Nervous but resigned, Sam sat staring into space. Suddenly she felt her phone vibrating! She quietly slid it from her purse and looked at it. Jim had sent her a text message.
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Coooooooooooooooooollllllllll! Keep it coming, please. The suspense is killing me!
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It said, “ Try not to worry. All will work out.”
Sam hid her phone away, afraid it may be taken from her if they knew she had it.
Meanwhile Tony looked out the window as the dark clouds surrounding the plane. He had some worries of his own. Six years ago his sister had been married to Gino, a guy from the neighborhood who was nothing but trouble. Now their marriage had broken up and in a twisted attempt to get some revenge, Gino had been spinning tales to the FBI. They were focusing on Tony’s casino dealings and an investigation had begun.
A bolt of lightning and an immediate crash of thunder brought Tony back to the present.
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The plane shuddered, struck by lightening. The pilot radioed back to the passengers that he thought everything was okay. Sam was frightened. The clouds out the window were menacing and black. They were flying right into the teeth of the storm. The plane shuddered agin and this time fell a few feet. Sam's
stomach shuddered with it.
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As the plane leveled out Sam looked out the window and could see nothing but dark clouds . Then
She saw the reflection . The face she saw was ashen in color . Wide eyed and hysterical looking . She
slowly turned and looked at the actual face . It was Tony's reflection she saw . He was scared . He was
sweating profusely and his eyes were wild . For a moment she thought he was going to pass out . Suddenly
she felt the plane drop again . Looking one more time at Tony , she closed her hands on the armrests of her
seat and closed her eyes . She could hear Tony .muttering to himself...
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Sam hid her phone in her pocket as Tony sat right beside her. He looked terrible. The ups and downs in the storm were taking their toll on him.
Her phone vibrate din her pocket. She quickly turned it off unseen by her new seat mate. She whispered to Tony.
"Where are we going?"
Tony groaned and stood up and headed for seats in the back of the plane.
Sam picked up her phone and read Jim's text message "It looks like we are headed to Vegas." She nodded to him.
If they made it to Vegas she was pretty sure Jim could get them out of this fix. He could encourage them to go to the Bellagio. Once there, this would be over.
Lightning struck at the small plane again. Sam knew if they went down in the desert the plane would not be found for days. She prayed.
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:popcorn;
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Come on people. Add to the story. Even just a sentence or two.
So do we smash the plane into the desert and end it all, or take them on into Vegas?
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Sam's mother Margie was beside herself. Darrell had left quickly in a car with a couple of men, without saying goodbye. His cryptic phone message only made her worry more. Now she couldn't reach Sam or Jim at home, and panic began to overtake her. She called Darrell's cell phone constantly, but it went directly to voice mail. Margie called Sam's cellphone...
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Sam's phone vibrated. She jumped. This was not Jim text messaging her. This was a real phone call. She tried to ignore it, hoping it would go to message phone. The two men noticed the buzzing that would stop for a few minutes then start again. They traced the noise back to Sam. She took out her cell phone.
"Go ahead, answer it," He told her. " Make sure not to say anything about where you are."
" Hey Mom." Sam said."Yes, I am fine. Jim had a surprise visit to Vegas for me. Yeah we are on our way there now. Yes Mom. We will be careful. Okay. No, I have not seen Darrell today. Okay Mom. Love to you too. Bye."
She put the phone down and the man reached down and turned it off and put it into his coat pocket. " Okay that was fine." he told her.
He turned around and left her by herself once again.
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BOOM!!! A bright flash of light and a crack of thunder thrust the plane off course! From the cockpit an audible alarm sounded! Tony screamed, "What the hell is that??!!" The pilot began repeating over and over into his microphone but Sam could not hear what it was. She grabbed the seatbelt and tugged it hard against her. The plane shuddered and shook, sending chills down her spine. Sam closed her eyes and began to pray. Suddenly she felt a hand on hers.
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Jim had made his way back to the seat beside her. "They have more important things to worry about right now than us." He said.
"I am so sorry you are in this mess with me. Darrell called me because some guys were threatening him and Margie. He asked if I had contacts in Vegas that could help him out. We were in the process of contacting them when these guys showed up and took us by gunpoint to the warehouse. Then you showed up almost right behind us."
"It looks like curiosity is going to almost get this cat killed tonight." She answered him looking into his eyes.
She had a death grip on his hand.
"Just stay calm. Do as they say and we may get out of this yet. Can I use your phone? They took mine." he asked her.
Sam handed the phone over discreetly.
Jim made a phone call that was several buttons long. Then he spoke a few words into the mouthpiece that were very cryptic and hung up. He handed back the phone to Sam.
"When we get to Vegas be prepared to move fast. I have help on the way." he whispered. "I have to go talk to Darrell." He tried to pry his hand loose from hers. She let go reluctantly and he disappeared into the gang of men up front.
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Did everyone lose interest in the story?
It was so fun and interesting to read.
I miss it.
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:o :-\ The suspense!!!!
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Write something people. I do not want to take it over. Please add to the story. Even one sentence to move it along.
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The alarm continued to repeat loudly as the pilot flipped switches and spoke into the headset. Tony had gotten over the shock of the lightning strike but still looked like he would be happy anywhere but in the air. He yelled to Gino, who was closer to the cockpit. "Get that pilot to turn that damn ringing off!" Gino spoke to the co-pilot, then turned to walk back toward Tony. "What now???" Tony said. Gino motioned toward the window, "We've got company..." Sam turned to look. From the west, an F18, hugging the desert, dropped down and leveled out, drawing up next to their plane. She looked toward the other side, another jet was approaching, coming out of nowhere. Tony looked ashen, "Holy shit!" The pilot was in communication with the military escort, and was carefully following their directions. "Goddamn it!! Bring Jim to me, NOW!!!" Sam felt sick.
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If no one contributes I will shoot the plane from the sky! 8)
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The F-18 was flying wing tip to wing tip with the little airplane. Sam could look out the window and see the pilot giving directions. She could see a desert airport coming up on their right. It was not Las Vegas.
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Gino grabbed Jim roughly by the arm and just about threw him to where Tony was seated. Sam couldn't hear everything over the noise of the storm, the alarm and the chatter on the radio but what she could make out was rather disturbing. From what she could gather Darrel had some previous dealings with these people and they were blackmailing him. His only hope of being freed of this burden was to help the government bust Tony and his boys in their next arms deal with China. It seems that Jim’s twin brother Jon had taken a few photos of the transaction on Darrel’s behalf and Tony wanted them back. Tony believed Jim to now be in possession of those photos and would go to any lengths necessary to secure them.
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The airport came into view and both planes touched down. It looked like a deserted area, except for the swarm of Army jeeps coming towards them. Everyone had a rifle in tow. Soon the passengers disembarked. Sam and Jim were separated from the rest of the group. Jim brought out paperwork and showed in to the Army colonel they were dealing with. The colonel saluted Jim.
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Sam woke up. She shook her head. The remnants of the weird airplane dream were still in her head.
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Down the hall Jim called her name. She was sure it was him, although his voice echoed oddly. She swung her feet off the edge of the bed but felt weak and lightheaded as she got up, and faltered as she stood. Her eyes were sensitive to the window light and her mouth was dry. Jim called again, but each step she took seemed to take forever. She reached for the door. It was locked. Confused, she looked around. This wasn't her bedroom, it was a place she had never seen before. Sam looked down at her hand and saw the spot an IV had left a recent bruise. What had happened? "Jim? JIM!" she cried. Somewhere outside the door she heard a radio playing softly. "Jim, please come here!"
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A soldier answered her knock and yell at the door. "Miss, there is no Jim here," he told her.
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Pressing her ear to the door Sam said "I heard him. Please get him. I need him. Please!"
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"Look Lady. Everyone took off from here hours ago. I don't know why you were not with them. I was told to keep an eye on you." He answered.
"Can I walk around?" Sam asked.
"Okay, but stay where I can see you." He told her.
Sam left the rooms she had been locked in. Plans running through her head.
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Sam walked slowly through the hallways of the area in which she was being held. She notice the exits and she also notice that the guard was lax in really watching her. He was not expecting trouble from one lowly female. She was going to give him Hell!
"Where am I?" she asked the soldier as she walked back towards him. "Where is Jim?"
"Ma'am I do not know who Jim is or where he is. Right now I am not allowed to tell you where we are."
"Okay. When can I eat something? I have meds to take soon. Can I have my overnight bag? It has my meds in it."
"I will see what I can do." HE got onto his walkie talkie and radioed out for her bag to be brought into her. It was going to take awhile, so Sam returned to her room and laid down on the bed. Conserving her energy for the run she was going to have to make. It looked to her like she was going to have to rescue herself and find Jim...
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The guard returned carrying her bag. He took a few minutes to search through it before handing it to her.
"I need to eat, I need some water," Sam said, but the guard was distracted by garbled voices coming over his walkie talkie, and hurried off down the hall.
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Sam thought one of the garbles voices sounded Like Jim. She watched the guard walk away and out of the building through the double doors. Sam walked down to the drinking fountain by the doors and took her pills. She tried the door. Unlocked!
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Following closely along the building, Sam moved quickly toward an open courtyard. She looked both ways and kept walking, her heart pounding. Around the next corner was a long corridor and at the end there was a what looked like a guard station.
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not sure what to make of it until she approached closer and sure enough
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there sat Jim, in a black sedan. But he was not alone.
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Darrell was in the black sedan.
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A man was loading boxes into a van nearby. When he finished and closed the door she made her move.
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Sam ran for the car Jim was in. He saw her coming and...
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knew someone was watching as she opened the door....
Edited: Fixed bold tag - okarol/admin
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. Someone shouted, "Hey! What is she doing out here?!" Jim gunned the engine...
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The tires of the sedan squealed as Jim steered down the driveway, headed for the gate. "Keep down!" he shouted as a gunshots rang out. He pushed forward full speed, hitting the gate and mowing it down. In the mirror he saw the men jump in the van but he didn't slow down. The car fishtailed as he rounded the corner. He didn't say a word until he entered the freeway ramp. Jim put his hand on Sam as she pulled herself up, "Are you alright??"
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Sam woke up again............."oh darn I need to stay awake" Sam thought. " Every time I drift off to sleep I have nightmares. I wonder if the nightmares are a side affect of the Transplant anti-rejection drugs....." Sam decided to call transplant coordinator first thing in the morning "I seriously need to find out if the drugs are causing my nightmares." she said to herself, " I'm hungry, I better go find ............."
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Then Sam came awake in reality. She was leaning on Jim's shoulder int he car as they sped away like criminals from a crime scene.
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Jim checked the mirror to see if they were being followed. It looked clear.
Darrell leaned forward and said, "Sam, my God, we thought we'd never find you.."
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Sam turned and glared at Darrell. Before she could stop and think, she had slapped him as hard as she could manage in the confined space.
"Just what is going on here?!" Sam demanded. "You better not have gotten my Mom involved in anything shady."
"And as for you...", Sam turned to Jim. "I think you have some more explaining to do".
"For once in my life, I would like to have just a WEEK that is just normal with no drama. Is this too much to ask?"
"Sam, honey..."Jim began.
"Don't you dare interrupt me when I am ranting! Somebody had better start talking and I mean NOW!"
Darrell shook his head sadly and said, "Well, since this all actually stared with me, I'd better start at the beginning.
He proceeded to tell a tale that Sam wouldn't have believed if she herself had not lived part of it.
I had to add to this. It can't just stay where it left off! :popcorn;
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Thank you so much for reviving this. Keep going......
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lol awesome i just skimmed through this i have not read it all yet but this is awesome i will contribute to it once i have read the full thing.....very cool idea...nice work guys
@CebuShan thanks for letting me know about this!
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"Years ago, before you were born, your dad won an old map and a deed in a poker game. It was supposedly an abandoned goldmine that had never been fully explored," said Darrell. "There were stories that they discovered some of the largest gold nuggets ever found in Alaska. But mysteriously, after a few unusual tunnel collapses and some financial woes, the owner Tom O'Toole, gambled all he had and lost the mine.
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"Mister O'Toole lost the mine to a gambler named James Beam. They were in a saloon in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, playing 7 card stud. Tom was dealt a diamond flush, and pushed all of his money in to the pot. All of the other players folded, except Mister Beam. Mister Beam pushed all of his money in the pot, and said to Tom, "Looks like you're a little light. Got anything else to wager?"
Tom said, "All I have is the deed to my gold mine."
"That'll just have to do, now won't it?" Jim replied.
After calling Jim's raise with the deed, Tom laid his King-high flush on the table.
Jim said, "That's a good hand. All I have is 2 pair." Laying his cards on the table slowly, Jim said in a raspy voice, "A pair of Aces, and a pair of...Aces."
Tom was crushed, but knew that the mine was basically worthless, so it wasn't the end of the world. Jim collected his winnings, and left the table, walking out the swinging doors of the saloon.
Just as Jim disappeared out of sight, John Jameson, one of the card players who had folded on the last hand came back to the table, where Tom was still sitting and asked what happened. When Tom related the story of the 2 pair that beat his flush, John was shocked and said, "That can't be, I had the Ace of Clubs in my hand! LOOK!"
John flipped his folded hand, revealing the Ace of Clubs. Tom screamed, "ARRRGGGGHHH! I'll kill that cheatin' bastard, if it's the last thing I do!"
Tom spent the next several years looking for Jim. Finally, in Los Angeles for a poker tournament, Tom noticed a man that looked familiar. It was Jim Beam! He was walking from a car in the parking lot, in to the hotel where the tournament was to take place. Tom decided this was his chance to do what he swore to do in that saloon in Wyoming.
Jim Beam = incidental character no longer! :boxing;