Page 29 of Striker

“Thanks for having my back girls!” I laughed as I sat back in my chair. Bambi twirled her ponytail, blew a bright pink bubble with her gum and popped it.

“That bitch has had it coming since high school. Always had the hots for your boy. She even tried once you left but he always just pushed her to the side.” Ellie Jo sat down and put the basket by her feet.

“She never was the most ladylike growing up. I’m sure her Mother isn’t impressed.” I laughed and looked at my two friends, both so loyal, yet totally opposite styles.

“At least you guys are here now. What did you bring today, Ellie Jo?” Her face lit up as she opened up the picnic basket and took out a little pink box.

“Today I made cinnamon chip muffins with a hint of lavender! They are just so perfect for summer mornings like this.” I reached over and took the box from her hand, and sat back in my chair to open it. Taking out the muffin, I took a big bite and moaned.

“Oh God. This is so good!” The three of us laughed as we talked about our lives and small-town gossip.

I was just finishing up with a patient when I heard the screaming. I ripped open the door and found a Prospect at the nurse’s station, with Billy on a gurney. Running toward them, I radioed for Doctor Hank to come to the nurse’s station immediately. “Billy! Billy, what’s going on, sweetie?” His eyes were closed but he was still breathing. Not getting an answer, I turned to the other Prospect, “What happened? Tell me everything you can remember!”

He just stood there, staring at me with a blank face, his hands shaking as he tried to speak. “Hey!” I snapped my fingers in his face. “Get it together, Prospect! What the fuck happened to Billy?” All of a sudden his eyes came back into focus and it was like a light bulb came on in his head.

“A bee! This whole swarm of nasty bee looking things came out and attacked him!” Having grown up with Billy, I knew he was allergic.

“Amanda! Get me epinephrine, oxygen, and antihistamines. Let’s get him into a room, now.” Doctor Hank came running in and helped me wheel Billy into one of our ER rooms. Amanda came in and got an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. We quickly got the IV’s set up to get Billy the medicine.

“Billy? Can you hear me, boy?” Doctor Hank was opening his eyes and checking them with his pen light. He moved to the side to check the monitors and I stood closer to Billy.

“Come on, Billy, you gotta give us something. Remember when we were little and you asked me to be your girlfriend? Then my brothers and Striker found out. Oh man I thought you were going to pee your pants from being so scared! But look at you now; a Prospect for the Devil’s Highwaymen! Nothing scares you.”

I turned to look at Doctor Hank when Billy sat up and grabbed my arm. “Billy!” He ripped the oxygen mask off and looked at me with wild eyes.

“What the fuck happened to me?” I patted his arm and made him lie back down.

“Keep the mask on.” I gently helped him put the mask back on. “You were stung by a swarm of bees. The other Prospect brought you in unconscious. But we got some medicine in you and you’re going to be just fine. Just lie back and keep breathing.” He nodded and lay back. I rubbed his arm and made sure he was calm. “It will be okay, Billy. I’m here now, and will take good care of you, I promise.” Billy just smiled as he looked up at me.

“You’re the best, Lilah. Striker is a lucky man.” I patted his arm as he turned to Doctor Hank.

I stood up and walked out of the room. “Amanda, can you keep an eye on him?” She nodded and walked into Billy’s room. I leaned up against the wall and took a deep breath.

Doctor Hank came out and put his hand on my shoulder, “Good job in there, dear. Billy’s a lucky boy to have you as a friend. Now I need to go check that bee situation.”

He headed toward the door as I made my way into my office. I sat in my chair and rested my head on my desk. I didn’t even have my eyes closed for more than ten minutes, when Doctor Hank came barreling into my office.

“Lilah! Lilah my dear, we have an issue!” His eyes were wild, a panicked look on his face. Getting up from my chair, I gently helped Doctor Hank into the plush chair in the corner.

“Take a deep breath and tell me what’s going on.” He looked into my eyes and took a big breath.

Grabbing my hands, he started to explain what was going on, “There was no hive and those weren’t normal bees. They were tarantula hawks.”

I looked at the doctor with a puzzled look, “Uhhh...what? Can you pretend like I don’t study insects on the side like you do?”

He scrubbed his hands over his face and leaned back in the chair. “They are a species in the Pompilidae family, or otherwise known as ‘spider wasps’. Very dangerous, my dear. They hunt tarantulas which are far bigger than them. Quite interesting little creatures. But back to my point; they are not native to Big Sky Country. These beautiful insects lead solitary lives and are only found in South and Central America, and parts of the Southern United States. Not here in Montana.” I could feel my airways constricting and my pulse speeding up. I carefully made my way to my office chair and sat down.

“There’s more, my dear. There was a box. I found some dead ones in there which is why I know all of this. Somebody planted them, Lilah.”

I tried to calm my breathing as I sorted through this mess of information. “Okay. Okay let me just...just do something. Could you go check on Billy? I need a moment to myself.”

Doctor Hank got up and headed toward the door, “I’m here if you need anything, Lilah.” Closing the door behind him, I let my head drop to my desk and the tears came roaring down my face.

I picked up my phone and dialed Striker’s number as fast as I could. It took only two rings for him to answer, “Hey there, baby girl! I’ve been thinking about you. How’s work?” I pulled myself together enough so he would be able to understand me.

“Billy...Billy got stung by some wasps. But they aren’t normal wasps. I just need you here now. Please, Striker. This is all so bad.” The line went silent and then I heard him in the background yelling orders to the other members of the club.

“On my way, Little Lark. It will be okay. I love you.”

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