Page 24 of The Choices I've Made
“Jake,” she said softly, making me turn back around.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks,” she said, “for saving him.”
My jaw twitched as I watched her walk away, joining her awaiting family. Life had moved on without me, and now, it was time I did the same.
I spent the next few days in the hospital, attending to those who had been injured in the ferry accident. With access to and from Ocracoke being so few and far between, I decided my skills were being put to better use in the hospital.
Or at least, that was what I told myself, but really I was just overstaying my welcome at the hospital and avoiding reality. Most of the patients I’d attended to the night of the accident had either moved on to staffed doctors, been discharged or transferred to other facilities.
I had officially become useless.
Toward the end of the week, I finally made the decision to venture back down toward Hatteras. My father’s funeral was coming up, having been delayed several days due to the accident, and as much as I’d like to skip it and spend the day in a bar with a bottle of Jack, I knew that wasn’t an option.
He might not have been the best father, but he was mine, and I’d honor his memory like the good Southern boy my mama had raised me to be, even if it killed me.
I couldn’t bring myself to visit Dean before I left. I hadn’t been a significant part of his life in years. There was no use in pretending we were something more now. He was well attended to anyhow. The Sutherlands had been the model family, taking shifts and commuting back and forth to the island so that he was never alone.
Dottie had made an effort to stop by and check on me after that night in the waiting room. I’d downplayed her affection, saying it was just part of the job.
Her face had said it all. I’d hurt her. Once again.
She hadn’t visited since.
It was just as well. I hadn’t returned here to rekindle old friendships or make new ones. I had a life back in Chicago. A career I’d spent a lifetime to achieve. Two months in Ocracoke could never change that.
So, with a fond farewell from the staff, I made my way down the coast. The ferry system had opened back up to the public while the authorities investigated the vessel. So far, nothing had been released regarding the explosion. I couldn’t decide if there was simply not enough information or if there was, and they just didn’t want to say.
In any case, I boarded the ferry with confidence. After witnessing as many traumas as I had in the last several years, I was sort of numb to the idea of it happening again. Even after the first explosion had occurred while chaos broke out all around me, I’d operated on pure instinct, tending to the injured while giving no real regard to what was happening.
I could have made an excellent soldier.
Stone-cold and laser-focused. That had been my motto during my residency. Everyone had feared me while secretly wishing they could take my place.
Dean had said I’d always had a tender heart.
But that had been the old me.
There was no room for bleeding hearts and emotions in a surgical room. Just precision and endurance.
That was the new version of Jake Jameson, and I’d do well to remember it over the next few weeks. Being here, in this place, would inevitably get to me, and I couldn’t risk getting too attached.
Only a dozen or so cars bordered the once-packed ferry that carried tourists and locals alike. With high season approaching, I suddenly found myself wondering how the island would fare with so many of its people depending on this ferry to bring in revenue.
No doubt, it would cause much concern and worry among the inhabitants.
“Jakey Jameson? Is that you?”
Hearing my old nickname had me stumbling back in time before I had a chance to respond.
“I love you, Jakey.” Molly smiled.
“Jakey? That’s horrible. It sounds like Minnie Mouse’s cousin or something.”
She laughed, resting her head on my shoulder. “No, it’s endearing and adorable. Just like you.”
I shook my head, chuckling under my breath. “Couldn’t you have thought of something endearing, adorable, and perhaps a little sexy? Manlier maybe? God forbid Dean hears that. I’d never live it down.”
