Sinners and Saints

Sinners and Saints Chapter 37 - Stand Up for Your Right

“Jesus Christ!” Jamie leaps from the chair, phone already pulled out. 

Drake kneels next to me, checking my wound and trying to push my hand away.  I’m keeping the gun there so my blood doesn’t drip on my dress. 

I really like my dress. 

Jojo runs in with the towels, “What in the world?” she cries out and I grab them with my other hand, swapping them out and putting the gun back in the bag. 

Father Jonas crosses himself and then takes Jamie’s phone out of his hand, “She’s fine, son.  Watch.” 

He disconnects the call with a “Sorry – pocket-dialed,” and puts it in his lap.  

“What?” Jamie is standing in the middle of the room, staring at all of us, “What the hell?” 

“You can uncover your ears now, Jilly,” I tell her and she turns her head and grins up at me.  Yeah, she’s higher than an Airbus right now. 

“Nice,” she giggles and turns back around. 

“I’m fine, Jamie,” I tell him, “Come look.” 

“I’m fine,” I smile at Drake, talking lower, “Really.  It’s ok.” 

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” he growls, palming my face, “You scared the crap out of me.” 

“You were just afraid that I’d ruin your dress,” I tease him and all of the worry melts from his frame.  If I can tease him, I’m ok, “I really am fine – promise.” 

“Come look, Jamie – it’s not a trick,” I lean my head over and part my hair, keeping the paper towels under the wound. 

Jamie comes over cautiously, “Drake, can you turn that lamp on?” I ask, “Take off the shade too.  Let him really see it.”  Drake pops the shade off of Jill’s side-lamp and turns it up to full-brightness. 

Jamie takes it hesitantly and peers at my head.  My ear is ringing from the loudness of the discharge, but it’s fading fast.  I can feel the lead still – it’s much hotter than last time and kind of itchy-burns – like walking through a patch of nettles – but otherwise it’s not that bad.  The electrocution was still worse.  

He takes the lamp and shines it over my head.  “Go ahead,” I tell him, “You can feel it.  It might be a little hot still, but you’re not going to hurt me.” 

“How?” Jamie stops and reaches his fingers toward me, “How is this even possible?  There’s a freaking bullet in your head – you should be dead.  .22 or not – at point-blank, you should be dead.” 

“Do you want me to do it again?” I ask him as he starts probing gently, “You can inspect the gun, the bullets.  You can load it yourself and shoot me if you like.  Get your firearm from your truck and use that.  Just please don’t ruin my dress.” 

“What the hell, Claire?” he asks me, awe in his voice as he continues to press gently against the flattened lead in the hole, “You’re not even bleeding that much.” 

“Hang on,” I move his hand away and start scratching around.  The disk of lead plops onto the paper towel and Jamie’s eyes widen when he sees my skin snap back.  There’s still a little hole, but I can already tell it’s closing over rapidly. 

“Here,” I pass him the paper towel with the flattened bullet, “Take a look.” 

“How?” he mutters, inspecting the lead.  This one, like the first, has bits of blood on both sides of it. 

“Now are you prepared to listen to her, James?” Father Jonas asks. 

Jamie gulps and sits shakily in his chair again.  “Did you bring the beer?” I ask Drake softly, “He looks like he could use one.”