Rise(COMPLETED )

Chapter Fifteen

"Only if you promise to do what they ask and rest "Mattie whispered

She'd watched her best friend die in a barn fire when she was in high school that was started when her older brother was smoking and a match caught the open bag setting the entire building ablaze. Both her best friend and brother burned to death that day.

"I'll rest if you promise to stay with me" he said in almost a whisper

Avoiding Jordan's  eyes Mattie nodded as she nervously spoke

"I won't leave your side Mr Knight"

"Call me Jordan please?" Jordan asked as he slowly got to his feet.

"Okay "Mattie agreed her voice low ,sliding the strap   for the  first aid bag onto her shoulder.

Knowing she would have to stay close so that the tubing didn't break Mattie laced her arm through Jordan's as they walked toward the tent.

"We have to make sure that the fire fighters and police are still watching the park. I think those fires were just a distraction." Jordan huffed as they made their way through the alley towards the command tent.

"Aiden runs things like you do. It'll be done "Mattie reassured him hoping he would stop using his energy to talk and use it to maintain his breathing.

Jordan simply nodded in agreement. He was still struggling to  catch his breath.

Mattie stopped for a second noticing Jordan's struggle to breathe and his lips still showing the bluish tint from before.

" Take your time " She whispered

Jordan nodded, stopping. He looked up and noticed the billowing cloud of smoke rising above the building in front of them. "Oh fuck Mattie! The park is on fire!" Jordan shouted as he tried to run but he didn't have enough breath to do so.

Mattie tugged Jordan's  arm  pulling him back "No! Stay here. You need to keep this oxygen on"

"Aiden !!! Henry !!! Get that fireman over there NOW !!!" Mattie shouted

Jordan stopped when Mattie pulled him back. He'd never seen her be so assertive. Jordan knew Mattie was right. He had no valid argument he could use. Sighing,  Jordan  let Mattie  lead the way. "Do you have your radio?" He asked as she helped him sit on the curb across the street from the park.

"Yes why ?"

"Let me use it really quick please? "Jordan asked softly

Mattie handed it to him

"You know you shouldn't really take that mask off and no one will understand you with it on "

"I'll be quick. I promise." Jordan reassured her

Leaning forward, doing her best to avoid Jordan's penetrating gaze Mattie gently pulled the mask down from his  mouth so he could talk

"Aiden, Henry, Lacey you got a copy?"

"Jordan shut the hell  up put the mask back on and listen to Mattie we got this " Aiden responded as he watched them from across the street.

Jordan looked at Mattie with defeat in his eyes. He handed the ratio over to Mattie. "Make sure the chief and the red cross has the entire block evacuated and the houses downwind on a shelter in place order just in case there are any fumes." He said between coughing.

"Jordan they have this we need to get you out of this area. Toxins from fertilizer can spread for miles and who knows what started the park fire. Someone said there's Oleander and Poison Ivy in that garden. You don't need that in your lungs on top of the fertilizer. It can close your airway and then you won't be able to breathe at all. "

Changing their direction Mattie motioned to Aiden to pull Jordan's truck over

"We're not going to the command tent. Nor am I waiting for these lazy asses to bring an ambulance over here. I'm taking him to the emergency room . They'll probably keep him for at least a day. I've seen this back home on our farm it's nothing to mess around with " Mattie explained eyeing Jordan daring him to protest.

Jordan saw the look on Mattie's face and decided against fighting her. He realized that even with the oxygen he was still having trouble breathing. "Let's go but you can't change the radio station in my truck" he sighed as he conceded defeat to Mattie.

"Depends on what music it is and when I was growing up whoever drove had control of the music and you ain't driving "Mattie smirked

"It's my truck!" Jordan  grumbled as Aiden helped him into the truck snickering.

"You lost that battle Unc just shut up before you find that tubing huggin your neck "Aiden chuckled closing the door.

Mattie climbed in the driver's seat stifling a laugh as she held her palm out "Keys "

From the passenger window Mattie saw Aiden wink before he walked back to the curb with Henry

Jordan sighed handing her the keys to the truck.

As soon as Mattie pulled out from the spot she powered the car stereo on. She hadn't planned on it but Jordan's comment piqued her curiosity.

What kind of music does someone like Jordan listen to?

Jordan waited for the CD to start playing. He watched Mattie's face out of the corner of his eye.

The music of Journey's Lovin Touchin Squeein filled the cab of Jordan's truck .As Mattie made the familiar turn onto Washington Street toward the hospital she began to sing along not taking her eyes off the road.

Jordan held in a chuckle as he watched Mattie swaying and singing along.

Mattie pulled into the emergency lane at the doors to the emergency room. When the valet walked over Mattie tossed him the keys and told him to drop the ticket off in the er. Two nurses came out when they noticed the antennas on the roof of Jordan's truck. Mattie explained why they were there as they helped her get Jordan settled into a wheelchair

"I can walk in. I don't need this thing." Jordan grumped.

"Hospital protocol sir and it would've been a stretcher if your wife hadn't driven you "

Opening her mouth to correct the woman Mattie looked at her name tag Lisa was apparently a nursing supervisor

Mattie said nothing as Lisa's companion pushed Jordan through the doors to an isolation room.

By the time the staff got Jordan to his room he'd begun to doze off.

"Mrs Knight we need to get him in a gown and on monitors would you be able to help with that?"Lisa asked as her pager went off .

The emergency room had begun to fill up with patients from a park fire several blocks away and Lisa knew it was going to be a busy night.

Mattie nodded wondering if Aiden would've been a better choice to come with Jordan .

Left alone with Jordan Mattie gently tugged the shirt over his head before slipping the gown up his arms tying it loosely at the neck. The younger nurse with  Lisa that Mattie silently wanted to kill when she ogled Jordan had already tugged his shoes off so Mattie was left with removing his pants

At least the gowns covering him

Mattie's hands shook slightly as she unbuckled his belt , then button sliding the zipper down the sound echoed in the empty room along with the beep of the monitors .Sliding the material down his long legs Mattie was grateful Jordan remained sleeping.