*Title In Construction/Progress*

Chapter 9--John--"Wood Doctors"

"Yes m'am, I do believe we have us some jacked up ribs," "Dr." Ronny proclaims as he presses on Sam's rib cage.

Ronny's father was a real, trained, and graduated doctor and Ronny used to ride along with his father to house calls and help treat the patients. He did this for ten years as a young man before he and his wife moved out here to live off the land. Ronny also claims to have read some of the medical textbooks, but that may be a stretch.

Since this kind, old man has had so much hands-on experience, he can identify and treat most injuries and illnesses. His wife usually comes along as well and lends a hand. My father and I usually just go to them during emergencies and instead of spending all that money on certified doctors.

Sam winces and even cries out as he presses on her left side.

"Swelling, bruising, pain," Ronny trails off. "You got lucky though, little lady! Looks like them two ribs broke purdy clean."

Sam just silently brushes an ocean of tears away.

"The best thing I can do for ya is too wrap 'em tightly and have ya wait for 'em to heal 'emselves."

"Okay." The tears clogged in Sam's voice hurt me deep inside the back of my chest. This must be such a traumatic night for her!

"Martha, wrap 'em up real good with a clean bandage. Make 'er nice and tight!" He directs his wife.

Martha carries a bandage over to Sam and gets to work. Sam whimpers each time she pulls the bandage tight.

"Is there anything else we can do for her pain?" I ask Ronny desperately. Ronny faces Pa and I.

"You can give 'er some ice to put on 'em jacked ribs, or give 'er some pain pills or you can use the homemade pain remedy I'll give you." He then tucks his hands in his pockets of his holed blue jeans and rocks on his heals.

"Now tell me, what do I have to do to get me a slice of that pretty pie?" Ronny wiggles his eyebrows pervertedly, gesturing to Sam.

"You will do nothing," I growl. Ronny takes one look at my face and shuts up. I have no idea why I'm so protective over her! I just met the girl.

Martha is done bandaging and joins us, her wrinkled face shining with a bright, endearing smile.

"Let me see this cock-a-doodled head of yours." Ronny smiles at Sam.

He looks at her eyes.

"Yep, dilated eyes." He nods to himself.

"Stand up," he commands.

"Stand up?" Sam asks.

"Yes 'm'." Ronny nods.

"Do you know how much it will hurt to--,"

Ronny cuts her off, "Just do it."

Sam tugs the quilt off herself. She grits her teeth and stands up. In an instant, her knees buckle and she goes down!

Ronny catches her in a blink of an eye, his frail, old arms holding her surprisingly well. He slowly ease her down onto the couch .

"Dizziness, hard to keep her balance.." Ronny trails off again as Sam gingerly slides back under the quilt. He turns back to us.

"Looks like a concussion. Best thang to do is to just let the brain heal 'erself. Lights and loud sounds will hurt 'er, so keep that in mind." Ronny tells us. "There's the home remedy for the pain. Boil that in a pot and make 'er drink four cups a day. Should ease the hurt."

Martha hands me a mason jar filled with green gunk.

"It's a new recipe," she rasps, her grin missing a few teeth. I thank her for it and give her a side hug.

Ronny fingers Sam's bloody scalp.

"Let's clean this up real good, give ya a handful of stitches, and you'll be roaring to go," He says. Sam gulps, wide-eyed.

Martha produces a gray towel out of her bag, that was probably white a one time.

"If it hurts, just bite down on the towel," her voice grates .

Sam slowly puts the suspicious towel in her mouth.

Martha pours something from an unmarked bottle onto another towel. Ronny dabs it onto Sam's skull, wiping away the dried blood. Sam's gums are white she's biting the towel so hard! A scream burst through.

"I know it stings like the devil, but it sure needs to be cleaned, that way this ole cut won't get infected," Ronny continues to clean her scalp.

After a few minutes of cleaning, Ronny takes needle and thread and expertly sews four tight stitches on top of Sam's head.

"There we go, good as new!" Ronny pronounces when he's done. Pa hands him a ten dollar bill.

The "doctors" leave.

"Thanks for calling them, and for paying for it," Sam says gratefully.

Pa just nods and lumbers off the bed as our dusty, old grandfather clock strikes twelve.