“You’re looking pretty good yourself, Elmer,” Ella replies as we sit near him.
While she starts taking his vitals, I prepare to look behind the gauze bandage that’s wrapped around his calf. I can tell from the smell that it’s likely infected and judging by how glassy his eyes are, I don’t think I’m too off base. Slipping my gloves on, as well as a mask, I begin unwinding the gauze.
“I cleaned it up as best as I could,” he admits as I carefully cut away the blood-soaked bandaging once I’ve gotten it unwound as far as it’ll go. “But I ran out of the stuff my wife used to make up for cuts and what-not.”
“What stuff?” I ask as a means to keep him talking as I start assessing the injury itself. Infection is definitely present based on the swollen, hot to the touch, skin that looks like an overstuffed sausage casing. The drainage is horrific and while I wait for him to give me more information, I begin cleaning it, using a wound wash that we’ve found works wonders. I suspect it’s abscessed, but that’ll be up to a doctor to make that diagnosis; I’m leaning on my years of field experience and will make sure my notes indicate what I’m seeing.
“Let me grab a few pics and send them to Thelma so she can forward them on to the hospital,” Ella says from over my shoulder.
“Local honey. She used to make it into a paste of sorts then slather it on and it would pull out any infection,” Elmer replies. “But I ran out a few weeks ago and it’s not like I’ve had the ability to make up more, although I’ve got her recipe.”
“We often use Manuka honey on wounds. Couldn’t explain to you why it works though,” I tell him as I finish cleaning the gash. “It’s possible with the bark pieces that are coming out that you might not have gotten everything out, Elmer, but we’ll get you down to our base so we can get you seen at the hospital.”
“What about Buster?” he asks, pointing to the older hound dog that hasn’t moved since we arrived.
“We’ll take him with us. There’s a local rescue group who has set up a temporary shelter for those who had to have more care than just a house visit. He’ll be checked over, then fed and watered until you’re ready to come back home,” Ella says.
“Good, good. He’s the only living thing of Edna’s I have left,” he sadly replies. “Got him for her when he was a puppy when I was still able to work. He followed her around and gave me peace of mind whenever I wasn’t able to get back home.” I know he sees the confused expression on my face because he adds, “Did some trucking back in the day. Most of my trips were done on the same day, but there were a few that had me coming home the following day. Never had to worry about my girl with him here.”
“If you have a leash, I’ll go grab it so we can get you loaded up,” I say. “Anything else you need me to bring?”
“Got my weekly medicine container on the kitchen counter next to the coffee pot, Phoebe. Thank you,” he replies.
“Give me a few minutes and I’ll put a bag together for you, Elmer, because I think the tree that felled you has earned you an admission in the hospital,” I tease as I put a new bandage on his wound. It’ll do until he gets to the hospital, but at his age, time is of the essence, especially since I don’t know the rest of his medical history or any underlying health issues he might already have.
Heading inside, I’m unsurprised to find his house as neat as a pin. I also don’t think anything has been changed inside since his wife’s death. Lacy doilies are underneath lamps, decorative coasters are on the side tables, and throw pillows are onthe couch, with a beautiful quilt gracing the back. I find his medicine, then look for the master bedroom, where I quickly pack a bag for Elmer, including the charger for his cell phone. As I walk back out to the porch, I see a leash hanging, along with several hats, and a set of housekeys. With everything in my hands, I turn and lock the door behind me, then put the keys inside the duffel bag.
“You ready?” Ella asks as she takes care of the small pile of trash, placing it in a garbage bag. “I’ll take this with us so we can put it in the biohazard bin.”
“Wait, let me go back in and get his trash then, since that would be horrible for him to come back home to a smelly house,” I murmur. Pulling his keys out I head back into the house and gather that, then pull the few things from the fridge that probably won’t survive his hospital stay. Finally confident that we’re leaving him in as good of condition as possible, I go back outside and see that Ella has helped him and Buster to where the ATVs are parked. With Elmer already seated in one, I realize I’ll be riding with the dog and giggle.
I strap the trash in the back of my ATV, then help Buster onto the opposite seat. As Ella turns to head down, I follow, laughing out loud at how Buster’s tongue is lolling as he keeps his focus on his owner.
After Elmer was sent to the hospital via ambulance and Buster was handed over to Carole, one of the rescue volunteers, the rest of the day flew as if it had wings. We’re exhausted as we make our way to the RV, a bottle of wine courtesy of Thelma clutchedin Ella’s hands. When Ella stops, I nearly crash into her, my eyes widening in shock.
“Hello, Phoebe,” Eli says.
CHAPTER
THREE
Prophet
Thanks to Red,I made great time on the road today and after introducing myself to Thelma, who is apparently Phoebe’s boss, I waited next to the RV she’s staying in for her to get done working for the day. I’ve already scouted out where I’ll put my bedroll and talked to one of the local volunteers about helping in the morning. Since I have zero medical skills outside of basic first aid, I’ll do what I can to assist in other ways.
Her eyes widen when I say hello, but when she asks, “What’s wrong? Is it Cami?” my heart swells with emotion.
“Cami’s fine, sweetheart. Rebel and Holly are probably spoiling the hell out of her,” I reply.
“Where are my manners? Eli, this is Ella, my best friend. Ella, this is Eli, Cami’s dad,” Phoebe says. “And you’re right, but I’d toss Esther and Paul into that mix as well,” she teases, then adds, “plus, we can’t forget Marnie.”
Looking at her, I can see the exhaustion on her face, but I notice her shoulders ease up at my words. “She’s gonna be rotten when I get back,” I admit. “But Holly’s a great mom, and since Esther and Paul helped raise her, I’m not too worried.”
“Y’all come inside and talk. Fee, I’m gonna take my shower. I’ll put this in the freezer but need you to set your timer so it doesn’t explode,” Ella says as she unlocks the RV.
I follow behind the two women and when I see the inside, I whistle. “This is really nice.”
“It’s kind of tight with both of us in here,” Phoebe admits. “But at the same time, if it’s just Ella, it’s the perfect size.”
