Triple Double. James Lewis

at once were too much fun. Just before winter had set in, Rowe helped a gal move into the apartment next to his. Recently divorced, she had two small kids. Over the next few weeks, all four would become close.

      *****

      Isabel had been skiing at Schweitzer Basin over in Idaho when the accident occurred. She was about to sit down on the chairlift when a boy standing next to her slipped, causing Isabel’s ski to turn. Down she went, twisting her foot 180 degrees as the chair banged into her and her riding partner. It was a serious accident. Within five hours Isabel Davis was on the operating table having two of her ankle bones fastened back together with plates and metal screws.

      Just out of recovery, Izzy was rolled into her own hospital room that looked more like a New Year Eve’s celebration. Her parents and a dozen of her friends were waiting for the patient. Isabel was reminded that today was her birthday. Fortunately for her, one week later, school could continue with the use of the internet and her parents. Isabel’s retired mom and dad lived less than a half mile from her apartment. Unfortunately, she couldn’t work for a while. The two bartending gigs were here first love, her sanity outlet. Izzy was a people person. Her recovery had afforded her more idle time than she was used to. Settling into a routine with her close friends, the crutches, Izzy started each morning with a cup of coffee and time on the internet. At the beginning of the third week of her rehab, she was perusing the local news when she read “Spokane officer seriously injured while investigating a crime scene near Rose Lake, Idaho.” Reading further, “Deputy Abron Kelsey was beaten and shot. Listed in critical condition at a Spokane-area hospital. No further details available at this time, pending investigation.”

      Isabel’s mom was hit with a call, in seconds. She didn’t know what to think. Isabel had never been as interested in seeing someone, especially “right this minute”—“Please, Mom, let’s leave for the hospital as soon as you and Dad can pick me up.” With snow still on the roadway, Isabel’s father drove all three to the hospital. Isabel asked at the desk labeled “Information” about Abron.

      “No visitors allowed,” she was told. “Officer Kelsey has an armed guard day and night.”

      Isabel then asked, “Is he out of surgery? Is he awake? Can he speak? Can he walk?”

      The hospital employee in charge of the front desk explained, “Unless you’re immediate family or law enforcement, no admittance, no details.”

      A man’s voice, behind Izzy and her parents, asked, “Aren’t you Izzy the bartender out at Bumps?” Isabel turned to see Ron Rowe smiling at her. “Hey, we’ve missed you, but it’s obvious you can’t bartend on those crutches.”

      Izzy interrupted. “Is he okay? Can I see Abron? Can you get me into his room?” she asked.

      “Are you carrying any concealed weapons? You were pretty tough on him the last time we all saw you.”

      Izzy blushed. For the first time, her mom and dad understood. “Isabel,” said Ron, “he’s in pretty rough shape—swollen, discolored. He has metal screws in his head that hold a cage built to keep his neck from moving. I can get you in, but it’s not pretty.”

      “I don’t care about that. I want to see him and him see me.”

      *****

      Isabel was given clearance into intensive care. Her parents waited in the visitor room. Isabel gasped when she saw how extensive the injuries appeared. Abron’s eyes slowly came alive when he saw her. But there was no movement other than that. As she drew nearer, Dr. Marsh entered, nodded to Isabel, and asked his patient if he had regained any more feeling and/or movement in his arms and legs.

      Softly, Abron answered, gutting out a “Yes.”

      “Can I speak to you in front of the young lady?” asked Dr. Marsh.

      Izzy said, “I was just leaving.”

      Abron spoke, whispering “Stay.” She sat down.

      Dr. Marsh began. “The bullet missed your vital organs but nipped an artery, which we repaired. The artery opening was small enough that we were able to use a stent device to repair it. Your downtime should be no more than four weeks. But I caution you, its four weeks before you can leave the hospital. That doesn’t include rehab and rest. Your neck and head are far more serious. We had to truss you up in that headgear to give your neck bone time to repair itself. Fortunately, the crack was small and should knit enough to lose the headgear in that same four-week period. This type of break could have been much more serious if your detective friend hadn’t stabilized your head and neck when he found you.

      “The MRI results on your skull show a crack. Our team had to drill holes on both sides of your brain cavity to drain fluids that were causing pressure buildup, giving you those monster headaches. You’ll need several more MRIs and a CAT scan or two before we’re through with you. We can’t diagnose the full extent of your concussion. Only time will tell.”

      “Crippled?” Abron asked.

      “No, in three or four months you’ll be good as new physically. Mentally, we have to wait and see. By the way,” the doctor said with a poorly disguised wink to Izzy, “some of the nurses are wondering who your personal trainer is. It seems you’ve attracted some volunteers among our nursing staff.” Abron got it. So did Isabel sitting quietly nearby. “Get some rest, and keep your calorie count up. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

      “Thanks,” Abron muttered.

      Dr. Marsh left the room, and Isabel said, “I’m glad I got to see and officially meet you while you’re bedridden. Will I need to ask all these nurses if I need an appointment next time?” She smiled.

      Abron replied, “See me.”

      Isabel Davis then stated, “When I lose the crutches, it’ll be you who can’t catch up with me.” Abron grinned as best he could. She added, “You now know where I work, both jobs. You also know where I attend school. If you can’t find me, ask a detective.” Before he could reply, Isabel asked, “May I visit you tomorrow?”

      Izzy’s parents were awestruck. This was the first time their daughter had shown any meaningful interest in a man. As the three departed the hospital, Isabel’s mom asked, “May I drive you back here tomorrow? And can you introduce me to this mystery hunk?”

      “Please, Mom, and yes, tomorrow.” Izzy didn’t know if it was maternal, her need to help the injured, or (and she thought for a minute) “love.” Then she told Grace, “I can’t get enough of him. Just being around that guy makes me happy. I know he looked distorted, lying there. But he is a very handsome man. I can’t believe I could fall for an overgrown policeman that told me he was in forensics, and that’s all I know of him.” Never having had this experience before, she wondered what to do about it. “Mom, would you have Dad do one of his famous searches to find out more about Abron? I think he might be worth it, but I don’t want any surprises! He mentioned the Marine corps and college, which would make him several years older than me. He’s had plenty of time to be married, have kids, murder someone, or maybe my intuition is telling me the truth. He’s witty, smart, handsome, sexy, and available.”

      On the drive home, Izzy asked, “Would you stop at that bookstore for a few minutes?” As her parents waited outside, she bought a book for Abron.

      *****

      One week later, Isabel introduced her parents to Abron. After small talk, and as if on a sign, both ladies visited the restroom just down the hall. Jack Davis stayed and asked Abron about his injuries and his background. He knew he hadn’t much time and tried to balance his questions to not sound like an investigator. Jack used some sleight of hand in his questioning, asking Abron about Huskies football and his military duties before questioning him about his parents, his siblings, and past marriages. Abron tried not to show he was on to him, answering every question while infusing signs of still being groggy from all the meds. Kelsey was struggling with his head and neck