A CAMPING ADVENTURE
Disclaimer: I claim non of these characters as my own.
Chapter 4: Help arrives
It was dark by the time Barb, and Alex reached the lodge. When they walked in, an older gentleman dressed in a green uniform looked up.
“There has been and accident out at campsite 2,” Barb said. She explained the situation, and he made a call for the Doctor to come out to the lodge.
“I want to talk to my mum,” Alex said.
“Do you know her phone number.” One thing Rick and Evelyn had done, was to teach their son his full name, their full name, and their address, along with their full phone number ,both long distance, and local. Alex told the man his number, and he got through to an operator, and in a moment the phone was ringing, and Alex waited for his mum to pick up. It was late at home, and here, and after a few more rings, the phone was answered.
“O’Connell Residence,” Evelyn said half asleep.
“Mum?” At hearing her baby’s voice, Evelyn came fully awake.
“Alex?” He started to cry, and her heart started to beat fast. After a moment she heard someone whispering something, then a strangers voice came on.
“Mrs. O’Connell, my name is Barb Dudly. Your husband has been in an accident, he stepped in an animal trap. We have help on its way to him, but it might be well if you can come now. I’ll stay here at the lodge with your son, until you arrive.” Evelyn was all for that.
“Yes would you please do that. See if he will talk to me.” As she talked, she got dressed.
“I’m scared mummy. He hurt and yelled and it was all bloody,” Alex sobbed.
“Shh baby, you were very brave, and I’m sure they will go and help daddy okay. Will you rest, and when you wake up I’ll be there?” she asked her baby boy.
“Sing to me mum?” he asked, as Barb helped him lay on the couch. She had brought the phone over and set it on the floor, and put covers over the little boy, then went to get some coffee for herself.
“Close your eyes baby.” Evelyn told him. He did what she said.
“Their closed,” he said. She closed her eyes wishing she was holding him in her arms. She hummed, then sang to him about The land of dreams, a song her mum used to sing. When she stopped there was nothing ,then Barb took the phone.
“He is asleep, and we will be waiting.” Evelyn thanked her, and after getting off the phone with Barb, she ran down to Jonathan’s room and woke him, getting him to come with her, and they left, knowing they could get there before Alex woke up.
While Evelyn and Jonathan made their way, up at the campsite, the Doctor had arrived. Rick was still with fever, but not nearly as bad. The first thing the doctor did, was to give Rick an injection of penicillin. The second was to look at the wound. He removed the gauze and didn’t find any infection.
“What you did saved this man’s leg. The penicillin should work with the rest of the infection,” He said to Tom. Rick woke up then.
“Where is my son?”
“Rest easy sir, he is at the lodge, and they have contacted your wife for you. You need to rest before we move, you, try to get a good nights sleep,” The doctor said. Rick wanted to go to Alex, but his body was very weak, so he drifted back into sleep.
The drive had been long, with Jonathan taking the first half of the trip, and Evelyn taking the second half. It was just starting to become day, when they pulled up to the lodge. Evelyn didn’t even turn off the car, as she got out of the car and ran up to the lodge. When she walked in, Alex was still asleep, and a woman was asleep at the desk but woke up.
“I’m his mum,” she said, and went over to her baby. She needed to feel him in her arms, and lifted him off of the sofa cradling him against her, which woke him.
“Mum,” he snuggled against her.
“I’m so scared for daddy mum,” he said starting to cry. Evelyn sat down with him, and rocked him. She wished she just would have stuck to her gut, and told Rick no to this, but then again this whole thing could have happened no matter how old Alex was.
“Shh, its okay baby.” He queited in her arms.
“I want to go see him.” She nodded, and Barb came with them and led them into the woods.
At the camp site, morning came, and Rick was awake, sitting up in his tent and drinking water slowly. The Rangers had arrived, and would help to transport him back down to the lodge, but the first part was to get him hydrated again
“We will leave around noon,” one of the men told him. Rick nodded, and after drinking the water, he went back to sleep. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, and thought he was dreaming when he felt his wife’s lips on his. He opened his eyes and realized it really was her.
“Shh, Alex and I couldn’t stay away from you,” she told him. At that moment Alex ran in.
“Dad?” he looked afraid, and Evelyn helped her husband sit up. Once he was steady he took Alex into his arms.
“You were very brave, and I’m very proud of you for getting help to me,” Rick said. Alex had an strangle hold on him.
“I was afraid you would die like my wolf died,” Alex said. He lifted his head to look in his dad’s eyes. Rick leaned his head foreword and kissed his son’s cheek.
“I’m a tough guy buddy, and I wouldn’t die, because you and your mom need me here, and I need to be here for you.” He couldn’t think of a better answer, but Alex seemed to like that one. Evelyn looked at him, a questioning look about what Alex had said, but Rick shook his head, and for now she let it go. She and Alex helped to pack things up, then when they were ready, Rick was settled on a medical cot, and they went back to the lodge.
A few weeks passed, and Alex had told Megan and Max about how he helped to save his dad’s life. He was telling them all about it, and neither believed him. Rick came out, still using a cane to support his healing leg, to tell them lunch was served.
“Dad. I did save you didn’t I?” he smiled.
“Yes son you did.” Both Max and Megan wanted details then, and Lunch was spent telling them all about his time in the wilderness with is father. There would be many more camping trips with his father, but none ever as memorable, or as special to either of them as the first time. Despite the bad experiences, the trip as a whole brought them closer together, and it would not be the last adventure they would share.
THE END