Cherry - S01 E47

Story 1 year ago

Cherry - S01 E47

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 47

Maybe he's trying to serve you a summons!"

Garry offered, "Or, maybe he's wondering why you never called him the next morning!"

Brian and Garry were busting at the gut with laughter, I just said as dry as possible, "You guys are hilarious." Truthfully, the joke was pretty damn funny and it took all I had not to laugh with then. After a few more minutes of jokes at my expense, we all found something to do and went to work.

It was just after lunch and I was outside doing some maintenance checks on a few fire hoses when a voice came from behind me; interrupting my train of thought.

"Are you David?" he asked.

I said, "That's me," as I tumed while standing to face the man. He asked, "Are you David Mann?"

"That's right; what can I do for you?" I asked. I was starting to wonder if I was about to be served to appear or arrested. But then I decided both seemed unlikely; he didn't quite fit the part. He was a big enough guy, dressed nice, but he looked like hell-like he hadn't slept in weeks.

He put out his hand while making his introduction, saying, "My name is Bill-Bill Phelps."

I shook Bill's hand and said, "Nice to meet you," while waiting for him to get to what brought him here.

Bill was looking for the right wards to explain what he wanted before he just stated talking. "The nurse said I just missed you. I was so upset that she was alone before..." his words trailed off as his eyes became glassy. "But she says she wasn't alone: that you

were with her." I said, "You are Katie's Dad. I'm so sorry for your loss. I did everything I could..."

He stopped me, saying, "I know you did. Believe me: I know. I tried to find you sooner, but the nurse wouldn't give me any information about you."

I thought (but didn't say) 'she clearly gave you my name... I just said, "Yeah, they can't by law, I think."

Bill seemed to hesitate to go on but I didn't push him to continue. I knew he was surely still grieving over the loss of his wife and daughter and perhaps just needed to talk to me to work through some of those thoughts. He was having a hard time looking me in the face and kept gazing towards the ground while shifting his weight nervously.

Finally he spoke, "You're going to think I'm crazy; maybe am..." He glanced at me momentarily before continuing, "She told me to come find you that you'd be here."

I said, "So the nurse did tell you my name and where I work? That's

ok: I actually don't mind..."

Bill interrupted, "No, not the nurse-She wouldn't tell me anything." Confused, I asked, "Who told you...?"

Bill said weakly, "Katie."

"What?"

Bill said, "It sounds insane: I know. But my daughter has been telling me in my dreams every night to come and find you. She told me your name; that you work here."

I was in complete disbelief and asked Bill, "What is this? Is this some kind of joke? Who are you, really?"

Bill said, "Believe me: This is no joke-it would be easier if it was! You have no idea how much I hoped that, when showed up here the first time, the guys here would tell me they never heard of any 'David Mann". When they confirmed you worked here I cried all of the way home."

My head was swimming and I felt like I needed to sit down. Bill wasn't giving me time to process what he was telling me and continued to tell me that Katie wanted him to find me and thank me 'in person' on her behalf for staying with her as I had promised. He finished talking and all I could do was stare at him in silence and disbelief.

Logical explanations began to come to me. Any number of nurses or doctors at the hospital could have told him my name and where I worked. The guys here at the station could have told him about me staying with Katie-Or if he found the crew that worked the life flight, they could have told him the same thing. Then, a very logical (and probable) explanation came to mind.

I said, "I think maybe you overheard people at the hospital talking about what happened." He shook his head and I continued, "You were overwhelmed with grief at the time and their words didn't register to you at that time. But those words were heard; if only subconsciously. When you slept, they came out of your subconscious and that's how you knew my name. That's how you found me."

Bill thought for a second and said, "No, don't think that's it. | mean, it sounds good, but there is more to it than that." I was closing my mind to the idea and said, "That's got to be the answer, Bill. I'm sorry: I wish it was possible, but.."

He cut me off saying, "Katle told me to tell you something if you

didn't believe me. I'm not sure I understand this, but she told me to tell you that she likes cherries? I don't get that because her favorite flavor was always strawberry."

I thought for a second and asked, "Do you mean Cherry-as in my girlfriend, Cherry?"