up and admit that she had tried to get her parents to fight so that she could have an excuse to move. It was selfish of her; only thinking about her future and not her brothers’ or parents’.
She was grateful for a great friend in Jimmy King and what he had shown her. Jessica’s phone buzzed on the side of the bath tub. Jessica dried her hands off and caught the phone just before it vibrated over the edge into the white tub filled with relaxing warm water. Jessica turned the jets on in the tub and relaxed to read the text from Kelsey.
Kelsey and Jessica met when Jimmy had introduced them to each other at a youth meeting. Kelsey told Jessica that she was a big fan of Jessica’s, but she had kept her cool and had not gone crazy, which Jessica liked. They hit off really well and had become good friends after that night alone. They grew in their relationship and Jessica felt that Kelsey was as good a friend as Brittany and Jessica were; best friends. Now when they spoke it wasn’t weird or especially exciting for Kelsey.
The message read, “JESSICA!! I just got a text from Seth that Jimmy is in the hospital! I’m on my way there but Seth says that it’s really bad and the doctors can’t figure out what’s wrong with him. I think you should come now. At least be here as soon as you can!” The message went on to ask how the show went.
Jessica tapped the keyboard on the screen rigorously and sent a message back. She then called her manager to ask him to book the next flight out of NYC to LA. Jessica dried off, dressed, and packed her bags. Her plane ticket was brought to her and a helicopter, waiting on the roof of the hotel, flew her to the airport. She was seated on the plane and was told via text message that a car would be waiting outside LAX airport to take her anywhere she needed to go. It was then that Jessica decided to hire a private jet for the next time she flew.
____________
Jimmy was groggy and covered in a white sheet. His whole body felt as if it were on fire. He had an IV tube stuck in his left hand and other medical equipment strapped on him or nearby. He realized he was in a hospital; he didn’t know how he got there, only that when he came home he felt sick and ran for the bathroom.
In the dim light he saw a blond nurse with blue eyes next to him, checking equipment. The blinds were shut and the curtains were partially drawn at the far end of the room. As far as he could tell, Jimmy was in a room by himself. He tried to speak, but it came out in a grunt. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead as his face reddened. The nurse faced Jimmy and saw his expression. Jimmy tried to signal he was going to vomit. The nurse, acting quickly, brought a bowl to Jimmy’s mouth. He turned his head slightly and emptied his stomach.
“That ought to be the last of it,” the nurse said and wiped Jimmy’s mouth. Jimmy tried to smile back but couldn’t do it the way he was feeling. The nurse walked out and stopped in the doorway. Along with a doctor, Jimmy’s parents were there, talking to the nurse and doctor. Jimmy strained to hear the conversation.
“Do we know the problem yet?” his mother asked.
“Unfortunately, no. We have sent blood samples to determine his condition. But until then we cannot do much.” The doctor responded.
“Is it serious? Uh, will he die?” Jimmy’s dad asked, emotion in his voice.
“To be perfectly honest Mr.—?”
“King.”
“To be perfectly honest Mr. King, we do not know. He seems to be in critical condition; he has minutes or hours. Until we get the test results back we cannot determine how to diagnose him and what medication we should give him. Some might work with the poison and kill him even faster. We have done everything we can up to this point.”
“Poison?!” Jimmy’s mother exclaimed. Jimmy’s heart sank at the news. He felt terrible, but he didn’t know he could die any minute.
“Yes, ma’am. We believe he was poisoned.”
“Can we see him?”
The doctor turned to the nurse and asked if Jimmy was awake. She nodded a reply and came back through the door to Jimmy’s side. She asked him and Jimmy nodded his reply, not daring to try to speak again.
His parents walked over to his right side and Seth and Kelsey on his left. His mom took his hand and Jimmy grimaced. The burning sensation heightened with her touch. She kissed his hand and smiled at Jimmy. The kiss soothed his hand slightly and Jimmy returned the smile with one of his own.
They stood in silence and his mom squeezed his hand. Pain shot up his arm and Jimmy tried to hide it. Jimmy turned towards Seth and Kelsey. Both of their eyes were wet, but no tears had shed yet. Jimmy assumed they he heard the news as well. He lifted up his free hand and Seth grabbed it. Now a tear rolled down his cheek. They let go and Jimmy’s arm dropped, exhausted. Kelsey glanced at Jimmy, then tugged Seth’s arm. It was obvious she did not want to be there when Jimmy could pass away any minute.
____________
Jessica rushed into the hospital and saw Kelsey and Seth sitting side by side, holding hands. Jessica walked up to them and they filled her in on the situation. They told Jessica where the room was and she took off.
Jessica made it to the room and saw that Jimmy’s parents were by the bed. She walked in and was noticed by everyone in the room. Jimmy looked awful. His face was red and he looked really tired. Soon it was just Jessica and Jimmy in the room. She grabbed a chair and placed it next to the bed.
“How was the concert?” Jimmy’s voice was weak and he sounded weary.
“Great, I can’t wait until the show in LA where you will open for me.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I won’t be able to. But maybe you can have Seth open for you.” Jimmy tried to force a smile but Jessica looked away. Had he already considered himself dead? Jessica questioned in her head.
“No, I’m sure you’ll be fine by then. It’s in two days so, I’m sure you’ll be fine by then.”
“Jessica, listen. I won’t be there; as much as I would like to I doubt I will get to see the sunrise tomorrow.”
“Don’t talk like that Jimmy!” Emotion thick in her voice.
After moments of silence Jimmy requested a pen and paper. Jessica dug in her purse and produced what he had asked for.
“You have just about everything in there don’t you?” Jimmy joked. Jessica could find no humor at a time like this. “Would you mind writing for me?”
Jessica nodded her head. She had no words to speak and was afraid of losing her composure. She wrote the date, and addressed it to “Family and Friends”. She wrote as he dictated his will. It seemed a bit strange to Jessica that someone who had only just turned eighteen would need a will.
Jimmy gave most of his belongings to his little brother, Seth, and his parents. He let Jessica choose all of the hats that she wanted to take and willed the rest of them to his brother. His new car would go to his brother as well and his bike to Ryan. When he had finished dictating Jessica had already drowned in tears. It was still hard to comprehend that Jimmy might not be with them soon. Jimmy looked around and saw his San Diego Chargers beanie, he grabbed it and handed it to Jessica. “Keep it,” he said. Jessica traded him the will so that he could sign it.
“By the way,” Jimmy said and looked weakly at Jessica, “you look beautiful Jessica.” Jessica thought that was an absurd thing to say at a time like this.
“Thanks,” Jessica was flattered that he even thought of that on the brink of death. “You don’t look too bad yourself, all things considered.”
Jimmy smiled back and signed the paper. A loud constant tone shattered the silence and shocked Jessica. A doctor and a couple of nurses rushed into the room and Jessica quickly got up and left for the lobby. Jessica clutched the powder blue beanie as tears streamed down her face.
Kelsey had her head buried in Seth’s chest and Seth’s mom’s in her husband’s chest. They all saw Jessica’s grim face. Seth’s mom burst into tears. Kelsey got up and hugged Jessica who was still holding the beanie tight. Seth had his face in his hands.
A few minutes later the doctor, who had just half an hour ago informed Jimmy’s parents the news
appeared to confirm the details which Jessica had told Jimmy’s family: Robert, Linda, and Seth King; and Kelsey. Jimmy died at 11:16 pm.
TWENTY
Through further investigation Jessica was informed that Jimmy’s death was caused by a poison which there was no cure for at the moment. Jimmy’s assassin was traced back to Mark. Mark had paid off the girl, Taylor, at the donut shop Jessica had been to. After Taylor was arrested she spilled the beans about Mark and how much he paid her for it. However, she did not know of any other members who may be linked.
Jessica piled Jimmy’s hats one by one on top of each other after adjusting each and trying them on. Memories filled Jessica’s mind as she looked around the room. The lump in her throat began to build up again. She lifted a snapback off the shelf, the wear and tear showing from the many days Jimmy wore it. It was his favorite cap. She placed it in a separate spot away from the others. As Jessica placed the hats in the box Seth walked in.
“Are those all the hats you are going to take?”
“Yeah, there are many more and I thought I would leave a few for you.”
“Thanks, I guess. They are all technically yours since he left them for you.”
“Is it a problem to give the rest to you?”
“Not at all.” There was a pause. Then Seth sighed, “It’s hard to imagine that he isn’t here with us any longer.”
“Yeah, I try not to.”
“Hey, we all loved