THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
by Marty P.
"Hey, Roy. I see someone moved into the house next door. Have you met your new neighbors yet?" Questioned Johnny."Yeah, I did yesterday," replied Roy. "My neighbor is a single lady named Marjy. She seems really nice."
###
Two days later . . .
Johnny stopped by Roy’s house on his way to the mountains. A few minutes later Marjy came out of her back door. She clutched her crudely bandaged left hand and blood began to slowly drip from her index finger as she walked toward the two men.
"Uh, Roy? Did you tell me you knew first aid?" Marjy queried.
"I’m a paramedic, Marjy. This is my friend and partner Johnny Gage," Roy answered.
"What happened?" Johnny intervened. "Marjy, before you explain, why don’t you sit down? You’re looking a little green." He guided her to Roy’s steps.
"Promise you won’t laugh?" Marjy asked reluctantly. "I bought refrigerator biscuits the other day and put them in my freezer. Thought I would bake a few today. So, I got out the frozen package and since I couldn’t separate them I took a sharp knife, and, well . . ."
"Let’s take a look Marjy." Johnny carefully removed her bandage. The cut, though not long, was deep. "Marjy, I think you’ll need a few stitches to help that heal quickly. Have you had a tetanus shot recently?"
"But the knife was clean!" Marjy exclaimed.
"Well, that may be true, but it’s a wise precaution anyway," Roy interjected. He continued, "Johnny, I know you need to go. I’ll make sure Marjy takes care of her injury."
"You sure you will be all right?" Johnny inquired.
"Go ahead, Johnny. Thanks so much!" Marjy declared.
###
Several weeks later . . .
Johnny and Roy were in the backyard, reclining on the lawn furniture, when Johnny glanced over at Marjy’s house and commented, "Roy, do you see what I see?"
"What?" Roy responded.
"I think I see someone’s legs hanging out of a basement window," Johnny continued.
"You’re kidding!" He noticed the limbs as well and they both dashed over to Marjy’s house.
"Marjy, is that you?" Roy asked.
"Yes," Marjy’s muffled voice replied.
"What are you doing?" Johnny requested in a puzzled voice.
"I . . . uh . . . locked myself out of the house and was trying to crawl in a basement window to get back in."
"We’re going to pull you out. Hang on," Roy instructed. Johnny and Roy extricated Marjy from her basement window. "Do you realize you would have landed on your head or your hands the way you were climbing in the window?"
"Oh, no! You’re right! I didn’t think of that! Thanks so much guys but I’m still locked out!"
"Let’s take a look at your doors. We often have to open locked doors when we’re fighting a fire or rescuing someone," Johnny said. The three of them went to the front door. Johnny nudged the door, manipulated the lock and jiggled the handle. In a very short time Marjy gazed at her open doorway.
"Johnny, Roy, I don’t know what to say! Thank you! Thank you!" Marjy told them excitedly. "I’ll see you later!"
###
Later the same month . . .
The doorbell rang. Roy answered it and greeted Johnny. They planned to work on Joanne’s "honey-do" list.
Johnny noticed a silence in the house. "Where is everyone?" He inquired.
Roy informed him, "Joanne went shopping. She dropped Chris off at a friend’s house. Jennifer is next door at Marjy’s house. They’re going to make cookies and then have a tea party. Jennifer really enjoys spending time with Marjy. Marjy often invites her over to, well, play." Several hours passed as Johnny and Roy changed light bulbs, fixed squeaky doors, and performed other miscellaneous tasks.
Suddenly, the back door burst open and Jennifer charged in screaming, "Daddy! Johnny! Hurry! Marjy fell down and bumped her head! Come and help her!"
"Calm down, Jennifer," Roy consoled her. They quickly left the house and headed for Marjy’s back door. "Tell us what happened Jennifer."
"We were making cookies and Marjy accidentally spilled some oil. We cleaned it up but I guess we didn’t get it all because Marjy took several steps and then, whoosh! She slid on the floor and the next thing I knew, she thumped her head on a kitchen cabinet."
"Did she pass out?" Johnny inquired.
"I’m not sure, I ran to get you right away." Jennifer replied, nearly in tears.
"Honey, it’s okay. You did the right thing," Roy told her.
They entered the house and soon spotted Marjy. She gazed at them with a look of bewilderment on her face.
"Are you okay?" Roy questioned.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Johnny asked Marjy as he held up two fingers.
"Two," Marjy answered.
"Do you hurt anywhere? Arms and legs all right? Jennifer said you bumped your head?" Roy asked Marjy.
"My pride and dignity are really injured. I think I just barely touched the cabinets when I fell. I really am fine."
"Tell you what Marjy, why don’t Roy and I assist you in getting up so we’re confident you don’t need further aid from us," Johnny suggested.
Each man took an elbow and gently raised Marjy to her feet. They carefully watched her face for any grimaces or indications of pain. Seeing none they released her.
"Sure you’re all right?" Roy asked.
"Please guys, I am fine. She walked to the counter and began to grease a cookie sheet. Then she turned to Jennifer and said, "are you ready to bake our cookies yet?"
As the two paramedics left, Marjy glanced over her shoulder and remarked, "Thanks so much, again!"
"You call me if you feel any pains or dizziness Marjy." Roy commanded.
"I promise I will. See you later," Marjy told him.
###
"Wow, Roy, did you notice how windy it was yesterday?" Johnny asked as he and Roy left the station. "I really appreciate Joanne inviting me over for breakfast after the last shift we had."
"No problem, Johnny, she was going to cook mine anyway," Roy commented.
"It must be great to have someone cook for you all the time! Maybe I should consider marriage!" Johnny said emphatically.
"Johnny, there’s so much more to marriage than someone cooking your meals!" Roy retorted, rolling his eyes.
As they pulled into Roy’s driveway they observed a ladder placed against Marjy’s house.
"Roy, what do you think the ladder’s for?" Johnny questioned. "Have you noticed your neighbor seems to be somewhat, for lack of a better term, accident prone?"
"Look who’s talking! Johnny, you end up needing help and medical attention more than anyone else in the department!" Roy exclaimed.
"I resent that! I just throw myself into my work!" Johnny protested.
"Yes, Johnny, you literally throw yourself into your work," Roy retorted.
They entered the house and enjoyed a delicious and relaxed breakfast. During this time Marjy climbed the ladder and began cleaning her gutters. She carefully moved the ladder as she finished each section of gutter within her reach. She moved to the final area, tested the ladder and ascended. She failed to notice the loose dirt under the ladder.
Suddenly, her support began to move away from the house and though she clung to the gutter momentarily, she lost her grip and fell to the ground. After several seconds, she gained her bearings and began to call, "Help! Can someone help me?"
Roy’s son Chris, who had just headed out the door, heard Marjy’s plea for help. Quickly, he ran back into the house yelling, "Dad! Johnny! Marjy needs help!"
Roy and Johnny darted out the door and quickly reached Marjy’s side. "Don’t move, Marjy," Roy ordered. "Johnny and I will check you out."
"What happened, Marjy?" Johnny asked.
"I was cleaning my gutters and the ladder slipped. When I fell most of my weight landed on my right foot."
"Do you hurt anywhere else? Can you move your arms and legs? Did you hit your head?" Roy inquired.
"No, it’s only my right ankle. Everything else seems all right," Marjy answered.
"Her pulse and respirations are normal, Roy. Marjy, let’s take a look at your ankle now. It’s quite swollen," he stated as he gently palpated it, "does this hurt?"
"Ouch!" Marjy cried. "Yes, it sure does!"
"I think it’s just badly sprained but you should go to the hospital to have them x-ray it and verify it’s not broken," Johnny informed her.
"Oh, bother! I can’t believe this happened! I feel so foolish!" Marjy said adamantly.
"Marjy, I will drive you to the hospital in my car. I’ll be right back after I tell Joanne where I’m going," Roy told her.
"I’ll help you get her to the car, Roy. Do you want me to go with you?"
"No, thanks anyway John," Roy remarked.
Later the same day . . .
"Well Marjy, we got the results of your x-ray. Roy and Johnny were right. Nothing is broken but you badly sprained your ankle. You will, however, need to stay off of it for several days," Doctor Early cautioned her.
"I will make sure she does, Doc," Roy declared. "Oh, Marjy, I want you to meet my friend Dixie."
"Hi, Marjy. Roy told me his family enjoys you living next door to them. Nice to meet you," Dixie replied.
"Has Roy told you anything else about me?" Marjy inquired.
"No, I don’t recall anything else," Dixie stated.
"I just wondered. Glad to meet you, Dixie. See you later. And thank you too, Doctor," Marjy called as Roy wheeled her out to the car.
###
Six weeks later . . .
"Hey, Roy! You ready to head off to play basketball with the guys?" Johnny hollered as he entered Roy’s house.
"Be with you in just a moment Johnny," Roy said. "Joanne was asking me a question. Yes, dear?"
"Roy, have you seen Marjy around in the last several days?" Joanne questioned.
"No, now that you mention it, I haven’t. Hadn’t really noticed since we’ve been so busy. Have Chris or Jennifer seen her? She might be out of town, you know."
"No, Roy. She promised she would always let us know if she was going to be away. She has kept her word," Joanne said to her husband.
"Chris! Jennifer! Please come here!" Roy requested.
"Yes, Dad?" the children answered.
"Have either of you seen Marjy in the last several days?"
"No Dad," Chris replied.
"Me neither," Jennifer chimed in.
"Roy, I am concerned. It isn’t like Marjy to hibernate. We usually see her at least once or twice a day," Joanne said worriedly.
"Didn’t Marjy give you a key to her house after she locked herself out?" Johnny interjected.
"You’re right, Johnny. But, why don’t we call her first?" He reached over and picked up the phone. "There’s no answer," he informed everyone. "Chris, you and Jennifer stay here with your mother. Johnny and I will go over to Marjy’s house and check on her."
They arrived at Marjy’s doorstep and soon entered her home. "Marjy! Hey, Marjy!" Roy called. "Why don’t we each take a floor? Johnny, check the basement. Joanne, check upstairs. I’ll search this floor. Yell if you find her."
Each undertook their assignment. In a few moments Joanne yelled, "Roy! Johnny! Come upstairs! I found Marjy!"
"Is she hurt?" Johnny asked.
"No, I think she has the flu though," Joanne answered.
The two men quickly entered Marjy’s bedroom. She was in bed, covered with blankets but shivering. Johnny reached over and gently touched her feverish brow. "She feels pretty warm. Joanne, would you look around and see if you can locate a thermometer?"
"Her pulse is rapid and her respirations are fast and shallow," Roy communicated to Johnny. Joanne reappeared with a thermometer.
"Here Johnny," She said as she handed him the thermometer.
"Marjy, I’m going to take your temperature. Just relax," Johnny notified her.
"Okay, Marjy." Johnny removed the instrument and took a reading, "102.6. No wonder you feel warm. Marjy, can you tell us how long you’ve been feeling ill?"
"I think I’ve been in bed about three days," she replied hesitantly.
"When’s the last time you had some food Marjy?" Roy asked her.
"I haven’t eaten since I went to bed. I just wasn’t hungry," Marjy answered.
"Have you been drinking any liquids?" Johnny inquired.
"Well, I had some water yesterday. It was too much effort to try to drink anything today," Marjy told him.
"Roy, Johnny, why don’t you go downstairs and see what Marjy has in her fridge? Marjy, I’m going to change your sheets and help you get more comfortable," Joanne suggested.
"Roy, we have some apple juice if you can’t find anything in her fridge."
Roy and Johnny went to the kitchen and peered in the nearly empty fridge.
Johnny said to Roy, "I thought bachelors were the ones who kept only a little food in their houses."
"Johnny, I’ll be right back. I’m going to get the apple juice and see if we have Jello or anything like that."
"Didn’t you tell me you had a BP cuff and a stethoscope at home, too? Why don’t you bring those as well?" Johnny requested.
A few minutes later Roy returned. Shortly thereafter Joanne called, "All right guys, you can come upstairs."
"Marjy, we brought you something to drink and some Jello. We also want to take your blood pressure and listen to your lungs." Roy told her.
"Thanks so much, everyone. But really, I’m okay. I wish you wouldn’t bother. I feel like I’m taking advantage of you," Marjy said in a rasping voice.
"Marjy, don’t forget Roy and I help people all the time. We want to take a look at you since we’re here," Johnny explained as he placed the BP cuff on her arm and began to inflate it.
"150/90, Roy," he said in a noncommittal voice. He warmed the stethoscope and listened to her lungs and heart. "Roy, there’s some fluid in her lungs." He turned to Marjy, "Have you been coughing quite a bit?"
"Well . . . yes." She took a deep breath and suddenly began coughing violently.
Roy and Johnny glanced at each other. "What do you think? Should we take her in?"
"Why don’t we call the hospital and see what their recommendation is?" Roy suggested.
"Good idea Roy," Johnny agreed.
"Hi, Dixie, this is Roy. Could you get one of the doctors? Thanks."
"Doctor Brackett, this is Roy. No, I’m not on duty. It’s my neighbor. She has a temperature of 102.6, influenza symptoms, hasn’t eaten for three days. Johnny listened to her lungs and says she has some fluid in them. She does have a cough."
"Marjy, the doctor wants to know if you have any pains in your rib cage. Yes?"
"Doctor Brackett, that’s affirmative. Did you want us to call a paramedic unit?" Roy continued. "This is what he said. We can take her in. He is concerned about her cough, the pain she’s having, and wants to see if she’s dehydrated," Roy told everyone.
"Really, I’ll be all right. Why don’t you all go away?" Marjy protested.
"Marjy, you have no choice. It’s us or an ambulance," Johnny replied. He turned to Roy, "Why don’t we take her in my car? I’ll go get it."
They wrapped her in blankets and drove her to the hospital.
Several hours later . . .
"Johnny, Roy, I can give you a diagnosis on Marjy. You were correct, she does have the flu. She is on the verge of contracting pneumonia as well. I have started her on antibiotics." Doctor Brackett informed the two men. "Does she have anyone to care for her at home?"
"No Doc. I would have her stay with us but I don’t want the kids exposed to the flu," Roy told him. "I don’t know anyone else to contact."
"Doc, I would consider it, but I have to go to work," Johnny replied.
"Well, we’ll keep an eye on her here for a few days to make sure she doesn’t develop any complications," Doctor Brackett said.
"Let me know when she’ll be released and Joanne or I will take her home. Thanks, Doc!" Roy said as he and Johnny moved toward the exit.
###
Two months later . . .
"Roy, have you made your vacation plans yet?" Johnny inquired.
"Not yet, Joanne and I are still trying to decide where to go," Roy told him. "She’s also concerned Marjy will do something, uh, unexpected while we’re gone and no one will be there to help her."
"You’re kidding!" Johnny exclaimed.
"No, I think Joanne feels we’re responsible for Marjy’s well-being," Roy replied.
"I heard about a new type of telephone on the news the other day. It’s called a cordless phone," Johnny informed Roy. "Maybe you could talk her into buying one and she could keep it with her around the house and call for assistance if she needs it."
"Johnny, that’s a terrific idea!" Roy said excitedly. "But, someone would have to take her shopping and make sure she knew how to use the phone and, right now, Joanne and I just don’t have the time to take her," Roy continued sadly.
"Well . . . I suppose I could take her. I am off tomorrow," Johnny remarked.
"I’ll call Joanne and tell her your idea!" Roy announced.
Roy returned several minutes later. "Joanne thinks you’re a genius, Johnny! She just went over to tell Marjy to be ready for a shopping expedition tomorrow."
The next day . . .
Johnny stopped briefly at Roy’s house. "You did check with Marjy and she’s willing to purchase a cordless phone, right?" he asked.
"Yes, Johnny, she thought it was a terrific plan also," Joanne responded.
Johnny arrived at Marjy’s doorstep and soon they were parked at a shopping center nearby. They wandered around for awhile as they tried to locate the phone store.
"Oh, Johnny, I think we’re lost! One end of this mall looks the same as the other. I know! I’ll just climb up onto the edge of this fountain! It will give me enough height to see which direction we should go!" Marjy said brightly as she began to step onto the brick border that surrounded the fountain.
"No, Marjy!" Johnny yelled as he reached to grab her from her perch.
Suddenly, both of them splashed into the fountain which caused passersby to point and gawk.
Marjy arose quickly and began to climb out of the fountain. In her haste she bumped her shin smartly against the bricks as she clambered out. She dashed down the corridor.
Johnny quickly leapt out of the fountain and followed her. "Wait, Marjy!" he shouted.
She ignored him. He finally caught up with her. "Marjy, are you okay?" he asked in a concerned voice.
"Oh, Johnny. I’m so embarrassed! I’m soaking wet and so are you!" Marjy said self-consciously. "Could you take me home please and we’ll come back later?"
"All right. It is difficult to shop when your shoes squish with every step you take, isn’t it?" He commented with a grin.
They headed toward the parking lot. Marjy tried valiantly to disguise the pain her shin caused her but Johnny noticed her limping.
"Marjy stop. Sit down on this bench," he ordered, and she complied. He noticed her bloodstained pant leg. "You aren’t all right, are you?"
"Nothing like adding insult to injury. I guess I bumped my leg when I climbed out of the fountain," she replied reluctantly.
He examined it and found it was still bleeding. "Marjy, we’re almost at my car. I have a first aid kit and we can take a closer look at it there. Can you walk that far?"
"I’m not an invalid!" she retorted.
They slowly arrived at his vehicle. He cut away the material and applied a bandage to her wound. "Marjy, I want to take you to Rampart."
"Johnny, is that really necessary?" she complained. "It’s just a scratch."
"Marjy, scratches usually aren’t that deep. I want to make sure you didn’t chip a bone," Johnny replied.
"Do I have a choice?" she questioned.
"Since I’m the one driving, no," he told her.
In a short time they arrived at Rampart. Amazingly, it was not very busy.
Marjy was led into an examination room after a brief wait.
Soon Johnny saw Marjy, Dixie and Doctor Early exiting the room.
"Johnny, Doctor Early said I didn’t damage any bone. I will have a very colorful bruise though," Marjy reported to him.
"Glad to hear it, Marjy." Johnny remarked.
"Guess what, Johnny! Dixie and I were talking and I think I’m ready for a career change! I want to become either a nurse or a paramedic! Isn’t that great?" Marjy announced.
"Oh, no!" Johnny groaned as he shook his head in disbelief. "Wait until Roy hears this!"
Further Adventures of the Girl Next Door - Installment Two
Marjy Becomes A... - Installment Three
Marjy Falls Down On The Job - Installment Four
The Benefit - Installment Five