Wash

he repeated.

The woman hiccupped. “We-we just went f-for a swim. Tim was eating almonds—”

“Is he allergic?” Charity asked. She put her arm on the woman’s shoulder, trying to offer some kind of comfort.

“No. He eats them all the time. I was telling him some joke and he started laughing.” As she spoke, Elijah opened Tim’s mouth, looked inside and then stuck his finger inside to sweep it. “His eyes went big and I th-think he started choking. Then he fell down.” The woman started whimpering.

“I don’t see anything.” Elijah spoke quietly. Charity didn’t know if he spoke to them or to himself. His hands checked the man’s throat momentarily before he rolled the man on his side. “Help me sit him up.”

Charity rushed to his side as the wife leaned back against wall, her eyes huge. They sat him up and Charity stabilized his neck as Elijah tried the Heimlich several times.

“It’s not working.” Charity checked the man’s mouth and saw nothing. Med school natural tactics were kicking back in, but even though she knew what would happen next, she wasn’t prepared.

“Go back to the room. Call nine-one-one, Charity,” Elijah said. He continued working on Tim. “Inside my coat is a pen, I need it. It’s a silver one.”

She ran to the room, grabbing his coat off the floor and then swiping her phone off the TV stand. She searched the inside chest pocket first. The heavy pen was there. When she pulled it out, she realized the silver pen was also a first aid kit. Under the cap was a sharp knife.

Opening the room door, she leaned into the bathroom and grabbed a straw sitting on the counter she hadn’t used. She raced back down the hall, kicking her shoes off as she ran. She dropped beside Elijah and pulled the cap off the pen, handing it to him handle first.

When the wife saw the blade, she started crying hysterically. “What are you doing? You’re going to kill him!”

Charity held the woman back and watched Elijah tilt Tim’s head back and use his fingers to feel for a spot along Tim’s throat. He made a half inch incision horizontally across Tim’s throat. Blood ran down his neck but Elijah ignored it. He pinched the incision with one hand, needing the other hand to hold the pen to his mouth so he could turn the blade and pull it off. The body of the pen was actually a tube which he stuck into the pinched opening.

He sent two quick breaths into the tube, intently watching Tim’s chest. He paused about five seconds and breathed into the tube again. He repeated and glanced at Charity. “Did you call?” He dropped his head to breathe again. Tim’s chest rose and fell with each breath Elijah gave him.

“Crap.” Charity hit the numbers and held the phone close to her ear, trying to get the woman to stop screaming beside her. She gave the emergency response the information they needed and relayed back to Elijah and Tim’s wife that the EMTs would be there shortly.

Tim’s hand twitched and his eyes flickered open and shut.

“Tim? This is Dr. Bennet. Everything is all right. You might be a little uncomfortable, but you’re going to be okay. There’s a tube helping you breathe at the moment. An ambulance is on its way and your wife is right here.”

The woman stopped screaming and crawled over to Tim. “I’m right here, baby.” She cried and sniffed loudly. “You’re never eating nuts again. Ever!” She gave him a gentle hug. She sniffed again and looked up at Elijah. “I’m so sorry I yelled at you. Thank you for saving him. Thank you.”

The stair doors opened and in rushed three EMT men with a cart and all their gear. Elijah helped them load Tim and explained everything he’d done. One of the EMTs knew Elijah and clapped him on the shoulder. “Nice work!”

“Just at the right place, at the right time.” He wiped his bloody hands on his shirt. “I’m coming with you guys. Load him up and I’ll be there in a sec. Just need to grab my coat.”

“Sure thing, Dr. B!” The young EMT turned to Tim’s wife. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name but would you like to ride with us or are you okay to drive? Tim’s going to be fine. You’re very lucky Dr. Bennet was here. He’s pretty much the best doctor in New York.”

“I’m Becca. I don’t know if I can drive. I’ve had a few drinks…” The two walked down the hall following Tim’s gurney.

Elijah, his hands on his hips, turned to Charity. He pointed to her left hand.

She glanced down and shrugged. “Straw. I didn’t realize your knife was also a tube.”

He nodded. “That’s pretty impressive of you.”

She scoffed. “Me? Impressive. Uh, you just saved that guy’s life with a freakin’ tracheotomy!” She jumped up, excited. “That was awesome!”

He smiled and watched her pace around him. He reached out and held her wrist, turning her to face him. He pulled her close. “Not as amazing as what you were doing to me before we were interrupted.” His eyes gazed intently at her.

A tremor of longing churned deep inside her. She thought back to what had happened only a short while ago. Heat rose to her cheeks.

“I very much would like to kiss you,” he whispered, “but I’m covered in a stranger’s blood and my mouth has been over his.”

She giggled and he laughed as well.

“Not quite the romantic moment I was hoping for.”