TJM40

"Jeff Metcalf, you scared me to death!" Ginger charged into the hospital room & passed the nurses to take her spot next to Jeff, a spot she had no intentions of relinquishing anytime soon.

Jeff looked over at his beautiful wife of 32 years. "I am sorry, Ginger. I didn't mean to upset you." He drew her hand up to his lips, kissing her fingertips gently.

"I still don't understand why anyone would mug you. What were they after?"

Jeff just looked at Ginger. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

*********

Tommy exited the elevator with no plan in mind on how to deal with Derrick. He just knew that he couldn't allow Derrick to get away with what he had done. Tommy approached room 417, the door was slightly ajar. He peered in & saw Derrick tossing his clothes in a suitcase haphazardly.

"Going somewhere?"

Tommy's voice startled Derrick. He dropped the shirt he was holding & started to back away from the door. "I came here to see Samantha but decided it wasn't such a good idea."

Tommy noticed Derrick's eyes shift from side to side as if he was looking for either a hiding place or weapon. Unfortunately neither were available. "I thought I told you to stay away from Sam?"

"I wanted to make amends," Derrick said in a shaky voice.

A golf club was propped up next to the bathroom door. Tommy reached over & picked it up. "Is this what you beat my dad with?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I have never met Jeff Metcalf." The anger building on Tommy's face was making Derrick's skin crawl.

Tommy voice had an even calmness that was terrifying. "I found my dad. He was clutching a golf tee in his hand. I also spoke to my cousin, Becky & she told me everything." He was almost nose to nose with Derrick. Tommy reached down & grabbed Derrick by his preppy little golf shirt. "I warned you not to mess with me." He slammed Derrick against the paisley covered Hotel wall in between every word to add emphasis. "Now you will have to pay for hurting my dad. And for ever hurting Sam."

"I am going to take your warning now."

Tommy's face grew into a malicious smirk. "You are crazier than I ever dreamed you were. Do you really think I am going to let you off that easy again? I admit I am a nice guy" Tommy cocked his hand back & smashed Derrick in the jaw. "But I am not that nice."

Derrick withdrew. He had never been on the receiving end of a punch.

"You really are a coward. & you are not worth it. I am just going to let the police take care of you." Tommy walked over to the phone & picked the receiver up.

No one noticed the two officers standing in the doorway, "That is a good idea Mr. Metcalf."

Tommy turned towards the officer & set the receiver down. The tall, skinny, young one walked in & cuffed Derrick. He read him his rights as he walked him out the door. The heavyset shorter officer who was in his late forties looked at Tommy. "Mr. Metcalf, you might be happy to know we just talked to your dad at the hospital & it appears he is going to be okay."

Tommy smiled. "Thank you, Officer Jenkins. I had better get to the hospital."

"Yes, you better. By the way, Son, you did only strike him the one time right?"

Tommy nodded.

"We'll try to make it seem in his best interest not to press any assault charges. Especially after what he did to Jeff Met..,er, your dad."

"Thanks" Tommy shook his hand before he departed for the hospital. Thank you, god, for taking care of my dad. Tommy whispered to himself.