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Episode 4: Hannah's Bad Day
No one's life is picture-perfect, and Hannah is no exception to that rule. Even the bouncy blonde with the incessant hiccups has a really bad day every so often. So forgive her for not being her usual self today - she's got more than her usual share of troubles. Enjoy the story, even though you can be sure Hannah didn't! As always, reading the former episodes, if you haven't already, will help introduce you to the characters involved in this story. --The Author
Hannah Jamison was having a bad day, to put it mildly. It had all begun the day before. In math class, she learned that she had done poorly on a test, and old Mr. Burnett wasn't happy with her at all. Of course, being the studious type, her friend Juliana had done quite well, which didn't make Hannah feel any better. Still, that alone wasn't all that had gotten her down.
That evening, she had been out playing soccer with friends from school. Somehow she slipped on the grass, and hurt her ankle pretty bad. Luckily, it wasn't sprained, but she was still in a lot of pain, so Juliana and Sarah ended up helping her limp home. When they were almost to her house, Hannah remembered something. "Oh, I was going to go visit Chris tonight, since he's feeling so bad. Now I guess I can't go."
"That's all right," Sarah said. "I'll tell him that you got hurt tonight and that's why you weren't able to come."
Chris had been sick with a nasty bug the past few days, so he hadn't been at school. Hannah had visited him several times, so much that Sarah and her family were afraid she'd catch what he had.
And this morning, she began to feel like she had indeed caught it. Her throat was sore, and her head ached. On top of that, her ankle still sent a shot of pain up her leg every time she took a step on it.
At school, Mr. Burnett continued to give her grief about her failure to understand the "simple concepts" he was teaching. He seemed to work things out so that her turn to give an answer or solve a problem came on the very questions she hadn't a clue how to figure out. By the end of that class, her head ached a lot worse than it had before.
By lunchtime, Hannah felt simply awful. She had absolutely no appetite for the meal, she had developed a cough, and she had been freezing cold all morning. Then, who should join her and Juliana at their table but this annoying guy named Ben. He seemed to have a crush on Juliana or something, but she definitely did not return the feelings. She was cordial to him, but both she and Hannah could hardly stand him.
It didn't take Ben long to pick up on Hannah's unpleasant mood. He looked over at her as she sat there silently, slowly picking at the food in front of her. "What's up, Hannah? You aren't talking today."
"So?" she answered in an irritated tone.
"Well, you're usually talking up a storm," Ben answered. "Something wrong?"
"Eh, everything's wrong," Hannah sighed. "What's it to you, anyway?"
"Well, sorry I asked. What's the matter, you on your period or something?" he answered meanly.
"If I am do you think you'd be the one I'd tell?" Hannah shot back.
"Come on, don't be such a bitch!"
"Ben!" Juliana chided. "You stop that!"
Unfazed by Juliana's rebuke, Ben merely modified his comment. "OK, so both of you are bitchy today. But come on, Hannah, at least you don't have the hiccups!"
Hannah glared at him. "Yeah, thanks." Then she added, "Yet."
Hiccups - that was the last thing she needed. Not that she wasn't used to having them; but whenever she was sick her hiccups were worse - and more painful - than ever. Of course, it was only a matter of time until they showed up. It was right before her last class of the day that they chose to make their arrival. Ben saw her just as they were coming on, as she was limping down the hall. "Ah, I see you got your hiccups after all!" he remarked.
"Oh yes," Hannah replied wryly, "tha-*hulk* thanks for rem-*hic*-inding me."
* * * * *
Just as Hannah was finally going to be able to leave for home, Juliana reminded her of an assignment they needed to finish, which involved going to the library across town. Hannah reluctantly agreed, and the two drove over to the library, with Hannah still madly hiccupping as she drove.
"Man, Hannah, I'm sorry you had to get the hiccups, too," Juliana sympathized.
"Heh, at *hic* least I'm u-*hulk* used to the-*hic-ulk*-m. *hic* They sure *hurk* do hurt m-*uck* my throat, *hic* though. It's *hmuck* ohhh, it's so *hulk* sore!" Hannah shivered again, and asked, "Hey, ha-*hic-ulk* have you been *hulk* cold today? *hic* I've been *hurk* freezing all d-*hurk*-ay."
"Why no, I'm quite warm. You don't have a fever, do you?" Juliana answered, putting her hand on her friend's forehead. "Hannah!" she exclaimed. "You must be burning with fever! You should be at home."
"Yeah, *huck* and I'd sure l-*hic* like to be. *huck* But you know *hic* we have to *hic-cup* finish this *ulk* thing before to-*hulk* tomorrow."
"You should go home and I can finish it myself," Juliana offered. "You need to rest so you don't get any worse."
Hannah shook her head. "I can't *hulk* leave all th-*hic-ulk*-is work for *hic* you. I'll *hic* be OK. *hic-cup* Even if I *hulk* can't talk!"
So they arrived at the library and found the all-important book that for some odd reason their school library didn't have. As she limped into the building, a middle-aged man raised his eyes from the large volumes he was poring over, and looked at Hannah oddly.
She almost said something to him, but just pursed her lips. "Has he never seen a sick girl with the hiccups, or what?" she thought. She had to agree, though; when she was sick, her hiccups made the strangest noises.
The two hadn't been working long when the librarian approached them. "Our patrons would appreciate it if you could do something about your hiccups," she stated.
Hannah wasn't amused. "You th-*hurk* think if I *hic-ulk* could do so-*HUCK* do something abou-*uck* it, I'd be *HIC* sitting here *hic-ulk* hiccupping like a *hic-ulk* drunkard? *hic-cup* They're killing *HUCK* my throat. *hurk*"
"I'm sorry," the librarian answered coldly, "but you are bothering other people here."
"I'm *hurk* bothering no one m-*hic-ulk* more than *HIC* myself! *hulk* They can *huck* get over it. *hic-uhh* Just like *huck* I have *hic* to."
The librarian frowned, then suggested, "Well then, check this book out and study outside. There are some nice benches in the park behind the building."
"We can't," Juliana answered. "It's a reference book."
"Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Hannah shook her head helplessly and began to pick up her things.
"No, excuse me madam," Juliana replied, knowing Hannah's hiccups interrupted her too often for her to make much of an understandable argument, "but there is nothing she can do about her hiccups, and she has every right to come to a public institution like this to study. I mean, what if she was dreadfully ill and had a hacking cough, could you make her leave just because she was sick?"
"Wait," Hannah interjected, "I *hulk* AM dreadfully i-*hic-cup* ill!"
Juliana continued, "Isn't that, like, discrimination? You're not allowed to do that!"
The librarian scowled and walked off.
"Maybe *hulk* we should l-*HUCK* leave," Hannah whispered. "I'm sure *HIC-ulk* no one can *hulk* concentr-*hic*-ate with me h-*uck* hiccupping like this. *HULK*"
"No," Juliana answered firmly, "you have every right to stay here. We have to finish this assignment just like they have to finish theirs."
So they continued working. At first Hannah tried stifling her rapid hiccups, but that only made them go faster, hurt worse, and make the weirdest sounds. She quickly gave up on that. Then, the man who had looked at her when she first came in walked to the table. He minced no words in making his irritation clear. "Seriously, girl, could you stop those hiccups? I can't concentrate with them echoing across the room like that. And I doubt anyone else can, either."
Hannah sighed, then brought her sarcasm back into play. Her hiccups were worse than before, but she bravely spoke anyway, "Well yes *HUCK* sir, I *HIC-ulk* could st-*hulk* stop them, *HURK* but I so e-*hic-ulk* enjoy my bo-*HUCK*-dy jerking *hic* me around *hulk* like th-*HUCK* this. *HUCK* Do you mind?"
"Huh?" It was obvious the man wasn't good at understanding Hannah's hiccup-broken speech.
"What she's saying is," Juliana explained, "of course she can't stop her hiccups, or she would, cause they're obviously hurting her a lot more than they're hurting you. Sorry, but I think if she can handle it, so can you. We'll be done in a minute, anyway, if you folks would just leave poor Hannah alone. Remember, her hiccups will only be bothering you a few more minutes; they're gonna be bothering her for the rest of the day."
"And *HULK* then s-*hic* some," Hannah added.
The man raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Really? Well, I'm sorry. Just do try to get finished as soon as you can." With that he went back to his books.
"What is it with these people?" Juliana asked.
"I *HULK* don't know, b-*HUCK* but you're *hic* really g-*hic-ulk* getting goo-*hic*-d at arguing! *HIC-CUP* Owww…" Hannah winced.
"Well, you need someone to stand up for you!" Juliana answered. "And I'm taking that job for today!"
Hannah smiled, "Th-*ulk* thanks! I appre-*HUCK*-ciate it."
Finally they were done. As they passed the man who had complained to them, Hannah spoke. "I'm *HULK* leaving no-*HUCK* now, so now y-*hic* you can con-*hic-ulk*-centrate."
He looked up. "How nice. Good luck on curing your hiccups."
"Gee, *HIC-ulk* thanks."
"Some people are so rude!" Juliana said when they got outside.
"No *HULK* kidding. Woah, *hic* I'm feeling *HUCK* weird all of th-*HIC-CUP* the sudden… *hulk* kinda, um, *HUCK* light."
"It's cause you're sick. We need to get you home." When they reached the car, Juliana suggested that she drive. "You really shouldn't be driving. I'll drive home for you."
"But *hulk* you don-*HIC* don't have *HUCK* your license y-*HIC-ulk* yet, do you?" Hannah objected.
"Well no, but it's OK, it's not like it's very far. I've driven in town before."
"I'd *HULK* hate for *HIC-uhh* for you to *hulk* get caught th-*HUCK*-ough. I'll b-*hic* be all right."
"Come on, Hannah, it's not like we're going to be stopped by the police or anything," Juliana pleaded. "You're in no condition to be driving."
"No, *HUCK* really, I-*hic* I'm OK," Hannah assured her, and got into the driver's seat.
They weren't even halfway home when Hannah saw a police car with its lights flashing zoom up behind her. She pulled over, thinking he needed to get past, but he pulled right in behind her. "Oh *HUCK* no!" she moaned.
He appeared at the window. "Are you aware that you were doing 43 in a - uh, what's your problem, girl?" the policeman looked at her with the same sort of odd look the man in the library had.
Juliana spoke up, just as annoyed as she knew her friend was. "What, is it illegal to drive with the hiccups?"
"Well, no, but I happen to know, from experience, actually, that certain other activities that are illegal for kids your age tend to produce hiccups like that."
"You're not suggesting that you think she's been drinking, are you?" Juliana asked indignantly.
"Hey, you stay out of this, girl," the officer commanded.
Hannah dropped her head onto the steering wheel as she thought of just how convincing a case the policeman had. Being drunk does tend to induce hiccups like hers, being sick made her not look exactly like she was all there, and her dad's old car reeked of alcohol. She took a deep breath, punctuated by her incessant hiccups. "Really *HUCK* sir, I h-*HULK* haven't been *hic-ulk* drink-*hic-uh* drinking. *HUCK* I know b-*HUCK* better than to *hic-ulk* ruin my l-*HIC* life like that. *HIC-CUP* And I g-*HUCK* get the h-*HIC* hiccups like th-*uck* this *HUCK* all the *HULK* all the time."
He looked at her with a confused look on his face. "Sorry, I can't understand you. Can you, uh, speak more clearly?"
Hannah rolled her eyes and opened her mouth, taking another deep breath. "*HULK* Um, *HUCK * *HIC-ulk*" Then she had an idea. Motioning for the officer to wait, she turned and reached for her backpack in the seat behind her.
"Excuse me, I don't think you need anything from back there," he said.
"Come on, sir," Juliana practically exploded, "she's just getting some paper to write on instead of trying to talk! If I were you I'd feel sorry for her instead of treating her like a convict."
"What did I tell you?" the officer asked in a threatening tone. But he did let Hannah get her notebook out and write her answers as he once again asked for an explanation of her hiccups, and then of the smell of alcohol.
"Hmm, well, I must say I've never seen anyone with hiccups nearly that bad in all my life, so I'm going to have to ask you to get out of the car and just walk a straight line for me. If you can do that, then I'll believe you," he commanded, without the slightest bit of sympathy in his voice.
"OK, that I can do," Hannah wrote, thinking that finally she would be vindicated. Then, just as she opened the car door, she remembered. Her head dropped into her hands.
"What's the problem?" the officer bellowed. "Get out here!"
Hannah shook her head and reached for the notebook again, and began writing. The officer watched as she wrote, "I know you won't believe me, but I hurt my ankle really bad last night, so I can walk straight but I've got an awful limp right now."
The officer merely pointed to the ground and Hannah painfully got out of the car. Just as she was starting down the white line, another police car pulled up behind the first one. "What now?" she thought. But she was thrilled when she saw her friend Ellie's father, a sergeant in the police force, step out of the cruiser.
"What's going on here?" Sergeant Benson asked.
Hannah gave him a pleading look.
"What's the matter, Hannah?" he asked. "Woah, you have the hiccups awful bad."
The officer explained, "Uh, this young lady was…"
Sergeant Benson interrupted him. "Come back to my cruiser, and we can discuss it. Just a moment, girls."
"A-*HUCK* All r-*hic* right, *HIC-ulk*" Hannah replied as well as she could between her totally out-of-control hiccups.
A couple minutes later, Mr. Benson returned - the officer had gotten back in his cruiser, obviously displeased. "Hannah, I'm sorry for the trouble Officer Jones gave you. Don't worry about it, OK? We've been having problems with him lately."
"Oh, *HIC-ulk* th-*hic* thank you! *HULK*" Hannah gushed, throwing her arms around him.
"No problem, it's my job," he smiled. Then, putting his hands on Hannah's shoulders, he asked, "Now tell me, how on earth did you come down with such terrible hiccups?"
She took another deep breath, broken, of course, by several hiccups, and then motioned for him to wait as she reached for the notebook again.
"Oh, wait, Hannah, I can tell him," Juliana offered, stepping out of the car. "Well, you know she gets the hiccups all the time, and she's really sick today, and tons of people have been bothering her about them, so all that has made them a lot worse than usual."
Hannah smiled weakly and gave her friend a thumbs-up.
"I'm really sorry," Mr. Benson sympathized. He put his hand on her forehead. "Oh, you really are sick!" he exclaimed. "Have you taken your temperature? I'm afraid you have a fever."
Hannah shook her head.
"We haven't been home yet," Juliana answered. "We've been at the library."
"Well then, I better let you two get home," he said. "Actually, would you like me to take you home so Hannah doesn't have to drive any more?"
Before Juliana could accept the offer, Hannah replied, "That's *HUCK* all right, *HIC-CUP* I'll b-*hic* be *HUCK* OK."
"Well, if you're sure…"
"Yep, *HULK* I'm s-*HIC-ulk* sure." Hannah said, smiling.
"All right, you all have a good night."
"OK, *hic* thanks ag-*HUCK*-ain, Mr. Benson."
* * * * *
As she turned into their narrow street, Hannah spoke. "Thank *hulk* you so m-*huck* much for ke-*HIC* keeping me *HULK* going today."
"No problem!" Juliana answered, "I'm glad I could help you; usually you're the one helping me! I'm sorry you had such a hard day. Hope you feel better by tomorrow."
Hannah laughed. "Well, *HULK* I feel pre-*hic*-tty safe in *hic-ulk* saying tomorrow w-*HUCK* will be better *HUCK* than today!"
"That's for sure," Juliana agreed, as the two got out of the car. "If you need anything, you know I'm right here. You get some rest now."
"I'll *hic* try. Thanks ag-*hulk* again! *hic-ulk* Good n-*hic*-ight."
"Good night, Hannah."