All the Sad Little Things

Chapter 2: Knock at the Door

Present

The drive home from the diner was an absolute blur. I couldn’t remember getting in the car, jumping on the highway, and driving almost an hour and a half back to my apartment. But I knew I had been crying. When I eventually snapped out of my daze, I realized I was sitting in the driveway of my apartment complex. I glanced up at the rear view mirror and noticed my eyes were completely swollen from crying and my cheeks were tear stained. Why was I wasting more tears on Scott? I became angry with myself and quickly fixed my makeup before exiting the car. I didn’t want the girls to see me like this.

Although we had all just graduated from university earlier that Spring, all three of us girls had decided to stay and work that summer before heading our separate ways. Kelly and I had been best friends since 6th grade and were inseparable. Growing up everyone thought we were sisters because we were very similar in appearance and personality. We had both promised each other early on in high school that we would go to college together. When we were both accepted into RMU we tried our hardest to get the same room assignments. The university denied our request and insisted that we branch out and try to make new friendships. My freshman roommate ended up being a complete psychopath. She stayed up all hours of the night playing loud video games or watching anime porn. One day when I kindly asked her to at least wear headphones while I was studying or trying to sleep, she freaked out and trashed the room. After that I quickly requested a room change. That is when we met Lilly Simpson. Lilly too had been having roommate issues and the RA decided to match us up. Needless to say, we hit it off and the rest is history. After our freshman year was over and we weren’t required to live on campus anymore, we all decided to rent a small apartment together. We three had been together for the last four years and it was hard to think that after this summer it would all be over. Kelly was going to work at her brother’s company as an accountant while earning her master’s degree and Lilly was moving to New York City and beginning her internship as an editor for a small publishing company. As for me, I was directionless at the moment seeing as how all my plans for the future had imploded just a few short months ago.

Past

After we graduated high school, Scott decided to take a gap year and started working and apprenticing at our hometown tattoo parlor. He said it would give him a chance to earn money for school and still have time to focus on the band. Well, one year turned to two years and two years turned into three. Before I knew it I was heading into my senior year at university and mine and Scott’s relationship was spiraling out of control. To be completely honest, after the night he hit me in his car and then left me on the side of the road, our relationship was doomed for disaster.

“I can’t do this anymore Scott.” I said wiping away tears. “All we do is argue and fight when we are together and that is hardly ever. Anytime you and I have free time, you choose to hangout with the guys from the band.” Scott rolled his eyes and looked at me annoyed from across the room.

“What do you want me to do about it? he yelled. “I try my best to spend as much time with you as I possibly can and you still want more. You are suffocating me Emma!” I couldn’t believe it when he said sh** like this. I literally had to beg him these days to spend just an hour or two with me a week, if that. And of course, I was the one who had to jump through hoops to make it happen. I stood up from the couch in his apartment, grabbed my purse, and made my way to the door. I turned back and looked over my shoulder at him.

“I won’t bother you anymore then.” I said as I turned the doorknob and opened the door, letting him go. “Finally! I’m free.” I thought to myself. I felt more relieved than sad in that moment. I jumped in my car and began the long drive back to my place. For the first time in years, I was feeling light. Like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I turned the radio on and began to sing along to the music. Scott would never let me listen to the music I liked even in my own car. I went from singing to a full out belt. Just then the whole car jolted and the sound of scrapping metal pierced my ears. I screamed as the highway in front of me disappeared and turned into tall grass and trees. Then black.

I woke up in a hospital two days later. My mom and dad sat in a window seat to my right, looking tired and a bit disheveled. I tried calling out to them but my voice cracked and pain shot through my entire body. They both looked up and my mom yelled for a nurse. Dad and mom came to my side and placed their hands gently on my forehead, crying uncontrollably. “Don’t try and speak sweetheart. You have a tube in your throat.” My dad tried to keep me calm as I slowly became aware of all the tubes, IV’s, and monitors placed in and on my body. Mom went to the door and yelled down the hall for a nurse again. “A semi ran you off the road two days ago babydoll.” my dad started, talking softly and slowly. “The driver fell asleep at the wheel and slammed into your car, pushing you off the road and over an embankment. You are at a hospital now.” Two nurses rushed into the room and told my parents to step aside. My mom was completely sobbing now in the corner of the room while my father held her. The nurses asked me a bunch of questions and poked and prodded for what seemed like an eternity. I did my best trying to answer their questions by nodding yes and no. When they finally stepped out of the room, I noticed my mom and dad still huddled over in the corner but this time mom was talking on her phone to someone.

“Yes, she is awake now. You should come whenever you can. I know seeing you will make her feel better.” Mom continued to talk for another minute or two but I couldn’t make out what she was saying anymore. I tried shaking my head no but the pain was just too much. I was overwhelmed by a need to close my eyes and sleep. Maybe this was a bad dream and if I just closed my eyes, it would all go away.

I woke up sometime later, a slight pressure on my upper thigh that hurt just enough to jostle me from my deep sleep. I recognized that hand. The black leather wristband with the dragon branded into it. I had bought it for him after all. I looked up at Scott and noticed his eyes were bloodshot. Had he been crying or was it just the weed he probably had been smoking with his band mates? Probably the latter I thought. “I was so worried about you Emma.” Scott said as a single tear rolled off the tip of his nose. “I don’t know what I would have done if anything bad would have happened to you. You mean everything to me.” Scott let out a soft howl, like an injured dog and buried his head in his hands. My dad and mom came up behind the chair Scott was sitting in and both placed a hand on his back, comforting him. I’ll admit I was a bit touched by the scene. My parents who had made it quite known their dislike for Scott in the past were now standing there comforting him.

“Scott has been sitting here beside you waiting for you to wake back up sweetie.” my mom said, smiling at me softly. I looked back over at Scott and we just stared at each other in silence. Mom took hold of my dad’s arm and gently began pulling him towards the door. “We’ll just give you two a moment. We’ll be back in a little bit.” mom said as she and my dad slipped out of sight.

In an attempt to restore our relationship, Scott begged me to come back to him, making promises to change and to do better. For the next several weeks as I recovered from my injuries, Scott stepped up and spent more time with me. He seemed so invested in making things right between us. Once I received the all clear from my doctor, we couldn’t keep our hands off of each other. I had never really cared much for s*x previously seeing as how Scott tended to be more selfish when it came to his needs. He liked it fast and hard which usually resulted in his big finish and my disappointment. I honestly had never reached climax with him. After the accident though, Scott became a little more soft and gentle with me. It was a nice change from what I was used to. But alas, still no big “O” for me. Scott also decided to try and better himself by enrolling at RMU to get an education and be closer to me. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about the whole thing. I was going to be graduating in a few months and he just now wanted to be closer to me. I bought into the idea though and was just happy that things seemed to be getting better and he was finally making an effort.

Present

I was pulled out of my deep thoughts by a playful tapping on my driver side window. Kelly and Lilly motioned me out of the car and proceeded to show me what was in the brown paper bags they were carrying. They must have been out too and just pulled in behind me while I was lost in thought. Alcohol! Lots and lots of alcohol. The girls must have had a fun night planned for this evening. It was Saturday after all. “You alright love?” Kelly nudged me softly. She must have noticed my puffy eyes.

“Yeah! I’m all good. So what’s the plan for tonight ladies?” I asked, trying to redirect the conversation. The girls both smirked and walked me into the apartment. We all threw our stuff down on the kitchen counter and rounded the corner into the living room. The girls had decorated the entire room with string lights, a disco ball, and had set up our old Rock Band set. Rock Band was one of our favorite past times. I felt a smile stretch across my face and I turned and hugged them both so tight. We all squealed and started jumping up and down. We hadn’t had a Rock Band night in forever. We would invite a few of our closest friends over, dress in our comfiest clothes, get completely hammered while playing and singing along to our favorite music. I couldn’t remember the last time I had actually sang. Probably the day I was run off the road by that semi.

After dinner that evening we all ran to our rooms and threw our favorite PJ’s on. We hustled back to the kitchen, grabbed the alcohol, and made our way to the living room. “So, who’s coming over tonight?” I said excitedly.

“It’s just us tonight.” Lilly sounded a bit disappointed. Dylan, Lilly’s latest boy toy must have been busy tonight. Lilly loved to full around and was known for being a little tease. I could tell though she really liked Dylan and was taking strides towards making their relationship work. Plus they had an amazing s****l chemistry from what she told us. I looked at Kelly and and she shook her head no as well.

“That’s ok!” I exclaimed, trying not to ruin our good mood. “I’ve been in need of a girl’s night in and this is perfect!” The girl’s faces lit up again and we took our places. Lilly loved to be the singer so she grabbed the microphone first. Kelly was our guitarist because she was the best at it and would avoid singing at all cost. I sat myself down behind the drum set and playfully drummed the air while the girls picked the first song.

A few drinks and songs into the evening and you would have thought we were a real band. Kelly had consumed enough liquid courage to warrant picking up the microphone and giving singing a shot. As we moved to our new positions, we were suddenly startled by a loud knock at the door. We all looked at each other a bit worried. Had we been too rowdy? “I’ll get it.” I made my way through the living room and into the kitchen. As I rounded the corner the entryway door began to open. Three large male figures stepped into the kitchen, looking right at me.

“Who are you?” was all I could say, frozen dead in my tracks.