Second Chance

Chapter 1 Reese

My body is on autopilot. I don’t even have to think as I drive through town. I can’t believe this is why I am home. I had planned to return after graduation for a visit. Yet here I will be skipping my commencement to support my brother.

I had finished my last exam when I turned on my phone to discover I had several missed calls from my mom and texts telling me I needed to call her immediately. Something was wrong.

Mom should have been packing for my graduation, but instead, she insisted I call her. I still can’t believe what she said to me when I called her. My sister-in-law, Joanie, was in a car accident. She had been transported to a larger hospital in Phoenix. That indicated to me that things were bad.

Our local hospital was what you would expect from a small-town hospital, but they were never prepared for trauma. I asked if I needed to come home or go to Joanie. My brother was on the way to his wife, and she would stay with my niece and nephew. At least that told me they were not injured in the accident with Joanie.

I went back to the apartment I shared with my roommate Tiffany. I asked her to help me pack up as much of my stuff as I could cram into my car. We decided we would figure out what to do with the rest of my belongings later.

Tiffany was the type of person you would want as a best friend. She was thoughtful, caring, and kind. We were even talking about getting a place together when she returned to LA after graduation. She wanted to get away from her overbearing parents. I was nervous about living in LA without knowing anyone. This seemed like a perfect solution for both of us. Her parents were more likely to relax about her not living with them if she wasn’t alone, and I would have a built-in support system as I adjusted to the LA scene.

Yet now I had no idea when I would be moving. I can’t help but be struck by how suddenly everything can change. This morning, my biggest concern was taking my last finals and getting ready for graduation. Now I am focused on getting home as fast as possible and on what I will find.

After loading up my car, I gave my mom another call to let her know I was on my way. It should take me about 10 hours to make it home. I can tell she has been crying when she answers. I hate how hard this is on her. She has known Joanie since she was a little girl. My brother and Joanie were childhood friends and then high school sweethearts.

“Mom, I am getting ready to head out."

“PPPlllease dr-drive safe, baby girl.” My mom stutters as she starts to talk.

“I will, Mom. "I love you and I will see you soon,” I reassure her. In my gut, I sense she wants to say more to me, but can’t bring herself to say what she is thinking.

The drive home is the longest drive back home I have ever dealt with. I stopped only for gas and snacks. I stretch my legs and use the restroom when I stop for gas. I can be mission-oriented at times, and the mission today is to get home.

I arrive home a little after 2 in the morning. I can see the lights on in the living room and dining room. I was hoping my mom would have gotten some sleep. I open the door, and my mom is on the couch holding the baby, Kylie. She is about 6 months old. I have not seen her since I came home for Spring break to spend it with my niece and nephew.

My mom doesn’t hear me enter the house. She keeps staring at the sleeping baby in her arms. “Hey, Mom, I can put her down if you want me to.” I offer. My mom just looks at me and stares. Something is not right with my mom right now. I am sure it is the stress of the situation.

I take Kylie from her and put her in the pack-and-play in the guest room that Mom has set up for when she babysits.

As soon as I walk back into the living room, my mom breaks down crying. “J-J-J oanie dddid didn’t make it.” She stutters out. WHAT??

“What do you mean Joanie didn’t make it?” I am confused.

Mom regains her composure long enough to tell me, “The air vac got her to Phoenix. She was taken into emergency surgery, and the doctors said they did all they could, but her injuries were too severe.

I find myself falling to my knees. I don’t understand. How can a young woman in her 30s with two young kids just be here one day and gone the next? I want to ask about the accident and what happened, but I can tell my mom is in no state to answer.

As soon as she managed to tell me about the surgery, she started to sob again. I guess my questions will have to wait. I sit on the couch and hold my mom. My mom loved Joanie as much as she loved me and my brothers.

“Mom, is there anything you need me to help with?” I ask, feeling helpless. "Is there anyone we need to call tonight? Did anyone tell Joanie’s parents yet?” Joanie’s parents moved to Florida a few years ago when they retired. I realized I don’t know if they have even been told about the accident. I am sure they have, but I never thought to ask.

“They were called earlier. They are flying to Phoenix and will ride up with your brother when he gets back tomorrow. I am not sure where they will be staying, but we can figure that out in the morning. Then they will go with your brother to the funeral home. So, we won’t be aware of what all needs to be done by when until that all happens.”

I nod as if I have any idea how to deal with any of this. I need to be there for my brother because I can’t imagine having to deal with this when you are in your 30s.

“Mom, I think you should go to bed since we will have the kids to deal with in the morning, and we will have to support Logan as much as we can.” Mom nods. I helped her to her room. It is as if she is on autopilot. I wonder if she reached out to Nathan. He doesn’t like to come home, but he will have to come home for this.