Ace

Ace Why can't I see anything? Everything is just total darkness, I hear some beeping at a distance. It begins to get louder, closer. At least I can hear. I try to listen intently. I can hear my mom. I feel a little excited to finally feel like I am getting somewhere. I try calling out to her, but I can't speak. I try to lift my hand to wave at her, but I can't move. What the h3ll is going on? "Mom," I shout, but I can only hear it in my head. "Mom," This is so frustrating. Why can't she hear me? What is wrong with my voice? "Oh my poor baby. Why did this happen to you? Life is being too cruel to my family." Is she crying? "Please wake up, Adriana. Do something, Andrew. Our daughter can't be in a coma. She has so much life ahead of her. This can't be happening." What is she even talking about? I can't be in a coma. "I'm working on it, my love. Get your cuddles in, we have to head out to plan the funeral. We will be back later." What funeral is dad talking about? Prom. The car accident flashes before me. I remember JR yelling at a man, and the man yelling back, blaming Jr for the accident. "The light was red. Why would you take it? This is all your fault. You caused this accident. Where did you learn to drive? Who gave you your license? I am calling the police to report you. We need the cameras from all these establishments," The man yelled at Jr, and Jr told him to shut the f*ck up and started using his family name as a get-out-of-jail card. I remember getting out of the car, and looking around for Ashlynn. I couldn't find my friend. I remember looking over at the front seat where she was sitting. There was blood everywhere, and her body was crushed awkwardly. I couldn't even tell where her body began or ended. All I could see was hair. Her hair was full of blood and all over the place. I remember Jr. shouting and waving his hands, but I can't remember anything else. How am I in a coma now? "I'm here. Mom, Dad," My mom quietly sobs. I start feeling exhausted and decide to just rest and think of a new way for them to hear me. Andrew We stepped outside our daughter's room to talk. "I have already sent the jet over for Dr. Flanigan and Dr. Escobar. They will be here soon, and they can start assisting her medical team. I will bring here whoever I need to bring our baby girl back to us." I spot the Carlton's heading our way. I grab my wife's arm. I wish I could take her far away from these people, but she actually really cares for them. "Don't say anything, Natalia. Don't mention any of our plans to them. Alice and Dion might feel betrayed. They are truly hurt by how Charles and Cherri have been acting towards them since the night of the accident. We have to respect their feelings." She sighs, but nods. "Andrew, please don't start. They are all our friends. It was a tragedy, but it wasn't Jr's fault. I'm sure it will all work itself out as time passes," I put my hand up, because now is not the time to discuss it. "I told you something just feels off about this. Once Ace wakes up, we can find out what really happened. There's a dead child, and parents who need answers. There's also the fact that this affects two of our children, not just one. Have you been able to get in touch with Ryan?" She shakes her head. As soon as our son found out Ashlynn had died, he flipped out, and he has been MIA ever since. I am so worried, and I have all of my guys looking for him. Ryker said he hasn't been able to get in touch with him either. That truly worries me. His twin has always been able to reach him. Having one child grieving the loss of his girlfriend, and trying to find answers while my other child is in a coma is extremely difficult. It is stressful not being able to split myself into two, so I can be there and fix both of their problems. I would never wish this upon any other human being. "Mr. Whitmore," This slimy piece of sh1t smirks. He doesn't even look affected by any of this. He just killed a girl, and he looks as cool as a cucumber. He extends his hand for me to shake. I really don't want to, but I do it, as not to piss my wife off. I know that Jr is lying. His story just doesn't make sense. I just can't figure out why. Maybe because I smelled alcohol on him. I know that is why his father sent him away to get cleaned up. I step away, needing some space. I just keep thinking of the crash scene pictures. It could have been my daughter in the front seat. Why was Ashlynn in the front? Jr has always made a big fuss about Ace being in front with him. He literally won't drive off if she isn't next to him. That is why I make sure we are never in a car together, and why none of this makes any sense to me. I think about my friends and how broken they are since losing their daughter. I think about how this is going to change so many lives. It already has, but something just feels extremely off. "Please god, make my baby girl wake up already so that Ashlynn's parents can get some type of closure. If I was wrong about the kid, then I will step back and never comment on him or his family ever again, but if I'm right, help me get him and his family finally out of my damn life for good. No-one can convince me he hasn't been in love with my wife and has wanted my life all these years. Please keep guiding me and help me make the right decisions for my family, and please get Ryan home safely, Amen," I have been through a lot in my life, but never anything as painful as this. Seeing my kids hurting and not being able to fix it is a pain I can't even describe. I can't stop thinking about my friends. Ashlynn was their pride and joy. Ace and Ashlynn hit it off and were inseparable since they were tiny. They were always in the same classes. Ever since kindergarten. Her parents are as much our friends as the Carlton's. Actually, if I am being honest, the Carlton's have always been more of Natalia's friends. Ash's parents are more of my friends. What bothers me though is that I feel like Charles is now covering up for Jr. I think his son was honest with him, but they were not honest with the rest of us. When we all first arrived to the hospital, Jr did look drunk or under the influence of something, and we all know how prom goes. Ash's parents wanted him to be given a sobriety test, yet he was sent home, after only being questioned briefly, and they are just taking his word as the truth. I allowed them to run every test on Ace. She came back clean. I want Ashlynn's parents to know that we were always transparent with them. I don't care what the Carlton's do, but I am big on my family name, and after the horrible person my mother was, my family worked hard to make our name great again, and I will not let it get tarnished by trashy people. I also try to see things as a parent. I would be devastated and even more if my friends began acting funny towards me. I won't do that to them. This is why I need my baby girl to wake up. The whole car crash doesn't make any sense. Why was Ace not in the front seat with Jr? I mean I am thankful for that, but there are so many unanswered questions. I will never trust these people. I will only trust my daughter's words. I walk back towards them. We have to get going already, so we can return as quickly as we can. I don't really feel comfortable leaving my princess here without me or her mother, so I send a quick text for back up and tell my wife it's time to go. "Natalia, Andrew. We have to stick together, and not let anyone try to blame the kids for what happened," Cherri hugs Natalia, but her words don't sit right with me. "Why would my daughter be blamed for anything? She wasn't driving. She wasn't under any illegal substances. She did nothing wrong," I accidently say the words I am thinking in my head out loud, and they all go quiet. Charles gives me a look I know all too well. He has been giving it to me since I met him, and I don't give a f*ck. "What my wife means is that when things like this happen, people begin pointing fingers, and we wouldn't want anyone to blame precious Ace, now would we?" Is he threatening me? "As long as everyone is cooperating with law enforcement, then it's all good. It was an accident after all, right? They are still looking for the person that hit them," is all I say, before Natalia tells them we are headed over to help with funeral arrangements. Thank f*ck, because I was really holding myself back. I hate how wrapped up my wife is with these people. I leave a guard at Ace's room, because I don't trust anyone. Luckily, my nieces and nephews agree to stay with her so she won't be alone. Thank goodness for these kids always sticking together. Now if only I could find Ryan.