Second Chances

Finding Out

"Police are investigating a multiple fatality accident that happened last weekend involving a car that collided with a truck and 2 motorcycles. Both occupants of the car were pronounced dead on scene, the motorcyclists are in critical and stable condition. The occupants of the truck were treated and released. This is still under investigation as high speed and impaired driving were suspected causes." I saw the car on its side and 2 bodies covered by sheets. Carl's bike was a mangled heap to one side. Mine was not as bad, but still lying on its side in the road. The truck was facing the wrong way and badly dented on the side facing the cameras. I couldn't look away. I was shaking and tears were streaming down my face, "Oh my God! Look at Carls' bike! How did we survive this? Oh my God, oh my God..." "Mom! Mom! Look at me! Mom!" She was reaching for the call button, "s**t, mom, calm down." she shut off the TV and all I could do was sob and shake..... "Mom, I'm so sorry. Dammit, what was I thinking?" She rushed out of the room only to come back a few moments later with my nurse who had a syringe in her hand. "Mrs. Smith, you need to calm down." She put something in my IV and I started to feel sleepy. She gently grabbed my shoulders and lowered me back against the pillow. Looking at Hailey she said, "I thought we agreed that there would be no TV until she started to remember?" "I know, she just hates silence and I didn't think. I was just trying to help,"she cried. Then blessed darkness.

I could hear them. Just outside my door "What the HELL were you thinking, Hailey?!" "I wasn't obviously!" in hushed, heated whispers. "You know the doctor said she needed to remember slowly, that she might have a setback if she remembered too fast! Jesus!" "Listen, I'm sorry ok? I didn't do it on purpose. I don't want her to go backwards. I just know how much she hates silence and I figured we could watch CSI or a cooking show or something. I didn't expect the news to still be covering this. Give me a break." I heard her inhale unsteadily. "I know, I'm sorry. This is just so hard. Between Dad being like he is and her just coming out of it... I just don't know what to do.." "Yeah I get it." I'm listening with my eyes closed and tears running down my cheeks. I hear footsteps approaching. "Hey guys, how's mom and dad?" "Keep your voice down. She's still sleeping. She woke up a couple of days ago. Had a bad day yesterday. Someone turned on the news for her last night and she saw the wreck on TV. Threw her into a panic attack, and she had to be sedated. Nice of you to join us btw." "Listen, I didn't do it on purpose!" I heard Hailey stomp off. "Hey, I don't want to hear it, I got here as quick as I could. We had to gather our stuff and get here from Rapid. It wasn't something any of us were expecting or planning for. I mean, who thinks their parents are going to get into a near catastrophic motorcycle accident!" Her voice was quivering with unshod tears,"Don't you dare treat me like I don't care! Where is Dad?" " Three doors down on the right. I'm going to go see him and try to calm down." "Yeah, good luck with that one." She said sarcastically. "What's that supposed to mean?" " You will see. Just stay calm." I heard Sarah's steps retreating down the hallway.

" I heard Donna come into the room and go to the window. I could hear ger texting. I opened my eyes and watched her. She seemed incredibly stressed. Leave it to her to take on everything that was going on. I felt incredibly guilty. I shouldn't be in this position. I couldn't help what happened. I couldn't remember what happened! I felt those damn tears falling again. Why am I crying so much? This is ridiculous. I sniffled and rubbed my eyes with my good hand this time. She heard me and turned around, putting on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "Oh! You're awake. How are you feeling mom?" "Well, what do you think? I've got one hell of a headache." "I'll let the nurse know." "Wait. Donna, what's going on? You guys are hiding something from me and I don't like it." she sighs heavily. "Yeah mom. We need to talk. Amber and Mina will be here tonight. And Kyle and Kelly are with Dad. Let me get the doctor to look you over. I'm worried about that headache. Then we can talk. OK?" "I've not got much of a choice., do I?" I raised my eyebrow at her. She smiled, a real one this time. The Doctor came in after a few minutes. "So, Mrs Smith, I hear you have a headache?" he says as he comes and examines my eyes. "Follow my finger." He says as he moves my finger into my peripheral vision. He flashes his light into my eyes, making me squint and my eyes water. Frowning"I'm a little concerned with that reaction. I'm going to order a CAT scan and an MRI just to make sure that everything is OK up there. Can you wait for meds till the testing is done? We will get it done as quickly as possible. Then maybe we can get you something to eat." "I guess so, I just hope it's fast. My head is pounding." "We're going to make sure everything is OK before we give you any meds" "She's claustrophobic, I hope those are open machines, or she might freak out on you." "Thank you for that. We can give her a little something to relax her a bit, and it shouldn't affect the tests."