Second Chances

by Aaron Brinker

  The Chaplain nodded his head. “Very true, God promises that the devil can only tempt us. That’s where most Christians believe it ends. They believe that due to their faith that they are immune from the truth of demons existing here on earth. The Bible discusses two separate instances of possession within the book of Luke. It’s, I believe, chapters four and eight. Most read that and think that God can conquer any foe. People don’t look at the bold faced reality that possessions do exist.”

  “They do exist, and it is possible that something took possession of your body in that room. That could be the reason you weren’t mentally in that hospital room the entire time. You do work in a hospital, and they are known to have a lot of paranormal activity.”

  Charles looked towards the floor, pursed his lips, and nodded his head in agreement. “That is a fact. Most of the paranormal investigators now find that hospitals are hotspots for paranormal activity. You surprise me, Mr. Hutchins.”

  Dave chuckled, “I know, I’m smarter than I look.”

  Charles laughed. “I wouldn’t put it that way. In this day and age, you don’t meet too many people who expand their horizons enough to come up with valid arguments like you just made. Most people today are ignorant regarding certain issues. They are happy with living their lives the same day in and day out.” The longer they talked, the more Dave noticed that Charles was the type of person that used their hands to emphasize certain words while he spoke.

  “That is true. I’ve always believed that knowledge is power. Ignorance doesn’t supply happiness, only more challenging trials.” Dave extended his hand to Charles. Charles reached out accepting Dave’s handshake. “If you or your family need anything while Chaun’s here feel free to stop by or call.”

  “We’ll keep it in mind. Nice talking with you Chaplain.” Dave stood with a different aura from what he portrayed entering the Chapel.

  “Likewise, Mr. Hutchins, if Chaun is willing to talk again I can try stopping by again sometime shortly. I’d like to apologize for my behavior, even though I wasn’t mentally present.”

  “I’m sure he would be more than willing to speak with you again.” Maybe this time you will get to finish your conversation.” Dave smiled as Charles nodded his head. Dave turned and pushed open the Chapel doors, and left to return to Chaun’s room.

  6

  A few days later, Dave and Michelle were sitting in the room with Chaun. The conversation, to that point, consisted of common, everyday context. To their surprise, Chaun said, “How is the baby?”

  Dave said, “She’s good. The Dr. told me she might be able to leave soon.”

  Chaun smiled and nodded his head. “That’s good. Can I see her?”

  Dave smiled ear to ear. Chaun rarely saw Dave show so much emotion. He was half expecting Dave to start jumping up and down. “I’ll go right up and see if they can bring her down.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Dave nodded his head in response. Michelle looked as if she were going to start crying. Chaun started laughing lightly.

  Michelle’s face went from watery eyes to furrowed brow. “Don’t you dare laugh at your mother, Chaun Hutchins. That’s a mean thing to do when someone is trying to show genuine emotion.”

  Chaun’s body started shaking from trying to stifle his ever increasing laughter. “I can’t help it.”

  “Yes, you can. Don’t lie to your mother, that’s mean.” She started shaking her finger at Chaun as she was talking. This made Chaun start laughing out loud. “Stop it. Stop it right now.” Michelle began to break and started laughing along with Chaun.

  As Chaun and Michelle’s laughter began to subside, he said, “Why were you crying anyways?”

  Michelle sat down on the bed facing Chaun. She placed her hand on his. “Think about it Chaun. It’s the first time you are going to see something that is part of you. Aren’t you nervous at all?”

  “I’m petrified. What if I’m a failure as a father?” Chaun’s brow furrowed and his eyes portrayed pure fear.

  “Wait until you hold her, then I will give you the answer to that question.” She patted his hand, and Chaun could tell she was holding back tears. Yet, this time, he didn’t laugh.

  *

  Dave returned 15 minutes later, followed by a nurse pushing a hospital baby bed. Chaun noticed how fast his heart was beating, and that his palms were sweaty. Chaun knew he would be nervous, just not to this extreme. The nurse placed his daughter in his arms. As soon as he saw her beautiful brown hair and blue eyes, he was pummeled by a tidal wave of emotion. He had not thought of how strongly he would be touched by this moment.

  Michelle asked, “Do you love her?”

  “More than anything mom.”

  “Chaun,” Chaun looked up to meet Michelle’s gaze, “remember that feeling, and you will not fail her.” A tear dropped from Chaun’s eye and ran down his cheek. “Now you understand why I was crying earlier. I knew it was going to be an amazing and memorable moment for you both.”

  Chaun nodded and looked back at his daughter, “I understand now mom. I’m sorry I laughed at you.”

  “Do you have a name for her yet?”

  “Kat wanted to call her Samantha Noel. I think that would be a gift from her mother.” Chaun looked up at his parents with total sincerity. “I need to ask you if you would do something for me.”

  Dave answered, “All you have to do is ask son.”

  “If she is released before I am, would you two be willing to take her home and care for her? At least until I can heal enough to be released from the hospital.”

  “We would be glad to. Actually, your dad has already converted the room next to your old room into a nursery just in case.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  7

  Denise walked into Chaun’s hospital room. Chaun gave a slight smile. She said, “My shift just ended. I can only stay about ten minutes. That is all the time my supervisors would allow.”

  “Ten minutes is better than no time at all.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Please, have a seat.” Chaun motioned with his hand to the chair next to the hospital bed.

  Denise sat down in the chair. With her eyes closed, she let out a sigh. Chaun thought she must have had a long day. When her eyes opened, she was smiling and focused on nothing but Chaun. “So, how are you holding up with everything?”

  Chaun looked down trying to find the right words. “Better than I should be. Granted, I’ve had so much going on since I woke up. More than likely, it will actually hit once I get home.”

  Chaun could tell that she was still listening. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know. In those eyes were genuine caring and concern. He couldn’t believe someone could feel so much concern for another in such a short time. She then asked, “Are you afraid?”

  “Am I afraid of when it fully sinks in?” Denise nodded. “I’m terrified. I have never had something to this extreme happen in my life until now.”

  “I honestly think you’ll get through it. To me, you seem like a strong-willed person.”

  “Only to a point, my snapping at Kat, the night of the accident, was one of the few times I defended myself, in all the years we had been together.”

  Denise sat agape. “Was your marriage that bad?”

  “It had its moments. Most of the harshness came from Katrina. I don’t usually talk poorly about someone who has passed,” Chaun looked at his hands folded and resting on his lap. His face was blank as he said, “but with Kat, it’s the truth.”

  Denise’s brow lowered as her eyes squinted in curiosity. “What was she like?”

  “She had to have her way all of the time.” Chaun looked up at Denise, and as he continued speaking, she began to sense how much pain Katrina had caused Chaun. “Kat was a control freak. Our home had very little on the walls. Most of the color in the apartment was black and white. Everything in the house had its place. She hardly asked me for anything. She always would demand things of me instead. That was part of the reason I
had blown up at her that night.”

  She lowered her head briefly. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I’ve had my share of bad relationships in the past. They are never easy.”

  “I know, eventually, I will have to move on. To be honest, and don’t take this the wrong way but, I hope she has traits similar to yours. You seem so caring, open, and personable. It would be a nice change from living around Kat for so long.”

  A tear fell from Denise’s eye, “For your sake, and your daughter, I hope so. I don’t want this to sound bad, but I think you would be happier with someone with those qualities.”

  “I believe you 're right. My relationship with Kat was pretty miserable.” Chaun paused and looked down once again. “Don’t get me wrong. I love her, and always will, but I need to stay strong. Sam needs me to be a beacon of strength. Granted, I know she’s only an infant, but if memory serves me correctly, children can sense the feelings of those around them.” He looked at Denise. “I’m sorry. Here I am rambling on about myself and my issues. I really do want to learn more about you. Where are you from originally?”

  “I am actually from Colorado. I moved here a few years ago.”

  Chaun sat back, resting his head on his pillow and looking at the ceiling said, “Man, I miss the Rockies.”

  “You lived in Colorado?”

  Chaun nodded his head and turned to Denise, head still on the pillow, “Yeah. Dad was stationed at Ft. Carson for a few years. It’s a gorgeous area. I miss the mountains the most, though.” His eyes grew distant yet focused as he pictured images from memory. “It was so peaceful to sit in the mountains and look at the city thousands of feet below.”

  A man then entered the room. Chaun almost started laughing. He was wearing a suit and at the most had to be about five feet tall. He had short blonde hair and, from what Chaun could tell at a distance, blue eyes. Chaun felt bad for his reaction. The man had simply caught him off guard. The man almost looked like a kid dressed up for church. “Chaun Hutchins?” Chaun nodded. “I’m Chris Hastings. I’m handling the litigation of the trucking company on your behalf.”

  Denise stood up. “I better go. My ten minutes are just about up. I’m working again tomorrow. I’ll see you then.”

  Chaun smiled and nodded. “Thank you for visiting. I hope it won’t be the only one. Have a good one, and drive safe.”

  “I will. You be sure to get some rest.” She left the room.

  Chaun’s right eye squinted as he looked back at Chris and said, “I don’t remember signing any litigation paperwork against the trucking company.”

  “You didn’t. Your parents called my office to get everything rolling. At minimum, they thought it would help with Dr. bills and income supplement while you’re recovering and getting your life back together.”

  “I’m fine with anything you think is fair. I know any amount will be helpful. How much are you asking for?”

  “Five million.”

  Chaun sat staring at Chris. His eyes were wide, and his breathing grew labored. Chris watched as Chaun’s experienced a sensory overload. Chaun exclaimed a second later, “Five million?! I don’t need that much, but if that’s what you’re going for then, I’m cool with it. I’m pretty sure after Sam and I being in the hospital for so long, the bills have to be piling up. Just keep me posted on what’s going on with the litigation.”

  “You will know the day of. I am going to need you to show up in court.”

  Chaun gave a slight nod of his head. “As long as I’m out of the hospital, I’ll be able to make it to the proceedings. Do I need to sign the paperwork now or on the court date?”

  “You’ll have to sign on the court date. I’ll keep you posted, though. Do you mind if I sit?”

  Chaun motioned to the chair. “No, not at all.”

  Chris walked over and sat down with an exhausted look on his face. “Thanks, it’s been a long day. Do you mind answering some questions?”

  Chaun shook his head. “Not at all. What do you need to know?”

  Chris looked at Chaun with total concentration. “How did it happen that night? I know what the police reports say from witnesses and the driver’s statement, but I want to know what happened from your perspective. If you still need some time to emotionally cope with everything, we can wait.”

  Chaun exhaled and looked down in his lap. He interlaced his fingers. “I’m okay with talking about it. How detailed do you want the description?”

  Chris chuckled, “You don’t need to draw any pictures or anything, but as detailed an account as you can give.”

  Chaun smirked, nodded, and then looked back at his hands lying in his lap. “We were on our way home from a party. I did not drink that night.”

  Looking at his notebook Chris said, “The Drs. did toxicology on you when you arrived. They stated that you had no alcohol in your system. Go on.”

  Chaun gave a slight nod in response. “Tension had been building between us for some time. I lost my cool, and we started arguing. I had been quiet for a couple months before the accident.”

  “Were you thinking of leaving her or anything of that nature?”

  Chaun shook his head. His brow slightly furrowed as he said, “No, I would have never left her, especially with her being pregnant. The argument escalated and I pretty much told her she was making my life a living hell and I wanted a divorce. I didn’t mean it. I was just sticking up for myself for the first time in years.”

  Chris’ right eyebrow raised. “Why did you feel the need to stick up for yourself?”

  “She was always demanding and controlling. I was never able to do anything I wanted to do without being ridiculed.” Chris nodded his head. “As soon as I told her that I looked up to see the brake lights of the semi lit up. I swerved to miss the truck and didn’t have enough distance to stop before hitting the stranded vehicle.”

  “What details do you remember about the vehicle? The one on the shoulder. Do you remember if the hazard lights were on?”

  Chaun made eye contact with Chris. “I remember it very well. It’s the last thing I remember seeing from that night. The hazard lights were not flashing.”

  Chris knew Chaun’s statement was factual and added the information to his notepad. “Were you the typical two seconds behind the semi when it hit its brakes?”

  Chaun nodded and maintained eye contact with Chris. His voice rose enough to let Chris know he was serious without being defensive. “Yes. I am a very defensive driver. Most comment that I drive like an old lady. There’s another thing, the semi didn’t just lightly hit its brakes. The tires were squalling.”

  Chris wrote down the last bit of information and placed the items in his briefcase. “Thank you so much, that should be all I need for now. Your story matches up closer to that of the witnesses than the driver.” Chris stood up and reached out his hand to shake Chaun’s. “Again thank you for your time. I am truly sorry for your loss.”

  Chaun accepted Chris’ handshake. “Thank you, Mr. Hastings. If there is any more information you need feel free to come by or call.”

  “I will until we talk again, rest and get well. Like I said I will keep you informed.” As Chris turned and left the room, Chaun’s mind began to wander. He thought of everything being paid off and Samantha being able to go to college. In some ways, he would give it all back and say forget the entire court issue if he could just know that Kat was still alive and was able to spend time with their daughter.

  8

  Dave and Michelle walked into Chaun’s room. Something was different. They were grinning ear to ear. Chaun quizzically looked at them both. “Something’s up. What is it?”

  Michelle could not contain herself. “We just came from upstairs. Sam’s Dr. is going to come down shortly and speak with you. They are going to need you to sign some papers.” She walked up to the right side of Chaun’s bed, sat down, and placed her hand on his. “They’ve decided that she is ready to go home.”

  Chaun smiled, “That’s great! Hopefully, I
’ll be leaving soon as well.”

  The Dr. walked into the room earlier than expected. She looked young for her age. Chaun would have guessed her in her late 20’s. In reality, she was in her early 40’s. By her physique, Chaun guessed her a runner. “Mr. Hutchins?”

  “Yes.”

  The Doctor approached Chaun on his left side. Her hand extended. Chaun accepted the handshake. She smiled. “Hi, I’m Dr. Spalding. I’m Samantha’s Dr.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  As she continued her hands began to move. The movements added personality and enthusiasm to what she was saying. “I wanted to come down and speak with you about Sam. She has made a tremendous improvement over the past month. I believe that she is ready to go home. Part of the reason we have kept her here this long is due to needing your signature to have her leave the hospital, not to mention having a place for her to go. Your parents have notified me that you have asked them to watch over her until your release. Is this correct?”

  “Yes, ma’am it is. I asked them the first day I held her if they would take care of her if she were to be released before me.” Chaun nodded towards Dave and Michelle. “They said they would be more than happy to. They already have the nursery prepared.”

  “In that case, I will need your signature on the release paperwork. There shouldn’t be any restrictions for her care. She is a healthy, normal baby.” She handed Chaun a clipboard with the paperwork needing to be signed. Chaun took it, signed it after scanning it over, and gave it back to her. Dr. Spalding turned to Dave and Michelle. “Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins, if you’d want to come back upstairs we can get her personal things and release her into your care.” Dave and Michelle both followed the Dr. out of the room. Knowing that Sam was being released gave Chaun hope that he would also be released shortly.