Down in Flames

by Cheryl Hollon

  “Your wife is critical and unstable. Are there any other family members here?”

  “Not yet. One of her brothers is on his way, but he hasn’t arrived. I left him a message and he texted that he’ll be here as soon as he can. I don’t have a number for the other brother.”

  “I’ll tell the receptionist to send him right in. There isn’t very much time. I’ll take you back to be with your wife. We’re minutes from taking her to surgery. It looks like there’s internal bleeding.”

  Elizabeth covered her mouth with one trembling hand, covered her tummy with the other. She looked at Savannah, her eyes pleading. “Come with me, please. I can’t do this alone.”

  Savannah looked back at the receptionist and then to the doctor. “Will it be all right?”

  The doctor heaved a great sigh. “Trouble getting your status verified?”

  They both nodded.

  The doctor raised his voice. “Jared, I’m taking them both back. I’ll be putting in another written complaint.”

  The receptionist shrugged his shoulders. “That’s your prerogative. I know what’s right and what’s wrong.”

  Elizabeth straightened her shoulders and narrowed her eyes into a blazing glare.

  “Obviously you don’t,” the doctor said, “or you wouldn’t be adding pain to an already unbearable situation. I’ll be suggesting a course in diversity training when I report this to your supervisor. I’ll be checking back until I’m sure you’ve changed.”

  Savannah’s brows arched upwards. That should strike fear into his stone-cold heart. She shook the doctor’s hand. “Thanks.”

  Dr. Smith led them through the plain door down a short hallway. “That idiot is an eyelash away from getting fired. My written complaint should provide that last bit of overwhelming evidence.” He paused for a second outside of a large room and looked at Elizabeth. “On behalf of the entire hospital, I apologize for his behavior.” He gently touched her shoulder. Elizabeth flinched, her eyes tearing up, but didn’t pull away. “This is hard enough.” Without another word, he led them into the room.

  Four beds were spaced along the walls, each bed surrounded by gray curtains on sliding rings. Three empty beds had smooth white sheets with two pillows, a cotton blanket, and a thick thermal throw. He stopped in front of the bed with the curtains closed.

  “I must warn you that she sustained grievous injuries to her head and body. Her prognosis is grave.” He opened the curtain to let them inside.

  Elizabeth cried, “Oh, Nicole!” and rushed over to the side of the bed.

  Nicole lay completely still with her eyes closed. Her complexion was slate gray. The same shade of the hospital gown she wore. A respirator covered most of her face. A large brace was fastened around her neck and multiple fluid bags were attached to a pole feeding an IV in her left hand. Nicole’s bright red fingernail polish provided the only color.

  “Nicole, can you hear me?” Elizabeth grabbed Nicole’s right hand and kissed it. She tucked it against her chest. “Can she hear me?”

  Dr. Smith lowered his voice to a whisper. “You should assume that she can. We don’t know for sure, but it appears to help.”

  Elizabeth leaned over to gaze at Nicole’s closed eyes. “Darling, this is going to be fine. You’re going to get better, believe me.” She lifted Nicole’s hand to the side of her face. “I love you so much, you can’t leave. Not now. Do you hear me? You can’t leave me alone.”

  An orderly parted the curtain and poked his head in. “Dr. Smith. They’re ready for her in surgery.”

  “Quick,” Dr. Smith said. “Say your goodbyes, we have very little time to save her.” He pulled the ringed curtain around a bit to give Elizabeth at least the notion of privacy.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed up an ugly mauve as huge tears steaked down her cheeks. She bent down to whisper. “Nicole, I know you can hear me. You’ve been my life. I know things have been difficult lately. Please don’t leave me.” She dropped her head onto Nicole’s shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably.

  Savannah placed her hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders and pulled gently. “You must let them work on her. We all want to see her recovered and healthy.”

  Elizabeth shrugged off Savannah’s hands. “No. I can’t let you go. I need you.”

  “Ma’am!” the orderly broke in sharply. “Step back, please. I’m sorry. We have to take her now.”

  This time when Savannah took hold of Elizabeth, she complied and stumbled backward without taking her eyes from Nicole.

  The muscular orderly zipped the curtain open as wide as the tracks allowed. He lifted the portable oxygen tank he pulled behind him and placed it between Nicole’s feet. Another orderly made sure the IV stand would roll smoothly and nodded to his buddy. The first orderly transferred Nicole’s oxygen source from the wall to the portable tank. He unlocked all four wheels, then moved Nicole down the hallway to a set of double doors, twisting around to speak to Elizabeth. “You need to go to the surgery waiting room on the fourth floor.” He flashed a winning smile. “The nurses will keep you apprised of her status. They’re a great bunch up there. Very sympathetic to all kinds of patients.” He cast a disapproving look toward the receptionist’s desk, then gave Elizabeth a sympathetic smile. “Everyone is treated with respect up there.” He trotted through the double doors.

  Chapter 5

  Late Monday evening,

  surgery waiting room

  After the frantic hustle in the emergency waiting room, the surgery waiting room reminded Savannah of a visit to a library. It had only taken them about five minutes to locate the room. On the door was a sign. NO CELL PHONE USE PERMITTED INSIDE THE SURGERY WAITING ROOM.

  The room felt cool and looked heartless. Not a single comfortable chair. The temperature was set ridiculously low—even by Florida standards. Savannah cursed the designer who’d had no idea why people would be using the chairs. Idiot.

  Monday night was apparently a slow time for surgeries. An elderly couple sat next to each other adjacent to the Mr. Coffee station. They were asleep. The man had his head resting on the pale green wall behind his chair. The woman’s head rested on his shoulder.

  “Now what happens?” Elizabeth’s shrill voice pierced through the quiet room like fingernails on a chalkboard. The elderly woman startled awake and looked confused.

  “Shush.” Savannah gently led Elizabeth by the elbow to a seat near a telephone hanging on the wall. “You’ll wake those poor folks over there.”

  The sign next to the phone read DIAL 326 FOR AN UPDATE TO SURGERY STATUS. “I’m sure we’ll be hearing something very soon. Try to relax. I know it’s hard, but you must try.”

  Elizabeth shrugged off Savannah’s arm, picked up the phone, then punched in a 326. “Hello, this is Elizabeth Hartford. Nicole Borawski has just arrived for surgery. I wanted to let you know that I’m her wife and that I’m ready for any information you can give me. I’m right here in the waiting room.”

  There was a long pause.

  Elizabeth said, “Yes, I can hold.” She covered the mouthpiece. “She’s going to check to see if Nicole has made it to the operating room.”

  Another long pause was followed by, “Yes, I’m her wife.” Another pause. “Okay, we’re sitting right here by the phone.”

  A door next to the coffee stand opened and a chunky woman dressed in balloon-printed medical togs walked over to Elizabeth and Savannah. She was carrying a folder with a notepad inside.

  “Elizabeth Hartford?”

  Elizabeth nodded.

  “I have—”

  Before the nurse could continue, Edward burst through the doors and hustled across the room. He spoke to Savannah as soon as he saw her. “Where’s Nicole? What’s happening?” He stood between Savannah and Elizabeth, putting an arm around each. “I’m Nicole’s boss. What’s going on? Is she in surgery?”

  Savannah took Edward’s hand and squeezed it hard. He was extremely upset, but she didn’t hug him. He had been brought up not to embrace any
one in public.

  “Let the nurse finish, Edward. She’s just now giving us an update.”

  “Thanks. We’ve finished prepping Nicole and they’re taking her into surgery now. Her vital signs are indicating that she has significant internal injuries. I want to prepare you for the possibility that she may not survive.”

  “Oh no!” Elizabeth broke away from the little group and covered her face with both hands. “This can’t be happening. We’ve only just begun our lives together.”

  Savannah looked at the nurse and could see the sympathetic concern in her world-weary eyes. “I’ll let you know immediately if her condition changes.” She returned through the door.

  Edward turned to Elizabeth. “How are you holding up, pet? Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  Elizabeth bit her lip and exhaled a long breath. “Yes, this may be a very long night and I need to stay alert.”

  In the far corner of the waiting room, Edward found a Mr. Coffee on a small counter next to a beverage vending machine. The counter had a small sink and a built-in storage cabinet for supplies. He picked up the carafe, sniffed the brew, and wrinkled up his nose. “Stale.” He dumped the contents, grabbed a paper towel and scrubbed out the carafe. He dumped the previous filter and wiped down the basket along with every reachable surface in the coffee area.

  Next, he bought two bottles of water and used them to start brewing a fresh pot of coffee. As soon as it was finished, he smelled the coffee in the carafe. He smiled, then poured coffee into two paper cups and took them to Savannah and Elizabeth. He went back and poured one for himself.

  Savannah’s phone pinged a message from Jacob’s mother.

  JACOB HASN’T SAID A WORD YET. HE’S EATING HIS COMFORT FOOD.

  Savannah texted back a frowny-face emoji and then added an alarmed-faced one as well. She realized how much Jacob contributed to the smooth running of her business. She worried about how he would recover. He was dealing with enough challenges. He had grown from a gangly teen into a responsible young man on her watch. She thought that her late father would be proud.

  Savannah glanced over at Edward, who watched the wall clock tick second by second while clenching his fists, releasing them, then clenching again. She considered at this point that he had known Nicole longer than anyone else since he moved here from the UK. She went over to stand by his side and held on to his arm with both her hands. He stopped clenching his fists.

  “Has anyone notified Amanda?” Edward asked.

  Savannah puffed out a held breath. “Honestly, I didn’t even give her a thought.” There had been too much going on for Savannah to consider contacting anyone but Elizabeth and Edward.

  “She knew Nicole before she came to work for me. Amanda recommended her, and after I interviewed Nicole, I hired her on the spot. I haven’t regretted that for a second.”

  Savannah squeezed his arm again. “I didn’t know that.”

  “How do you think she’s doing?” Edward tilted his head toward Elizabeth. “I’ve just realized that I don’t know her very well at all. Nicole wasn’t the type to share her feelings at the drop of a hat, but I should have tried to reach out more often.”

  The coffee was delicious and gave them something warm to hold.

  They had barely finished Edward’s coffee when the door opened to a young man with short sandy hair and pale blue eyes. He looked quickly at the old couple and then walked toward Elizabeth. “I’m sorry to be late. I got here as quickly as I could. How’s Nicole?”

  “Phillip!” Elizabeth stood and threw herself into the young man’s arms. “Oh, Phillip. It’s terrible. She’s in grave condition.”

  Phillip frowned and patted Elizabeth awkwardly. “It’s okay. I’m sure she’s going to be fine. This is my big sister you’re talking about. She’s tough as nails.” He pushed Elizabeth gently away and led her back to her seat. She was still snuffling.

  Phillip reached into his back pocket and gave Elizabeth a new packet of tissues. She pinched the package with her trembling fingers but couldn’t open it. Phillip took it back from her, opened the package, then pulled out a tissue and placed it in her hand. She blew her nose and wiped her eyes. “Thanks for being here. It makes this nightmare manageable, but not really.” She wiped her eyes again.

  “Can we ask for news?” Phillip asked her in an urgent tone.

  Elizabeth took another tissue out of the packet, sat down, and continued to wipe her eyes.

  An awkward pause grew within the small group. Savannah broke the silence.

  “Hi, I’m Savannah Webb and this is Nicole’s boss, Edward Morris. I don’t think you’ve met. Sit down,” said Savannah to Phillip. She led him to the seat on the other side of the still weeping Elizabeth. Savannah and Edward stood in front of them, looking helpless.

  Elizabeth wiped her eyes and shifted toward Phillip. “You must be tired. It’s a long drive from Zephyrhills. Even worse when you’re rushing toward an emergency.”

  “Where is Nicole?” asked Phillip. “Can I see her?”

  “She’s in surgery now.” Elizabeth glanced at the telephone hanging on the wall. “They’ll call as soon as there is news.”

  “I can’t believe this.” He put an arm around Elizabeth and side hugged her. “What happened?”

  When Elizabeth’s mouth fell open but nothing came out, Savannah answered for her. “It was a hit-and-run right in front of my shop.” She turned to Edward. “My apprentice, Jacob, saw the whole thing from the sidewalk. Seeing the impact was brutal for him. The paramedics asked him some questions, but he just stood there. He was in shock, and I had his mother come to take him home.”

  Savannah stopped talking. She realized that Phillip didn’t know her, Edward, or Jacob.

  Edward filled the silence. “The traffic down Central is usually pretty calm. We’re all pretty careful about crossing,” he turned toward Savannah. “She wasn’t texting, was she?”

  Savannah spoke. “No, it wasn’t that. Her phone was zippered into her handbag.”

  Phillip spoke up. “It’s weird. Nicole has seemed distracted, and honestly, we haven’t been that close lately. I thought I had done something to make her mad. Did she say anything to you?”

  “No,” said Elizabeth, “but she has been a little preoccupied and distracted. I thought she might be steeling herself to confront her parents about accepting me again. She would try to talk to them about me every few months.”

  “No luck with that, I’ll bet,” said Phillip.

  Elizabeth frowned and pulled another tissue out of the packet. “None.”

  “Let’s sit, Edward. I feel like we’re hovering.” Savannah took the seat on the other side of Elizabeth and Edward sat next to Savannah.

  He leaned in to whisper, “How’s Jacob? He must be in a right state.”

  “I haven’t spoken to his mom yet. But I’m afraid this could really cause some serious damage to his confidence. There was something disturbing about how fast the driver was going and how quickly he left the scene.”

  After several long minutes of silence, the entry door squeaked, and Officer Joy Williams entered the room and looked over at the solemn group of four.

  Savannah was struck by the thought that her friend appeared strangely official and remote. Her uniform was tailored to her curvy shape and her cornrows were drawn back and tied to the nape of her neck

  They all looked up toward her as one.

  Officer Williams stood in front of Savannah. “Hi, Savannah, Edward. I’m sorry about Nicole, but I’ve been assigned to investigate the hit-and-run. I need to ask you some questions now, before any details disappear.” Nodding to Elizabeth and Phillip, she said, “I’ll need to talk to you next.” She asked Savannah, “Is there somewhere we can find a little privacy?”

  Savannah stood. “Let’s go down to the coffee shop.”

  Savannah took Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it tight. “I’ll be right back.” She mouthed a kiss to Edward and they left for the café on the first floor. After going
through the serving line for a coffee for Officer Williams and a sparkling water for Savannah, they found a secluded table.

  “What is the first thing you recall?” asked Officer Williams. She took out her notepad and scribbled the date, time, and Savannah’s name at the top of the page.

  “It was the sound of Nicole getting hit.” Savannah realized her voice had suddenly gotten scratchy. “It was a thump. It didn’t register with me what it was until I heard a squealing of tires and an accelerating engine roar.” She stopped to swallow hard. She inhaled a huge breath and tried to relax the tight knot positioned at the back of her neck. “The next thing I heard was Jacob screaming and Suzy howling. They were right on the sidewalk. They saw the whole thing.”

  “What did you do then?”

  “I ran outside and saw the back end of a white car turn right at the very next street.”

  Officer Williams looked up from her notepad. “I don’t suppose you got a glimpse of the license number?”

  “No, it was too far away, and my focus was on Jacob and Suzy.”

  “Next?”

  “As soon as I got Jacob to look at me rather than in the street at Nicole, he stopped screaming and Suzy stopped howling. Then I went into the street, knelt beside Nicole, and checked to see if she was alive. She had a faint heartbeat, but she was unconscious.” Savannah fell silent, the image of Nicole completely limp seared into her memory.

  “And then?” Officer Williams prompted.

  “I yelled for someone to call 911 and then I brushed Nicole’s hair out of her face and talked to her. She didn’t respond. The EMTs got there in just a few minutes.”

  “What about Jacob?” Officer Williams scanned the café. “Where is he?”

  “I called his mother to get him. He was a wreck. I left him there on the sidewalk as soon as his mother arrived. She texted me a bit ago to say that he was at least eating his favorite McDonald’s order at home.”

  “Okay, I’ll have to speak to him at some point. He is our only primary witness. Is that all?”