Russell gasped. “Phenomenal,” he said, his voice low with awe.
“Wait,” Meryl said. “We’re not done. We’d like to explain our reasons for what you see.”
With that introduction, Aviva took over, describing their choices and the meaning behind their color scheme.
“That’s fascinating,” Russell said when she was finished.
Aviva’s face warmed at the praise. She nodded at Meryl.
“You obviously put in a lot of time on the research. I’m amazed we can convey our message with such subtlety just by choosing certain colors.”
“You know, this gala is to raise money for your medical research,” Meryl said. “The best way to do it is to make sure every message your patrons receive makes them want to support you. You want to appeal to their emotions as well as their reasoning.”
“Well, I’m thrilled by what you’ve shown me.” He rose, but Meryl reached out a hand.
“Wait, we’re not finished yet. We still have the menu to go over. Speaking of food, do we want to order in lunch?”
Everyone nodded. Aviva left, wishing all the while she could be meeting Jacob instead. Swallowing her disappointment, she returned with menus. After they placed their orders, Meryl displayed their proposed gala menu onscreen.
“The science center offers a number of choices.” They discussed the food options until their lunch arrived and took a break to eat.
“So, Aviva, I’m impressed by what I’ve seen today,” Russell said. “Tell me about yourself.”
She thrust her shoulders back as she figured out what to tell him. “Well, I’m from Connecticut and went to college at UConn. I have an older sister in New Jersey with her husband and my seven-year-old nephew. My parents still live in Connecticut.”
“My daughter looked at that school. It’s great, but she wanted something a little smaller. Do you live in New Jersey too?” he asked.
“Yes, I have an apartment in Hoboken I share with two roommates. One of them is an investment banker, the other is a production assistant.”
“I remember living with roommates,” he said with a laugh.
For the next few minutes, they traded crazy roommate stories. Meryl joined in. Aviva was shocked to learn Meryl, who never showed up to work in anything other than a designer outfit, was into grunge bands in college.
When they finished lunch, Meryl drew their attention to the binder in the center of the table. “Russell, make sure you take this with you. It contains photos, linen samples, the menu, etc. so you can discuss it at your office. We have about a month before we have to get some of those decisions to the science center, so if you could let us know any changes you have within the next two weeks, we would appreciate it.”
Russell shook their hands. “I will, although I doubt there will be anything significant changed. Thank you both for all of your hard work.”
They walked him out. As the elevator doors closed, Meryl gave Aviva a hug. “I can’t believe how happy he was. I’ve never seen him loosen up or show as much pleasure in something. It’s all you. I can’t even take credit for it. You totally rocked this.”
Aviva wasn’t sure what shocked her more, Meryl’s hug or her lengthy praise. “Thank you. I really enjoyed putting it together.”
“Well, it showed. You’ve got a great future here. I hope you realize that.”
Aviva swallowed. “Thank you, again.”
As she headed to her desk, she looked at the time. More than anything, she wanted to share this with Jacob, but he was busy. She couldn’t bother him. With a sigh, she cleaned her space and counted the minutes until they could be together again.
****
Aviva woke to the sound of her alarm combined with rain spattering her windows. She groaned. She hated rain in the city. Never mind how the romantic comedies portrayed it, rain in any metropolis was messy and sooty. No matter what she did to try to stay dry, she was never successful.
She looked hopefully up and down the street for a cab. In what could only be described as a miracle, one pulled to the curb. It splashed her, of course, but along the lines of not looking a gift horse in the mouth, she climbed in and gave the driver her office address.
She turned her head to look out the window, but the cab swerved. She fell to the side. Her head knocked against the window. She cried out as the cab was smashed from behind and spun around. Or maybe it was her? She couldn’t tell because it was as if she were on one of those spinning teacup rides at an amusement park. Another jolt and her body listed the other way. Make it a bumper car ride. Meryl wouldn’t be okay with her missing work to play at an amusement park. With a screech and a crunch, the car came to a halt. An oppressive silence blanketed her. She needed to get out, but she couldn’t find the door. Pain throbbed everywhere. She whimpered. Why couldn’t she get out of the car? She was going to be late.
The door opened. The smell of oil and burnt rubber permeated the inside of the car. And Old Spice aftershave. Had they crashed into a delivery truck? That would be a fun mess to clean up. Sirens squawked too. Man, they were loud.
A man’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are you okay?”
Why was he climbing into her cab? Didn’t he know it was hers? She frowned as his hands groped for her seatbelt. What was he doing? Wait, he asked a question. What was it? Oh, yeah, she remembered now.
“Um, I think so.” At least, she thought she said it.
He didn’t pay any attention to her words. He’d undone her seatbelt, put something around her neck. Aviva wasn’t sure she liked a strange man touching her, but she didn’t have the energy to protest. The man seemed to have a lot of hands. They were everywhere. She couldn’t follow them all, but suddenly she was lifted out of the car, laying on something hard.
The man and some other people spoke in a foreign language. No, it wasn’t a foreign language, it was English, but it was technical. Or maybe medical? They attached things to her, ignored her hands trying to push them away. She heard whimpering. Who was that?
“Shh, it’s going to be okay. We’re loading you into the ambulance now.”
Ambulance?
“My name’s Rick. Can you tell me your name?”
“Aviva.”
“Hi, Aviva. You’ve been in a car accident. You’re pretty banged up, so we’re going to take you to the hospital.”
“Where’s my bag? I can’t leave it in the cab.”
“It’s at your feet. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. Just relax.”
She wanted to protest she didn’t want to go to the hospital. She needed to go to work. But she was so tired.
When she opened her eyes, she was in a hospital. No matter how fuzzy her mind, she could tell by the bright florescent lights, the antiseptic smell and the nurses’ pages over the loudspeaker. She turned her head with care. After a while, the pain subsided and the room stopped tilting. Monitors kept track of all different things. The lines and numbers were confusing, but as long as nothing was flat lining, she assumed she was fairly okay. With a deep breath, she turned her head the other way. The room tilted again. Still lots of pain and nausea, but this time, bags hung from metal posts. Great. Bags meant needles.
“Oh, hi, you’re awake. My name is Susan. You’re in the hospital. You’ve most likely got a concussion, and you have some lacerations and bruises. We’re getting ready to send you to x-ray in a few minutes to check out your arm and get a CAT scan for your head. Otherwise, you’re okay.”
Aviva closed her eyes again. She tried to relax. They flew open a moment later. “I have to call my boss. Where’s my bag?”
The nurse reached for it and handed it to her. “Try not to move around too much, though, okay?”
Aviva reached into her purse with one hand and felt around for her phone. She dialed Meryl.
“Meryl Kreptke.”
“Meryl, it’s Aviva.”
“Aviva, where are you?”
“I’m sorry. I was in a car accident. I’m at the hospital.” She mouthed “Wh
ich one?” to Susan, who mouthed back, “HUMC.”
“Hoboken University Medical Center.”
“Oh my God. Are you okay?”
“I think so. I might have a concussion. I have to get my arm x-rayed.”
“Oh, you poor thing. Take it easy. Let me know how you are later, okay?”
“I will.”
The nurse took the phone and bag and put it underneath her bed. As she finished, a technician arrived to take Aviva to x-ray.
“Hopefully we’ll have a room for you when you’re done there,” Susan said.
The fluorescent lights slid by as the technician wheeled her stretcher down the hall. The elevator was huge, but the stretcher bumped over the doorjamb. Her arm ached at the movement. Downstairs, they waited outside of the x-ray room for about twenty minutes until the room was ready. Once her x-ray was complete, the technician took her for a CAT scan. By the time everything was finished, more than an hour had passed. Aviva was exhausted.
“Your room is ready. I’ll take you to it now. A doctor will be up later to go over the results with you.”
The technician wheeled her to the fifth floor and into a double room. The other bed was vacant. Aviva exhaled. Privacy. A nurse came in and got her settled, placing her bag next to her on the table. Monitors were hooked up again, the IVs placed next to the bed.
“My name is Nancy. Press the call button if you need anything.” She left the room.
Aviva lay against the pillow, listened to the relative quiet for the first time all morning. Less woozy than before, but still not right. Her entire body ached. Her vision was off a little. She was nauseated. She took deep breaths and tried to relax.
A knock on her door startled her. Aviva winced as she turned toward it. “Hannah, what are you doing here?”
“I came as soon as Meryl told me. Are you all right? Why didn’t you call?”
She pulled a chair to the bed and sat next to her. She stared at Aviva, examining every inch of her. If Aviva had the energy, she’d have blushed at the attention.
“I just got into this room. I’m sorry. I remembered to call Meryl to let her know I wouldn’t be in, but they took me to x-ray and…”
Hannah grabbed her hand. “No, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I just didn’t want you to have to go through this alone. Did you call your mom or would you like me to do it?”
Aviva sighed. “I’d better do it now. Can you hand me my phone?”
Hannah gave it to her. Aviva dialed. At the sound of her mom’s voice, her eyes filled with tears. She gave a quick update of what happened. After reassuring her she was okay and she didn’t have to race to the hospital, she handed the phone to Hannah.
“Hi, Mrs. Shulman. Yes, I’m here. No, she actually doesn’t look too bad.” Hannah smiled and winked at Aviva. “Yes, I’m staying. Of course. Definitely. Okay, bye.”
She handed the phone to Aviva. “So your mom wants me to stay with you as long as you’ll let me. She’ll come but has to wait for your dad to see if he can get away from work. If you notice, I didn’t suggest she force him to, but I really wanted to.”
Aviva rolled her eyes. “I know your feelings about my dad, Han. I appreciate the loyalty. But he’s busy. I’d never expect him to come. I love my mom, but really, she doesn’t need to be here either. Neither do you, by the way. I’m fine.”
“Avs, you were just in a car accident. Let me stay, at least for a while”—she held her hand up to prevent any protests—“and keep you company if nothing else. You shouldn’t have to be here alone. By the way, did you call Jacob?”
“No, I don’t want to bother him.”
“Bother him? Avs, did you not hear the part about being in a car accident? You have to tell him.”
“No, I don’t. Not now anyway.” She lay against her pillow and closed her eyes, hoping Hannah would take the hint.
Hannah settled into the chair and rummaged in her purse.
Expelling a breath, Aviva let herself drift. Moments later, or maybe longer—it was hard to tell—she heard her name spoken. She opened her eyes. Nancy, her nurse, stuck a thermometer in her mouth and a blood pressure cuff on her arm. She gave her some medicine for pain.
“Your arm is broken. The orthopedist will be in soon to cast it. The neurologist will be in to go over your CAT scan results. Until then, get some rest.”
Aviva resisted the urge to tell her she had been resting until she was disturbed. No one liked a cranky patient. Instead, she smiled and closed her eyes again.
Her rest was again disturbed by the orthopedist’s arrival. He sent Hannah outside and examined Aviva’s arm. “Based on the x-ray, it’s a clean break and won’t require surgery. My nurse is going to set it for you and give you care directions. When you’re discharged, follow up with your own doctor. If you need a referral, let my nurse know.” He shook her good hand and left.
“I’m Bridget. I’ll be setting your arm. It shouldn’t be too painful, but let me know if it hurts.”
Aviva watched with some trepidation as Bridget got to work but, as promised, there was little pain. Once set, the pain lessened, although her arm was heavier. When Bridget left, Hannah returned…with Aviva’s mother. This place reminded her of a three-ring circus. Her mom’s finely lined face was creased with worry.
“Mom, I thought I said you didn’t need to come out here.”
Her mom leaned over, long graying hair brushing against Aviva’s cheek. She planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. “And leave you here alone? Sweetheart, sorry, but that’s never happening. Dad will be here when he can. He’s tied up at work with an important client. I think he has a meeting or two as well.” She shrugged and pulled a second chair closer to the bed.
Aviva told her as much as she remembered about the accident, Hannah talked about work, and her mother asked questions. Eventually, Aviva stopped talking and listened. She was getting ready to fall asleep again when the neurologist came in. He allowed the women to stay while he examined Aviva. “You have a concussion. You’ll stay overnight so we can monitor you. It doesn’t look too serious, but we’ll perform periodic tests just to be sure.”
Hannah and Aviva’s mom rose. “We’re going to get some coffee. I’ll call the Rabbi to have him add your name to the prayer for healing list tonight for Shabbat services,” Aviva’s mom said. “We’ll be back in a few minutes. Do you want anything from the cafeteria?”
“No, I’m not very hungry.” On cue, food was delivered. She started to laugh, but the noise and movement hurt her head.
“Do you need help with eating, sweetheart?”
“No, I’m fine, Mom. Thank you. Go get your coffee. Don’t worry about me. Really.”
Her mom leaned over and kissed Aviva’s head. “All right, I know you don’t want me to hover. But if you need anything, call my cell. We won’t be gone long.”
When they left, Aviva picked at her hospital food. She flicked through the channels on the TV over the bed. Shoes squeaked outside the room and muted voices played over the intercom. She’d been glad for the reprieve, but now they were gone, she was restless and bored. She was tired and hungry but didn’t want to sleep or eat.
Checking out the daytime TV programs, she wondered how anyone could bear to stay home and watch them without their brains turning to mush. She was ready to throw her remote at the screen, when her mom and Hannah returned.
Her mom walked into the room. “So, Hannah tells me Jacob doesn’t know you’re here.”
Aviva raised an eyebrow at Hannah, who showed a vested interest in The Price is Right. “Mom, he’s in the middle of finals.”
“Don’t you think he’d want to know what happened?”
“I’ll tell him, but not right now. I don’t want to disturb him.”
“Sweetheart, you’re his girlfriend. He’d want to know now.”
“He’d want to pass his finals. I’ll still be here when he’s done. Well, hopefully not here”—she gestured around the room—“but I’m fine. It will be okay.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “Didn’t he say he’d make you a priority?”
“Yes, but not over his finals, Mom. He doesn’t get a second chance with those.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short. He’s not like Dad.”
Aviva tried to turn away. The movement made the room spin. “I know, Mom.” Even to her ears, the assertion sounded weak.
“Maybe it’s time you made him a priority too.”
“What are you talking about? If I could, I’d spend every minute with him. He knows it.”
“I’m not talking a physical priority, sweetheart. I’m talking more intimate than that. Sharing your feelings with him. Making him the first one you want to share things with, and following through.”
Aviva’s face heated. She gritted her teeth. Her mother wasn’t aware of all the times she’d wanted to tell Jacob something and didn’t because of his studying. But it sounded as if she knew. How did she do that?
“We’re fine, Mom.”
Aviva closed her eyes, hoping her mom would take the hint and end the conversation. From the sigh across the bed, Aviva assumed it worked. But rather than fall asleep, she laid there, eyes shut, throat thick. Should she have called Jacob? Should she call him now? She didn’t know what time it was and couldn’t find out without letting her mother know she was awake and continuing a conversation she definitely didn’t want to have. Aviva didn’t remember exactly what time Jacob’s final was today, but expected him to be done sometime in the afternoon. The problem was, when? How would her news impact his exams later in the week?
Creaking and footsteps made her crack her eyes open. The chair where her mom sat was empty. Only Hannah was in the room.
“She’s gone,” Hannah said. “She went to call your dad.”
“Thanks. Sorry about being a brat before.”
“I don’t think you were being a brat, but I do think you’re wrong.”
“But—”
“Just listen, Avs. Switch places for a minute. If Jacob was in an accident and didn’t call you, how would you feel?”
Five Minutes to Love Page 14