A Crossed Reality

by Gerald Pruett

  Miles looked at Trudy without responding as Trudy walked away.

  Chapter Eleven

  2:05 P.M., Alex was late for class and was rushing to get there. Before reaching her classroom, she and Miles met in the hallway. They both stopped and looked at each other.

  As Alex took a step to walk away, Miles said, “Alex, I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did.”

  Alex stopped and as she faced Miles again she said, “You don’t have anything to apologize for.” Alex gestured down the hall. “I’m actually late for class, so I need to go.”

  “Did you win any money?”

  “I lost twenty bucks.”

  “Well at least you didn’t lose more.”

  “Miles, you don’t have to do this.”

  “What am I doing?”

  “You don’t have to pretend to be interested in me.”

  With a mournful expression across his face, Miles said, “Alex, I would like for us to start over and for us to build a friendship on who you are.”

  Alex grinned before sticking out her hand to shake hands while saying, “Hi, I’m Alex Larson.”

  Miles grinned before shaking her hand and saying, “Nice to meet you, Alex. I’m Miles Appleby.”

  “Well, Miles Appleby, if I wasn’t late for class, I would stay to talk so we can get to know each other better.”

  “Perhaps we can get together later and talk.”

  Alex grinned before saying, “I would like that.” Alex then gestured down the hall. “Well, I better get to class.”

  “I have to be at the practice field at three, so I’ll be there when you get out of class.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

  Alex and Miles then went their respective ways.

  A few minutes later, the instructor stopped lecturing the class when Alex walked in. He looked at the clock before saying, “Nice that you can join us, Ms. Larson. I hope attending my class wasn’t too much of an inconvenience for you.”

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” Alex said.

  “Just take your seat, Ms. Larson.”

  “Of course.” Alex then sat in the first available seat she came to.

  When the class ended at 2:55 P.M. Alex went to the practice field to watch Miles. She sat where Miles couldn’t see her. Her book bag and purse sat on the ground next to her.

  When the practice ended at 4:30 P.M. Alex walked up to Miles.

  When Miles saw Alex walking up, he curiously asked, “How long have you been here?”

  “For a while. I didn’t have anything going on so I thought I would watch you practice.”

  “You don’t work today?”

  “Sylvia’s working today, not me.”

  Miles gestured towards his teammates and said, “Well, I need to…” Miles stopped talking when he saw Chad walking up behind Alex.

  Alex was curious as to why Miles had stopped in mid-sentence and turned to look. When Alex saw Chad, Chad had a serious expression on his face.

  When Chad stepped up Alex asked, “Are you okay, Chad?”

  Chad shook his head before saying, “Chris’ condition turned critical. The doctor said if a kidney doesn’t get found soon, Chris won’t live for another week.”

  “Oh my God!” Alex couldn’t help blurting out.

  “Chris asked me to try to persuade Trudy to visit him in the hospital. That’s why I’m here, but I don’t know where to find her. Miles, I just took a guess to come here to the field to find you.”

  “Miles, I’ll take Chad to the dorm room,” Alex said.

  “Okay. I need to rejoin my teammates anyway before they get too far ahead of me. I’ll catch up with everyone when I can.”

  “Okay,” Alex said. Miles turned and rushed towards his teammates.

  Minutes later, Alex and Chad were walking into her dorm room; however, Trudy wasn’t there. Alex put her book bag down, but kept her purse. Alex then led Chad to the library. After walking in and looking around, Alex saw Doug’s roommate Richard at a table studying.

  Richard saw Alex and as Alex stepped up to him he asked, “So how’s the prettiest woman at Harvard doing?”

  “When I see her, I’ll ask her,” Alex responded. “In the meantime, have you seen Trudy?”

  Richard gave Alex a curious look before saying, “I was referring to you.”

  “I know who you were referring to, but I didn’t come here for you to make a pass at me. I’m looking for Trudy. Have you seen her?”

  “A few people have been saying that you have changed, but you haven’t, have you? You won’t even let me give you a compliment.”

  “Richard, have you seen Trudy or know where she might be?”

  “Most likely she’s in her calculus class right now.”

  “Thank you, that’s all I wanted to know.” Alex then hesitated to leave before telling him, “Richard, thanks for the compliment. I wasn’t trying to shoot you down. I just need to find Trudy.”

  “Perhaps you have changed after all.”

  Alex grinned before saying, “Thanks again.” As Alex turned and walked away, Chad walked beside her.

  A short time later, Alex and Chad walked up to Trudy’s classroom. While waiting for Trudy’s class to end, Chad started a casual conversation, and their conversation ended when the students were leaving the room.

  When Trudy stepped out of her classroom and saw Alex and Chad, she walked up to them. As she gave them suspicious looks, she asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Trudy, we met once last Christmas…” Chad said.

  “Chad, I know who you are. What I don’t know is why you and Alex are waiting outside my classroom.”

  “I’m here to talk to you about Chris…”

  “Let me stop you there,” Trudy quickly interrupted with. “I don’t want anything to do with Chris.”

  “Trudy, he wants to apologize to you.”

  “He has apologized to me, but that doesn’t change how I feel about him.”

  “Chris’ condition turned critical,” Chad quickly said. “He won’t live another week if a kidney isn’t found. Chris just wants to talk to you before he dies.”

  “Chad, I hate the idea of your brother dying, but I’m not…” Trudy was only able to get out.

  “You would deny a dying man his last request?” Alex quickly interrupted with.

  “Alex, I want to talk to you in private for a second,” Trudy said.

  “Sure,” Alex said before she and Trudy walked away from Chad.

  When they were out of Chad’s earshot, Trudy said, “When Chris and I were dating, Chris treated me like I was his property. He was jealous of every guy that came near me and he had embarrassed me in public more times than I can remember.”

  “I’m not suggesting that you get back together with him, but the guy is on his deathbed. All he wants is to talk to you before he dies. I don’t see the harm in talking to him.”

  Trudy sighed before saying, “Okay, Alex. I’ll go see him, but you have to come with me.”

  “I have no problem with that.”

  “Good,” Trudy said before gesturing towards Chad. “Well, we better let Chad know that I’ll go see him.”

  “We need to talk to Miles before we go. I’m not really sure, but I think he wants to go too.”

  As Alex and Trudy walked towards Chad, Trudy asked, “You and Miles are talking?”

  Alex grinned before saying, “We are.”

  When Alex and Trudy stepped up to Chad, Trudy said, “Alex talked me into seeing Chris, but I’m not promising that I will be visiting for any length of time.”

  “I believe Chris will be happy if you only visited for a minute or two.”

  Trudy pulled out her cell phone from her purse before saying, “Well, I’m going to call Miles to see if he wants to come.”

  “Miles just finished soccer practice, so he might be busy with his team,” Alex said.

  “Okay, well, I’ll leave him a message on his voicemail that I’m going to the hospital and that he can j
oin me if he wants to.” Trudy then pressed the send button on her phone.

  “I’ll ride with you,” Alex said.

  Trudy nodded and when the phone went into voice mail she left the message, “Hey, uh, Alex had talked me into visiting Chris, so that’s where Alex and I will be. You can meet us at the hospital if you want; bye.” She then put her phone away. “Okay; I’m ready.”

  Alex, Trudy and Chad then turned and walked towards the exit.

  Minutes later at the hospital, Alex and Trudy followed Chad into Chris’ room. Chris and Chad’s parents were there visiting.

  Chad stepped up to his parents and as he gestured towards Alex he said, “Dad, this is Alex. Alex, this is my dad, Raymond.”

  Alex stepped up and stuck out her hand to shake hands. When Raymond took Alex’s hand, Alex said, “Nice to meet you, Mr…”

  “Raymond,” he interrupted with. “Please call me Raymond and it’s nice to meet you, Alex.”

  “Okay, Raymond.” Alex then waved at Linda. “It’s nice to see you again, Linda.”

  “Nice to see you again as well,” Linda said.

  Raymond looked at Trudy before saying, “It’s nice to see you again, Trudy.”

  Trudy slightly waved and said, “Likewise.” Trudy then stepped up to Chris’ bedside. Chris was lightly dozing off. When Trudy took hold of Chris’ hand, he opened his eyes. “Chris, I’m here.”

  Chris looked at Trudy and said in a slurred speech, “Trudy, hi.”

  Trudy slightly grinned before saying, “Hi.”

  “Trudy, I know I treated you poorly…”

  “Chris, you don’t have to apologize to me again.” Everyone saw tears forming in Trudy’s eyes before she continued to say, “I forgive you.”

  When Alex saw tears forming in Trudy’s eyes, tears began to form in her eyes. She then stepped out into the hallway before anyone could see her.

  As she wiped the tears from her eyes, Chad stepped out and saw her. He stepped closer before saying, “My mom has tissues if you need one.”

  Alex grinned before saying, “I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”

  “These are emotional times. I’ve even shed a few tears over this. I’ve also been praying every night for a miracle. It doesn’t seem to be enough… or it doesn’t feel like it’s enough. I feel like I should be doing more, but I just don’t know what. Okay, I’m going to stop ranting before I start crying myself.” Alex just grinned. Chad gestured towards the room. “Well, I’m going back in there.” Alex just nodded.

  Just as Chad was stepping back into Chris’ room, Alex said barely loud enough for Chad to hear, “Maybe there’s some-thing that I can do.”

  Chad stepped back out to see what Alex had said. However, Alex had her back to Chad and her cell phone to her ear. Chad paused for a second, and he was just about ready to stepped back into the room when Alex continued to say, “Mom, it’s Alex. I need your medical assistance on some-thing.” Chad stood still and listened to Alex’s side of the conversation. “It’s not me, Mom. I’m fine. It’s a friend of mine who needs your help. His name is Chris Swan. He needs a kidney ASAP and I was wondering if you can check around to see if you can find a match for him.” There was a short pause. “Yeah, I believe he’s on the list to receive a kidney.” There was another short pause before Alex told her mom the name of the hospital that Chris was staying in. Before hanging up Alex said, “Mom, thanks for doing what you can to help. Bye.” Alex turned around and when she saw Chad standing there, she gave him a surprised look for a second. She then held up her phone. “My mom is a surgeon in St. Louis. Maybe she can help find a kidney for Chris.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I think it’s a little premature to be thanking me. A kidney hasn’t been found yet.”

  “True, but you did make that phone call to help and that’s more than I expect of anyone. I’m also one who believes that a good deed shouldn’t go unrewarded. If there’s anything I can do for you just name it and I mean anything.” Chad noticed a thought along with a grin coming across Alex’s face. “There is something you want. What is it?”

  “Oh, I think what I want is more than what you had in mind.”

  “I said name what it is you want and I’ll get it for you. So what is it that you want?”

  “I, along with five of my friends need to get to Mexico City, but we don’t have the money to charter a plane.”

  “I won’t give you the money for you to charter a plane…”

  “I knew it was too much to be asking for.”

  “However, I will loan you a plane to use.”

  Alex gave him a surprise look before asking, “What?”

  “My dad has planes at his disposal, and I will give you one to use.”

  “That is a generous offer, but my friends and I don’t know a thing about piloting an airplane.”

  Chad laughed before saying, “I was planning on giving you a pilot as well.”

  “I really appreciate the offer, but…”

  “There are no but’s, Alex. You and your friends want to get to Mexico City, and I am going to make it happen for you. When do you and your friends need the plane?”

  “Chad, your offer is more than I expected.”

  “So was that phone call you made to your mom. Now, when do you need that plane?”

  Alex gave Chad a slightly skeptical stare for a moment before saying, “My friends and I will need to discuss it.”

  Chad pulled out one of his business cards and as he held it out for Alex to take he said, “When you decide when you want that plane, let me know.”

  Alex took the card and said, “I will. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” Chad said as Alex’s cell phone rang.

  Alex looked to see who was calling before saying, “It’s Miles.”

  “I’ll give you some privacy.”

  Alex nodded. As Chad turned to walk away Alex answered, “Hey, Miles, what’s up?”

  “Hey, Alex. I’m at my van in the hospital’s parking lot. I was wondering if you can come down and meet me at the entrance.”

  “I’ll be right down.” As Alex was walking towards the elevators, she stuck her phone and Chad’s business card in her purse.

  A few minutes later, Alex stepped outside and saw Miles leaning against the walls with his eyes shut. He was taking deep breaths. Alex stepped up beside him before asking, “Miles? Are you okay?”

  Miles looked at Alex before saying, “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just trying to calm myself before going in there.”

  “Have you ever considered seeing a therapist about this phobia you have about hospitals?”

  Miles said jokingly, “I would, but first I have to get over my phobia about seeing a therapist.”

  “Funny, but I’m serious. What if you get hurt and have to go to the emergency room?”

  “Alex, relax. As long as someone is with me, such as a friend, I can cope with the hospital. Even if that someone was a paramedic I’ll be fine. I just can’t walk into one alone.”

  “Well, are you okay enough to go in there?”

  Miles nodded before saying, “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  Alex and Miles walked in. As they were stepping up to the elevator, Alex said, “I got good news.” Miles was reaching for the button to call the elevator. “I have a way for my friends and me to get to Mexico City.” Miles never pressed the button and with a grief-stricken expression across his face, he stood staring at Alex. Alex saw the look she was getting. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m happy for you.”

  “Then why are you looking at me as if I just told you that I ran over your dog?”

  As Miles pressed the button to call the elevator, he said, “Alex, I am happy for you. So how are you getting to Mexico?”

  “Chad is arranging it.”

  “So when will you be leaving?”

  “I haven’t talked to Doug and the others yet about it, so that part is still open. Actually I should call Doug now and arrange for us to get tog
ether in an hour or so.” Alex reached into her purse. Just after getting out her phone she looked at Miles. Miles was looking at the elevator’s lit up-arrow with a discouraged expression on his face. “Miles, what’s wrong?”

  “Oh, I’m just feeling the atmosphere of the hospital.”

  Alex stared at Miles for a brief moment before saying, “I’ll talk to Doug later.” She then put her phone away.

  “Alex, when you do go to Mexico, I would like to go with you.”

  Alex grinned before saying, “Okay.”

  “Oh, and I even know Spanish.”

  “Then you’re definitely going with me because I can’t speak Spanish.”

  Miles grinned before asking, “Alex, did you and Trudy both drive here?”

  “No, I rode with Trudy.”

  As the elevator door was opening, Miles said, “So you’ll be leaving in a few minutes with Trudy.”

  As Alex and Miles stepped into the elevator, Alex said, “I don’t know how long Trudy is going to stay.”

  Miles pressed the button. As the door closed, Miles said, “I doubt she’ll stay very long and I was hoping to visit for more than a few minutes, but I won’t be able to if both of you leave.”

  “Most likely Chad will be staying so you won’t be alone.”

  “Yeah, but Chad would probably start asking me questions as to why I suddenly became his shadow. You and Trudy are the only two who know about my phobia, and I would like to keep it that way.”

  “Miles, I’ll ride back to Harvard with you, so you can visit Chris for a while.”

  “Thanks, Alex, for understanding.”

  “You’re welcome.” They were quiet for only a moment before Alex asked, “Miles, how many languages do you know?”

  “Not counting English, I know three; German, Spanish and Italian. Maria’s parents are actually from Mexico, and she was the one who taught me how to speak it.”

  “Interesting.” There was again a short pause before Alex spoke again. “Miles, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what happened between you and Maria?”

  “We spent too much time apart over the past three years. So I guess we just simply drifted apart; well she drifted apart from me anyway.”

  “Maria didn’t attend Harvard?”