“Young lady, if you will behave and let me examine you, I will tell you what happened and your condition from the time you came in until now. Is it a deal?”
I couldn’t talk, so I nodded that I understood.
“Good girl. Now, do you remember anything about the accident? Blink once for ‘yes’ and twice for ‘no’. If you are unsure about something, don’t blink. We will figure out everything as we go. One blink, good, so you understand. You were in an unfortunate car accident. The driver of your Uber tried to stop to avoid the crash that had happened in front of him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to and there were a few cars behind him that also hit the vehicle you were in. I believe they said it was a seven-car pile-up caused by a drunk driver sideswiping the car beside him.”
For fuck's sake, just tell me where John is. Why is no one mentioning him? Oh God, what about the driver too? Almost in tears, I wanted to scream at the doctor to tell me about John. Instead, he kept examining me and talking.
“You were unconscious when they brought you in. You hit your head against the window on the door. You had a severe concussion. We did all the scans and an MRI to make sure there wasn’t any swelling or bleeding in your brain. All the tests came back normal. You did have some internal bleeding, so I had to operate to find out what was wrong and fix it. You’re healing very well from the surgery.”
What the hell, I had surgery? How long have I been here?
“You also had a bad case of whiplash. We had a neck brace on you for a while so you wouldn’t move it too much if you woke up. You’ve been in a coma for almost a month. We couldn’t find a reason why you weren’t waking up, so I kept you on the ventilator to help your breathing. You are healing very well. If you stay still, I will take the ventilator tubes out. Nurse Jackie will get some crushed ice for you. I don’t want you on any fluids for a couple hours, but you can suck on the ice chips to help with the dryness in your mouth and throat. Stay very still for me while I unhook everything.”
I laid there, my mind going crazy. How could I be here for almost a month? Why isn’t John here? Dear God, please let him be okay. Why hasn’t my mom or Marie tried to call him to tell him that I am awake now? I can’t help but start gagging as the doctor starts removing the tube from my throat. He tells me to just relax, that he is almost done. I’d like to shove one down his throat, then pull it back out to see how he likes it. The tube is finally out and I try to speak, but my voice just won’t work. My throat hurts so bad, plus I have the worst case of cottonmouth ever.
Nurse Jackie is right beside me with a cup of ice chips. “Here, suck on a couple of pieces. It will help soothe your throat.” She slipped a couple of pieces into my mouth. I swear the ice is the best thing I’ve had in ages. Once it has melted, I motion for a couple more pieces. She gives me a couple more, then explains to my mom and Marie to only give me a few every five to ten minutes. Now it’s time for me to try and talk. I open my mouth to say something but start coughing instead. Once the coughing fit is over, I try again. It comes out as a whisper, but everyone can hear me. It’s so quiet in my room now that the ventilator is turned off.
“Mom, where is John? Is he in another room or has he been released already? Why isn’t John here with you and Marie? What about the Uber driver, is he okay? I can’t believe I’ve been here for almost a month. Someone say something, please. You’re starting to freak me out. Why won’t any of you look me in the eyes? Please, someone, tell me something. I can’t stand this silence and not knowing.”
My mom looked at the doctor as if to get his permission to give me the answers that I needed. Dr. Cortez shook his head ‘yes’ for Mom to go ahead and answer me. At first, she puts her head down as if she is praying. When she looks back up at me, I notice the tears in her eyes. No, it can’t be. Oh God, please don’t let her tell me that John is gone. I can’t be here without him. We just got engaged to be married. I look at my hand, at the ring he placed on my finger just a few hours before the accident. We were supposed to be together until we were old and gray.
“Lisa, I am so sorry. The Uber driver didn’t make it. The front end of the car on his side was smashed in on him. They said he died on impact.”
She takes a deep breath as she gets ready to tell me more bad news. I don’t want to hear what she has to say next, but I have to know.
“Honey, when the crash happened, several cars behind y’all were too close to stop. They hit the vehicle you were in, crushing the side of the car that John was sitting on. The police said it took them almost four hours to get to him. They had to move other cars out of the way, then use the jaws of life to open the car up.”
Tears are forming in her eyes. I just want to scream, ‘NO HE CAN’T BE GONE!’ Pleading with my eyes, I beg my mom to continue telling me what happened. Finally, she calms herself enough to finish.
“Lisa, poor John was in such bad shape from the accident. Both his legs were broken, and he had severe internal damage. His right arm and shoulder were broken. They rushed John into surgery almost immediately upon his arrival at the hospital. I’m so sorry, honey, John’s heart gave out during the operation. The doctors did everything possible to bring him back. Nothing worked. John’s family flew in the next day. They stayed with me while we got everything ready for the funeral. They spent as much time here with you as they could before they had to go back home. His mom and dad both wanted to talk to you, but you didn’t wake up. They were here for almost two weeks. Unfortunately, his dad had to go back to work, so they went back home.”
I felt like I died the moment Mom told me John was gone. I am totally numb. Hell, maybe I’m just in shock because I can’t say anything, nor can I cry. Mom and Marie are both crying, each one holding one of my hands. Why didn’t God take me too? I don’t want to be here without John.
Dr. Cortez had Marie move long enough for him to check my vitals to make sure I was still doing okay after receiving the news. I wonder if the driver had family, maybe kids of his own that were left behind. What reason could there be for me to be the only one to survive?
“Lisa, are you okay? Talk to us, please. You’re starting to scare me with how quiet you are. What can I do?”
“Unless you can bring John back or find a way for me to go be with him, there is nothing that you can do. You know we got engaged that night? We were supposed to grow old together, raise a family, play with our grandkids. Mom, I can’t be without him. Please tell me it’s not true. Tell me John isn’t dead.”
It was finally starting to hit me that I would never see his incredible smile again. I would never feel his arms wrapped around me as we snuggled or his lips against mine as we kissed. There would be no more lovemaking. So much was lost with him gone. The tears started to build up, then overflowed, rolling down my cheeks like a river.
“Baby, I wish I could bring him back to you. I knew he was going to propose that night. The week before, he came to the house to ask permission. John even brought the ring along to show me. I was so thrilled that I hardly spoke to you all that following week because I was afraid I would let it slip and ruin the surprise.”
“Mom, how did you survive losing Daddy? I only had John for a few years, but you and Daddy were together for over thirty years.”
“Lisa, all I can tell you is one day at a time. I still have days I feel like I can’t breathe for the grief that wells up inside me. You know how close your father and I were. There are so many times that something happens and I think to myself, I can’t wait to tell him. Then I realize that he is gone. You will never completely get over it, but it gets easier with time, I promise.”
Just then, Marie came up behind me, pulling me out of the past and back into a future of God-awful blind dates. I wiped the tears from my face before I turned around to look at her. How do I get her to understand that it’s just too soon and hurts way too much?
“Lisa, you were thinking about John again, weren’t you? It’s been almost two years since we lost him. I know this is hard on you. Look at me fo
r a minute. You know how much John loved you. I’ve never seen a man love a woman the way he loved you. I do know he wouldn’t want you to wither away, becoming one of those crazy old cat ladies that everyone avoids. John would want you to be happy. He would want you to go out with your friends. John would want you to date and take a chance on finding love again. I see you getting ready to argue with me. Think about it, Lisa. John was every woman’s idea of the perfect man, they broke the mold when they made him, but he wouldn’t want you to be alone.”
“Marie, I don’t know how to let him go. John is there in everything I see and do. I swear there are times when I am crying late at night and I can feel his arms gently hugging me to him. I know that’s why I despise all the guys you two have hooked me up with. They aren’t my John! No one can compare or live up to him. So, tell me, how do I move on?”
“I wish I had the answers for you, I really do. I can tell you that Ryan and Zack have been best friends since they were in diapers together. I’ve met him myself. Believe me when I tell you if I weren’t so head over heels in love with Ryan, I would jump him myself. If you ever repeat that, I will totally lie about it and say you are completely insane.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her last comment. Mainly because I know Marie well enough to know that she would do it. As much as I want to strangle her, I can’t because I know she is right. John would hate me moping around, feeling sorry for myself. I did manage to finally take the engagement ring off my finger, but it’s on a chain around my neck so it’s still close to my heart at all times.
“When are we supposed to be going out? Where are we going so I know what to wear? It better not be anything too fancy or romantic or I swear I will turn around and walk out.”
“Nothing fancy, just comfy casual, you know, jeans and a cute top. It’s not just going to be the four of us. Amanda called me yesterday, wanting to get together, so I invited her and Jim along. You will have four bodyguards there to protect you just in case Zack does turn out to be a weirdo.”
“Oh great, two more people to see how miserable I am. Thanks a lot, bestie. How do you talk me into doing this crap against my will?”
“It could be because you love me and you know that I will pout until I get my way. It’s only Tuesday, we aren’t going out until Friday, so you have plenty of time to go through your wardrobe and reject everything a half dozen times before you finally pick something to wear.”
“Oh joy, four full days of torture before the real hell begins. This is the last time I go on one of the blind dates that you and Ryan set up. I mean it, Marie. If this guy is as big of a schmuck as the last ones, you will not be fixing me up again. I promise I will start getting out more and doing things so I can meet people, but no more blind dates, deal?”
“I promise you, Lisa. This is the very last one. I really think you will like Zack. I hate to do it, but I have to run. Ryan should be home soon and we have dinner plans. We will talk more during the week, okay?”
“You got it. Say hi to Ryan for me. Tell him you both owe me huge for agreeing to this date!”
Marie just laughed as she grabbed her things on her way out the door. I know they mean well, but just, ugh, I hate blind dates more than going to the gynecologist for a complete exam. Damn, she never did say where we are going. Oh well, she said casual comfy so it can’t be anything too fancy. To get even with her and Ryan, I should wear something that makes me look like some crazy old spinster. I can see their faces now. Oh well, time to get some cleaning done around the house. I would love to be Jeannie or Samantha and just wiggle my nose and everything would be done. Sadly, I have to do everything the hard way.
Chapter One
This has been the longest week ever imaginable. I know it’s because I dread going on this date tonight. Marie knows me all too well— I did go through all my clothes a half dozen times before I decided on a pair of blue jeans with a black button-up shirt and my black knee-high leather bitch boots. With my long blonde hair, black always looks good, plus Marie did say that Zack is about four inches taller than I am, so the boots will help even out our height a little bit.
Looking at the clock, I have about five minutes before they get here. Should I be ready and waiting outside or make them wait for me like I’m not ready yet? Marie would bust me on that one. She knows I hate being late for anything. I’m always early for everything. Grabbing my jean jacket, I toss it on and then make sure I have everything I need. Money, keys, cellphone, driver’s license, and a few Lifesavers in my pocket. I don’t want to carry a purse, so I have everything either in the pockets of my jeans or the jacket.
Just as I was locking the front door behind me, Ryan pulls into the driveway. He and Marie have a Ford Expedition, so the four of us all agreed to ride in it because there is more room. Jim and Amanda are going to meet us at the restaurant since they live close to it. It’s been ages since I’ve been to Arthur’s Steakhouse in Hoboken. They have the best steaks around, plus they make fried potatoes to go with them that are better than any you will get anywhere. I’m a fantastic cook and mine don’t even come close to them. After dinner, we are going to walk around and check out the small street fair they are having this weekend.
Just as I turned around to walk to their vehicle, this guy climbs out of the back and stands there, holding the door open for me. It’s dark, so his face is shaded, making it hard to see what he looks like. Zack does get points for being a gentleman by getting out to hold the door for me. As I got closer, enough of the interior light was shining on him for me to see that he was quite handsome. A little on the scruffy side because he hadn’t shaved. What is it with guys wanting those short, scruffy, half-assed beards?
As I got close enough, I stuck my hand out, “Hi, I’m Lisa.”
“Hi Lisa, I’m Zack. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I left it at that and turned to climb into the Expedition. Zack closed the door behind me, then went around to the other side to get in. I noticed the door was locked, so I leaned over, unlocking it for him. That’s when I realized there are buttons on the arm of the door that I could have used to open it for him. Oh well, it shows that I am a nice person.
“Hi, Ryan and Marie, how are you both doing tonight?”
Ryan just smiled at me as Marie turned in her seat and started chatting ninety miles an hour about the crazy day they had. I couldn’t help but chuckle. I am so used to the animated version of Marie that has taken over at the moment. I gave a sideways glance to see Zack’s expression. He was just sitting there, grinning and biting his bottom lip. If I guess that gesture right, he already went through this same conversation on the way to get me. That made me chuckle on the inside. We all took turns making small talk on the way to Arthur’s. It’s so hard to know what to say to someone when you first meet them. I will give Marie credit— when she said Zack was handsome, she wasn’t joking. Which makes me wonder what’s wrong with him that he is single.
When we get to the restaurant, Ryan drops us off out front so he can park the car in one of the parking lots. There isn’t any parking on the street because everyone is there for the fair. We go ahead inside to see about getting a table. It turns out that Jim and Amanda beat us there by about five minutes. Amanda was waving to us like a loon to make sure we saw her. Cracking a grin, I can’t help but feel bad that I haven’t spent more time with them. It’s just been so hard to be around other couples. Nope, we aren’t going there tonight. One way or another, I am going to enjoy spending time with my friends.
Marie already knew what Ryan wanted, so when the waiter came over, we all went ahead and placed our orders. They all ordered beer with their steaks. I opted for a margarita. I’ve never been a beer drinker, but I do love my tequila. Zack and I were the last to place our orders. I ordered the twenty-four-ounce porterhouse medium rare and extra onions on the potatoes. I got a glimpse of Zack’s face and it was all I could do not to laugh. I hadn’t eaten all day because this is one of my favorite places. I know he is wondering where I a
m going to put all of that food. To my surprise, he looked at me and said, “That sounds really good.” He turned to the waiter and said, “Make that two orders. I’ll have the same as her.” Now it was my turn to be shocked.
Just about the time our drinks arrived at the table, Ryan came in and sat down. He was a little winded because he had to park almost four blocks away on the top level of the parking lot and then walk here. It’s funny, to look at our table, you would never know that it was three couples out for a triple date. The three guys sat close to one end of the table while us three gals sat at the other end, each group huddled up, talking away. Of course, the guys were talking sports and fishing, while Marie, Amanda, and I got caught up on all the latest gossip. It did make things a little easier for me. This way, I kind of get to watch Zack to see how he acts around all of my friends.
The wait staff came out with all our food, placing each of our orders in front of us. It smelled so good that I couldn’t wait to dig in, but I know that Amanda is very religious and is going to want to say grace before we eat. I don’t mind. Mom and Dad went to church and made sure I went too. I haven’t gone in years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe. I just feel like you don’t have to go to church to have faith. I’m anxious to see how Zack handles this. To my surprise, when Amanda said for everyone to hold hands so we could say grace, he held my hand and Ryan’s without even hesitating. That’s another point in his favor. Once the prayer was finished, it was on though. All you saw was elbows and silverware.
About five minutes later, Zack leans over and asks me if everything is okay with my meal. I smiled at him and told him it is one of my favorites. He smiled back and said that his was perfect and he was glad he copied me. I smiled at him, then went back to eating. There was a little bit of light conversation throughout dinner, but for the most part, we were all too busy eating. When the waiter came around to check on us, we all ordered another drink. All but Ryan. Because he was driving, his limit was one beer, so he ordered a Coke. Marie really did get lucky with him. He is a great guy.
Web of Lies Page 12