by Parker, Syd
She stumbled over piles of concrete and rubble to what she thought was the door, or at least what remained of it. She stepped over a broken out glass window and looked around, her eyes adjusting to the unlit building. Obviously, the tornado had knocked out power to this entire section of town.
Surprisingly enough, she saw no one. “Hello?” Her voice echoed off the walls and answered back. Finally adjusted to the darkness inside, she started down a narrow hallway. Outside, she could still hear sirens, and she wondered where they would go since much of the hospital was damaged. “Hello? Is anyone here?”
She rounded a corner and slammed into something hard. She stumbled backwards and almost fell when strong arms righted her.
“Shit! Are you alright?” A man in scrubs held Sarah while she collected herself.
“Yes, I’m fine.” She pulled away. “Please. My friend. She is hurt very badly. She needs help.”
“Lady, look around you.” He spoke the words wearily. “We got more hurt than we can even handle. As it is, they are shuttling everyone to Freeman. This couldn’t have hit a worse place. Unless it’s life threatening, you’re going to have a hard time getting help.”
Sarah swore loudly. “She’s bleeding from a huge gash in her head. Is that life threatening enough?”
The doctor let out a breath. “Damn, lady.” He shook his head wrestling with a decision. “Come on. Follow me.” He led her back outside and pulled a cell phone from his scrub pocket. “If I’m lucky enough to get a signal, I’ll make sure you get help.”
He paced outside waiting for the call to get picked up. “Hello? This is Dr. Patrick, St. John’s. I need an ambulance.”
“No, not from here.” He said with a frown.
Sarah waited impatiently, her body shaking from both fear and frustration. She guessed she’d been gone not more than ten minutes, but given Remy’s injury, every passing minute counted. She touched his arm. “Please.”
He held up a finger to stop her. “No, large gash to the…”
“Back. It’s the back of her head.” Sarah’s heart was thundering in her chest. She needed to get help to Remy, and she prayed this Dr. Patrick could help her.
“To the back of the head. Bleeding profusely.”
He listened. “I know there are more injuries than you can deal with right now. Please, she’s lost a lot of blood.” He met Sarah’s eyes and saw the same fear he had seen in his patients moments before. He put his hand over the receiver. “Where is she?”
Sarah pointed southeast. “A couple blocks over. Just across from the Home Depot. Well, what’s left of it.”
He took his hand away. “She’s down by the Home Depot. Take her to Freeman, same as everyone else.”
He ended the call. “Come with me.”
Sarah couldn’t tell what he wanted, but she didn’t want to waste any more time. “I need to get back. What if they come…?”
“Listen. I called, they didn’t promise. They just said they would try.” He saw her face blanche. “Listen, I’m sorry. It’s the best I can do.” He started pulling supplies out of a metal cabinet. “Take these.”
She took bandages, antiseptic and painkillers. She nodded her thanks and left the way she came, her feet hitting the pavement, covering it in long strides. Moments later, she saw the Home Depot. She ran through the broken door and slid to the floor next to Remy.
“You’re back?” Carmen raised her eyes from Remy, who was still motionless on the floor. “She hasn’t moved at all. I’m worried about her, Sarah.”
Sarah shook her head from side—to—side, silently begging Carmen to be quiet. She was worried too, but she wasn’t going to be pessimistic either. Remy was a fighter. If anyone could take a hit like that and come through, it was Remy.
She dropped a couple of pills in Parker’s hand. “Here. Take these. Hopefully, it will help with the pain.” She saw the green pallor of Parker’s face and knew that she would probably rather be knocked out as well. “I’m sorry, Parker.”
Parker smiled around the pain. “It’s cool, Sarah. It’s not your fault. Besides, this will score me some major points with my lady.”
Carmen squeezed her hand. “You don’t need any more points.”
Sarah lifted Remy’s head back into her lap and turned her head sideways. She could see dried blood in her hair and the edges of what looked like a very nasty gash. She blinked her eyes tightly, locking the tears away. She was scared and tired. She prayed that Dr. Patrick’s request would be answered. She cocked an ear and listened. Sirens still blared out loud, but none seemed to be stopping near them. What if they had driven by and not seeing anyone, drove away without stopping? “Oh shit!”
Carmen’s head whipped up. “What?”
“I can’t believe I am so stupid. What if they came and didn’t know where we were?”
“Who? What if who came?” Carmen tilted Sarah’s head up and forced her to look at her. “Sarah, tell me. What if who came?”
“The ambulance.” Sarah’s voice was frantic again. “You have to go outside and wait. You have to stop them.”
“Si, si.” Carmen rubbed her arms reassuringly. “When they come, I’ll stop them.” She hurried outside without another word. The skies were starting to darken as night fell upon the city. Seeing her would be even more difficult in the dark. She arched her eyes to the heavens and crossed herself. Maybe, if she hadn’t forgotten her faith all those years ago, she might have been able to call in a favor.
She heard sirens in the distance and prayed for them to get closer. She looked behind her and prayed her friend would get help soon.
Sarah cradled Remy’s head in her lap. “Parker, can you move?”
Parker nodded and started to scoot across the floor towards them. She gritted her teeth and swallowed a cry. She couldn’t lift her broken leg, and every move she made sent pain radiating up her leg. Whatever pills Sarah had given her either weren’t working yet or weren’t stronger than over—the—counter ibuprofen. “What do you want me to do?”
Sarah handed her a small bottle of antiseptic. “I’m going to turn her head. I want you to pour the solution over the cut. Maybe we can keep her from getting an infection.”
Parker opened the bottle and poured it over the part of the gash she could see. She saw it bubble in Remy’s hair and knew it was working. “Enough?”
“I guess, I don’t really know.” Sarah ripped a bandage open and dabbed at the opening. Fresh blood seeped from the opening. “Shit!” She ripped open the remaining bandages and held them to the wound. They were soaked with blood within seconds. “She’s losing blood again. I’m out of ideas.”
“Maybe if you sat her up. You know get her head above her heart.”
Sarah quirked an eyebrow. “You think that will help?”
Parker shrugged. “It always does on TV.”
Sarah propped her up against her chest. “Cross your fingers.” She let out a deep breath. Her own fingers were crossed. She couldn’t even picture her life without Remy now. Remy had been a part of her life for eight years, and now she was part of her heart. She stroked Remy’s cheek.
“They’re here!” Carmen yelled through the door. She ran back to them leading two paramedics.
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. “They here, Rem.” She met Carmen’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“Parker, I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing, Cuz.” She knew that she wouldn’t go to the hospital, and she tried to ignore the pain in her own leg. Of the two, Remy was in worse shape, and she didn’t begrudge her the trip to the hospital. “I’ll just have Carmen piggyback me to the nearest emergency room.” She winked at Sarah, hoping to relieve her guilt.
Sarah hugged her quickly, avoiding her leg. She watched the paramedics lift Remy gently on to the gurney. They strapped her on and wheeled her out to the waiting ambulance. Sarah walked beside them the entire time, Remy’s hand clasped in hers. “I’m going with her.”
“Of course.” She stepped into the amb
ulance and wilted into the seat. She laid her head in her hands and felt her determination crumble. One of the paramedics sat opposite her, checking Remy over. She checked her vitals, listened to her heart, tried to see the cut at the back of her head with little success.
In the artificial light of the ambulance, Sarah studied Remy’s face. It was ashen, and her lips were colorless. She could see a spot of blood pooling underneath her head. Her lips trembled. She cursed all the time she had put Remy off, not following her heart. Everything had always been tomorrow, but what if there were no more tomorrows. What if the time they had shared was all they got. She wouldn’t accept that, couldn’t believe that a few weeks was all she would share with her.
Ignoring the paramedic, she pulled Remy’s hand to her chest and leaned over her. “Please, Remy. Stay with me. I just found you again, and I don’t want to lose you. I love you, Remy. I love you more than I ever thought possible. Please come back to me.”
She could feel the jerks as the driver swerved to avoid debris and maneuvered around fallen buildings, their edifices now in the streets. She had no idea how far they had traveled, when they finally careened to a stop. The doors flew open, and the paramedics pulled Remy from the ambulance with gentle speed. She followed them through automatic doors and past a waiting room full of strangers, every one of them hurt somehow.
The true damage of the storm hit her. Remy had not been its only victim. At least a hundred people sat waiting, and who knows how many had already been seen, or were sent to other hospitals.
“Miss?” The paramedic stopped her. “You need to wait outside.”
“But...” Sarah protested. She didn’t want to let Remy out of her sight again.
“You will get her back in one piece, I promise.”
Sarah forced herself to stop. She watched them wheel her down a long hallway until they turned a corner. The full enormity hit her at that moment. Remy was hurt. Parker was hurt, and probably not high on the list of injuries. Tired and mentally exhausted, she slid down the wall. She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them, trying to find something of comfort. It wasn’t long before the tears started streaming down her face.
Chapter 25
Sarah tilted her head sideways and studied Remy’s face. The bruises around her eyes were almost faded. She was still wearing a sling for her sprained wrist. “I don’t think it looks so bad. You can barely see it.”
Remy rolled her eyes. “Maybe, from the front. Seriously though, the back half of my head is shaved. I feel naked.”
Saran chuckled softly and kissed her lips. “Have I told you how cute you are when you worry about your looks?”
“Yes.” Remy’s face broke into a smile. “But, tell me again.”
Sarah leaned over again. “You are so adorable with your shaved head and your sexy white bandage.” She accentuated each word with a kiss. She leaned back and studied Remy’s face again. “Maybe you should just shave it all off.”
Remy’s eyes widened, and she ran her good hand through the hair she did have left. “And, get rid of the reason you fell in love with me?”
“You’re assuming I love you.” Sarah’s eyes twinkled. “I think you hit your head harder than you thought.”
Remy’s face fell then she smiled innocently. “I may have heard that you did.”
“Oh yeah?” Sarah watched the emotions play on Remy’s face, and she couldn’t keep the smile off of her face. “And, who told you that information?”
“Parker might have divulged that little secret. But, I would have found you out eventually.”
“What are you accusing me of now?” Parker shuffled into the room, twisted on her crutches and stopped next to Remy’s bed. “I can’t seem to catch a break lately.”
“I’d say you caught quite a break that day.” Remy teased.
Parker rolled her eyes. “Funny, Tate. So, how are you?”
“Better. The painkillers at this place are amazing!”
“Yeah, Carmen kept me up to date when I wasn’t knocked out myself.” Parker shuffled nervously. “Listen, I wanted to thank you for, you know…”
Remy waived her hand dismissively. “You would have done the same thing. Although, this hair would have looked a lot better on you.”
Sarah chuckled. “She’s having trouble with the whole half head of hair thing she’s got going on. I told her she should go ahead and shave it all off.”
Parker leaned back and studied her face, a serious expression on her face. “Man, I don’t know. You don’t really have the face for it.”
“Hey.” Sarah slapped her arm.
Parker smiled sheepishly. “I’m kidding. I’m sure you would look fine.” She added under her breath. “Probably got a funny shaped head, though.”
“Honey, be nice.” Carmen came in carrying bags of fast food. “Don’t mind her. She thinks she’s gorgeous. I agree with Sarah. You should shave your head. High and tight. Very hot!”
“Hey!” Parker’s lip jutted out.
“Don’t worry. I only have eyes for you. Believe me, if we haven’t hooked up yet, it’s never going to happen. Besides, I’m taken and quite in love.”
“Speaking of that, I was just reminding Sarah of her eleventh hour confession to my comatose body.”
Sarah’s cheeks turned bright red. “If I remember correctly, we were discussing your new haircut. Just think of how easy it will be to take care of when we get back on the road.”
“I’m not sure you will be getting on the road anytime soon.” Remy’s eyes were concerned. “Heard Chevy Chase finally bought it in the storm.”
Sarah frowned. “That piece of shit was on its last leg anyway. That tree did us a favor. I have been putting it off, but as soon as Parker is up to speed, we’ll be looking for a new ride.”
“Eh—hmm.” Carmen cleared her throat loudly and nudged Parker.
Parker’s brow furrowed. “Now?” She saw Carmen nod.
“What?” Sarah watched the interplay between the two women and wondered if whatever secret they had been hiding for the last week was finally going to come to light.
Parker sighed loudly. “I, uhh, need to talk to you about that. I…I mean we…well we want…” She rubbed the back of her neck uncomfortably, and her eyes pleaded with Carmen.
“What my gorgeous lover is trying to say, and rather ineffectively I might add, is that we are done.”
“What!” Sarah and Remy said in unison.
“What do you mean done?” Sarah’s eyebrows narrowed and she leveled her gaze at Parker.
Parker’s grip on her crutch tightened till her hand was white. “I can’t do this anymore, Sarah. After this, I realized I don’t have your taste for adventure.”
“Me neither.” Carmen smiled ruefully. “Listen, boss, I think I want to try something different. We’ve been doing this a long time.”
Remy frowned. “Don’t let this accident, and that’s what it is, an accident take you away from something you love.”
“You love it, Remy. I was just along for the ride.” Carmen threaded her arm through Parker’s. “I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I know it’s the right choice for me. I’m sorry, Rem. I just don’t want to do this anymore.”
“What about you, Parker?” Sarah studied her face. “Have you thought about this, really thought about it? We make a good team.”
“I have, Sarah. Carmen’s right. This isn’t my life, it’s yours.”
Remy shook her head, disbelief on her features. “So, what are you guys going to do?”
Carmen shrugged. “Not sure, really. Might take a trip back home.”
“To Puerto Rico?”
“Si. I think mi Abuela needs to meet the woman I’m planning on having children with.”
Sarah and Remy swallowed loudly. If Parker was shocked by the announcement, she didn’t show it. In fact, she looked proud.
“So, that’s it?” Sarah pressed. “You’re just leaving us?” It didn’t come as much of a surprise to Sarah. When Parker h
ad joined her after Evan left, she didn’t think it would be for good. More than a season, but Parker wasn’t a lifer like she was.
Parker smiled ruefully. “Pretty much.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!” Remy slapped her hand on the bed. “I break your leg, and that’s the thanks I get.”
“Yeah, man, I’m sorry.” Parker searched her face for approval, and when she saw it, her face broke out into a wide grin.
“So, Carmen’s grandmother, huh?” Remy shook her head, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Your broken leg is going to be a walk in the park compared to meeting her family.”
Carmen punched Remy’s good arm. “Quit scaring her, Chica.”
“I’m kidding, they are great.” Remy caught Parker’s eyes and shook her head from side to side. She lowered her voice so Carmen couldn’t hear. “I’m not kidding.”
Parker winked and mouthed a silent I know. She squeezed Carmen’s hand. “Listen, I’m thinking we should get out of here and let the dust settle.”
“I think you are right.” She met Remy’s eyes. “Are we okay, Chica?”
“Si, C.” Remy squeezed her hand. “We will always be okay.”
They shared tearful hugs and moments later, Sarah and Remy sat in silence, wondering what they would do now. Sarah had no car and no partner, and Remy had no partner and was in no shape to drive.
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised.” Remy said after a few minutes. “Carmen stayed longer than I thought she would.”
“Hell, I can’t believe Parker made it past the first tornado. Had it not been for Carmen, she would have been long gone months ago.”
“We’ll just blame it on Carmen.” Remy picked at a piece of lint. “So, what are you going to do now?”
Sarah shrugged. “Call the station I guess. Beg them for a new set of wheels. You?”
“Not sure.” Remy gestured towards her arm. “The season’s almost over, and I can’t drive anyway. I may just head home and take it easy for a while. I need to find a new spotter anyway, unless…”