by Elisa Ellis
“You two sure have been spending a lot of time together lately. It’s nice,” Dad addresses Megan and me upon entering the living room. We are drinking hot chocolate while wrapping a few presents. Megan’s smile is quite lovely. I don’t know what took me so long to realize she is a good person. Unfortunately, I’ve been selfish. I think I subconsciously basked in Dad’s attention, the safety net he provided. It was when I met Cal that my vision became clear. Cal is my safety and my future. Dad is supposed to be that for Megan, but guilt steered him wrong, deceived him, inappropriately shifting his focus to be on me.
“We’re having fun. Would you like to join us?” I ask.
“I’ve got to meet with a lawyer regarding your accident in thirty minutes. The man who hit you had insurance, but they are not accommodating us as they should, so I think we will have to pursue further action.”
“Oh, wow. Do you know if Cal was compensated?”
“I don’t know, honey. Right now, I’m attempting to right a wrong for you.”
“Ok. I understand. I hope he has a good lawyer, too,” I say, knowing Cal and his mother didn’t have the money that we do and how much of a difference that can make, sadly.
Megan muzzles the elephant in the room, changing the subject, “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Yes. Are you sure you don’t want to go to dinner with us, Sera?” My dad asks.
“Yep. I’ll be just fine here. You two go have fun.”
The weekly appointments at the rehab center have been going well since the candid conversation I had with Brett.
“You are progressing very well, Sera,” he tells me.
“Thanks. I’ve been working on stuff at home, too. When do you think I will be able to stop coming here?” I ask him.
“Well, that’s a tough one. You’re doing great, but you should continue to utilize our care as long as you are able. Do you find that your knee ever gets stiff, especially in the mornings?”
“Yes, so I’ve been doing the stretches you taught me. It’s at night that it really hurts. My legs feel achy and my knee sometimes feels like it’s going to give out completely when I’ve been walking on it all day.”
“That’s normal, and it will continue to get better. Let’s get you into the whirlpool today since this is a longer session, and then we will follow that with some weight training in the gym.”
“Ok. Sounds good.”
Since I’m outpatient now, I haven’t attended the swimming rehab classes; so, when I enter the pool room, I’m happy to see some familiar faces of the other patients. When I notice Arnie is alone, though, I have to know where his wife is. I wish I would have just asked Brett instead of walking to the poolside and inquiring myself.
“Hi Arnie. Where is Edith today?” I ask him, smiling but with concern.
With tears in his eyes, he answers, “Edith passed away last month.”
Shocked and saddened, I immediately apologize. “I’m so sorry, Arnie. She was such a beautiful lady. I enjoyed talking with her during class.” My hand is covering my heart. It genuinely hurts for Arnie, and I feel so incredibly sad. Their love was my example, motivation to find my other half. In fact, I had mentioned Cal to Edith and she was so sweet. She encouraged me to hurry and get better so I could go back to him.
“The world lost a beautiful soul, but I will see her again. I miss her more than anything, but I know she is safe in heaven, just waiting on me.” Tears still gleam in his old, deep-set eyes, but the smile on his face when he thinks of her is touching.
After briefly speaking with some of my other friends, I see that Brett is waiting for me near the whirlpool at the other end of the room.
I was successful at keeping my composure while talking to Arnie, but, once I’m walking over to Brett, I can’t help the tears that fall. Tears for Arnie. Tears for me. Tears for all of the bad things that happen to people in this world.
“What’s wrong?” Brett asks.
“Oh my God, Brett. Why didn’t you tell me about Edith?”
“I didn’t know it would upset you. She has been pretty sick for a long time, and she was old.”
“But Arnie. How awful for him to be left behind. It’s just so sad. I loved watching them in class together.”
“Sera, it’s part of life.”
“But why does it have to be? Why can’t they just go together in their sleep or something?”
Brett laughs at that. “Sera, you are such a dreamer. But it’s sweet. I love that about you.”
The release of crying leaves me feeling a little better. Laughing at Brett’s laughing at me makes for a pretty silly session, but it feels good, the tension dissolving somewhat.
Now
I’m thankful for a slow day at the diner today. There were just enough customers to keep me busy but not too busy. In addition, I’m able to leave right on time, thrilled to see Cal when I get home. I don’t know if he was serious about the shower, but I’ve been thinking about it all day, my face flushing more than once.
Our apartment is only about five minutes away. Since Mandy had the evening shift, we had to take separate cars, so I’m driving home, singing along to the music. The parking for our unit is actually on the back side of the building, our front door opening to a charming courtyard shared with other units, so I park under the carport that lines one side of the parking lot and walk around to unlock my door, totally anticipating a great night.
As soon as I round the corner, my stomach falls when I see my father sitting on the edge of the porch, his long, bent legs a rest for his arms where he is looking down at his intertwined hands. Hearing my gasp, he looks up at me and stands to his feet, waiting, but I’ve stopped in my tracks, unsure what to do.
“What are you doing here, Dad?” I ask, my voice shaky.
“I’ve come to take you home, Sera. You’ve been gone for long enough, and I know you haven’t been following up with rehab or your doctors. I tried to give you some time. Megan convinced me to let you go for a while, but God, Sera, I thought you would be more responsible than this. I thought surely you would come home after getting this out of your system. You need to go to school, you need…”
Interrupting him, I raise my voice. “Stop, Dad. I am responsible. Why can’t you ever see the good things? Ever since Mom died, you have lived in fear. Always worried about the worst that can happen.”
“And look what happened. The worst did happen, Sera. I almost lost you, and I won’t lose you again. Now get your things, and you can ride back with me. I’ll send someone to come back and get your car later.”
“She’s not leaving, sir.” All of a sudden, Cal’s voice interjects. I hadn’t even heard him walk up. Ray dropped him off since Mandy wouldn’t be here. He didn’t want to be a third wheel.
“Shit,” my dad says, looking at Cal. I think his reaction is in part because of Cal’s impairment but also because he doesn’t want to deal with Cal right now, but cursing is not generally his forte, so the word surprises me.
“Shit is right. You’re not taking her from me again. I’m sorry, sir, but she’s doing great here with me. Look at her. She has a job, an apartment. And she has me. I’m here for her, and I promised her I would never leave her again,” Cal says.
“I think you’re confused, son. You took her from me.”
“With all due respect, sir, she’s not a little girl anymore. You can’t keep her locked up forever,” Cal says.
“Yes. I can. I can at least keep her away from you. You are not good for her. Look at you,” Dad says, waving his hand towards Cal, raising his voice.
And that’s all I can take. I’m furious.
“Stop.” I yell. “Just stop.” Lowering my voice, I continue. “First, let’s take this inside. I don’t want to freaking fight out where all of my neighbors can hear it.”
Unlocking my door, I escort Cal into my apartment, much to my father’s overly loud sigh.
“Ok. Now, everyone needs to chill. Neither of you make my decisions for me. Ok? God. I�
��m so sick of everyone thinking I need someone to take care of me, like I’m a clueless little kid. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And I think I’ve done pretty well. Cal’s right. I have a job, an apartment, and I even applied to go to school where Cal goes.” Before either can talk, I continue, “Plus, I’ve made new friends, Dad. My roommate, Mandy, has been awesome. She works with me at the diner. And the other people at the diner are there for me, too. There is a lady named Marge who helped me with school stuff. Oh, and when I first got here, I stayed in a place where this really nice older couple were. They are actually like grandparents to me. I have Cal, and we are finally getting to where we were before the accident. So everything is good, Dad. Really good. Ok?”
“Honey, that all sounds nice. But you need to come back so you can go back for doctor appointments and for rehab. We’ve made a new life in Dallas, Sera. This isn’t your home anymore.”
“Seriously, Dad? You made your life there. Not me. This is my home. Ok? Can’t you please just understand that? I can find a doctor here. It’s not like I’m living in another country or something. And I can come visit you once and a while, or you and Megan could come here.”
Dad’s face falls. “Megan left. Last week. Said she felt like I wasn’t there for her anymore.”
My hand comes to my mouth. “Oh my gosh, Dad. What happened?”
“We were fighting a lot. She said I was too worried about you and that I should let you go and live on your own. I know I haven’t been there for her enough, but I had hoped she could forgive me for that. And she knows I’ve always taken care of you; she needs to let me handle this.”
“I agree with Megan,” I tell him.
“Then you’re both wrong,” he says, angry. Back to square one, my dad stands up from his chair while straightening his attire, removing the wrinkles from his plan and from my apartment.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, Sera. Get your things together and you will ride back with me. I’m already compromising by giving you a little time to say your goodbyes, but this,” he says, gesturing between Cal and me, “is over.” Walking out the door, I am left with no words, and I’m extremely angry.
“What the hell was that?” I ask Cal through gritted teeth.
“That,” he answers, “is your dad’s unwillingness to lose, but I can tell you right now, Sera, I won’t lose this fight. You are right where you belong. With me.”
Chapter 30
Before
“He needs to hear it from you, Sera. Get ready because our appointment is in one hour,” my dad informs me regarding a meeting with our lawyer.
“Fine, but I don’t want to talk about the accident. I can’t remember much about it anyway,” I remind him as I walk out of his home office and to my room. Since I’ve been at home more often than not, my comfortable sweat pants and t-shirt officiate the less than important activities that have become my daily life: reading, sleeping, eating, waiting.
I’m not even sure what the appropriate attire is for a meeting with an attorney, but I decide on black pants with a deep red sweater. My black Mary Janes are old but comfortable and round out the outfit that doesn’t accurately portray me at all.
“Don’t forget your cane, sweetheart,” Dad calls out to me from the garage, keys jiggling in his hand.
“I don’t need it if we aren’t going to be walking far, Dad,” I explain as I near the car.
“Get it. I want him to see what you’ve been going through.”
“God, Dad. Seriously?”
“Yes. Hurry up.”
Frustrated, I return inside to get my cane, taking my time as I casually make my way back to the garage. It might be just a little passive aggressive, but it’s the only control I have, so I’m taking it.
Rolling his eyes, Dad clearly recognizes my antics and doesn’t comment, as if he’s not willing to stoop to my level. We drive in silence until we are parking in a downtown parking garage. As the barrier gate lifts, Dad takes a slip from the machine that states the time we arrive.
Making conversation, he explains, “We will get this validated when we leave. Are you nervous? You haven’t said a word the whole way here.”
“A little. I just want to get this over with,” I tell him, annoyed with the whole process. I want the man who hit us to be held responsible, but I don’t know to what extent, and I wish it could be done without my involvement, however unrealistic that might be.
The decorative chandelier hanging overhead reflects brightly on the center of the long mahogany table stretching the entire length of the rectangle boardroom, a wall of windows boasting a beautiful view twenty stories into the downtown Dallas skyline. Cold air blows down directly on me. How do I always pick the coldest spot in a room?
Rubbing my arms, I wait alongside my father for the attorney to come into the intimidating room.
After about ten minutes, a man who appears to be in his 40s briskly steps into the room, firmly shaking hands with each of us before taking the seat at the head of the table next to my father.
“Hello. I’m Davis Cole. It’s nice to meet you both.” Looking at some notes on a legal pad, he appears to familiarize himself with our case for a moment while we wait silently for him to continue the conversation.
“Ok. I spoke briefly with your father, but I need to ask you a few questions, Sera.”
I quietly respond with a simple, “Ok,” anticipating the difficulty of the subject matter.
“I understand you were in an accident. Tell me everything you can remember about it.”
Sighing, I wring my hands as I try to gather my thoughts. “Umm, well, I can’t really remember much about the accident itself. The last thing I remember is that we were going to my boyfriend’s house to study.”
“Ok. And your boyfriend, he was the driver?”
“Yes, Sir. Cal is his name.”
“Where did you meet Cal?”
“At school. Why?”
“I just have to gather as much information as possible, Sera. I need to get the big picture in order to represent you effectively. Now, how long have you known Cal?”
“Ummm, we started talking about four months before the accident.”
“Ok. Was Cal under the influence of anything that day? Did he ever use illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol during the time that you knew him?”
Feeling defensive, I sigh and speak in frustration. “No. He didn’t use anything. He wasn’t some kind of thug.”
“I’m not attacking his character, Sera. These are things I need to know.”
“Ok. I’m sorry. I’ll do my best to answer whatever questions you have.” I can’t even look at my father. I already know how he felt about Cal, and I can’t help but wonder if he told the attorney that Cal was bad. Plus, Dad didn’t know I was with Cal when the accident happened, so that makes this more uncomfortable. Megan let me go with him that day because I knew that Dad would have never let me go, especially since he didn’t even want us dating.
While I would love to have this conversation with the attorney in private, I’m pretty sure Dad would freak out if I asked him to leave, so I guess I will have to do the best I can. Clasping my hands in my lap, I take a deep breath and try to relax.
“Why don’t you tell me more about Cal? What’s he like? How old is he? Does he live with his parents? That sort of thing.”
“He’s great,” I say, a huge smile taking over my face. “Cal is kind, funny, smart, handsome. He lived with his mom. His dad apparently left before he was born. He doesn’t have any siblings. He was… not wealthy.” I look down, annoyed that I have to describe him that way. “His mom worked a lot and he also worked, at a gas station as a mechanic.”
Dad grumbles beside me, interrupting me: “He got in a fight with my good friend’s son, and he took Sera on that stupid motorcycle after I made it clear that it probably wasn’t safe. I saw the tattoos he had. I don’t think he was as perfect as Sera thought.”
“Stop, Dad. God, just stop. You didn’t even
know him. He fought Chance because Chance attacked him for no reason. And he was a safe driver on his motorcycle. He even bought me my own helmet. He would never, ever hurt me. And his tattoos do not make him bad. Ok? God. I don’t know why you can’t at least try to accept how I feel about him. You haven’t even let me see him or call him since the accident, Dad.”
Mr. Cole interjects, “Ok, ok. We aren’t here to put Cal on trial. Right? We are just establishing fault, and right now, it doesn’t sound to me like Cal was at fault for the accident. Quite frankly, Henry, that’s a good thing. We don’t want to make him look like a bad guy, regardless of your perception of him.”
Dad sighs next to me, and I feel thankful that Mr. Cole is on my side.
“Thank you,” I say in my haha voice.
Mr. Cole nods and continues, “So you haven’t seen or heard from him since the accident, Sera?”
“No, sir. I don’t know how to get ahold of him, and Dad brought me here for all of my medical treatment.”
Dad says under his breath, “They have better care here. I’ve already told you that.”
“Anyway,” I continue, “I don’t know if he was hurt. I hate not knowing. He probably thinks I just left him. It’s awful really.”
“And how old is Cal?”
“He’s my age. We were both going to graduate in May,” I say, tearing up. The wreck destroyed my plans, our plans. Not just getting through school but to be together. To see the world.
“I miss him so much,” I say, wiping the tears that inevitably fall despite my attempt to stay strong.
“It’s ok to cry, Sera. It sounds like you’ve been through a very rough time,” Mr. Cole explains. “What injuries did you sustain?”
“I had to have my spleen removed. My legs were broken and my knee was torn up. I’ve been through multiple surgeries and a ton of rehab. Too much. But I want to get better even though I hate it. I still have to use this stupid cane to walk, but I was scared I wouldn’t be able to walk at all for a while. It was horrible. I had to depend on everyone else to do things for me. I was stuck in a horrible hospital room and then an equally ugly and stifling rehab room.”