by Peyton Banks
“We are clear,” one man yells.
They pull, and after a loud pop, an opening appears, and they carry away the scrap metal. Caleb rushes to Tessa with his bag and begins the assessment. I grab the gurney and the backboard, placing it next to the car. Afterwards, he places a cervical collar on her neck to keep her still. Another unit comes to assist, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Seeing her like this, unconscious, unable to tell me what happened, takes my focus out of play. Sure, I’ve responded to many accidents, some even with fatalities, but it hits different when it’s someone you know.
“Austin, why don’t you let them take over and you go call her family?” Caleb suggests.
He gives me a reassuring look, and I nod in acceptance. Returning to the truck, I take a few minutes to myself as tears stream down my cheeks. I didn’t know my feelings for her were so deep until now. The reality of what I’ve been hiding from myself hits me like a ton of bricks. After I clear my throat, I take my phone and dial her dad. I’ve had his number for a few years now. He, my dad, and I occasionally go fishing on the weekends or catch a big game at the stadium. The phone initiates that first ring, and I brace myself for having to tell him that his daughter, his only child, is severely injured.
“Austin. How are you doing, buddy?” His cheerful tone makes this even harder to do.
I clear my throat one more time before speaking. “Mr. Gordon.” I take a deep breath, stilling my emotions.
“Austin, what’s wrong, son?”
“Tessa was involved in a motor vehicle accident. We are preparing to transport her to New Hanover now.”
His deep breaths come through the phone, and I can’t help but reciprocate my own.
“George, what is it?” her mother, Joyce, says in the background.
He shares with her the details, and a mother’s pain is carried through the line.
“Austin, my baby. Is she…?”
“No, no. She is unconscious with strong vitals, but we’ll continue to monitor her.”
A loud knock at their door and constant ringing of their bell aggravates her, and she yells for Mr. Gordon to answer it.
“Courtney called us. Come on, let’s go. We’ll take you,” my dad tells them.
The phone falls silent, and I can’t help the emotions overcoming me.
“Austin! Austin!” a woman screams.
I jump from the truck to find the source.
“Austin,” she calls again. “Where are you?” Sobs follow her plea to find me.
“Bro, she’s awake. Come on.” Caleb ushers me through the scene and to her side. They have her positioned on the gurney and securely immobilized for her safety.
“Tessa, I’m here,” I shout, trying to keep her calm when reaching her side. I touch her fingers, alerting her to my presence.
Her gaze falls to my face, and she seems more at ease, if that is possible.
“Her responses are normal. Pressure is a little elevated and her leg is broken, but I believe she’ll be fine. Hop in the cab and let’s get her to the hospital.”
“No. I’m gonna ride in the back with her. I’ll monitor her stats and keep her calm.”
“Good call. She’ll be more relaxed with you. Davis is riding shotgun. Morales is going to follow tag. The other unit is loading up the other driver.”
“Okay. Her parents are on the way to the hospital.” I feel more relaxed and able to respond in a professional manner hearing of her preliminary prognosis.
One of the policemen working the scene approaches us, and Caleb exchanges information. “Here’s Ms. Gordon’s personal items. I’m sure the contents are important. The other items will be available for pickup at the tow yard. We took inventory for comparison upon pickup. Davis tells me her family has been notified?”
“Yes, Officer. The injured is my girlfriend, and I took the liberty of calling her parents. They should be at the hospital by now, if not shortly,” I respond.
“Very well. I will note that in the official report. Can I list you as a contact in case we have more questions?”
“Sure. Do we know what happened?” I pull out my business card and jot down my personal cell on the back and hand it to him.
The officer looks around, surveying the scene, and then glances down at his notepad before responding. “Eyewitnesses report she was traveling through the intersection after her light turned green, when the other driver plowed through the red light at an accelerated speed, crashing into her and pushing her nearly into the pole. He was fumbling with his phone and hadn’t known the light had changed. Ms. Gordon’s reaction to turn the wheel very well prevented her death. She’s a very lucky young lady. To walk away with only a broken leg, from what I was told, is a blessing. We will have her car towed to the pound, but given it’s condition, someone may want to go through her car soon to check for other items that we may have missed. Weather is supposed to turn rainy over the next few days. I imagine I’ll be seeing you guys around.”
We shake hands, and he returns to finish up his report and give the okay for the tow truck to clear the scene.
“Look, I know that this is a very emotional time for you. I already called our sup, and she said take the night off. So, when we get to the hospital, you are off duty. Burn up some of that time you’re hoarding and be with her.”
I nod, and he pats my shoulder before both he and Davis push the bed into the back of the ambulance. They latch it on to the hydraulic lift and proceed to put Tessa in the back, securing her for transport.
“Austin, I’m so glad you were there for me,” she mutters through mumbled words; her breath slow but not shallow.
“Me, too.”
I grab her fingertips, and she silently cries. I wipe away her tears, trying to make her as comfortable as possible. I connect the monitors for her vitals and listen to her lungs to make sure they remain clear. We pull off with sirens blaring. This is a tough call for me. Saving lives is my job but, I never thought I’d have to save hers.
7
The last forty-eight hours have been an emotional roller coaster, to say the least. Neither family was wanting to go home, so instead we were given the use of one of the large family waiting areas, rotating being the bedside care of Tessa. The doctors kept her sedated most of the first night due to her immense pain following the emergency surgery to repair her leg and the removal of her spleen. She’ll have a small scar on the side of her face from the gash caused by the broken glass, but she’s still beautiful to me. Now she’s on a regular medication schedule where they wean her off the heavy hitters and try to get her pain managed with less drugs. Her attitude hasn’t been the best.
“Here, I bought you some coffee,” her dad says entering her room.
“Thanks.” I take the hot beverage.
His hands tremble, and I place mine over his in a show of comfort before standing and offering him my seat.
“I still don’t know why this happened to my baby.” He takes a long look at Tessa who’s asleep at this moment.
“Mr. Gordon, we will never know why some things happen and we can’t prevent them either. I keep replaying how we were on the phone and then ten minutes later, I’m answering a call for an accident and she’s the victim.”
Her father’s facial expression appears to be perplexed, and I think he’s going over what I said, but he turns the tables quickly. “Why were you on the phone with her, Austin?” He looks at me while he takes a sip of his strong brew.
I grow hot under my collar. I can’t lie to him, and at the same time, I didn’t think about the fact we haven’t told our parents we are an item. Not to mention we begged Courtney not to say anything. “Well, uh, Mr. Gordon. You see, Tessa called me, because, I, uh —”
“Because we’re dating, Dad. We started seeing each other this weekend,” Tessa says, awakening from her sleep.
Acknowledging her, I grab her hand and gently squeeze it before placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Oh. So, when the police officer came up here last
night to give us her phone, and said he was looking for her boyfriend, he was talking about you?”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.”
“Pssh, we were just wondering when it was going to happen.” He waves me off.
“What do you mean, Dad?” She presses the button to adjust the bed so she can sit up and motions for a glass of water.
I pour her a cup while she holds her father’s gaze, waiting on an answer. Before she can, her mother and my parents walk through the door and head to the bedside seeing Tessa is alert. I step back, giving way for her mother to be by her side, and exit the room. I’m sure they want to have this time with her. Strolling down the hall towards the exit, my name is being echoed.
“Austin, I know you hear me calling you.” Courtney is in better spirits than the last time we spoke. She has been holding down Tessa’s classes and taking all her calls. For a brief moment last night, all her students came up here to visit and sign her cast. Courtney had some of the girls draw flowers and others painted.
“Hey, sis,” I respond and give her a hug.
“Eew. You look like Hell’s best friend. When are you going home? Tessa is fine, and her parents are here. So go, shower, shave, sleep.”
I rub my scruff at her mention of much needed grooming. “Not leaving until she’s released.”
“What about your job?”
“I took a leave. I have the time saved, that’s for sure. I plan on being there to help her through her recovery.”
“Bro, we both know how Tessa is. Even in her moments of calm and shyness, she’s strong and obstinate as hell. She is determined and independent. Her allowing you to help will be a change in character and a fight for certain.”
“She’s just gonna have to deal with it, ’cause I’m not leaving her side until that cast comes off, therapy is complete, and she dances her first dance.”
Courtney stares at me with an endearing gaze. “So, let me understand. You are willing to burn off all your personal leave to make sure she recovers?”
“Yeah. I keep thinking about how she worked her ass off to get this dance tour off the ground, and one accident, one careless person, erases all of that. Halting all her dreams and goals. I just want to be there and push her to get back to what she wants and deserves. She shouldn’t have to go through this because some asshole was on his phone and not paying attention to the fucking road. She could’ve lost her fucking life, Court. Her fucking life.” My emotions get the best of me, and all I’ve been holding in for the past three days comes to the surface. Tears stream, and a wall meets my fist when I think how I finally get the right one in my life and how she was nearly snatched from me.
Courtney embraces me and guides me to a seating area in the lobby, and I let go. This is an awkward moment between us since I’m the one usually wiping the tears.
“Austin?” a sweet voice calls to me.
I clear my throat and wipe my face then turn to respond. “Hey, Mrs. Gordon.” I stand to greet her, and she hugs me instead.
“We were wondering where you got off to. Tessa is looking for you.”
“Okay. She’s probably wanting me to go grab her something to drink or eat.”
“Mmhmm, maybe. I know we were discussing who was going to bring her to our house when she’s released.”
“Oh, I figured she’d go back to her place.”
“It’s her call, really, but she is waiting for you. I’m gonna go over to the coffee cart to get me and your mother an iced beverage.”
“I’ll go with you, Momma Joyce,” Courtney interjects. “I could use a white mocha frap myself. Austin, you want me to get your caramel blend?”
“No. I’m good for now. Thanks for letting me vent.”
“No problem. What are little sisters for?” She takes Mrs. Gordon by the arm and strolls over to grab their drinks.
I walk back to Tessa’s room. “Hey. What happened to the party?” I say upon my entrance. When I place a kiss on her forehead, I can tell she’s been crying. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Everything is wrong, Austin. My leg is broken, the tour that I’ve worked like hell to have funded will now have to be cancelled, and I have to go back to my parents’ house while my house is locked up.” Her tears become uncontrollable.
Offering her much needed comfort, I pull her into my arms. “I will visit you every day and bring you whatever you need.” I say.
“I need you.” Her response is accompanied by more tears and a tired voice.
“Tessa, I’m here and always will be.” I place another peck on her forehead.
“Why is it that every time I enter the room, you two are in bed together?” Courtney says, bringing a smile to Tessa’s face. “I don’t even see how when your leg is elevated and you can hardly move.” She squeezes in on the other side, nearly pushing me off the edge.
Our parents share a laugh, inserting comical relief to an otherwise intense day.
“So, you two are finally an item?” Dad says.
“Why does everyone keep saying finally?” I question.
“Austin, you’ve always had a crush on Tessa.” My mom replies.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Come now, you must remember. She used to stay overnight, especially when they were in high school, you would always find a reason to stay up and hang with them after the game.” Mom continues.
“I was just keeping them company, Mom.”
“Austin, you would make sure Tessa had her popcorn first during our movie nights. And let’s not forget how you roughed up Erick Johnson when he stood her up on prom night. It was only a matter of time before y’all hooked up.”
“You did that?” Tessa asks with a shocked look on her face.
Courtney was sworn to secrecy to never tell Tessa about the run-in I had with Erick Johnson. Apparently, the frozen drink has affected her brain cells.
“Well, I didn’t like the way you were crying after y’all came back. Courtney told me what happened and the following Monday, I made sure he never did that again.”
My God, they were right. How did I not know I had real feelings for Tessa all this time?
“That was really sweet of you. I wish I had known. Maybe we could’ve started dating earlier.”
We hold each other’s gazes for a few minutes until the doctor enters. “Well, well, I see you’ll have more than enough hands to help you around while your leg heals,” she says, surveying the amount of visitors gathered. “Your recovery should go smoothly with all this love around here. So, who will be your primary caretaker?”
“I will be staying with my parents,” she says.
“That’s good. No place like Mom and Dad’s, right? Well, I need to talk with you and your folks about your aftercare, and then we will be letting you go home.”
My parents and Courtney say their goodbyes, and I follow after them, letting Tessa know I will be in the waiting room.
“Austin, when are you going back to work, son?” my dad asks while I walk with them towards the exit.
“Um, I’m not exactly sure. I plan on helping Tessa with her recuperation.”
“That’s nice of you. You care deeply about her, don’t you?” Mom chimes in.
“Well, it’s kind of obvious after everyone points out something you only discovered within the last few days.” I shove my hands in my pockets and shrug.
“If this weekend was any indication of how much he likes her, I’d say he likes her a lot!” Courtney says and wiggles her eyebrows. She never misses a moment to be comical, especially during tense moments. She’s funny, and I love her for always trying to lighten the mood.
“Well, son, if you or Tessa need anything, let us know. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you later.”
I give my dad a hug and kiss my mom on her cheek and they climb into their car to head home.
“I gotta go to the studio and get ready for the mean teens. I really hate to look at those faces. They all seem so sad.” Courtney’s eyes gloss ov
er.
I’m sure it’s because she’s thinking about the tragedy that unfolded three days ago. A single tear trickles down her face, and she quickly swipes it away. “But, hey, Tessa is fine, so they will be in better spirits today,” she says.
I know she is saying it for the kids, but I think it’s more for herself. Taking her into my arms, I move her strawberry-blonde hair out of the way and zerbert my sister on her cheek.
“Eew, gross. Someone bring me the bleach. Who knows where your mouth has been. Oh, wait. I do know.” She shudders for effect and unlocks the door of her brand-new car.
“Oh, this is the first time I’ve seen your new whip. It’s nice.”
“Yeah, she’s nice. Dad got me a real good deal, too. My savings went down, but at least I don’t have to bum a ride from you or Tessa anymore.” She pauses, until she breaks down. “Austin? What if she didn’t make it? I can’t help but think about that every day. She and I always rode together to rehearsals and to the studio, but that day, we took separate cars so she could go to the meeting. My dreams are consumed with her screams and how I wasn’t there to help her. That’s my best fucking friend, and I’d be lost without her.”
I hold her until she’s able to pull herself together. “I’ve given you so much shit about y’alls newly formed, long-time-coming relationship, but you know I think you two are perfect for each other.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, like, she’s hot as fuck, and that’s not because she’s my best friend, and you’re all hot guy-ish. That’s what all our friends say. Oh, and let one of them other bitches talk about what they want to do to you, Tessa goes off…subtly, of course. A little classy, a little hood.”
“I had no clue.”
“Austin, she always asked if you were coming to pick me up, or if you were at work, or if you were still dating what’s her face. I would answer and ask why. She played it off: ‘Oh, just wondering’ and I would call bullshit. But I did tell her if you were there Friday, then she should ask you out. And she did more than that apparently.”
“My sister’s back.” I joke. “Okay, get out of here. I’m gonna go in and see what her parents need me to do.”