Moonshine(24)

The ambulance showed up quickly and they had to push me to the side so that they could help her. I didn’t want to leave her, but I was in the way. They hooked up several machines and were yelling things that didn’t make a bit of sense to me. All I wanted to know is if she was okay. She had to be okay. Right?

When the tragedy of what had happened finally hit me like a ton of bricks, I dropped to my knees and vomited all over that parking lot. It was my only response. Either that or pass out right there, so I chose to puke up my guts.

The police officer who was on the scene came over to ask me some questions. He wanted to know exactly what happened, but I didn’t have all the answers. I told him what I knew and he didn’t pressure me for anymore. I left him with a name and phone number for her parents because I couldn’t call and tell them. Mom had said they were out of town and I knew that someone had to contact them. It sure as hell wouldn’t be me.

When the ambulance finally left the scene, I didn’t have any news. I didn’t know if she was dead or alive and when I asked they wouldn’t tell me anything. Because I am not a sibling or relative, I wasn’t allowed to have any information. Stupid fucking rules! She’s eighteen and I was the one who called. I don’t understand. It would be hours before her parents made it here and I needed to know something. I just needed to know that she was alive.

Somehow, I managed to get myself to the hospital. I would be there when her parents got there, and I would wait to hear them say that she was fine.

Pacing didn’t seem to help and each time I went up to the nurse’s station no one would tell me a thing. The little short red-headed nurse, I think her name was Natalie, was very nice. She seemed like she wanted to tell me things, but was never able too. She came out to me once while I was in the waiting room and brought me some hot chocolate.

“Why don’t you step outside and get some fresh air.” She spoke nicely and handed me the cup.

“I don’t want to leave her. I need to know what is going on.”

“I’m sorry that I can’t speak with you about her condition.”

“Me too,” I sighed. “Thanks again for the drink.”

“Listen, give me your hand.” I’m pretty sure that I looked at her like she was an idiot. “Just give it to me.” She pushed.

I placed my hand in hers. She came over to the side of me where my palm was facing towards her. She took an ink pen out of her pocket and wrote the words EVIL A on my palm.

“I don’t get it.” I was still dazed like a confused idiot. “What does evil a mean?”

“Sometimes you just have to know these words to survive. It’s reflection.”

“Oookay… Thanks I guess.” I shook my head. She was a serious whack job.

I decided that maybe some fresh air would do me some good after all. I stepped outside. It was nearing daylight and the air was really cool out. Town sounded quiet and I couldn’t help but let my mind wander. Every time I thought about it I wondered what her last thoughts were before she drifted off to sleep. Was she scared? Did she hurt? Was she crying? I slammed my hands on the glass window behind me. I can’t believe she did this.

When I lifted my head I could see my hands in the reflection of the glass. The words on my palm didn’t look much like Evil A this time. I dropped to my knees and cried again. She is ALIVE! That is what the words said in the reflection. Yes, the letters were backwards but it still spelled alive. I couldn’t catch my breath I was crying so hard. That nurse could have lost her job. I can’t believe she did this for me. This is what she meant by reflection. My laugh came out kind of strangled in my cry. She wasn’t a whack job; she was an angel.

I don’t care what kind of shape she is in. We would figure all of that out later, but for now my girl is alive. I had to text momma.





14



Moon

Three hours and thirty minutes later, her parents finally graced us with their presence. A part of me was pissed off that they had left her home alone in the first place. I mean, I know it wasn’t their fault. Truthfully, I just can’t decide how I feel, so being pissed seems like the easiest one. Not having any sleep doesn’t make things any better. I had not been to bed in I don’t know how many hours, and had just finished my third Mt. Dew. My eyes were still heavy, and all that shit did was make me piss every ten minutes.

I was still pacing the floor in the waiting room when I heard Lizzie’s voice. When I stepped out into the hallway I saw that Bill was with her. Once Bill saw me he motioned me over. He wrapped me up in such a tight hug that I couldn’t breathe. “Thank you, Son.”