As I watch the sunset through the dirty window, I wonder what Carly is up to. Is she married or in a relationship? Fuck knows I can’t blame her for moving on with her life, but that still doesn’t make the mental image any easier to take. I don’t know where she is or what she’s doing, but I hope she’s content. I hope that whatever life threw at her over these past two years, she’s enjoying it, living her life like she was meant to: free, joyful, and full of love.
For my own sanity, I just have to imagine that wherever she is that she’s happy.
Chapter Three – Are you kidding me?
Carly
I’m already running late. Apparently Mom enjoyed her plot-talking drinks a little too much last night and was running a little behind herself this morning. Throw in the fact that Natalia woke up at four and decided to have a crib party, I’m practically a zombie today. I’m already craving that first large cup of decadent coffee.
I stop at the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green. I hear the squealing of the tires moments before I feel the impact. My head jerks forward with force, jarring my bones and sending pain coursing through my body. The airbag suffocates me as I try to get my bearings. The sound of a horn honking sounds distantly, yet so very close. When I am finally able to turn my head and take in my surrounds, I realize that I’ve been involved in a car accident.
The driver’s door is flung open moments before the woman paws at the deflated airbag. “Can you hear me? Are you alright?” she asks with concern filled eyes.
“Yeah, I think so. My neck is a little sore,” I tell her.
“Help is on the way, sweetie. They should be here in just a few moments, okay? You hang in there.”
I hear the approaching ambulance as I reach for my seatbelt. I need to get out of this car and check out the damages. Before I can release the restraint, the Good Samaritan stops me. “Wait, sweetie. We need to make sure you’re okay to move before you get out.”
Arguing with her is fruitless at this point, so I remain seated until I’m advised to do so by the paramedics. After being checked out, I’m extracted from my seat with help. My legs are wobbly as I try to stand, the excitement and adrenaline finally exiting my body. I walk around back and get my first glimpse at my smashed in bumper. The damage doesn’t seem to be too extensive, but my car appears to have held up a little better than the front end of the Buick that hit me.
“Ma’am, is there a certain place you want us to send your car?” the officer asks me with a pleasant smile. I hadn’t even thought about the prospect of not being able to drive away in my car. How am I going to get to work? How will I get home?
“Oh, um, I’m not really sure,” I mumble while I make a grab for my phone. Dialing the first number that comes to mind, I wait until Reid answers the personal line in his office.
“Hello?”
“Reid, it’s Carly. I’m sorry I’m late, but I’ve been in a minor car accident,” I tell him as tears fill my eyes. Now that I’m over the adrenaline rush, the stress of the morning starts to weigh me down, and my emotions are all over the place.
“Are you alright?” he asks, voice filled with concern.
“Yes, I think so. I’m just a little shaken up. I was rear-ended. They aren’t letting me leave with my car, saying that it needs to have the frame checked out before I drive it, but I have no clue where I should send the car.”
“Tell them to send it to First Class Auto. A buddy of mine had some work done there, and they primarily deal with top end cars. They’ll take great care of it,” he says.
“Okay, thank you.”
“Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I’ll send Steven to pick you up and drive you home. He’ll arrange for a loaner car from my fleet until you’re back up and running,” he offers.
“Thank you, Reid. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You do enough for me every day. Take the day and rest. If you’re feeling up to it in the morning, I’ll see you then.”
“Sounds good. Thanks again, Reid.”
We sign off after I give him my location, and I relay the details of the auto shop to the officer. Twenty minutes later, I’m hanging up from my conversation with my mom as Steven pulls up. He stays with me as I watch my car being loaded onto the back of the flatbed truck and disappear around the corner. Once the car is out of sight, I slide into the back of the Lincoln Town Car and head towards home.