The First Time

Chapter 16- Irony

Why has this freaking number been calling me all after noon?

"Hello?"

"Hello? Troy?" A small voice asked shakily.

"Yeah, who the-"

"Troy! It's Mrs. Thomas. You need to come up here!" I could hear the sobbing beneath her sweet voice.

"What do you mean? Come up where?"

"Please hurry. There's been an accident." I hung up the phone and ran for my car.

I drove as fast as I could to the hospital and immediately demanded the lady at the desk to tell me where Brooke was.

"She's in room 503."

"Thanks!" I darted for the elevator and jabbed at floor 5 hoping it would go faster. I held my eyes shut tight until the elevator stopped. Praying, praying she would be okay.

Before the elevator could fully open I was pushing over elder ladies trying to get down the hall. I found room 503 and slowly crept inside.

She was laying there. She had bloody bandages on her head, a sling on her left arm, IV's attached to her, and bruises on her face. I looked across the room and noticed her parents sitting there holding her right hand.

"Is she going to be okay?" I shakily demanded an answer.

"They're not sure. She hasn't woken up yet. She definitely has a broken arm and a concussion." Her dad said breaking out into tears. Mrs. Thomas took him out in the hall. I'm guessing to go get coffee.

I ran around the side of the bed and sat beside her, taking her had in mine. I made small kisses all over it. Just hoping, that maybe, just maybe, she will feel it. I really hope she's okay. I held her hand and prayed. All I want is to know that she is okay. No one has told me anything. What kind of accident? Whose fault? Is she okay? Is she gonna remember me? Is she gonna live? I kept playing scenarios in my head. Like... If I would have stayed, like her mom had asked me too, this might not have happened. Maybe it would be me in that bed. Why her? Why does she deserve this? I love her. She doesn't need to be in pain.

The nurse walked in and asked for her parents.

"They went to cool off."

"Oh, let me know when they are back." She started walking out of the room.

"Excuse me. Nurse!" She turned around.

"Yes, sir?"

"Is Brooke going to be okay?"

" I can't really disclose this patients personal information to anyone but her parents."

"Please, nurse. I love her. Tell me. Is she going to be okay?" She looked around the hall and came back.

"We aren't sure about a whole lot. She's in a coma right now and might not wake up for a few days, maybe weeks." She said sorrowfully.

"Oh my god." I said while grabbing her hand tighter.

"I'm so sorry."

"Will she remember anything?"

"If she doesn't, then make it a project to make her remember." The nurse said trying to cheer me up and walked out of the room.

"Brooke, I'm so sorry. Please listen. I love you. You look absolutely beautiful, even with all these machines on you. Please wake up. I want to see you smile." I said while burying my head into her lap and crying.

"Hey Troy." Mrs. Thomas called me out into the hall and Mr. Thomas was stealing my seat.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Oh you don't have to call me that. Call me, mom, if you'd like." She said while shutting the door so that we were in the hallway.

"Yes, mom?"

"You really care about her, don't you?"

"A lot."

"You like her, don't you?"

"Of course."

"You love her...... Don't you?"

"Absolutely." Why would she ask me such silly questions? Of course I do!

"I had a feeling. You have my blessing. Don't worry about her dad, he loves you too." She said trying to brighten the mood. I slowly crept a smile, but it quickly went back to a pout when I remembered what happened to Brooke.

"What happened?" I asked hoping she would be willing to answer.

"Well.. We were pulling out of the pizza parlor up the road from where we live. We made it down to the first intersection, we had the right away and a truck out of nowhere flew into us. It only got the back of the car. We got a few cuts and scratches from the glass, nothing serious. But, Brooke. She's gonna be in a lot of pain for a while. Hopefully she wakes up soon."

"Did they tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Nurse said... She was in a coma. Could be days or weeks." I said and immediately threw an arm out to comfort her.

"Oh. It's okay. I'll - I'll be alright. Let's go check on her." She said like she had been told the saddest thing ever but, still tried to keep everyone else calm. She was so strong. Just like her daughter.