Sweetheart

40 - Part 2

Aaron
November 1st, 2018

My mind is in pieces.

One moment I'm here, the next I'm out. When the blinding red and blue lights of the ambulance and police arrive I start regaining conscience. I wish I didn't.

"He's alive!" someone shouts. "Come on! Help me get him out of this goddamn wreck."

I mumble something, but no actual words come out of my mouth. Just hysterical nonsense. I manage to take a rapid glimpse of the face of a paramedic, who tries to give me an encouraging smile. "We're gonna get you out, kiddo. Don't worry," he tells me. "Come on, guys! I need some help."

My mind drifts off until I hear the soft surface they put me on. The stretcher creaks as they push it towards the ambulance to put me on it. I blink and realize I have a mask on my face when I try to speak.

"Calm down, kid. You're okay. It's gonna be okay."

My breathing increases. "Jenny," I mutter. "Where's Jenny?" I ask, scared.

The paramedics keep pushing me over the hill towards the ambulance. "Shh, calm down. Everything is okay."

"Where's my sister? Where is my sister?" I repeat.

"He's trying to say something. Move his mask," the man from earlier says. "What is it?"

"Where's my sister? Where's Jenny?"

He doesn't say anything. "Put the mask back on. He's definitely got a concussion."

I furrow my brows, feeling my temples hurt at the slight movement. "Where is she? I want to see her. I want to see my sister. Is she okay? Take her first. Save her first, please. Where is my sister?" I keep speaking until they put the mask for the oxygen back on.

When they put my stretcher on the ambulance, the man comes over and gently touches my shoulder. "It's going to be okay, kid. You'll get better."

When the ambulance starts moving, I fall asleep again.

———

It takes me a few seconds to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the hospital room.

I can't feel most of my body, I'm assuming due to the painkillers they must have given me. My head however feels like it's about to explode. I try to swallow, but my throat is dry.

Blinking a few times, I finally manage to see better around me. On the chair next to my bed, there's someone soundly asleep. I would recognize the dark blond curls everywhere. "Mom." The word is barely a whisper. I clear my throat and repeat, "Mom?"

With a soft gasp, she wakes up, looking around disoriented. When she finally remembers where she is, she glances at me and sobs, "Oh, God, my baby." She stands up and hugs me. I wince, and she quickly apologizes. "Sorry, sorry. How are you feeling? I should call the doctor," she blurts out, heading for the door before I can even say a word.

After the doctors have checked me and made sure that everything is stable, I ask them to help me sit up and if I'm allowed to have some water. Thankfully, they hand me a glass and I chug it down.

When they leave, my mom thanks them and follows them to close the door. She comes back and sits on the edge of my bed, holding my hand for comfort. "How are you, baby?" she asks me, giving me a little smile. Her eyes are red, meaning that she has cried a lot.

I shrug, flinching as pain flashes through my shoulder. "A bit bruised, but fine," I reply. "Is Dad with Jenny?" I ask, looking at my mother's serious face.

Her hand clutches mine tightly as she presses her lips together. She shakes her head. "Your father is outside sleeping."

I frown. "Then who's with Jenny? Is she alone?" My mom hums, not speaking. "Can I see her? I want to see her. Is she badly hurt? How is she?" I shoot a thousand questions, willing my body to stand up.