Awkward Meet Normal

Chapter Twenty-Six

Annabelle:

Dash and I found a corner in the waiting room, and we waited. My mother and brother stayed closer to the door, but no one wanted to talk. Even though I knew my mother had questions when it came to Dash.

She would never believe that he had dropped me off at home and then come back to pick me up when he heard of what had happened. I had to let her know what was going on with us, just not tonight. Dash called it dating. I called it having a bit of a meltdown. But it felt right having him here with me.

Ryan appeared an hour later at the hospital.

"You can go home and get some rest," he said to Dash.

"I am canceling my meetings tomorrow," Dash said, not moving from the two chairs he had made into a bed, his legs thrown out to it. We were sharing the same chair for our feet; he would nudge my feet with his from time to time. He usually did it when my mother sighed. She had also yelled at two nurses who had come in with updates; eventually, they would quit coming. Dash was still in his work clothes, and even though he did not look comfortable, he looked yummy. At least thinking about how good he looked kept my thoughts off of my dad's surgery. Dash was a pleasant distraction.

I wanted to tell Dash to leave and get some sleep. But I did not want to be the bigger person and handle this alone, with my family. I wanted him here.

Ryan's eyes find mine, and I can tell he is impressed by Dash. Or impressed by me? It was hard to say.

"You didn't need to come," I said to Ryan.

"Kyle texted me, and Sydney said I needed to come to check on you."

I was the friend everyone was constantly worried about; poor little Annie.

"I'm sorry I'm in a mood."

"I think that is allowed," Dash cleared his throat; we had been playing a spelling game on his phone before Ryan came. We hardly talked; we communicated through faces and hand gestures.

"Ryan, how nice of you to come." My mother walked over. She wanted Ryan and me to get together at one point. She loved Ryan. Even after he dated Sydney, she said she was just an obstacle.

"I'm sorry to hear what happened to Douglas," he said, standing and hugging her. "I came to check on Annabelle, but it appears she is in good hands." He said. 

I thought grumpily that I had been in Dash's hands a couple of hours earlier. The apartment before we came here was everything I wanted. Replays of it in my mind were better than what we were doing right now. 

My mother's eyes scan over Dash and me. She had been doing that off and on. Dash's hand was now unfolded and holding onto mine, his phone facing down in his lap. He had held my hand randomly, and I was holding onto it as a lifeline.

The doctor came a couple of minutes later.

We all stood and gathered around him; Ryan had left a minute before, missing the outcome.

"He is out of surgery and resting. He should make a full recovery," the doctor announced. My father appeared to have broken ribs. The car side-swiped my father's side hitting the driver's side just right. Thankfully they had stopped the internal bleeding.

Dash wrapped me into him as I let a few happy tears fall. He was going to be alright.

"When can I see him?" My mother asked.

The doctor looks guilty when I look back at him.

"At this time, the only person he is asking for is Anna."

My stomach sinks, and I swallow.

"Right now?" I ask with a shaky voice.

"He has to get settled into his room. I'll have the nurse get you when he is ready." And then the doctor was gone, and my mother was breathing fire.

"I have only been his wife," she fumed. She was going to say more. Instead, she grabbed her purse, and if I were betting on it, she was going outside to have a cigarette; she hid them, never thinking we knew what she was doing. But we knew it was a running joke between Benny and me.

Benny looked sad. I could understand where he was coming from. Dad always wanted him, not me. Maybe my father had sustained a brain injury during the crash.

The minutes ticked by, and Dash waited by my side.

When the nurse came, he told me to take his time and that he would be waiting for me. He kisses me on the cheek, and I follow the nurse in her shiny white sneakers. I could never have shoes that white. It wasn't in me to upkeep them.

"Anna," his voice is rough like sandpaper.

"Dad," I hold back the tears.

"Don't cry for me. I'll be fine."

I kiss him on the forehead, and he smiles.

"Why did you call me back?" I asked.

His face goes paler. "I wanted to apologize. The whole time they were getting me out of the car, I was lying there thinking about you. How I needed to apologize." I was going to cut him off, but he continued. "Your mother and I have treated you poorly. We wanted you to do what we wanted. And I have to say I am proud of you, Anna, for not doing it. For doing what you want. Never let anyone dictate your life. You are perfect the way you are."

I was perfect?

My father said that to me.

"Thanks," I said and then added. "I'll go get mom."

"No," he croaked. "We were fighting about you in the car. I would rather not see her right now."

"You almost died," I said.

"Send your brother in then. Actually, let me sleep. I love you, kiddo." And then his eyes drifted close.

I walked to Dash in a daze, unsure of what had happened. I sat down next to him.

Dash clears his throat. "I hope you are not mad at me. But I notified FlyLeaf of what had happened. They have you down as taking a personal day."

Who was this man?

"Thank you," I said, then I began crying.

My mother returned and set a styrofoam cup of coffee next to me. "Is he ok? Can I go in to see him?" The concern was easy to hear in her voice.

"He's fine. He wants to sleep. I'm going to go home and rest." I said, standing as Dash started to stand with me.

We made it to his vehicle, where he sat and stared at me. "Are you ok?"

"My dad told me I was perfect," I say, a tear releasing from my eye again.

"Of course, you are perfect," Dash says in this sincere voice. That makes me cry. The floodgates of hell opened up, and the tears would not stop coming.

I was too sleep-deprived. I usually would not be crying over this. Sleep was what I needed.

"Let's get you home," he said.

"Your home," I said to him. "Bigger bed," I responded.

"Thank goodness," he laughs slightly.

And it does the trick. I smile.

How had I never had a Dash in my life before?