The encounter of a lifetime - Charles Lerclerc

Chapter 54

I feel like seconds become hours. I look at the screen hoping for some relief, to see that he's okay. But seconds pass and he doesn't get out of the car. I feel hot tears rolling down my cheeks but I can't stop staring at this screen.

The red flag is thrown and all cars must enter the pits.

I feel hands coming around me and I turn around to see that it's Pierre.

Pierre: It'll be fine Emma... I'm here. He... he'll be fine.

I say nothing and just squeeze his arm.

After a few minutes that seemed like millennia, Martin comes to me and explains that Charles is going to be taken by helicopter to the hospital because he is unconscious. My heartbeat quickens and tears stream down my cheeks. I collapse on the ground to cry and scream. Mattia and Pierre stand next to me. Pierre caresses my back while Mattia explains to me that I can go with him to the hospital. I will have to go near the place where the crash took place and wait for the helicopter. Someone will take me there on a scooter.

I'm disturbed, I don't understand anything they say to me, but I nod my head and get on the scooter waiting for me outside.

When I arrive at the scene of the accident, my first instinct is to want to run near Charles. But one of the firefighters who was there grabs me to stop me. At the time I did not realize the danger of running towards a damaged car which could catch fire.

I see the rescue team pulling Charles out of the car. Seeing him unconscious like this is tearing me up inside.

They get Charles into the helicopter and I get in next to him. I try to hold his hand as best I can but he's still in his riding gear which means he has gloves, helmet etc. So I can't really have contact with him.

Once I get to the hospital, they come and explain to me that I'm going to have to wait because I can't go to the operating room with them. I panic when I hear that word. Operation.

Emma: What's wrong with him? It's serious? What should he be operated on? He will die?
Doctor: I'm sorry miss but we don't know yet. We will do everything we can.

I go to sit at the back of the room and burst into tears. I try to come to my senses and tell myself that crying won't help the situation. I look around me and this waiting room is cold, empty, it smells of death. And I don't like that.

I decide to take my phone and finally give news to our families who must have seen the accident. I see Charles' mom, Arthur and my parents called me. I decide to call Charles' mom first. He's her son and she must be the most worried of them all.

Pascale: Hello Emma is it you?
Emma: Yes it's me.
Pascale: How... how is he?

Tears begin to flow.

Emma: He's unconscious right now. We're in the hospital and he's in the operating room. I don't know any more here, I'm in the waiting room and I didn't get any more information than that.
Pascale: We have to cross our fingers that it goes well. Are you alone my dear?
Emma: Yes, but maybe Pierre will come, I really don't know. I was able to go with Charles in the helicopter and for the rest I really don't know. It all happened so fast that I don't know.
Pascale: Yes I understand. Knowing Pierre, he should arrive shortly, at least you can keep each other company in these hard times.
Emma: Yes it is at least that.
Pascale: Good listen as soon as you have news you call me okay? It doesn't matter the time.
Emma: Yes I promise.
Pascale: I'll pass the info on to Arthur and Lorenzo so don't worry about that. I know they called you too.
Emma: Alright it works. Thanks.
Pascale: I send you big kisses, my dear.
Emma: Yes kisses.

I'm amazed at the calm that Charles' mother manages to convey. I imagine that she must have already experienced moments of intense stress linked to extreme sports.

I then decide to call my parents to explain to them, but during my call I am cut off by a call from Pierre.

Pierre: Hi Emma, are you in the hospital with Charles?
Emma: Yes, but he's in the operating room there and I'm in the waiting room.
Pierre: Okay send me your location and I'll be there as soon as I can to wait with you.
Emma: Okay.

Pierre didn't ask me for any information on Charles' condition. He must be aware via the f1 staff.

All I have to do now is wait for him to arrive. I decide to go buy myself a bottle of water and sit down again.

Waiting for Pierre to arrive seems like hours. But finally I see him arriving in the distance in the hallway. He arrives with a bag of food and a large backpack.

Pierre: Hi, so I got you something to eat since I imagine you haven't eaten anything since you've been here, I also took blankets, sweaters, in short, everything you need.
Emma: Thank you. But what time is it actually?
Peter: It's 10 p.m.
Emma: Oh... But how come we still don't know anything about the operation? Is it normal for it to take so long?
Pierre: If he was unconscious unfortunately yes that's normal. In addition to where the operations they had to do, they have to do a lot of tests and that takes a lot of time.
Emma: Okay...

I lean back in my chair and a few tears start rolling down my cheeks. Pierre sits next to me and takes me in his arms. He then hands me something to eat. I admit that I'm not hungry but he "forces" me to eat something. I tell myself that he still went to get it for me so I eat as much as I ca .

After a good hour Pierre falls asleep on the seats next to me. For me it is impossible to close my eyes.

I pace in this cursed waiting room. I can not stand it anymore. I want to know. I must know.

I sit back in my chair and put my head in my hands. I can not stand it anymore. That's when I hear a voice.

Doctor: Charles Leclerc's family?

I get up quickly and rush towards this gentleman. He is the one that is going to give me the most important announcement of my life.

*****