Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 32

(CHANYEOL'S POV)

I didn't want to go back to school. I don't think anyone wanted to go back to school.

Yet, I am sitting here in third period calculus and I want to shoot myself.

I have no friends in this class and so it's even more boring. My grade is at a 91%, so I still have an A, but I have no idea how. I'm on my phone most of the time in class.

So today, Ms. Bravo is talking about how to calculate how far down parabolas go in functions (or something like that). Before I could even take my phone out, it buzzed all by itself. One buzz means a text.

Dad: your mother is in trouble. I will call the main office to excuse you from class. Vance will pick you up at the front of the school.

My mom's in trouble?

Over the next few minutes, I wait impatiently. Ms. Bravo seemed to get more and more annoying as each minute dragged away. Finally, the classroom telephone rang. Ms. Bravo stopped her whiteboard stuff and said, "Just a second." She picks up the phone. "Hello, this is Lucille Bravo." She waits seven seconds (I counted) until she replied with a shocked face, "Oh, dear. Yes, he'll be right down." She hangs the phone up and says, "Chanyeol, honey, someone is here to pick you up. I'm sincerely sorry."

"What happened?"

She looks around. "Someone will tell you downstairs." All the other students' eyes follow me as I gather my stuff, pick up my backpack and walk out the door. I don't even stop at my locker; I head straight for the office. Vance stands there in his plain black chauffeur's hat and suit. "Mr. Park, we have no time to waste." I look at him weirdly. Why isn't Milton here? He's the one who normally drives me.

Anyway, we board the limo and I ask, "Where's Milton?" Vance just sighs a little bit and says, "Do you really want me to tell you or would you like your father to relay the news?"

"I want to know. Right now."

"Okay. Normally I drive Mr. and Mrs. Park to work every day. However, today your mother had a special meeting at the CTE building. She and a few other important people were to talk to high school students about building a career. And so, I drove your father to work at around seven, the normal time. Milton drove your mother to the CTE building; they took off about fifteen minutes ago. However, there was a horrible accident along I-80 while reaching the building. It was said to be entirely the other driver's fault because they took a wrong turn, but currently your mother and Milton are at the hospital in the ICU. Milton was reported to have a brain injury not five minutes ago and your mother's shoulder was slammed against the car door along with her arms and fingers. The doctors are expecting some nerve damage."

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh. My gosh. So this is what I get for the new year?!

We stop at the hospital, and I rush in. My father is waiting outside the door. When he sees me, he gives me a strong hug. I'm surprised. The last time my dad hugged me was...three? Four months ago? I tell him, "Dad. I'm so sorry." He looks at me and sighs. "What happens happens. It's okay, son. They're tending to wounds right now and neither of us are allowed to go in to see Milton or Mom." I nod in understanding.

"Did Vance tell you?" I nod again.

"Okay. I do want you to know that this is going to be all over the news. Since I have a lot of important conferences coming up, it'll be hard for me to miss more than one or two meetings. I will have to do some of your mother's work at the company, so I'll be very busy. I want you to take care of yourself at home and look after those two when I can't, especially Mom." I nod again. I've even replaced my dad in a meeting once when he was sick; I think I can handle things. "Dad, when you want to come sit by Mom, you can. I can go to a few meetings for you."

"Thank you, but I don't think that'll be necessary. I've excused you from school tomorrow as well, but you need to earn those grades and become well-educated. I know you'll be a great successor." I smile a little bit. My father doesn't always show it, but I know that inside, he loves me. And I love him too.

"And about the engagement with Allie," he says. "Your mother is the one who is in charge of planning that along with Mrs. Thompson, but because of this...it'll be on pause, okay? I have no idea how long it will be until she gets to leave the hospital." Oh. We're pausing the engagement. I guess that'll be alright. I want my mother to get better, after all.

Now we just have to wait.