A Day Passed, One Hundred Years Passed

Chapter 4: Accidents

I stand up and stretch, “Nancy, “Time to wake up.”

I look at the calendar and sigh, “Almost winter break.”

I hug the jacket around me and see Nancy slowly open her eyes, color in her cheeks. She has been doing great for the past few months, every Friday I stay the night with her and I visit her Sunday. I come as often as I can and Paul always comes with me. Our relationship is great, nothing has changed accept we’ve grown closer. Nancy looks at me, “Are you thinking about Jenna?”

I nod my head, “She hasn’t spoken to me in months. I don’t know why, it’s like she’s mad at me. She’s barely at school anymore but I know she’s not sick. I see her all the time with her family walking toward the forest. I hear her father likes to hunt.”

Nancy shakes her head, “I’m sorry dear, things will get better! Aren’t your parents coming home tonight?”

“Yes at noon.”

“Are you excited? How long has it been?”

“It’s been three weeks, a long business trip.”

Nancy smiles, “Well you should get home then dear and clean up!”

I smile and shake my head, “Nice try Nancy; I promised I’d be by your side, you can’t get rid of me that easily.”

Nancy smiles and shakes her head, “Actually I have a surprise for you.”

“Really, what is it?”

Nancy nods as a nurse attendant brings in breakfast. The nurses all know me and thank me for coming. Nancy takes the tray and sets it in her lap, “I will do it myself today.”

I look at her surprised; usually I feed Nancy and talk to her so that she’s not pressured by the task. Nancy takes her spoon and eats her yogurt on her own smiling and silently. She usually talks a little bit between bites. I watch her proudly and smile, “Nancy, I’m so proud.”

Nancy finishes the quickest she’s ever and smiles, “Thank you Natalie, it’s been your friendship that’s helped me the most. You stay with me and always visit.”

I smile and see Paul waiting in the door way, “Ready?”

I nod and hug Nancy, “I’ll be back tomorrow!”

Nancy breathes in deeply, “No, you stay with your parents this weekend. Understand? You deserve to spend time with them.”

I can see the sincerity in her eyes, “You’re so kind. Thank you Nancy.”

I walk out with Paul and back towards my house when I see a police car stopped outside my house. I look at Paul, “What’s going on?”

Paul shrugs and walks with me up to the officer knocking. I say, “Sir? Can I help you?”

The officer turns around. He’ got a clean uniform, his radio is going off and his badge catches the sunlight. He looks middle aged and kind. He approaches me, “Excuse me, I’m looking for Natalie Parks.”

I feel worried, “I’m Natalie Parks.”

“I’m so sorry to tell you this, but your parents were involved in a serious car accident. I’m afraid they were killed in it.”

I clasp my hands over my mouth and Paul hugs me, “Natalie, I’m so sorry.”

I can feel the sting, its tears escaping. I couldn’t help it, what was I supposed to do. I felt alone and sad, tired, and lonely. What was I supposed to do without my parents; they were so kind and supporting. I can feel my nose start to run as my face is tear stained. I cry in Paul’s arms for a while and then the officer puts a hand on my shoulder, “I’m so sorry for you loss miss. I’m afraid you must come down to the station and fill in some papers. You will be moving in with your grandmother.”