Journey to Nowhere

Sirens and Secrets

The sharp ambulance sirens penetrated my bedroom walls at around 4am the following morning. Hoping the sounds would die down I covered my ears with my pillows. After 2 minutes the screeching continued and I chucked the comforter off my body in frustration.

I peeled the floor length, teal curtains away from the window and look down the street to find the ambulance. Much to my surprise, the ambulance was parked right next door- in front of Stephen's house. I couldn't see much besides two EMTs pulling a gurney out of the back of the emergency vehicle.

"Oh no," I whispered, a sudden tightness in my chest.

Throwing on my plush robe and a pair of Tiger slippers I'd slid down the stairs and out the house. A few houses had their lights on and some were standing on their porches to catch a glimpse of what was happening.

The warm, moist air hit me as I got outside. The moon was high in the sky but slightly covered by dark clouds.

Standing on the grass stood Stephen holding and consoling an older women whom I knew was his mother. I let out a sigh of relief knowing Stephen was alright but if it was him or his mother that meant his father was the one currently being strapped onto to the gurney.
Jogging up to Stephen and his mother I stood there with my eyes looking down my slippers. Stephen's mom was breathing heavily and sniffling into Stephen's chest.

"Lynea?" He said, sounding confused.
I looked up and his mother let go, turning to face me.

"Hey, is everything alright?" I asked quietly.
Obviously not everything's alright Lyn, use your head.

Stephen opened his mouth but was quickly interrupted by an approaching EMT.

"Mrs. Melo, we will you need to meet us at the hospital." The man said in a calm voice despite the commotion.

Mrs. Melo turned to Stephen, giving him some signal with her eye in which he nodded and turned back to the EMT.

"Oh yes of course." Her voice still weak. "How is he?"

"Unconscious but breathing, the bleed has lessened but his condition is critical. I can't give you a full analysis at the moment." He explained. Stephen's mom nodded slowly.
Mr. Melo was being loaded into the back of the ambulance by two men in matching EMT uniforms.

"Pilo!" called out an EMT who was jumping out the back of the truck. He waved the EMT standing in front of the three of us over.

"Your husband will be just fine, we'll see you at the hospital." Pilo exclaimed and jogged over to the ambulance as its back doors were being closed.

"Do you want me to come with you ma?" Stephen asked, rubbing her back. She was trembling and I felt as if I should leave to let them handle the situation.

"No dear, I can handle it. If something comes up I'll call you." She said reassuring, wiping away her dried tears.

The blaring ambulance sirens sounded again as it sped away down the street.
"I should get going. Maybe your friend," she started as she looked at me. "I'm sorry darling, what's your name?"

It occurred to me in the eight years that Stephen had been my neighbor I never picked up his parents' names. Hell, I had only mumbled simple greetings to Stephen all these years.

"Lynea. Nice to meet you Mrs. Melo."

"Call me Elena please Lynea. I wish I was meeting you under better circumstances of course." She said sadly. Uncomfortable, I turned towards Stephen who caught on and cleared his throat.

"Ma, you should get going. If they can't discharge him I'll stop by after work."
Elena nodded in understanding and stood on her tiptoes to kiss Stephen's forehead. With a slight nod directed towards me she walked to the silver town car sitting in the driveway.
Stephen and I stood on the front lawn and waited until Elena had disappeared around the corner.