Hockey Imagines

Panic- Michael Latta

[pan·ic (noun)
sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior]

We have been together for four and a half years, Michael and I. We're getting married in June, just 3 months away. We have a beautiful two bedroom apartment in Arlington, near Kettler for Michael's job. And, more importantly, we have an adorable 18 month old, Lydia. She has big, chubby cheeks with deep dimples and covered in freckles, and big blue eyes like her daddy. She's our entire world.

I'm an EMT. I've always loved the idea of saving people, whether it be from themselves or others. I see a lot of things on duty. Car crashes, broken bones, gun shot wounds, alcohol poisoning, drug overdose, third-degree burns, the aftermath of a bar fight. You name it, I've probably seen it. But, none of these things could prepare me for the panic that washed over me that night.

It was a Thursday, 6:30 or 7 at night. We hadn't gotten a call in 2 hours and of course everyone was bored out of their minds. Strange that people not getting hurt creates a boring work day for someone, huh? Anyway, we're all getting ready to leave since our shift was ending soon, when we get a call. A very routine call that we get at least once a shift. It's almost always the same in this situation. A college student from George Mason University rushing to their late classes running a red light or texting.

"Collision on north Monroe street and Wilson Blvd. in front of GMU, black Jeep Wrangler and silver Lexus LX." I heard the dispatcher say. We all rushed to the ambulance, hopping in and turning on the sirens. We race down the road, sirens blaring and cars moving out of our way. It doesn't take long to reach the accident and we jump out quickly assessing the situation.

I quickly assess the scene. I see the Jeep, the back seat of the drivers side completely smashed in, broken glass everywhere and no air bags deployed. Then a few feet away I see the Lexus. The front was crushed together like a metal accordion and the engine was smoking a bit. I sneak a peak inside and total panic rushes over me.

I see a pink, flower-print carseat in the back, a large, violet, cursive L sewn into the center. It looked exactly like Lydia's. It had to be a coincidence though, right? But then I looked next to it. It was his hockey bag. There was glass all over the front seats. My eyes filled with tears and my breathing became quick and shallow.

"Where is he?" I asked Carrie, another EMT and a close friend, trying to control my breathing.

"He's over on the curb. He's a bit shaky but he's going to be fine, the boy in the Civic might have a fractured skull, they're getting a stretcher." I turned to see him, head in his hand.

"Tell whoever is at the hospital that this became personal and I went home." I told her and she nodded.

I jogged over to him and he looked up, bringing himself to his feet and wrapping me in his arms. I bury my face in his chest and inhale. He smelled like locker room and iron. I bring my head back and see a bit of blood smeared on his shirt. Then I saw his forehead and saw a small gash. It didn't need stitches, thank god. He was very lucky to have gotten out of this unharmed

"How did this happen? Where's Lydia?" I bombarded him with questions and he lightly and calmly shushed me.

"Lydia is still at daycare. I was on my way to get her." he said, rubbing my arms to calm me a little bit.

"What happened? Who's fault was it?"

"His." he answered quickly. "The light was green so I didn't even slow down and he came out into the intersection going about 15 over the speed limit and I didn't have time to stop before I hit him. God I hope he'll be okay." Now he was panicked, shaking a bit, as he was when I ran up. "Y/N, what if he's not okay?"

"Michael you can't worry about that. This wasn't your fault. Now go over to that police officer and tell him exactly what you just told me and you'll be fine. I promise." I said, his face in my hands. I kissed him gently before watching him walk away.

As he was talking, several witnesses came over to back up his story. After the policeman walked away I saw a college student in a GMU sweatshirt take a selfie with him, obviously knowing who he was. I laughed to myself before he walked back over to me. Out of all possible situations she thinks she can just casually take a picture? Laughable but morally wrong.

"You know what I think?" he asked me, slinging his arm around my shoulder, lovingly. I looked into his eyes and shook my head no. "Well I just had a near death experience. I think was should do something special tonight," he continued, winking at me.

I smacked his chest lightly and then scoffed in false disgust. "Only you could think about that at a time like this." I laughed, glad he was able to make light of the situation. "Well, if you can find someone to watch Lydia tonight then that might be a possibility." He looked at the time on his phone.

"Speaking of Lydia, daycare closes in five minutes." I mumbled a little "shit" under my breath and took his phone and dialed the number for the daycare, telling them the situation and that we'd be a bit late. Then I asked Carrie if she could come pick us up and take us to my car at the hospital.

After getting Lydia, getting her dinner, and dropping her off at Tom's to watch her, Michael and I had an amazing evening. I bet you could imagine what happened that night, no baby in the house.