Crash (complete)

chapter three

Jacob was already wearing a scowl, it seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face just lately.
He sighed and shuck his head as he remembered his words to Connie yesterday. "Now I hate you." It kept replaying in his mind. His feud with Connie was getting out of control and Elle wasn't helping.
Connie had only been out the door two minutes yesterday before Elle disappeared upstairs to Hanssen, no doubt repeating every word that was said.
Walking round the corner into the car park Jacob had his mind set on putting things right. Enough was enough. What started out as a bit of fun to make Connie jealous was going to end up costing them there jobs and ruin any chance he had with her.
Jacob noticed Connie's car parked haphazardly across the car park, not in her usual space. He did think anything of it, just that someone in the E.D would be getting a dressing down they won't forget in a hurry.
Getting closer to the entrance Jacob rolled his eyes, a small growl emanating for the back of his throat. "Elle! What have you done!" He said to himself, realizing it was her who was parked in Connie's space Jacob began to walk faster.
Noticing Robyn on the bench outside he asked. "How pissed is she?"
"Who?" Frowned Robyn.
"Connie...I see Elle's parked in her space." Explained Jacob.
Robyn looked puzzled, she held up some paperwork and keys to Jacob. "Here you better take these...recovery just dropped it off."
Looking at the keys in his hand he recognized them as Connie's car keys. "Recovery...I didn't think cars like that broke down." He said.
Robyn stood up in shock. "You don't know do you?" She asked, worry written all over her face.
"Know what Robyn...spit it out!" Said Jacob losing patients.
She said nothing else, just pointed in the direction of Connie's car, from where he was stood now he could see the tangled metal that used to be the bonnet.
There was mud and weeds where the number plate used to be, blood spatter in the broken windshield.
"Recovery said the garage listed on her policy was closed so they brought it here..." starting Robyn but she soon stopped when she realized Jacob wasn't listening.

Jacob's world began to spin, he could hear nothing, only a buzzing in his ears. He was frozen in place as he tried to piece together what he was seeing. The ache in his heart just doubled and it became hard to breath.
"Jacob? Are you ok?" Asked Robyn concerned.
Leaving Robyn where he'd found her Jacob took off, moving as fast as he could into the E.D. "where is she.....where is she?" He muttered over and over again to nobody in particular.
"Noel....where's Connie?" Jacob asked as he reached the reception desk.
"Erm...she's...I'm not sure....they moved her somewhere more private....I think." Stammered Noel.
Jacob kept moving, panic setting in. "Charlie!...please tell me where she is....tell me she's ok!"
"We've moved them into a private side room." Explained Charlie putting a comforting hand on Jacob's shoulder.
"Them?...Grace was in the car?" Worried Jacob.
"Yes...it happened last night after they left here-" "LAST NIGHT!" Exclaimed Jacob. "Why the hell didn't someone ring me...I should have been told!" He said getting worked up.
"To be honest Jacob mate, we didn't know if we should....with the way things have been between the two of you just lately..." said Charlie as gently as possible.
"I need to see her!" Demanded Jacob.
"Ok...Ok...just calm down..." urged Charlie leading Jacob to a room out the way.
"Shes gunna be fine...right?" Queried Jacob.
"I should think so...I'll tell you now...the crash has done nothing to get rid of her stubborn streak though...she's insisted on waiting her turn." Smiled Charlie.

When Jacob walked in he saw Grace sat on one bed playing on her ipad, there was no sign of Connie. "Hey Grace...how you doing?" He asked nervously.
"Fine." Scowled Grace.
"Wheres your mum?" He wondered.
Grace nodded to another door across the room. "Bathroom."
"How's she doing?" Jacob asked.
"What do you care?!...I heard what you said to her yesterday...that you hate her!" Said Grace bitterly.
Jacob approached the side of Grace's bed. "I didn't mean it firecracker...I was angry...what I said couldn't be further from the truth." Said Jacob.
Curiosity got the better of Grace. "What do you mean?"
"I care about your mum so much...hurting her was the last thing I wanted to do...every day I wish we were still together...I imagined..." Jacob stopped and shuck his head. "It doesn't matter now...it's to late now...as long as your both ok...that's what's important."
"We are...mum's waiting for an X-Ray on her shoulder and ankle...she's promised me it's nothing serious though." Grace told him.
"Thats good...Erm...how long has your mum been in the bathroom?" Asked Jacob looking across the room.
"About ten minutes....I checked on her just before you came in...I think she's crying again...She always seems to be crying just lately." Said Grace looking him straight in the eye.
"Grace I'm so sorry...if you'll let me, I want to make this right...I promise you I'll never hurt her again...please Grace." Jacob begged.
Grace gave him a small nod before they were interrupted by the bathroom door opening. "What the HELL do you want?" Barked Connie leaning heavily on the door frame.
"To see how you both were...I was-" "well now you've seen...now get out!" Winced Connie trying to hobble back to her bed.
"Let me help you..." Offered Jacob moving to her side.
"Don't you dare touch me!" Hissed Connie. "Just leave us alone!"
It was then Charlie walked in with a wheelchair. "What on earth are you doing out of bed! You said yourself that ankle looks broken!" He said shaking his head disaprovingly.
"I needed to use the bathroom." Grumbled Connie as she let Charlie ease her into the wheelchair.
"Come on." Said Charlie gently. "X-Ray is ready for you."
"I won't do long Gracie...stay here for me." Smiled Connie.
After Charlie wheeled Connie out Jacob sank down the wall onto the floor. "Jacob?" Asked Grace.
Jacob looked to Grace, his eyes red with unshed tears. "I really have lost her haven't I?"
"I don't think you have...you can't say I told you..." Grace climbed out of bed and sat down beside Jacob on the floor. "After we left here yesterday I asked if she was going to sack you for the way you shouted at her...She said no because that meant she wouldn't see you again."
Jacob looked surprised. "Really?"
"Yep...mum loves you Jacob..." said Grace quietly.
"I don't think she does Grace...I'd like it if she did...but...." sighed Jacob.
"She really does...She told me so!" Insisted Grace.
"Now your just messing with me." Laughed Jacob in disbelief.
"I'm not!" Exclaimed Grace. "Last night before the accident...she told me!"
"Come on...let's get you off of this floor." Jacob stood up and held his hand out to Grace.

Once Grace was back settled in bed Jacob pulled up a chair to sit with her. "Do you remember what happened...how you crashed?" He asked.
"Ye...it was horrible."
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Said Jacob.
"Its ok...I don't mind." Said Grace giving him a sad smile.
Jacob sat and listened to Grace intently as she told him all about the traumatic events of the night before.