Parallax

Chapter 3: Dad

We hurried into the hospital, waiting outside of his room.

I twisted my hands in worry, trying to think of happy thoughts. My phone rang, and do you think you can guess who it was?

Creed.

I answered, and chocked out, "Hello?"

"Hey Roth-what's the matter?"

"Creed, I don't think I'll be able to make it to movie night."

"What's wrong?"

"I-," I couldn't get the words out. I just couldn't. I sobbed into the phone, with Creed giving my comforting words.

"It's okay, it's okay," he said. "You don't have to tell me."

I cried for a couple more minutes, trying to calm myself down.

It's okay, Roth, I thought. It's okay.

I took a couple deep breaths, before I managed to say, "It's Dad. He's in the hospital."

"Oh my gosh. Is he okay?"

"I-I don't know. He got in a car accident, and they're still working on him."

"I'll cancel movie night and come down there with you."

"No, no, no," I said. "It's fine. It's okay."

"No, really," he argued. "I'll reschedule it so you can come too."

"Really, Creed! It's fine! I don't want to ruin your fun!"

"Okay, well, I'll call the gang and see what they think."

"No, Cree-," I tried to say, but I was cut off because he had already hung up. I growled in frustration.

I leaned my head up against the wall and slouched in my chair. "How long ago did they find him?" I asked Mom.

"They said they found him and his identity around 9:00 this morning," she answered, sniffling.

"How much longer do you think they'll be?"

She shrugged and hugged me. "I don't know, sweetie, but I'm sure he'll be fine."

I nodded and hugged her back, not sure what to think. I didn't know if I should be worried, or be glad that they found him today instead of a week later. "Where did he wreck?" I choked out.

"It was out in the country somewhere. Apparently a deer ran in front of him just before he reached a bridge, and he crashed into a shallow stream. Luckily the stream was too small and shallow for him to drown in," she said, sobbing.

I hugged her again, and we sat in silence for another couple of hours.

.............................................................................................

12:00 a.m. My eyes were open, but it was if I were asleep. I was unaware what was going on around me, my head was slumped sideways. My mind was mixed with emotions, flying around like clothes in a washing machine.

"Roth? Earth to Roth!" A strong hand was shaking my shoulder, trying to awaken me. "Roth!"

"Hmm?" I looked up and found Creed keeled beside me, tapping my cheek.

"How long have you been here?" he asked.

I blinked and shrugged, not wanting to pull out my phone to find out. "How was movie night?"

"We decided to reschedule it."

I lifted the corner of my mouth in an attempted smile, but I couldn't produce it. I scooted over so he could sit beside me and patted the seat. I sat and put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned my head on his chest and cried silently.