Shaken

Chapter 2

     Traci and Abby took the elevator down to the lobby and went to the Hardy’s across the street to find some breakfast. They ate their pancakes silently, Traci not wanting to bring up Abby’s dad and Abby not wanting to talk about it. As they walked out of the Hardy’s building, Abby remembered her dream. She stopped on the sidewalk.

     “Traci, remember how I was telling you about those dreams that I was having?” Abby asked.

     “The ones where you were trapped in a car underwater and you couldn’t get out?”

     “Yeah.”

     “Yeah.” Traci said. “What about them?”

     “The police man that talked to me told me that my dad’s car was driven off the bridge, into the river. He almost drowned in that car.” Abby enquired.

     There was an awkward silence as the realization set in.

     “So wait. You’re saying that you dreamt what happened to your dad?” Traci asked nervously.

     “What I’m saying, is that was no coincidence.” Abby answered.

     The two started walking down the sidewalk again, towards the hospital. They entered the hospital and went back to the seats outside the room. A doctor came out and looked around. Spotting Abby, he walked over to her.

     “I’m glad you’re awake.” He said. “I’m Dr. Pecilton. Your father is stable, but in a coma. We put his knee cap back in place, and his calve in a cast.”

     Abby was confused.

     “Doctor, what exactly happened in the crash?” She enquired.

     “As far as we know, your father was heading across the bridge when a semi lost control behind him. The semi bumped his car, hurling his back end towards the side. We’re not exactly sure how the car ended up in the water.” The doctor paused. “But luckily, the water was still shallow. The car plummeted about fifty feet. We found him with his leg twisted up in the steering wheel and his head almost crush from the cars rooftop.”

     Abby sat there, taking it all in.

     “So, when do you think he’ll come too?” She said, fiddling with the magazines on the table in front of her.

     “It’s all up to your dad.” Dr. Pecilton answered. “We really don’t know why he’s in a coma.”

     This didn’t make Abby feel any better. Eventually Dr. Pecilton left to go take care of another patient. Finally, Traci drove Abby home. Abby walked up the steps, and noticed the package sitting by the door. She picked it up. It was addressed to her. Abby trudged up the stairs to her apartment and opened the door. She had left in such a hurry; she hadn’t thought to lock the door. Abby set the package on the kitchen counter, then went to take a shower. She sat there for a while, crouched at the bottom of the tub letting the warm water fow over her body. She stared at the bathroom wall tiles. One of them was placed upside down. She looked at it for a while, lost in thought. Finally, the water started to turn cold. Abby finished showering then dressed in her PJ’s and went to bed. It was Sunday morning.

     By the time Abby woke up, it was late in the afternoon. The sun was starting to set, and the tree outside Abby’s window was leaving a shadow across her bed. Abby sat up, stretched and slid out of her bed. She avoided the package sitting on the counter. Pouring a glass of orange juice, she grabbed her cell phone off her bed and headed out the door. She marched to the parking garage and unlocked her bike. She then rode down the street towards Traci’s house.

     By the time Abby reached Traci’s house, it was almost 8:00. The car wasn’t in the driveway and most of the lights were turned off in the house. Abby slumped. She had forgotten that Traci’s family went to the Evening Service at the Church of Christ. She decided to leave a note on the front door, and go get some dinner.

     “Came by to see Traci. Might come by later.

      -Abby”

     jumping back onto her bike, Abby headed towards the apartment complex. She locked up her bike in the parking garage and ran up to her apartment. She searched the fridge in the kitchen and came out with strawberry yogurt, two hard boiled eggs, bread and pear jelly. She set it out on the counter. While doing so, she pumped the package, which lurched over the edge of the counter and fell to the ground. Abby sighed and slowly walked over to pick the package up. She sat down in front of the counter and cut open the package. A small box sat enveloped in a tight wrapping of newspapers. She lifted it out, examining it. It was from Macy’s jewelry store. She leisurely lifted the lid, then closed it fast. It was a golden locket. A thin golden necklace held a medium sized golden locket with Abby’s initials engraved on the door.

     Abby laid her head down on the counter. Eyes wide open, she just sat there; overwhelmed with guilt. She grabbed the box, and opened the lid again. Inside, was a note written by a jeweler. But it read:

“To My lovely daughter Abby, whose patience is beyond comprehension. Thank you for being mine.

-Love Dad”

     Abby slumped, for the umpteenth time that day. She had internally despised her dad all this time, and her he was practically thanking her for it. Abby’s appetite was gone. She hobbled back to her bedroom, with the box in her hand. She sat down on her bed. Not sure what to do. She opened the box again, and took out the locket. She held it up, and clipped it around her neck.

♫♫♫

     Ten minutes later, Abby’s cellphone rang. She held it up; it was Traci.

     “Hello?” Abby said quietly

     “Hi Abby!” Traci said. “We just got back from church. It was family night tonight. We got your note.”

     Abby remained silent.

     “Are you okay?”

     “Yes.”

     “Are you sure?”

     “No.”

     “Do you want to spend the night at my house?” Traci asked.

     Abby straightened up. “Your parents won’t mind?”

     “Of course not. You know my parents. And besides, you shouldn’t be alone.” Traci said in an assuring voice.

     Abby looked around her room. Everything was so lonely.

     “Okay. I’ll come over. Should I bring my bike?”

     “No, I’ll come and pick you up.”

     Abby jumped up, grabbed her backpack and threw in some clothes, a pair of shoes and her wallet. As she waited on the steps for Traci, she couldn’t help but lift up her locket and look at it. Finally, Traci arrived and Abby threw her stuff in the backseat. She hopped into the front seat, and they drove off. Abby looked back at the apartment complex. The three story building, with its grey/brown siding, looked dead. She could see her bedroom through the branches of the tall oak. Then she turned her head and closed her eyes.