The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Fifteen

So today was pretty uneventful especially since I couldn't write with my arm the way it is. Plus side, I finally took off the sling after school. I forgot I could do that today.

Keegan brought me home after waiting for me at the front of the school. He wanted to come in and fill but I told him I was spending the day with Sarah which was a complete lie. It didn't hurt that her car was in the driveway when he dropped off. I don't see much of lately.

Ryan hated Sarah's car. "Why must you drive a mom car?", she would Sarah, who would then reply, " Because I'm a mom. Leave my baby alone." Yeah, she called her car her fourth child after Summer, Ryan and I.

After walking in, it's as if she was waiting for me. She was sitting on a chair in the family room facing towards the door.

"You're home.", I said quite shocked.

She nodded her head before saying, " They sent me home. Said I needed rest."

"You do.", I told her acting more like the adult in this house than she has lately.

She looked at me as if I was some alien. Her eyes spoke more than she has. Shame, anger, hatred, sadness... I felt all of it running through my bones.

Sarah stood up and walked closer to me but not before I took a step back like a cowardly dog.

She looks at me one last time. "My dad is coming by later tonight to take you get food for the house."

"Tonight?", I asked remembering that the party would be my next escape from it all.

"Have plans?", she asked with little emotion. Like a loaded gun, I didn't want to be the one to pull the trigger.

"No." It was apparent that that was the only answer I could give that wouldn't ignite the fire burning in her.

Staring straight into my eyes coldly and distantly, it was like she could see inside of my head. I don't know what she was looking for but she went upstairs immediately after. It's not much but it's a step, right? Like an orphaned animal, I took any sign of communication with her as something that's better than nothing at all.

(Text to Liam from Casey) "Can't go tonight. Next time though."

(Text from Liam) "I'll hold you to it."

My days at home are spent either on my phone or sleeping - usually in the living room if I know Sarah won't be here. My mind, since the accident, runs more than Olympic runner, Usain Bolt who has a Cheetah chasing after him. I've caught myself a couple times, and for just a moment, thinking of possible ways I could get them back. I know it sounds crazy, and I know nothing will bring them back, but it happens.

I waited on the couch for Eric until but eventually felt asleep on the couch.

"Casey.", I hear in my dream as the sound of my name got louder. It was Eric waking me up.

"Casey.", he said again as he nudge me.

A little groggy, I open my eyes.

"Hey kid. I'm here to take you to the store. Where's your suster!?", he asked.

"Uh, upstairs last time I knew."

"Okay I'll be right back.", he said. "We'll go in a few minutes."

Eric went upstairs and knocked on Sarah's closed door.

"Sarah? Honey?", he asked with no answer. Not even a sound in the other end. "We're heading out. Do you need anything?"

Again, no answer. If only he had known she was awake with her headphones in her ears, watching home videos and scrolling through old photos on her laptop of what used to be.

Eric ave up and came back downstairs.

"You ready?"

"Yeah, let's go.", I answered.

On the drive to our local, and only, major grocery store in the area, Eric asked, "How's it going?"

Taking a second, "It's going.", I say.

"And your sister?", he asked.

This time I simply shrug my shoulders and say nothing.

"That bad?"

"No. Its just, I don't see her a lot. I don't know know how she is.", I say trying not to get myself in more trouble. No one knows how she's been towards me. Not fully anyways.

"Where does she go?", he asked.

He can tell I'm thinking about it which is not what I wanted.

"I don't know. The hospital to see David I guess.", I answered.

He nodded is head and pursed his lips while glancing at me.

"How's the football arm doing?", he smiled and asked knowing I've never played football a day in my life and flag football doesn't count.

"Better. I can't wait to get it off though."

"When will that be? What did the doctor say when you went back?", Eric said.

"Not exactly sure.", I answered. " I, umm, I haven't went back yet."

Eric seemed a little saddened and stunned by my answer as he said, "Well we'll have to fix that. I'll take you."

I'm not sure if he was more shocked that I just haven't been or that his daughter has become someone unrecognizable.

Eric bought anything I wanted which wasn't much. I haven't had an appetite lately, so he just throwing things in the cart he thought a sixteen girl would like.

"You're going to love these. They're donut holes but not just any kind. They're filled with the creamiest chocolate you will ever eat.", he said. He's definitely more excited about this than I am and still has the appetite of a fourteen year old boy. He's trying though. I can't fault him for that.

We loaded up the car with fruits, chips, soda, chicken, and everything in between, then hit the road. I think I'll be stocked up for the next two months.. Especially since no one else will be eating it with me anymore. Driving home we sat more quietly. With jazz playing in the background on the radio, Eric suddenly hits the brakes after a kid runs in the street. Hyperventilating again, Eric tries to calm me down.

"It's okay. Casey, it's okay.", he keeps saying.

"I want to walk the rest of the way.", I told him.

"Sure.", he replied not really sure how to handle this situation. He seems more worried than me.

All I kept thinking about was the truck that hit us. After the accident, there was probably more blood on it than gas inside of it. I didn't see that in person but people on social media, who posted photos, did. Why post something like that? Is the validation of comments and likes really more important than the story behind the photo?

I got to the house a few minutes after him. He waited outside for me then started unloading the groceries not mentioning what just happened. Once inside, he helps me put them away, quietly.

Sarah walks the the kitchen doorframe and leans against it, watching for a second.

"Thanks dad.", she tells Eric before walking away. Eric looked at me and I quickly looked away, getting back to putting the food in their respected areas in the kitchen. Bananas on the table in the bowl, cheese in the bottom left drawer of the fridge, soda in the pantry...

After finishing, neither one of us knew what to say each other.

"Thank you.", I told him. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom."

Exiting the kitchen, I head straight for the bottle of pills.