The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Nearly one in the afternoon and I'm just waking up. Everything hits like a train. Every emotion I've been pushing away. Before getting something to eat, I have one stop to make.

"I'll be right back.", I told Carmen who's eyes are barely open.

Groggy, she says, "Okay."

I locked the bathroom door behind me and peed. Sitting there, I told myself not to do it. "I don't need it", I thought. But I did. A few minutes later, I left the bathroom with less blood than I entered it with.

"What do you want?", I asked Carmen.

"Food.", she said. I smirked because Ryan would have said the same thing.

"How about waffles?", I asked.

"Let's do it.", she replied.

I threw four Eggo's into the toaster then joined Carmen at the table while they toasted.

"So, are you seeing anyone?", I asked.

"I think the proper question would be to ask me how many people I'm seeing.", she said. " I'm just exploring my options. I'm not gonna live here forever so why get tied up in something I'm going to leave next year."

Makes sense. Not my type of thing but whatever floats someone's boat, right?

"You and Loam seemed like you enjoyed each others company last night."

"Oh god. We both were so gone.", I replied. " But yeah, I think we did. I did at least."

"Oh, he did too.", she assured me.

When we started eating, I remembered I hadn't fed Charlie today yet. Carmen grabbed our plates with our waffles, I grabbed a scoop of dog food, and we went to the back.

"Don't worry. He doesn't bite.", I assured her.

*Flashback*

Christmas has finally arrived and there was only one thing I really, really wanted - a new phone. I shattered mine a month ago after dropping it for the hundredth time. It's worked since then but the camera is broken and the cracks on the screen are super distracting. 

"Girls, come on! It's Christmas!", David yelled from downstairs. Christmas day is the ONLY day that Ryan is a morning person. I learned a long time ago to leave her alone until at least eight in the morning, if not later.

Ryan and I walked into the living room to see the floor under the tree filled with gifts. Summer was already sitting on the ground, ready to start opening presents.

"Santa came!", she exclaimed.

"Santa came!", David repeated probably believing it as much as Summer. He still thinks he actually saw Santa, his reindeer and his sleigh on top of his roof as a kid. No joke. I think that's what makes him a great dad. His child-like outlook on so much.

Summer ended up getting her favorite things. My Little Pony, baby dolls, a new bike, and Pokémon cards. That last one was all Ryan's doing.

"Oh my God!!! Thank you!", I said before ecstatically hugging both David and Sarah.

"Great, just this world needs - more selfies.", Ryan said sarcastically.

Besides the phone, I think the case for it was the best thing I got. Solely because my phone is my life.

Ryan got art stuff, gift cards like me, and new shoes. We all made out pretty well.

"We have one more present.", Sarah announced.

"Is it for me?!", Summer asked.

"It's for the whole house.", David answered.

"It's a vacuum cleaner.", Ryan stated.

"Oh we're guessing? Okay, its a muzzle for Ryan.", I jokingly guessed.

"I resent that.", she replied back.

"They said it's for everyone. I think that could benefit all of us", I said back.

"Okay, it's neither.", David chimed in.

"Why don't you guys find out for yourselves. Go in the backyard.", Sarah replied.

We all went to the back and did not expect to find what we did. Summer and I went crazy but not like Ryan. A German Shepherd was waiting patiently until our excitement got to him.

"Wait, he's ours?!", Ryan asked.

"He's ours.", David said. " He's a three year old rescue."

"So, what are you going to name him?", Sarah asked.

Ryan replied, "Charlie."

*END FLASHBACK*

Throwing the ball for Charlie to fetch, I had an idea.

"What are you doing this evening?", I asked Carmen.

"Nothing. Why?"

"Wanna come with me to this dinner thing?"