The Accident: Based On A True Story

Chapter Thirty-Three

"Thanks for waiting.", I told Carmen as we drove.

"It's the least I could do after not being there the other night.", she replied.  "Is she always like that?"

Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without Carmen right now.

"As of lately, yeah."

"Hey, can we stop somewhere first?", I asked.

"Yeah. Where to?"

We arrived at the hospital a few minutes later. I knew I had some time to see David before Sarah got here.

"David Morgan.", I told the receptionist.

Finding the information on the computer, she eventually printed out a visitors sticker and said, "Room 213." I asked Carmen to keep a look out for Sarah in case she came.

Arriving at his room, I took a deep breath in and exhaled before making my way in. His eyes met mine.

"Hi.", I told him.

"Casey.", he said with a smile but his voice is barely there. He waved his hand to closer which I did cautiously. I'm afraid to hurt him again.

"I'm sorry David." I said as I tried to hold back tears. I couldn't hold them all back though. "I didn't mean to hurt you guys."

"No, Casey." He struggled to get out. "It's not your fault."

(Text message from Carmen) "Your sister is parking I think."

I have to get out of here.

"I have to go. I love you David.", I told him.

David was the father figure I never got to have. Taking me and Ryan to father daughter dances, eating our terrible breakfasts on Fathers Day, and our little gifts every year on Daughter's Day. Look it up. It's a real thing and only David would know that.

"Casey.", I heard as I'm about to leave. " I love you.", David said.

"You good?", Carmen said as I hopped in the car. I made sure to take the stairs in the hospital.

"Yeah. Let's get out of here."

"Who did you see?", she asked.

"My brother in law." I answered.

"Is he okay?"

"I think he's going to be.", I replied.

I think she could tell how stressed I was.

"I know what will cheer you up.", she said with a smile.

We stopped at Jakes house to buy some coke and promptly went back to the car to do it. She was right. It made an immense difference in my mood.

"Sarah's calling me.", I told Carmen as my phone rang.

"I wouldn't answer it.", she said. "Let her cool down. Besides, you don't need her bringing down your high."

"Yeah.", I replied. Throwing my phone to the side as she called again. I knew I'd have to go back home at some point but I didn't want to think about that at the moment.

Carmen and I headed to her house. Her dad was home.

"Dad, this is Casey.", she said as we walked in.

"Joseph. Nice to meet you.", he said dressed in a long sleeve shirt and slacks. "Are you related to Sarah Morgan by any chance? I feel like I've seen you before."

"Yeah. She's my sister.", I replied.

"He's a doctor at the same hospital.", she replied.

"I'm so sorry about the accident. You're lucky you survived it.",, he added.

"Yeah. That's what people keep saying.", I said as he is about to walk out the front door.

"Carmen, I'll be home in a few hours. Your mom wants us to all have a nice family dinner."

"Great.", she said sarcastically as he left.

"Why didn't you tell me he worked with my sister?", I asked.

"He's never here so I don't ever think about it. I barely know the guy myself."

We went upstairs to her room. A room that could engulf three of mine.

"Have you talked to Liam?", she asked.

"No. Not since the party.", I answered.

"It was a dick move on his part for how he acted but I'm sure he feels bad about it. He always does when he does stupid things.", she replied while starting to paint her nails.

"How many things does he have to feel bad about?", I asked before doing a line as we hung out.

"More than I count. He always does things before thinking.", she answered.

"Speaking of Liam, there's a party out here tomorrow. Think you can go?"

With Sarah the way she is, probably not.

"Yeah.", I answered. "I have nothing to lose."

"So I low what your dad does, but what does your mom do?", I asked.

"Fred.", she said.

"Fred?"

"When she's not playing tennis at the country club or shopping, she's banging our neighbor Fred."

I chuckled, "How do you know that?"

"I'm not a hundred percent sure, but she'll randomly take him something our maid Rosa cooks and doesn't come back for two hours. It's not like she's going there to fix the sink.", she replied.

"Damn. I'm sorry."

"Don't me.", she said. " It gets her out of the house. She's actually become nicer."

"Half glass full.", I reply.

"Hey, you wanna stay for dinner?

"Sure. Not like I have plans. Will your parents mind?"

"No, they won't care.", she replied. Then I started thinking about her dad and Sarah working at the same place.

"Hey, you don't think your dad will say anything about me being here, right?"

"Definitely not. He's not even working today. Just a meeting so he won't see any of the nurses."

"Okay, cool.", I said breathing a sigh of relief.

As dinner approached, we did more lines. Just a couple.

"Carmen. Can you come down here please?", we hear her mom say.

"Ugh. Come on.", she said to me. Getting up, we made our way downstairs. Her mother, father and Sarah stood in the area by the the front door.

"Get your stuff. We're leaving.", Sarah said to me,holding her composure. But I knew.

"No. I'm staying for dinner.", I told her.

"Let's go. Now."

"I said no."

"If I have to drag you out of here kicking and screaming, I will.", she replied.

Involving himself, Carmen's dad said, " I think it would be best if you went with your sister."

Feeling completely rejected, I went upstairs to get my things. The nice dinner, in a nice home, with both parents would never happen. Not tonight. Maybe never.