Troubling Paris

Troubling Paris {6}

Turns out I might have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my left hand. Don't know to what extent yet but it may be awhile before I upload again. Truly sorry, but if the CTS worsens, I could lose feeling in my hand -_-

Kaitlin

Chapter 6

Owwww! What the heck? I thought. My head hurt, and so did about everything else. I slowly blinked my eyes and looked around at the bright nothingness. I blinked my eyes and out of the brightness shapes began to emerge. I saw two small tables, both filled over with flowers, and two chairs and a sofa. In one chair sat a small figure, and in the other, and much larger figure. I felt stiff and cramped up, like I had been sleeping for several days. I heard a moan escape my lips, and blinked some more as things became clearer. The smaller figure was Celeste, and beside her... Was the officer from the road! I moaned again, and tried to sit up, but I didn't have enough strength. Celeste was by my side in an instant. The cop just sat there, staring at me intently.

"Lina, Lina, Lina! Oh My God you are finally awake!"She chirped.

"Who let the cop in here?"I moaned.

"I'm just looking into your accident Ms. Paris."The cop said. What was his name?

"What accident?"I asked weakly.

"The one you were in yesterday."Celeste said. She was way too cheerful today.

"I don't know what you are talking about! Where am I?"I asked, looking around and not recognizing my surroundings.

"Lina, you're awake!"A woman cried.

I turned my head to the door to see my mother and father, well foster parents, walk in the door.

"Hey Mom. Hey Dad."I murmured.

"Don't 'hey mom' me Lina! What were you thinking?"There went Mom overreacting.

"Mr. and Mrs. Paris-"The cop began.

"It's Louis."Mom said.

"Louis?"The cop repeated confused.

"Lina kept her birth name. I'm Brenda Louis, and this is my husband Jack Louis."Mom explained.

"I see... Anyways Mr. and Mrs. Louis, I would like to talk with you outside."The cop said, leading my parents out the door. I looked back over at Celeste.

"What happened?"I asked weakly.

"I don't know very much."She said, looking away.

I heard the door open again, and looked to find Professor Mallin there.

"Lina, I'm sorry."She said quickly.

"What's there to be sorry for?"I asked, confused. I was being left out of many things.

"For yesterday. I didn't think of your feelings."She said.

"I'm lost Professor Mallin."I replied, resisting the urge to raise my hand.

"Lina, do you remember anything of yesterday? Of last week?"She asked, before noticing Celeste.

"Can you give us a moment please Celeste."She said.

"Of course."Celeste replied, leaving.

Professor Mallin explained to me everything that had happened yesterday, and I found myself slowly remembering.

I had been driving down the road sobbing, with rain pounding down around me. I lost control and flew into the path of another car. The impact knocked me out. The other person called 9-1-1 and now I was here. I looked over at my teacher and friend, just as the cop and my parents came back in.

"Good morning Ms. Mallin."Mother said.

"Morning Mrs. Louis."She said, standing to leave.

"Did she remember anything else?"The cop asked. I still couldn't remember his name.

"Everything from yesterday."My teacher said, and then she left.

Celeste came in a few moments later and sat beside me.

"How are you feeling sweetie?"Mom asked.

"I hurt and I'm stiff."I replied, stretching out my arms.

"Well the doctor says you can go home Wednesday."Dad said.

"But that's three days of school that I'll miss!"I moaned.

"You'll be fine with how far ahead you normally are!"Celeste laughed.

"So is anything wrong?"I asked.

"The other guy in the accident isn't pressing charges."The cop said.

"Why not?"I asked.

"He heard the story of what happened, of the state you were in, and felt sorry."The cop murmured.

"Is anything wrong with me?"I asked.

"You have a sprained wrist and some minor cuts and bruises."Mom answered.

I looked down at the brace on my arm and laughed.

"Lucky me."

"Well darling, get better soon."Mom said, kissing my head.

"Work?"

"Yeah."Mom replied, leaving.

Dad followed her out leaving Celeste and I alone with the cop.

"I've got to go study for my finals."Celeste said, leaving.

The cop just stared at the window as the awkward silence stretched between us.

"Why are you still here?"Oops, that came out meaner than I meant it.

"If I go home my niece will kill me."The cop replied.

"Kill you? And what is your name?"I asked.

"Alex Montgomery, and because I promised I would take her to Disneyland today."Alex said.

"You can't go now?"I responded, confused.

"It is almost one, I don't think so."Alex laughed.

"Why is it that both times I was sobbing, you were there?"I asked, even though it sounded weird.

"My route includes that road you were on."Alex explained.

"Ah."I replied, yawning.

"I'll leave you alone so you can sleep."Alex said, standing.

"Are you leaving?"For some reason his leaving bothered me.

"What the heck is up with me? I'm just so emotional!"I thought.

"I just need to make a phone call. I'll be right back."Alex said.

"Was it just me or did it seem like he didn't want to leave either? Oh God, I'm going crazy!" I thought.

Alex came back and sat in the chair, and we just stared at each other, not saying anything. Somehow the silence wasn't all that awkward. After a few moments the doctor came in and left a few moments later.

"How old are you?"Alex asked suddenly.

"It's not polite to ask a woman how old they are!"I cried mockingly. "But I'm 22."

"What is your major?"Alex asked.

"Education, I want to teach first grade."I replied.

"That's brave."He murmured.

"Brave?"I asked confused.

"Oh, I live, well, my seven year old niece lives with me."Alex replied.

"What's her name?"I just adored children.

"Kay."Alex said.

"That's beautiful. If you don't mind me asking, why does she live with you?"I asked, not thinking how deep that question could be.