Dear Life

Finishing Touches

The summer winded down quickly after the Country Thunder festival, Steph and Dustin were still talking but she wasn't counting on it being anything more than a fun night.

I looked at the to-do list in front of me at work while my mind drifted to wedding things. I heard a knock at the door, my supervisor Laura "Hey Jenna, do you have a minute."

"Absolutely, come in." She closed the door behind her. "We have a family conference for Mrs. Bragg, it's in an hour - can you make it?" I looked at my to do list.

"Yeah - I have mostly documentation today." I smiled, "Anything I need to know before we go in?" I got my notepad and pen.

"Her family thinks she can go live at home." My eyes got wide. This poor woman lost her husband just as her dementia was beginning to spiral out of control. She forgets he died, she gets into fights with the other women and shes a flight risk. "We know she shouldn't - for safety of course." 

I nodded, "Well, how about I pull together info from the last month - program attendance, any issues or risks we encountered from the rec team?"

"That would be great. I'll meet you in the conference room." She excused herself to a page and I got chipping away at building the case to keep Mrs. Bragg at the hospital. 

As I was working, I got a text from Hunter.

H: "One month today. Playing Bluebird tomorrow - surprise show"

J: "Brilliant & yes!!"

H: "Love you. Have a good day at work"

J: "thanks babe"

Hunter was at  writing retreat for a few days in Chattanooga and was coming home tonight. I finished preparing my documents and headed over to the conference room. We met with the family. They felt guilty for their loved one being hospitalized. 

"Her safety is our primary concern," I noted, "your mom needs consistent supervision to keep her safe. She has tried on a few occasions to sneak out with other families, and she also found the joint access in the dining room. People with dementia don't realize they have it," I continued, "my grandma had dementia due to strokes we didn't know she was having. It became extremely dangerous for her to live even at my house with my parents." I recounted that memory, hopeful that the family would see where I'm coming from.

They nodded , but wanted to explore other options, homecare or something else. "We understand." Laura excused us and allowed the social worker to finish the conference. "Thank you Jenna, for being vulnerable and sharing your experience. I hope that helps them see how much we really care."

"I hope so," I forced a smile. Seeing what my grandparents went through pushed me to work with older adults. "I'm going t finish up these documents then I'm done for the week." Laura nodded, seeing the small pile of manila folders on my desk. I liked working three days a week where I could look forward to a four day weekend. I pushed through the last of the files and the clock read three thirty – quittin' time.

I made it home in no time, still no Hunter. I decided to put a lasagna in the oven and flip through my emails with the tv buzzing in the background. "Car accident in Manchester on I-Twenty Four." I turned to see the chopper view of a multi vehicle crash on the highway Hunter would be on to get home tonight. I wasn't even hearing the news details but couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Nervously I decided to call him. Voice mail. Trying to breathe and remind myself that he was working, he could be late.... I decided to text him and let him know about the accident and to call me as soon as possible.

Time creeped by, the time for the oven dinged, reminding me to eat. Still nothing from Hunter. I couldn't watch the news so I hauled some laundry to the living room and started folding it, singing to myself. Finally after what seemed like eternity, my phone rang.

"Hey babe, I'm sorry I couldn't call you sooner."

"Don't worry, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, we are fine." His voice sounded dull.

"Hunter?"

"Yeah, sorry," he took a pause and I heard shouting in the background and some indistinguishable noises. "We are at the hospital – don't panic, we are fine. We were in that accident but it's minor. Could've been worse."

"Jeez Hunter," I took a deep breath. "Does Joelle know?"

"No, can you call her – I promise we are fine, just getting checked out."

"We can come get you. I will call her now."

"Only if you're not busy. I'll text you the address."

"Love you Hunter."

"Love you Jenna."

Tears welled at the corners of my eyes as I called Joelle.

"Hey Jenna. I was just about to call you. Have you heard from the guys?"

I told her what Hunter told me and I headed out the door to pick her up. Joelle hopped into the car and we headed for the Unity Medical Centre in Manchester. "We can't catch a break." Thinking of the break in, the car and now this. "This is going to be the longest hour." Joelle put her hand on my shoulder.

We finally made it and Joelle and I went into the emergency room looking for the guys. "Can I help you?" a plump, smiley nurse asked.

"We are looking for some people that came in with the car accident.." I lowered my voice and said, "Hunter Hayes?" The nurses eyes lit up and she wiggled from around the desk.

"Are you Jenna and Joelle? I'll need to see some identification." We showed the nurse our id and she took us to a bay behind the nurses station. "Knock, knock!"

"Yes?" Sam called.

The nurse drew back the curtain, just popping her face in, "Ya'll have some ladies here."

"Let them in please." Sam said... The nurse let us in, drew the curtain behind us and went on her merry way.. I was wondering to myself where Hunter was. "Hey ya'll," Sam hugged us both "Jenna, Huter is getting an x-ray, he should be back in a few minutes." I must have been wide eyed because Sam sat me down and explained to us what happened. "We were making good time then things slowed down – there was an accident up ahead. We slowed down but the car behind us didn't." I looked up and down Sam and Devo's arms, full of small scrapes, "We got rear ended and that pushed us forward. Hunter was in the back so he's not scraped up but I think he got whiplash. The airbags went off and then we heard more screeching and smashing.." His voice trailed off and Joelle gave him a hug.

"I heard on the news that seven cars were totalled."

"Hunter," I turned as a nurse wheeled him into our bay. "Are you alright?"

He got up slowly, "Just sore. Could've been worse."

"We are so glad you're okay. Hunter – you're supposed to be getting married in three weeks. We don't need more crazy." Joelle said.

"I know – we are doing the bluebird acoustic tomorrow, then I'm off!"

I was so thankful that Hunter was okay. We piled the guys into the SUV and made our way home. All Hunter had to do was make it through the acoustic show, then he was home for the three weeks leading up to the wedding.