MARIEL

13~He Probably Deserves It~

Mariel's knuckles were white from the intense grip of his hands around the steering wheel. The windshield wipers moved rhythmically as Mariel and Esther sat anxiously awaiting the red light to turn green.

Mariel stared straight ahead of him, leg stiff and ready to transition to the gas. In his peripherals, he saw Esther sitting stiffly in the passenger seat, hands folded in her lap and her cell phone resting between her legs. Her face was pale. Quietly, Mariel reached over and searched for her hand. Esther looked at him, eyes wide with worry and fear, and enclosed her hand around his in return.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

Her voice wavered. "None of this is your fault, Mars."

The light turned green and the tires spun multiple times in the snow before the car lurched forward. Despite not wanting to, Mariel took his hand from Esther's to stabilize the car. It brought him back to the time Fr. Jerome taught him to drive in the snow, how he had almost crashed the car into a light post. His father had calmly grabbed the wheel and had taken control. Needless to say, no crash had occurred, and while Mariel had expected Fr. Jerome to be angry, the priest had simply parked the car and laughed.

Mariel gripped the steering wheel again and turned into the hospital parking garage. "Has your dad texted yet? Anything new?"

Esther glanced at her phone. "No... the last thing he said was that Hawk and your dad are on the same floor getting care in the trauma center. He hasn't heard anything other than that."

Frustratingly, Mariel searched for a parking spot and almost collided with another vehicle coming around the corner in the parking garage. He slammed his palm on the horn and it echoed. "Move, idiot!" He smashed his foot against the pedal and the engine roared as he aggressively turned around the corner. The tires screeched as soon as he saw a parking spot and he turned. Esther had already unbuckled herself and opened the passenger door as soon as the car stopped.

Mariel shut off the car and exited as well. "You know where to go?"

Esther nodded and, tightening Mariel's coat around her body, walked briskly towards the elevator at the other side of the garage. He followed her, his long strides catching up to her within a couple seconds.

As soon as they entered the emergency room, Esther stopped the first nurse she saw. "He and I are here for Jason Caravan and Jerome Nadier. Do you have any updates? Where is the waiting room for the trauma center?" Her voice shook but the questions came fast.

The short, white-haired woman led them past the desk. "So far no updates, I'm sorry. I'll get you to the waiting room though. There's cups, water, and coffee in the room, is there anything else I can get you guys while you wait?"

Desperately, Mariel glanced around. "I want to see my dad. Please let me see him."

The nurse stopped just outside the waiting room. "We can't, sir, I'm sorry. Give it time and we will get the information to you as fast as possible." She opened the door for them, and immediately Mariel saw Todd and Mary Caravan rise to their feet.

Esther rushed forward into their waiting arms.

"Let me know if you need anything," the nurse said softly and left, closing the door behind her.

Mariel watched as Esther cried in her parents arms, fighting the jealousy he felt that she was with her parents and he was not with his own father. He stood there awkwardly, shoving his hands in his pockets and bending his head.

After a moment, Todd released Esther and came forward. His eyes glistened with tears. "Hi, Mariel. Thank you for getting Esther here. I can't tell you how sorry I am about your dad. We are all praying for him."