Puzzled Past

"The Day He Woke Up"

"We met briefly at the hospital." Zachary recalled. Chase and Zachary sat on the hope chest located at the end of my bed, I laid there facing them, newly intrigued by that beginning of the story.

"Oh?" I looked at Chase studying his expressions as the story continued.

"I don't remember much that day... it's all pretty hazy. But I do know that not many class mates would come visit a fellow in a coma. Yet, he did." Zachary finished thoughtfully, his gaze slowly moved to Chase who in return couldn't even look him in the eyes. Zachary shrugged and added, " But I didn't catch his name. So I looked him up as soon as I got to attend public school again. Turns out his real name is Chastity Le Banner.  Which I originally thought was amusing because it to me sounded like a girls name, then I looked up-"

"Yah... uh... my parents were quite out there." Chase admits, as his face got rather flush, finally he looked responsive. "Now I feel the need to ask you both, that that needless information never leaves this room."

Zachary and I make eye contact and tried our very best to hold our composure. But we failed... A laughing storm broke out.

"Come on, it's not that funny." Chase assured us.

"But Chase... (I tried to clearing get across why it was, through the laughter and my now coughing.) Your name itself is a contradiction!" Zachary and I laughed now even louder then before.

"...yah, I... I guess it is." Chase realized and joined in the laughter with quite chuckles.

Suddenly Zachary's phone started to ring, so he got up and exited the room to take the call. Now the laughter was put to rest. I smiled at Chase and said, "It's been quite a while... and I didn't know that about you."

"It's not exactly my social ice breaker." He assured me. We just shook our heads and smiled.

Zacharys phone call took longer then either of us anticipated.
I came to a realization as I sat across from Chase, thinking about the story Zachary told a few minutes prior.

A sickeningly feeling came over me as I looked back towards Chase... we made eye contact and a pitiful sounding apology escaped my mouth, "I... visited him almost everyday that he was asleep... and I never once saw you. I-I should never of assumed." I felt terrible for thinking Chase gave up.

His expression shifted drastically, I could now see heavy pain weighted in his eyes.
"No Grace... your assumptions, for give me, were right."

"How so?"

"The day Zachary woke up, was the first... and last time I visited him." His eyes squeezed shut as he fought to finish that confession.

I just... I just didn't understand him.

'How could he do that?' I wondered.

Chase explained:
"I woke up early that morning to a rather vivid and painful dream, basically recounting the events of the accident...
Watching the helmet slip, and in a slow motion fall to the ground. The flashing red and blue lights that drove him away... the look on you face. Everyone's assumptions of me post accident. I've never been that scared in my life.
I couldn't bring myself to eat... I really couldn't sleep.
I knew I just could not relive that event any longer.
So I went to visit him... Once I saw his still body all hooked up to the ICU machines... I hated myself for not coming sooner.
I was the only one in the room with him that morning. I spoke to him. I tried to tell him 'I didn't mean it, and that no winning bet was worth losing him.
And how clearly I became the biggest loser in the world.
All I knew was that I couldn't lose him...
I took his dead-weighted hand in mine, and promised him... I'd take care of you... in time.
I just needed time.'
I watched a lone tear form and fall delicately down his face and neck...
It was like I couldn't comprehend what had happened.
But he was laying there, right there in front of me.
Anyways, I must of finally fell asleep. Cause some time had past, and I woke up to an ICU attendant checking his vitals. Soon she left the room. I was rather drowsy, from being woken up. I looked at my hand that was still holding tightly on to Zachary's... then I felt a small movement from his index finger. My eyes shot up to meet his.
I instantly let go of his hand as I looked right at his now wide open eyes.
"Zach-!" I didn't want to panic. But I may of slightly. Without a second thought I ran out the room after the attendant that just exited. I told her he was awake and she told me to wait in the waiting room. I was dazed but waited as she asked.
In time, the Dr. invited his parents and I in Unit 1. His parents were overjoyed that he woke up, as Zachary  strained to understand what had happened. The Dr. told us to try to limit excitement, because he's already confused, he then went on to explain that he suffered with a 'slight' case of amnesia. I remember the sound of weeping coming from the family... and I remember clearly,
That's when I broke.
I knew what I lost, but I couldn't stop dwelling on how much you were going to hate me.
I was completely and truly overwhelmed.
Zachary recognized his parents, but didn't recognize me.
He asked who I was, his focus fixed on me, and not the doctor. His parents hesitated, then responded, "A school mate." I was and am, they weren't incorrect, but it served me right. His mother still can't look me in the eye...
Zachary wasn't satisfied with the answer given, so I told him, "I'm nobody."
And I...
I left."

It was obvious that Chase was tired of this emotional and mental fight. No, he's exhausted.
It took him everything he had left to tell me that. My eyes were swollen of tears, and so were his.

"Chase. You can't let this eat away at you like this."

"It's already devoured me, Grace. I'm just relieved I was able to tell someone. But not just anyone... You."
His look darkened as he stood up to leave.

"Are you leaving?" I asked, with mixed emotions. I wasn't sure if I was angry with him or not.

Chase stopped and gently extended his arm out at me. Resting His hand on my cheek, with his index finger he wiped a tear that escaped me. Cold and firmly he said, "I'm rotten, and your the last person I'd ever want to take down with me.
I love you Grace, but... I still need time."

I was at a lost for words as I watched him exit my room, listened to him make his way down the stairs, and then out the front door. My tears in perfect harmony started to fall at the sound as he reved his motorcycle engine and drove away.

I was not expecting this today.