The Distance Between Us

8

Lane

The next morning we wake up slowly and took our time getting ready for the day. Rachel is going to make the trip up to her parents to get the kids while I finish some things around the house. Something she calls a honey-do list.

Last night as she slept peacefully beside me I suddenly realized what an idiot I've been. There's no way I could leave her now, especially since we've found each other again. Of course I know it won't always be sunshine and rainbows, but at least I'll still have her to hold.

For the first time in what's feels like years, I'm seeing clearly, and what I see in the future in something I don't want to miss.

~~~*~~~

Rachel

It was a little disappointing to leave without Lane this morning. And for the first time in years I can't wait to get home to him. He promised to finish up some things around the house; leaking faucets, bad wires and other small things. I look down at the clock on the dash as I enter onto the highway. My mind is so distracted about Lane and last night that the next time I look at the clock I was shocked to see already an hour had passed.

I smoothly switch lanes to get out of the way of other cars wanting to merge onto the highway before my phone began ringing. I can see on the screen that Ross is calling me. I quickly grab my cell, slid the icon over, but find myself never saying hello. Instead I did nothing but scream as I saw nothing but a semi heading straight for me.

~~~*~~~

Lane

I'm satisfied that within almost two hours I've gotten everything finished at the house.

I've told myself that tonight I'll explain to Rachel how I had quit my job and would maybe start my own law firm. It would be going out on a limb, but at least we'd be doing it as a family.

As I head down to grab something for lunch my phone sitting on the counter begins to ring. I pick it up to see Ross's name flashing across the screen. I answer it and find myself becoming panicked at his hysterical tone. I can bearably understand what he's trying to say. I tell him to calm down, but even then I only catch a few words.

Semi-truck.....mom...hospital

~~~*~~~

Lane

I can't explain the overwhelming feeling of confusion, fear and panic as I rush into the local hospital near Rachel's home town. When I enter the waiting room, the kids come rushing over to me with tears streaming down their faces. I haven't known them to do that since Ross was just a boy, and my heart seems to grow at how natural it came to them. I pull them into my arms trying to comfort each one as we sit back down with Rachels parents. Her mother, Amy, glances sadly at me.

"What's happened?" I asked.

Rachel's father, Dillon, sighs heavily. "All we know is that a car swerved in front of a semi-truck on the highway and the driver jerked the wheel to miss the car. He ended up loosing control and crossing the median before..." He cleared his throat. "Before hitting Rachel." His tone is rough and short.

"Have they told y'all anything?"

"No, we've been here almost an hour, but they won't tell us a thing."

Fear rises to the surface in me as for the first time I wonder if my wife will make it.

We all sit in silence knowing that there's nothing anyone could say to ease our minds. Hours seem to pass by, but it was probably only thirty minutes before my fear changed into anger as I made my way over to the front desk. The three nurses behind the large desk are giggling about a doctor when I stop in front of them.