Romani Prince

Chapter 31: The Hospital

They put a half cast on my left leg that took the brunt of the crash into the dashboard. My knee was dislocated and that was the extent of my injuries.

That and the seat belt burn and bruise across my chest that slightly bent my ribs but didn't break anything.

Nurses and doctors were looking at me as if it was impossible for anyone to have escaped this particular accident practically unscathed.

I am still not exactly able, or willing, to put all the puzzle pieces together... Not ready to understand any of it, just yet.

Maybe when finally alone... Somewhere when I can finally let it all loose.

But certainly not in front of an entire crowd of strange faces, feeling sorry for me.

A nurse approaches with a towel and helps me to a full bathroom where I can shower.

Mechanically, I remove the half cast and the jeans that had to be cut into shorts. I stare at my pathetic reflection in the mirror, all bug-eyed, lost, and confused.

There is mud even in my hair.

The boots are gone, so I have been barefoot since they placed the cast on me. I throw the nasty t-shirt in the trash and strip off the tank top I have underneath.

The hot water feels good on my skin, still so cold from the rain. I stare at all the mud going down the drain and try to keep a clear mind.

Don't think about it... Not yet.

My hair and body are finally clean enough.

I put my wet tank top and the muddy shorts back on, then I let the nurse in to help me with the cast.

Feeling a tiny bit more like myself, I follow the nurse to the reception, so I can make a phone call.

"Mina." My voice sounds so flat and lifeless that I barely recognize myself.

"Gaby?" The worry in her voice showing that she realizes that something is very wrong.

"Gaby? What's wrong?"

And I don't know where to start.

"A car accident... My father... He's dead."

There is a soft moan, followed by a short moment of heavy silence.

"Oh, honey... Are you okay?"

My body starts to tremble, again. My free hand grabs the counter, but my voice comes out faint and shaky.

"Just minor injures, which is crazy... My mother is undergoing surgery, right now... It's bad. The driver... He didn't make it, either."

"Holy cow... Gaby..." Mina's voice is weak. I know that she is already crying for me while trying to sound calm, again, for me.

"Where are you, girl? What hospital? Which town?"

I look around, starting to feel dizzy. My legs are giving up on me. "I... have no idea..."

I need to seat down. Now.

"I got to go, Mina..." My voice is barely audible.

"Gaby! Wait! Let me talk to someone else!"

Before I can collapse, I push the phone in front of the receptionist's face. "Please..."

As soon as she takes it, with my legs feeling like jello, I let my body slide down to the floor. I pull the one good knee up to my chest and embrace it, hiding my face inside my folded arms.