Chapter 8 #2
They both sat down, and Detective Gonzalez took the lead. “We just came from the vehicle impound lot, and we believe we’ve located the car that struck you. We’d like to ask you a few more questions to confirm or deny our findings.”
Noah nodded his head, indicating for them to continue.
“Is it okay with you if we video this conversation?”
“Yes, you can record it.” Noah scrubbed a hand through his bedhead. “I didn’t quite expect this to be my premiere.” He smirked, but then grew serious. “Just kidding. I’m ready when you are.”
Detective Stevens pointed the camera at himself and introduced himself and Detective Gonzalez. Then he turned it on Noah and introduced him as well.
“We’re here with Mr. Smith at Memorial Hospital on December 28th at 1400 hours. Mr. Smith, with as much detail as you can recall, please describe the events of the evening of December 24th.”
Noah stroked the three-day-old whiskers on his chin and tried to place himself back at the house that night.
“My family and I had Christmas Eve dinner at our home. We opened presents.” He paused for a sip of water.
“My wife and I had been estranged for a while, working through a rough patch in our marriage. We decided that I would move back home that night. I had driven back to my apartment to grab some clothes and stuff.”
Detective Gonzalez shifted in his chair. “Can you please provide us with a time-frame and the weather conditions? Was it still daylight?”
“It was around 7:00 p.m. when I left the apartment. The sun had set a few hours earlier, and the fog was very thick—it was difficult to see. I had my fog lights on and was creeping along when I came across a disabled car on the side of the road. It had its parking lights and hazard flashers on. I pulled the car aside and rolled down my passenger window. It was an elderly gentleman with a flat tire. He told me he’d been waiting for help for a long time, and his cell phone was dead, so he asked if I could help because he wasn’t able to change the tire himself. ”
Noah held up his hand for a break and drank some more water. “Sorry. My throat is still sore from the tube.”
Detective Gonzalez nodded sympathetically. “Take your time. We can break whenever you need to.”
“Thanks,” Noah set his cup on the bedside table and signaled that he was ready to continue.
“I pulled my car over off the road in front of his, left my headlights on, and turned on my hazards. I set up a couple of safety reflector cones and flares in front of my car and behind the gentleman’s car.
He wanted to help, but it was so cold and foggy.
I asked him to stay in the car, which he did. ”
He shook his head and stared out the window for a long moment. “Fortunately, he did, or two people could’ve gotten hurt.”
The room fell into a thick silence again.
“Please continue if you can,” Detective Gonzalez waved his hand.
“Okay. I changed the tire and stood up to store the flat tire and jack in the trunk. I was turning to pick up the tire when I saw a car headlight bearing down on me on the right side. I remember there was just one headlight because I thought it might be a motorcycle at first.” He raised his hands.
“I’ve told you everything I can remember.
Next thing I knew, I woke up here, and Ashley was asleep in that chair. ”
Detective Stevens ended the recording and stood to shake Noah’s hand. “You’ve been very helpful. The pieces of the puzzle are coming together, and we will find justice for you and your family.”
Noah pressed his lips together and looked around the hospital room.
His gaze settled on his fractured legs. “Not sure why this happened. I might not be able to be a firefighter again. But I do know with all my heart that God’s got this, and this accident is part of His plan for me.
God allowed me to reunite with my beautiful wife and family.
There’s a future for us together, and I’m just going to take it day-by-day.
Detective Gonzalez smiled. “Much respect, man. Much respect.”
Noah glanced around his new room on the orthopedic floor.
His heart filled as he took in the faces of all the people he loved.
His parents had brought the girls for a visit, and they were telling him all about their first day back at school after Christmas break.
Ashley was laughing at the girls’ antics and seemed more like her relaxed self.
“Principal Tate called me into his office today. The school wants to plan a pep rally for you when you come home, for being so brave.” Emma said sweetly. “They’re going to ask you to speak if you’re up to it.”
Katie bounced in her seat. “Everyone at school was asking about you today—the teachers, cafeteria workers, even the librarian. All my friends think you’re the coolest dad ever.”
Noah laughed. “Okay. I’ll take it.”
Emma scooted closer and laid her head on his shoulder. He tossed Emma’s ponytail and gave Katie a hug. His heart felt complete.
Ashley stroked his arm. “We love you and can’t wait to have you home.”
He turned to his parents, emotion tightening his throat. “You’re both rock stars. How can I ever thank you for being here and taking care of my girls?”
“By regaining your strength every day and coming home.” His dad’s eyes welled, and he swallowed hard. “That would be the best gift ever.”
“Absolutely.” His mom patted his hand. “We’ll stay as long as you need us to.”
“Thanks, Mom. Ash and I appreciate your help. Once I’m out of this traction and into a wheelchair, it’ll be easier for me to move around the house.”
“Are you nervous about your surgery tomorrow?”
“Not really. Anxious to have it done. If all goes well, I should be discharged in a couple of days. I can’t wait to get out of here.” Noah shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong. Everyone’s been great, but I’m ready to go home.”
“Understood, son. Soon.”
Emma sat up and turned to Ashley. “Hey, Mom, we ran into Mrs. Hendricks at the grocery store after school today and said to tell you and Dad hi. They’ve been praying for us.”
“That woman and her husband are incredible.” She turned to Noah’s parents. “The Hendricks are in their sixties now. They had four biological children and adopted several foster kids who are now adults, some with children of their own. The last one at home is their adopted son, Felix.
His mom smiled warmly. “Bless them. They sound like angels on earth.”
“I saw her too at the store.” Emma piped up. “She was with an older boy I hadn’t seen before. I said hi, but he kept his head down and ignored me. She grimaced. “He seemed kind of mean.”
Ashley looked at Emma and said quietly, “Maybe he’s just scared. Most likely he is being fostered by the Hendricks, too. That alone would be a lot for anyone, especially a teenager.”
Eager to fill them in on her new position she continued. Felix has Down syndrome and attends the special education program where I’ll be working as a school nurse. The Greystone school district is small so the K-sixth is separate and the middle/high schools are joined.
I’m so excited the girls can just walk over to my office after school. I will just love having them close by. “All those long foggy commutes to Sacramento.” Ashley let out an involuntary shiver just thinking about it.
“We are glad you don’t have to do that commute anymore.” Todd agreed. “Mary and I were concerned, especially with how thick that Tully fog can be. This will be a much better situation for all of you.”
Ashley looked down at her husband. She could see the lines of fatigue on his face. “I think we should tell our star patient good night and let him get some rest. Big day tomorrow.”
“Yup, I am tired. Going to take some time to get the energy level back up.” Noah laid his head back down on the bed.
Ashley kissed him and said, “I’ll be here first thing in the morning. Get some rest. Love you.”
“Love you too honey.”
Everyone took a turn saying good bye with hugs and kisses. Noah settled into his bed and closed his eyes, trying not to over think the surgery tomorrow.