Chapter 3
The following Saturday morning, Ray decides to tell Jake his story. Jake asked me to be present for the conversation, which I initially declined, feeling they needed time alone, but Jake was having none of that. Since I already knew most of it, I agreed.
After hot homemade soup and fresh bread with Zander, I hop in my Jeep and drive over there.
I’m nervous for Jake; he’s going to be upset, and I hate it.
I unlock the door when I arrive, calling a greeting.
Jake hollers from his room that he’s curling.
It’s been a thing ever since New Year’s Day.
Whenever I visit, he yells that he’s doing something he can’t yet.
I think it’s a coping mechanism, and he finds it hilarious.
He’s been skydiving, BASE jumping, planting flowers, and painting, to name a few. “Are you winning?” I respond.
“Of course I am,” he calls back.
Chuckling, I say hi to Ray, who's cleaning up lunch dishes in the kitchen. “How are you? Ready for this?”
“I don’t think I will ever be ready for this conversation, Summer,” Ray replies, a nervous energy surrounding him as he fumbles a plate. “But I put it off too long as it is.”
“I know. Come in when you’re ready,” I smile, patting him on the shoulder before heading to Jake’s room. “Hi handsome.”
“Sum. Thanks for coming.” Jake is wearing the hoodie Zander got him for Christmas and some jogging pants today, with a blanket around his knees.
It’s great to see him holding his head up on his own regularly now, and he can use his hands and feet a little.
His muscles are still weak, but he’s improving.
He’s got some scruff on his face again today, and the more I see it, the more I like it on him.
His hair is still a little long too. Jake got a haircut every two weeks of his life, but it’s not a priority at the moment. Maybe he’ll leave it longer if I ask?
I say hi to Will before lying beside Jake on the bed.
Will anticipated, or Jake asked Will to scoot him over to make room for me.
It looks like he and Will were playing a video game before I got here.
Jake doesn’t have the coordination yet to use a controller, but his voice commands are sharp and quick.
“I’ll be in the living room watching tv,” Will tells us, walking out with a nod.
“How bad is this story gonna be today, Sum?” Jake inquires, kissing my head as I snuggle into his side.
Fear is present in his baby blues, an unusual look for Jake.
Even though we have a safe phrase, we rarely use it.
Jake reminds me of Hurry in that respect, a bit of golden retriever energy, nothing getting him down for more than a moment.
Before the accident, we both had easy childhoods, so we had little to worry about or fear.
“It won’t be fun, but you need to know.” I wrap my arm through his, getting comfortable. I remind myself that he will handle the information. Jake won’t be alone in dealing with all the mess like I was. Please let our support be enough. The thought of Jake spiraling like I did isn't an option.
“At least he’s finally telling me. I’ve asked for weeks now,” he mumbles against my hair.
“I know, but it’s a very difficult thing to talk about. He wanted you to be comfortable and remember everyone. That plus the holidays, and I understand why he waited.”
Jake grumbles but doesn’t say anything else.
I grab the remote and switch to a sports channel, turning the volume down low as Ray joins us.
Another addition to Jake’s room is a comfortable chair for Ray to sit on.
It’s a cushioned armchair with wheels that Ray invested in.
He glides over from the corner to sit beside Jake.
“Ready, son?” Ray asks, a frown already in place along with unsteady breathing.
“Are you?” Jake replies with sarcasm in his tone. I look up to see his eyebrows drawn up and a scowl on his face.
“Hey you, don’t be rude,” I tell Jake, tapping his stomach with the back of my hand.
Ray gives me a wan smile before taking a deep breath and sitting back in the chair, attempting to get comfortable.
“I guess I'll start at the beginning. I got a call from the police at the same time your mom did, that there was an accident and to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
They gave us no details, so I left work and rushed there.
Your mom arrived just minutes after me, and they sent us up to a waiting room on the second floor.
“I don’t know how long we sat there before a doctor came out and told us you had been in a car crash.
Your injuries included broken bones, a concussion, and extensive bruising.
He took us back to your room, and we found you hooked up to several machines.
The medical staff had already cleaned you and put on a cast, but we could see some bruising.
” The weight of shadows settles over his posture, ghosts haunting his eyes. “You looked like you were sleeping.
“Your mom broke down crying, and I asked about Summer, Vanessa, and Lily, but they wouldn’t release any information.
I knew Belinda was your mom’s emergency contact, so I called her, but it went straight to voicemail.
It was several hours later before she called back, asking if she could meet me.
She was very upset, so I feared the worst. We met in the waiting room, and she told me Lily and Vanessa didn’t make it and that Summer was in surgery, but she was having a hard time getting information about her since she wasn’t next of kin.
“I called a local judge I knew, our lawyer, and the chief of police. It took a few hours, but we obtained next-of-kin rights. I spoke with the police at the hospital while Belinda went to talk to the doctors.
“Summer will tell you about her injuries later. That’s her story.
After talking to the police, I waited with your mom in your room for updates.
I think it was the next day that we were told a drunk driver hit the car and your vehicle tumbled over the edge of the mountain.
Police were still investigating, but I got the name of a good injury law firm in D.C.
from our family lawyer, called them, and got a lawsuit in motion for us and Summer.
“Summer was in a medically induced coma from all her injuries, but alive. I spent my time between your room and Summer's. The days blurred together in a never-ending loop. I lost track of what day or even week it was.” Each relived moment of the accident seems to age Ray further, his features dulled and etched with the weight of his memories. A similar look from when we returned to Charlotte for Jake’s second attempt.
His shoulders sag forward, a sigh escaping his lips.
“Doctors couldn’t figure out why you weren’t waking up, son, and your mother was overcome with grief. Eventually, we had things to deal with. CPS got involved, Summer’s house and affairs needed to be taken care of, your school, the lawsuit, and so on.
“Belinda and I set up a property management company for Summer’s house.
She went in and cleaned up, threw out the food, did laundry, and things like that.
She tried to get approval to foster Summer, but because of all her work travel, the agency denied her application.
I took care of Vanessa’s will as much as I could, and things like utilities for the house and the insurance.
Vanessa's lawyer and the police helped get it all sorted.
The rest was on pause, waiting for Summer to recover.
“When Summer eventually woke, Belinda and I were in the room with the police and her family lawyer. They told Summer what had happened and, rightfully so, she became inconsolable. Considering her age and injuries, her doctor, the police, and the lawyer concluded she shouldn’t make decisions.
After discussions with Belinda, they granted me power of attorney for her.
“Evidence was collected for the trial. Belinda was with you for the photographs, Summer. I don’t know if you knew that.
We never left you alone for even a day while you were in the hospital.
We took turns making sure you had what you needed.
Lawyers and police suggested we bury Vanessa and Lily, as the doctors were estimating months before Summer’s release from the hospital, so Belinda and I had them buried close to your grandmother.
It was a beautiful service with a huge turnout.
I’m sorry if we made the wrong call, but we did what we thought was best, Summer. ”
“I was pretty mad when I found out they were buried without me, Ray,” I confess. “Looking back now, I understand why. There wasn’t a timeframe for me to recover.” Glancing at Jake, I see he’s staring at his dad with an odd look on his face but is remaining quiet.
Ray nods before continuing. “I think it was a month after the accident, doctors told us you weren’t going to wake up, Jake.
We had specialists from D.C. in for second opinions, but they all agreed.
Your mom didn’t take the news well. She had been handling the burden until then, but she became increasingly angry.
“When Summer recovered enough to ask to see you son, your mom turned her anger towards her. She blamed Summer for the accident, and all rational thought left. She refused to let her see you, so I snuck Summer in when your mom wasn’t around.
“Eventually, we had to find a long-term care facility to place you in. I found one locally that was small and in a converted home rather than a hospital setting. I met with Mal, the daytime nurse, and knew right away it was the best choice. We moved you there when it was time.