Chapter 29
Thario’s phone rang as he was heading to his truck. He saw the realtor’s name pop up on the screen and happily answered.
“Hello. I hope you have good news.”
“Yes. Excellent news. They accepted your offer and want to close as soon as possible. Since you have cash, we’re looking at a few weeks. Because you have proof of funds, they agreed to you renting it from them starting tomorrow. So I just need you to come in and sign a few documents.”
"Wow, that is better news than I thought I'd get. Thank you. You're making my life easy."
“I’m glad something is easy for you. I’m not sure you’ve had it easy before now, so I’m glad this is working out for you.”
“I’ll swing by this morning if you’re in the office.”
“Yes. I’ll be here until one.”
“Thank you.”
Thario ended the call and heard someone coming up behind him. He turned and saw Griz.
“Good news?”
"Excellent news. The couple selling the cabin accepted my offer. And they are leaving some of the furniture, so I don't have to automatically go out and buy furniture. Plus, they want to rent it to me before the sale goes through. So I can move in tomorrow."
“Oh wow, that’s amazing news. How did you get them to do that?”
"No clue. I'm going to head out and sign the paperwork. I'll get with you later. I guess my computer equipment should be delivered today or tomorrow. Then I can take it to my new place."
“I’ll help you get it set up when you’re ready.”
“Thanks. That would be great.”
Frog jumped into his van and he took off, singing to a song on the radio as he drove back to the place he was staying.
"Frog, you ready to move again?" he asked as he slowed for a stop sign. He turned his attention back to the road and glanced in his mirrors, seeing that the truck behind him wasn't going to stop.
He punched the accelerator and turned right, skidding around the corner. The truck didn’t slow, and plowed into the side of a car Thario had narrowly missed swiping when he turned.
Frog hadn’t been prepared for Thario to drive so wildly and had almost fallen off the seat. He recovered and was licking his lips as he stared at Thario.
"It's okay, boy." Thario pulled out his phone and dialed for emergency services. He was still shaking as the operator answered.
He gave a quick rundown of where he was and what happened. He slowly got out of his van, telling Frog to stay, and headed over to the twisted mess of metal and broken glass.
“Hey, you okay?” a truck driver asked as he ran closer.
"Yeah, that truck was going way too fast."
The other guy ran around to the side of the car that had been hit to check on the driver while Thario moved to the truck.
He looked in, not recognizing the guy. When he’d seen the speeding truck, he’d half expected to find Brent driving. This guy just looked like someone who had a medical emergency.
“Hey, you okay?” Thario asked. The guy didn’t move. “Hey.” Thario poked the guy’s shoulder. “You okay?”
Again, the man didn’t move at all. Thario reached in and touched the man’s neck, trying to find a pulse. It took a moment, but he finally felt it, though it was weak.
Another car pulled up, and a guy and a woman got out and approached. The man was young and the woman about the same age, but they looked determined.
“Anyone hurt?” the woman asked.
“This guy,” Thario said.
The person in the car that had been hit was standing on their own. They looked a little out of it, but they weren’t unconscious.
“I just finished my fourth year of medical school. I’m not a doctor yet, but I’ve had training.”
The guy with her smiled. “I’m in the second year. So mostly theory.”
“I have some medic training,” Thario said. “I think the guy was passed out before he wrecked. He was going fast.”
“He may have a neck injury,” the woman said.
Thario nodded. “The truck doesn’t seem to be close to catching on fire.”
“We can take some time then.” The woman pulled a stethoscope from her pocket. “Let me take a listen.”
Thario stepped back and let the woman work. He glanced back and saw Frog watching his every move, ready to leap into action if Thario needed him.
The sound of a siren approaching filtered through the trees. He couldn’t tell yet which way the siren was coming from, but he was relieved someone official was headed this way to help. An ambulance or fire truck would have a backboard and equipment to stabilize the guy in the truck.
The ambulance was the first to arrive, followed by a fire truck, then a highway patrol. Thario stuck around long enough to make sure the guy in the truck was being taken to the hospital. It would be a long ride from here, but at least he would be looked after.
He had gotten the guy's name and heard where he lived. It wasn't too far from the place he was staying now. He thought about dropping by after he signed the papers. Maybe that was silly, but he had an urge to go by and make sure everything was okay there.