Chapter 30
We stay long enough for the ambulance to take the woman, whose name is Carla, away and for a police officer to take our reports on what happened, and then we’re allowed to leave the accident scene.
After a brief discussion, we agree to continue to the concert.
I’m more rattled than ever, and part of me wants to collapse in bed with the covers over my head, but that’s not the kind of thing to admit out loud.
We lost less than an hour, and we were both looking forward to this concert.
It would be a shame to miss it even though Wes says it’s fine if I don’t feel up to going now.
I tell him I’m fine and we should still go.
So that’s what we do.
We arrive after the opening act has started, but that’s not any problem. We get our seats, and I’m relieved it’s not a very large venue, and it’s a fairly laid-back crowd, so we won’t have to be mobbed by an intensity of screaming the whole time.
I enjoy the concert for the most part, but as it continues, I get more and more tired.
Not sleepy. Just drained.
Like months of uncertainty plus the intense episode earlier have finally tapped me of all my emotional and physical reserves.
It feels like it’s nearing the end when Wes leans over and asks into my ear, “Do you want to go ahead and leave?”
“What? No. Why would we?”
“Just asking.”
I peer at him and realize he must have sensed something in me. He’s concerned.
So I force a bright smile and say, “I’m fine.”
“Okay.”
I’m not sure he believes me, but that’s his problem. I am fine.
Just tired.
But being tired isn’t an unusual condition for most people.
We stay through the encores and don’t rush out with the crowd. We have to walk several blocks to get to where we parked the car, but the night air feels good after the crowded concert hall.
“I hope Carla is okay,” I say as Wes opens the passenger door for me.
“Yeah.” He clears his throat. “We could stop by the hospital and see if we can check on her.” He glances at me. “If you want.”
“I would love that!” I reach out and grip his shirt, holding on to him tightly. I can’t even explain why. “Thank you. Are you sure you don’t mind? It’s already late.”
“I’d like to see how she is too. The hospital they took her to isn’t far.”
An hour later, we’re in the hospital room that’s been assigned to Carla.
Other than a lot of scrapes and bruises, she came out of the accident itself remarkably well. But they admitted her to the hospital because they need to run tests to see what caused her blackout.
She’s a widow, but her two children and a son-in-law are in the room when we get there. We stay to accept their thanks and get the update, but it doesn’t seem right to intrude for too long, so after fifteen minutes, we get ready to leave.
“Come here, dear,” Carla says, reaching a hand out toward me.
I approach the bed and take the hand she offers.
“Don’t you let that young man get away from you. You won’t find another as good or as devoted.”
I’m hit with a wave of strong emotion as I squeeze her hand and whisper, “I’ll try not to.”
Then she lets me go and I join Wes in the doorway.
“What did she want?” he asks.
I shrug off the question as we say goodbye.