The Joining Tree

by Claire Fogel

  “One more week. I want to spend at least a few days getting my apartment organized, stocking up on some groceries, walking around the campus, getting to know where everything is.”

  “Well, at least you’ll be here for the bakery’s grand opening next week. The old shop has been completely transformed, all sleek and modern now,” Amy said.

  Kevin grinned. “We’ll be there, won’t we, short stuff?”

  I grinned back. “You bet. I’ve got to keep you from devouring all the free samples, don’t I?”

  We were all in a good mood when we got up to leave.

  I paid our check—it was my turn this week—and we approached the front door of The Grille. Officer McNally saw us coming and jumped out of his patrol car to open the door and follow me back to my car.

  I was on my way back to my house with the police car right behind me.

  I can’t describe what happened next, it was so sudden. One minute I was driving through the Main Street/Oak Street intersection on my way home, and the next minute I heard an incredibly loud crash and felt the passenger side of my car being slammed and I was pushed to the other side of the street.

  The airbag hit me in the face, my hands came off the steering wheel to protect my face, I couldn’t see anything in front of me, my heart was pounding, my ears ringing, which I later realized was the police car’s siren behind me.

  I guess I was in shock. I couldn’t move and I didn’t even know if I was hurt. I sat there in a kind of trance with my heart pounding until I realized someone was tapping on my driver’s side window. I tried to turn my head, but the airbag was pressed to my face and I began to panic. I heard McNally’s voice.

  “Don’t move, Cara. An ambulance is on the way. They’ll get you out of your car safely, so just sit tight. I’m right here with you.”

  I think I said, “Okay” as I tried to calm down by taking deep breaths and telling myself I was okay, which I wasn’t really sure about. That was when I realized my head was pounding like a drum, keeping time with the beat of my heart. I remembered this same kind of headache and hoped I wouldn’t have to vomit into the airbag.

  Where was Adam? I needed Adam now.

  I obviously wasn’t thinking clearly.

  I vaguely remember someone forcing the door open, cutting my seatbelt off and lifting me out of my car. I remember the ride in the ambulance more clearly. They’d fastened a cervical collar around my neck, gave me oxygen through that little plastic thingy in my nose, checked my blood pressure regularly, and asked me questions I can’t remember now.

  By that time I realized I’d been in an accident. My car had been hit as I was driving home. I do remember wondering what kind of shape my car was in. I was more worried about my car than I was about my own injuries, whatever they were.

  They took me to the Greenville E.R., where I’d been treated before, so they already had my records, insurance info, etc. An E.R. nurse checked me out and sent me to Radiology for X-rays. By the time I was brought back to the E.R., my mother was there, speaking to Officer McNally who, for some reason, had stayed at the hospital with me.

  Mom rushed over to me when I was wheeled back into the E.R.

  “Cara, how do you feel, sweetheart?” She had that worried look on her face I’d seen too many other times.

  “I think I’m okay, Mom, no broken bones at least. But I have a killer headache and my neck is really stiff.”

  The E.R. doctor walked up to us, looking at a tablet he carried. “Mrs. Blackthorne?”

  Mom nodded.

  He smiled in what seemed a reassuring way. “Cara will be fine in a week to ten days. She’s suffering from a kind of whiplash, involving a great deal of muscle pain, which is why she should keep that collar on, and she has abrasions and contusions. So, Cara, you’ll be stiff and sore for at least a week. Don’t get upset when you look in the mirror. Your face is bruised too, but the bruises will fade. Here’s a prescription for pain for the next few days.” He handed it to Mom. “If you begin to feel worse, come back in right away. Go home and get some rest now.”

  He handed Mom some papers to sign, and we walked out to the waiting room where Officer McNally still sat.

  Mom whispered, “Do you know why he stayed here?”

  “He was there, when I had the accident. He was right behind me. I’m not sure why he stayed.”

  We walked over to the young policeman and Mom asked, “Officer, it was good of you to stay with Cara. Is there some reason you’re still here?”

  He’d taken off his hat, and I got a good look at the young officer for the first time. He was blond and blue-eyed with a young, boyish face. I was guessing he was still in his early twenties.

  He looked rather embarrassed.

  “Mrs. Blackthorne, when Cara was stuck in her car, before the Fire Dept. got her out, she was asking for Adam. She kept saying she needed Adam.” He turned red. “My name is Adam, so I thought I should stay with her.” He shrugged.

  Oh. I closed my eyes and felt my bruised face get hot. I opened my eyes and looked at the young man. “Officer McNally, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. I must have been thinking about another Adam. But it was really sweet of you to come to the hospital and stay with me. I’m very grateful.”

  McNally was at least six feet tall. I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. He promptly turned even redder.

  “You’re welcome, Cara. I’m glad I was able to help, even if I’m the wrong Adam.” He smiled, put his cap back on and left the E.R.

  My mother held my hand and stood there for a minute, just looking at me with sympathy. “Let’s go home, sweetheart. Your father is probably frantic. I left him a note when I left for the hospital. I’d better call him before we leave.”

  I could hear her trying to calm my father over the phone, which didn’t seem to be working, so I took the phone out of her hand and said, “I’m okay, Dad. Please don’t worry. We’ll be home in about a half hour.”

  “Are you able to walk, Cara?” he asked, obviously still upset.

  “Yes, I can walk, Dad. I didn’t break anything, honest. Please try to relax.”

  I handed the phone back to Mom, and we left for home.

  I hadn’t yet looked in a mirror.

  When we got home, my father was waiting on the front porch. It was dark so he didn’t get a good look at me until I’d climbed the stairs and was standing in front of him. The look of dismay on his face told me all I needed to know.

  He put his arm around me.

  “How are you feeling, Cara?” His voice was so soft and full of sympathy, I knew I probably looked worse than one of Kevin’s zombies.

  “Believe it or not, Dad, I’ll live. Although when I finally get a look at my face, I may not want to!”

  “Let’s get inside, Brian. I know she’s in pain, although she hasn’t complained. I have pain meds for her that I’m sure she needs.”

  He led us into the kitchen where I was surprised to find Amy and Kevin waiting for us. The looks on their faces could only be described one way: Utter horror.

  I groaned and closed my eyes. “I know I’m a mess, you guys. No need to rub it in. And why are you here anyway?”

  Kevin said, “We were only a few blocks away and we heard the crash. Something told me it was your car. I drove over to Main and Oak and when I saw your car, I wasn’t sure you were still alive. Cara, we were scared to death. We watched the ambulance take you away. We were already here when the police called your mom.”

  Mom added, “The phone rang while Kevin was telling me what your car looked like. I was absolutely sick until the police assured me you were alive. I left a note for your father, but I don’t think Kevin and Amy were able to calm him down at all!”

  She got up and handed me a glass of water along with a pill. “Better take this now, dear. Those sore muscles and bruises may hurt even more later tonight.”

  My dad said, “All I knew was that you’d been hurt in a car crash and had been taken to the hospital
. I had no idea how badly you’d been hurt, sweetheart.”

  His face still showed the strain. I’m sure my bruised appearance wasn’t helping much.

  I got the pain pill down and went into the bathroom. I closed my eyes while I was taking care of business, but I knew I’d have to look at the damage sooner or later. When I stood up, I braced myself, faced the mirror and opened my eyes.

  Everyone in the kitchen must have heard me use a popular four-letter word.

  I heard Mom on the other side of the bathroom door. “Cara?”

  “You should have warned me, Mom!”

  I opened the door and we both went back to the kitchen. My head ached, of course, and now I knew why my face ached even more. I sat down, praying the pain pill would kick in quickly.

  Every part of my face above my chin was either bruised, swollen, or both. It was mostly red and purple, which were not complementary colors. The cervical collar was the perfect touch. I wanted to put my face down on the table, but it would have hurt too much.

  Amy and Kevin just watched me sadly. They had no idea how to cheer me up.

  My words were a little slurred when I said, “Anyone got a bag I can wear over my head for the next two weeks?”

  My father was stroking my hair. “Sweetheart, the main thing is you weren’t seriously hurt.”

  I turned my swollen face toward him and said, “You don’t consider this serious? And what about my poor car? Where is it? Can it be repaired? I’m supposed to leave for Barrett in less than two weeks.”

  Mom reassured me, “Cara, your car has already been towed to the mechanic who maintains all the police vehicles. We weren’t aware of this, but Officer McNally told me your car was structurally reinforced. Which is what saved you from more serious injury. It can be repaired.”

  Kevin added, “That’s probably why you can still walk and talk, short stuff. The SUV that hit you was totaled.”

  “What about the driver?”

  “That cop was taking down all his information when we left. He was obviously the one at fault, Cara. He ran right through a Stop sign doing at least fifty.”

  Kevin’s eyebrows suddenly shot up. “Do you think this accident had anything to do with you going to court to testify against Romanov?”

  I closed my eyes.

  Amy said, “It’s a horrible thought, but it would have been one way to keep you from testifying.”

  I tried to nod, but the cervical collar wouldn’t let me so I ripped it off. “I can’t tolerate this thing any longer. To answer your question, Kev, I’m beginning to think you’re right. I mean, that driver had to have seen the police car right behind me. I’d like to know who he was.”

  Mom frowned at me. “Cara, put the collar back on, at least for the next few days. You can take it off when you go to bed, but you need it on now.”

  I rolled my eyes and put the uncomfortable collar back on.

  Mom picked up her phone. “Getting back to the identity of the driver who hit you, I’d like to know too. I’ll ask Tommy.”

  We couldn’t tell much from her side of the conversation. When she hung up, I asked, “Well, what did he say?”

  She wore a dissatisfied expression. “Tommy had the same suspicion, but without further research, he can’t tie that driver to Nick Romanov. He’s trying to check him out more thoroughly.”

  Amy looked at me. “Sweetie, we’ve got to go, but we’ll keep in touch. I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you weren’t hurt more seriously. Those bruises will fade quickly and you’ll be as beautiful as ever. Please don’t worry about that.”

  Kevin stood and leaned over to hug me gently. “Call me if there’s anything I can do, short stuff.” His voice was rough. “Awfully glad you’re still in one piece, babe.” He dropped a kiss on the top of my head, the one place that wasn’t bruised.

  Mom walked them to the door, and I heard her talking to them as they left. They asked her to call them if there was any change in my condition.

  When she came back into the kitchen, she looked at the clock. “Is anybody hungry? It’s been hours since you ate, Cara.”

  She made sandwiches and heated up some soup for us. I wasn’t sure I could get anything down, but my parents had to be starving. They hadn’t even had dinner.

  The pain pill had finally taken over and dulled the pain. As I forced myself to nibble on half a sandwich, the doorbell rang. My father got up to answer the door and I heard him say, “Relax. She’ll be fine in a few weeks. Come in. She’s in the kitchen.”

  When my father stepped out of the kitchen doorway, I was shocked to see Sean, white-faced and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Of course, when he got a look at me, his eyes got so huge, I wanted to crawl under the table.

  Mom looked from me to Sean and back to me. “Sean, she’s badly bruised but she’ll be fine.”

  His horrified eyes still glued to me, Sean said, “From what Amy told Sandy, it sounded like she was at death’s door.” He took a deep breath. “To be honest, Cara, you look like you should be. Are you really okay?”

  A little buzzed from the pain pill, I muttered, “I didn’t think you cared.”

  His face got red. “Of course I care,” he said softly. “I think I’ll always care.”

  My father was sitting next to me. He looked at us, stood up and said, “I think you two need to talk to each other.” With a raised brow, he added, “Cara’s present state may be a bonus, Sean.”

  He took Mom’s hand and led her upstairs. “We’ll watch some TV for a while.”

  After what seemed like five minutes of silence, I said, “Well, you know, I care too. Having you stare at me coldly, or refuse to look at me at all, and not even speak to me has been killing me. It really hurts, Sean.”

  At that moment, I was surprised to feel tears running down my face. I didn’t plan on doing that. I realized later that the pain meds had bared all my feelings, with no filters to speak of.

  He looked pained. Pulling his chair closer to mine, he took my hand and raised it to his lips.

  He kissed my hand, then reached out and very gently wiped the tears from my bruised face. “I’m sorry, Cara. I’ve been hurting too. Just seeing you was painful.” He looked down at the floor. “So I did the only thing I could and tried not to look at you.”

  I couldn’t seem to turn off my tears. “Can’t we still be friends? I sort of love you, you know. My feelings go way beyond liking you. I really do want you in my life, Sean.”

  Still holding my hand, he closed his eyes. I think he was fighting tears too.

  “Cara, we’re being totally honest today, right?”

  I nodded.

  “You said you’re in love with Adam. How do you think I felt when you told me that?”

  “I know. I never wanted to hurt you, but I felt I had to be honest. The thing is, I love you too.”

  He took a deep breath. “Cara, if Adam comes back, I’ll be history, right?”

  I closed my eyes. He was right. I opened mine and looked into his warm brown eyes.

  “Sean, there has to be a way to resolve this, without cutting each other out of our lives. We are good friends. Trying to ignore each other is hurting both of us.”

  He looked away, shaking his head. “I don’t know how to handle this, Cara. I really don’t.”

  He took my hand again and kissed it. “I think I should be going.”

  I mumbled, “We haven’t resolved anything, Sean.”

  He looked sad. “I know. I love you, Cara.”

  I swallowed hard. “I love you too, Sean.”

  “Then I guess we’ll have to leave it at that for now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  When my parents heard the front door close, they came back downstairs.

  Mom was carrying the bottle of pain pills. “It’s time, honey.”

  She handed me a glass of water and another pill. It only took about ten minutes before my head started to spin.

  My mother asked, “Did it help to talk to Sean?”

 
“We haven’t settled anything, but I don’t think he’ll ignore me anymore.”

  “You two will work it out, Cara. You’re both too good not to,” she said.

  “But right now, I think you should be in bed, dear.” She helped me up the stairs, got me out of my clothes and into my p.j.’s. I sank into my mattress and pillow, feeling completely boneless.

  I was out for the night. No dreams, no nothing. Just a deep, deep sleep.

  The next day wasn’t much better. My head ached badly until I finally gave in and took a pain pill. Of course, I got loopy again, and Mom and Dad were laughing at the things I was saying. Whatever I was saying, I really don’t remember. At least I was able to amuse them.

  Sean and Amy both called as soon as I was up. I have no idea what I said to them, but I remember they were laughing. I guess I didn’t say anything too offensive.

  Since it was Sunday, Mom made her normal Sunday brunch. Kevin called to ask if it was safe to come over. Mom told him it was, that I was reasonably coherent. Which wasn’t entirely true.

  When Kevin arrived, there was a big stack of pancakes on the table and Mom was frying sausages. We had decided to omit the fresh-squeezed orange juice for the foreseeable future, or until I was able to handle the job again.

  There was a soft tap on the back door. Dad opened it to Kathleen, who’d arrived in response to a message I was sure my father had sent her.

  “You’re just in time for brunch,” Dad told her.

  “Very kind of you, Brian. Alicia, your kitchen smells divine.” She sat down next to me.

  “How are you feeling today, Cara? Any better?”

  I shook my head. “I hate taking these pain pills, but it’s the only way I can stand the pain. Please tell me you have a remedy for my swollen face.”

  “Of course I do, dear. I’ll make a poultice out of these herbs and they will take a good deal of this swelling and bruising away. I think an ice pack on the back of your neck will help with the neck and head pain. You’ll need to be lying down for these treatments.”

  “I have to go to court on Monday, Kathleen. Will I be healed up by then?”