Love Times Four

by Jeanne Mccann

  "It's Emma, she's been in a car accident."

  Melinda felt like she had been punched in the chest, the pain took her breath away. Emma couldn't be hurt, she just couldn't be. "Is she okay?"

  "We don't know how bad she is. The police called here. She's at Harborview in the emergency room."

  "I'm on my way."

  "Melinda..."

  "Chuck, I'll call as soon as I know how she is."

  "Good, she means a lot to me."

  "Chuck, she means the world to me." Melinda angrily responded. To hell with what people thought. She loved Emma and she didn't care who knew it! She had to get to the hospital. Melinda fumbled with her briefcase, pulling out her day timer. Tearing a page from it, she scribbled a note as her heart pounded loudly in her chest.

  "Would you take this message into the board? I've got to leave." Melinda shoved it at the young woman seated at her desk.

  "Yes, Ms. Newcastle." But Melinda hadn't heard her. The woman stared as Melinda ran down the hall of the education association building before she got up to deliver Melinda's note.

  Melinda's drive to the hospital did nothing but increase her anxiety. Driving anywhere in Seattle during peak traffic was extremely difficult. Her hands shook and her stomach rolled as her mind ran through everything that could be wrong.

  "God damn it!" Melinda swore as traffic moved sluggishly through the icy streets. She wanted to scream. "God, please let Emma be okay." Melinda prayed as she slowly traveled in the direction of the hospital. Melinda pulled into the nearest parking spot and sprinted into the emergency entrance.

  "Excuse me, I need to find Emma Sharp," She demanded of the woman at the information desk, gasping for breath.

  "She's being looked at in emergency room four, please have a seat. I'll have someone come talk to you as soon as possible."

  "Is she okay?" Melinda was panicked. She needed to see Emma.

  "I don't know her status, but I promise you, as soon as I know something I'll let you know." The nurse kindly responded, moving on to help the next person.

  Melinda mumbled a brief thank you, and sat down in the waiting room. She'd been taking her relationship with Emma for granted. She'd kept it quiet, never telling Emma how deeply she loved her. Her job and career were important, but not if she lost Emma. Nothing was as important to her as Emma. Melinda sat down on an empty chair in the waiting room and looked around her. It was full of people waiting for loved ones or for medical attention, but Melinda didn't care. The crowded room made her feel lost and alone as she slumped in the chair. She felt numb as she waited, and was having difficulty breathing. Her eyes caught the eyes of an elderly woman who sat across from her. Her old, gnarled fingers moved over the beads of a rosary as she prayed. Melinda started to cry and pray silently. It was the only thing she could do.

  "Excuse me, are you here for Emma Sharp?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you a relative?"

  "I'm her partner. Please, is she okay?" Melinda looked up into the exhausted eyes of a young doctor, wearing wrinkled scrubs, a stethoscope hanging around his neck.

  "I'm the intern that worked on her, and she's going to be fine. She's not in critical condition. She hit the steering wheel with her arm fracturing her wrist. She also hit her forehead on the windshield, cutting it deeply. She has a laceration across the top of her head requiring several stitches, and several other lacerations on her shoulders and chest, that we are closing up. When we get her sewn up you can go in and see her. We're going to put a cast on her wrist as soon as I've had a chance to check the x-rays. Then we'll move her into a room for the night. We want to keep an eye on her for the next twenty-four hours and make sure she doesn't have any internal injuries or complications from her concussion. She's going to be bruised and extremely sore." The young man watched Melinda as he spoke, his voice sympathetic as he saw the raw anguish on her face.

  "Please, can I see her?" Melinda's eyes filled with tears as she pleaded with the doctor.

  "Just as soon as we get a cast on her wrist." The young intern patted Melinda on the arm. "I promise you, it won't be long."

  "Thank you."

  "You're very welcome. She's extremely lucky."

  Melinda slumped onto the chair, her breath coming in gasps. My God, she could have been killed! The pain in Melinda's chest staggered her. She needed to talk to someone. She needed to call Tia and Chuck. Pulling her cell phone out of her purse, Melinda stepped out of the lobby and dialed Tia's number. Over the last couple of months she had gotten to know Tia quite well and liked her very much. And she needed someone to be there with her. She was scared to death.

  "Hello."

  "Tia?"

  "Yes?"

  "This is Melinda."

  Melinda heard Tia's voice say "Hello."

  "Tia, Emma's been in a car accident. She's going to be fine. She's at Harborview in the emergency room." Melinda blurted out.

  "I'm on my way. I'll call Anna and Van." Tia didn't hesitate she could hear the fear in Melinda's voice.

  "Good, I'll meet you in the emergency waiting room. I'm already here."

  Quickly Melinda disconnected and dialed the school number. "Grace, Melinda."

  "Melinda, how's Emma?"

  "She's not critical. She has several cuts and a broken wrist. That's all I know, except she's going to be staying overnight. Grace, I'm staying here. I'll keep my telephone on in case you need me. Cancel everything for today and tomorrow." Melinda was all business. She wasn't budging from the hospital without Emma.

  "I'll do that. And Melinda, give her a hug from all of us."

  "I will, Grace. Thanks."

  "No problem, boss." Grace may never have actually been told Melinda and Emma were a couple, but Grace had figured it out months earlier. She genuinely respected and admired Melinda and thought she was a wonderful principal. And Grace new Emma very well, she was one of those people you couldn't help but care for. Grace was very good at her own job, as executive secretary to the principal. She pulled out Melinda's schedule and followed her boss's instructions. She could feel the prick of tears as she thought about how she'd feel if her husband of ten years had been in an accident. Picking up the telephone she dialed his number at work.

  "Bill Sherman here."

  "Hi, honey."

  "Hi, what's up?"

  "I just called to tell you I love you."

  "I love you too." Grace's husband was a little perplexed by his wife. He wondered if he'd missed a special date or something.

  "Have a good day."

  "You too." As quickly as Grace had called him, she hung up. Now she could complete her tasks.

  Melinda took her seat once again and waited for the young doctor to return. She had some things to think about. She and Emma would never be separated again. She wanted Emma in her life for as long as they both lived. Now, all she had to do was convince Emma. She mulled over all the ways she could talk her into it. She wasn't going to take no for an answer.

  "You can come in now."

  Melinda followed the intern as he pushed back the curtain and entered one of the rooms. Emma was laying flat on her back, her head surrounded by a large bandage at the top, and several smaller bandages were on her cheeks and chin. Her left arm was supported in a sling hanging from a pole and it had a cast and bandages from the tips of he fingers up to her elbow. She was alert, because her eyes followed Melinda as soon as she entered the fully equipped emergency room and approached the bed. Melinda's eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her bruised and battered girlfriend, a woman that she loved beyond life. Her face was pale and sweaty, but Melinda thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  "Melinda." Emma whispered, a slight smile on her face.

  "Don't talk, honey." Melinda bent over and kissed Emma softly on her lips. "I'm so glad you're going to be okay. I love you, Emma."

  "I love you." Despite Emma's painful injuries, she tried to smile. Finally she could say out loud what she had been feeling for months.
r />   "Good, now let's get you better real soon because we have lots to talk about."

  "Like what?" Emma held Melinda close to her with her good arm.

  "Like living together for the rest of our lives."

  "Really?"

  "Really." Melinda tucked her face against Emma's to reassure her.

  "You could move in with me right now."

  "I plan on it."

  "I love you, Melinda."

  "Emma, I love you." Melinda was hardly aware of the room around her. Several nurses were putting things away and bustling around the crowded emergency room. It was an intimidating place, full of life saving equipment.

  "We need to ask you to wait in the hall. We're going to get her ready to move upstairs." Two nurses stood next to Melinda, waiting patiently. They needed to clear the emergency room. They were swamped with patients.

  Melinda kissed Emma once more and then left the room to wait in the hall. She was not going anywhere as long as Emma was in the hospital. Nurses, doctors, and patients passed back and forth in front of Melinda but she hardly noticed, she was so caught up in her thoughts.

  "Melinda, how is she?" Tia rushed up to her and hugged her tightly.

  "She's okay, Tia. She's pretty banged up, but she's going to be okay." Melinda couldn't hold it together any longer and she burst into tears. "My God, Tia, she could have been killed. I could have lost her." She sobbed on Tia's shoulder as her emotions just poured out of her.

  "It's okay, Melinda. She'll be fine. We'll make sure, honey." Tia held Melinda in a tight hug, her own face awash with tears.

  "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to Emma." Melinda continued to cry as Tia comforted her. "I love her, Tia. I can't lose her."

  "I know you do. And you won't lose Emma. She loves you." Tia had to smile. It was about time Melinda and Emma told each other how they felt. Everyone else knew how much they loved each other. It was so obvious. "Melinda, Emma will be fine. We'll make sure of it."

  "Thanks, Tia." Melinda hugged Tia tightly, tears glistening in her eyes.

  "You're welcome, honey. Now, when are they going to move her?"

  "They're getting her ready right now."

  It was another twenty minutes before they finally moved Emma out of emergency and by that time Anna and Van had joined them. Melinda and Tia hugged and cried with them as the four women realized how close they'd come to losing Emma. When the nurses brought Emma out on the gurney Melinda held her hand, while the other three women followed her down the hall. The four women protectively surrounded their friend and loved one.

  Once in her room, the nurse asked them to leave while she got Emma settled. It was a small room with two beds currently empty. There was a television in the room and not much else. It was very sterile and frightening. While they waited with Melinda, the threesome divided up some of the chores that needed to be taken care of. Van was going lo take care of Emma's car and make sure it got in for repair. Anna was going to contact Emma's parents. Tia was going to go to Emma's house and pick up some clothes and things for her and Melinda. Melinda was staying with Emma. Nothing would have made her leave.

  "She's all settled now. You can go in to see her. But only two at a time, please?" The young nurse assigned to Emma smiled at the group milling outside the room. All four were well dressed professionals, who clustered together hugging often. You could see the love they had for each other and the injured woman in the hospital bed. The nurse wondered if they were a family. She would have been right in her assessment. They were a family in the best sense of the word.

  "Thank you." Melinda smiled at the nurse. "Anna and Van, why don't the two of you go in first?"

  While the two of them entered the room, Tia and Melinda talked. "Tia, I'm moving in with Emma immediately but I will need some help."

  "You got it, Melinda. What can I do?"

  "Thank God Christmas break starts on Wednesday. I'll have a lot of time off. But if she gets out of the hospital by tomorrow, would you come and stay with her on Wednesday? I need to go to the afternoon assembly, and close school for the Christmas break." "Of course I will, honey. Don't you worry about it."

  "Thanks, Tia. I really can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you being here for Emma."

  "Melinda, I'm here for you too. You're my friend also."

  "Thanks. I value your friendship very much." Melinda was close to crying again.

  "Melinda, Tia, go on in. Anna and I are going to leave. We want to get everything taken care of. We'll call you later tonight, Melinda." Van touched her on the arm, her eyes glassy with tears.

  "Van, Anna, thanks very much. I know Emma appreciates your help, and so do I."

  "No problem, we love her too."

  Melinda and Tia hugged Van and Anna goodbye and then quietly entered Emma's room. Melinda hung back letting Tia hug and kiss Emma, who lay quietly in her bed, her arm suspended in a cradle.

  "Hey, doll. How're you doing?"

  "Pretty good, considering."

  "Are you hurting?"

  "Not too bad now. They put me on pain medication and it seems to be working."

  "I'm glad you're okay, sweetie."

  "So am I Tia. Hey, did Melinda tell you she's moving in with me?" The grin on Emma's bandaged face made both Tia and Melinda smile.

  "She did. All I have to say is, it's about time."

  "She loves me, Tia." Emma whispered as Melinda bent down to kiss her.

  "And you love me."

  "Yes, I do." They shared a soft, gentle kiss.

  Tia's eyes filled with tears of happiness for her best friend. "Well, ladies, I'm going to get out of here and go pick up some things for the two of you from your house. Let's make a list of what you need."

  Within minutes Tia had left and Melinda and Emma where alone. "My car is a mess." Melinda sat next to Emma on the bed, holding her hand.

  "Honey, I could care less about your car. We'll get you another one. I'm just grateful and very happy that you're alive. That's all I care about."

  "I gave the policeman all my information, so my insurance should handle everything. The officer told me that the car that hit me slid on the ice and smashed into me. I was stopped at a light waiting for it to change."

  "Emma, honey, Van has your insurance information, and the police officer's name. She will call me as soon as she finds out what's going on. Please don't worry." Melinda squeezed Emma's uninjured right hand. "Anna is calling your parents so they know what has happened. Don't worry about anything except resting right now. The nurse said you should try and go to sleep."

  "Will you stay?"

  "Honey, nothing could move me from this spot."

  "I love you, Melinda."

  "I love you. Now, close your eyes. I'll be right here."

  Emma was struggling to keep her eyes open her face was pale with pain. "Okay, honey. Love you."

  Melinda sat down in the chair next to Emma's bed still holding her hand. Within minutes, Emma was sound asleep. Melinda couldn't keep the tears from sliding down her face as she watched Emma slumber. Even with the bandages and the bruises, Emma's beauty was apparent to anyone who looked at her. Melinda tightened her grasp on Emma's hand as she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. She thanked God and promised to take care of Emma. Within minutes Melinda drifted off to sleep, leaning against Emma's bed, holding her hand.

  Tia arrived several hours later to find Melinda awake, doing paperwork in her chair, still holding onto Emma's hand. She looked up when Tia entered the room, dark circles under her eyes.

  "How's she doing?"

  "She's been sleeping on and off all afternoon. The doctor stopped by a little bit earlier to check on her, and he said it's normal for her to sleep. He says she's doing just fine."

  "Good. How are you doing?"

  "Fine, I just need to find out about Emma's car. Every time she wakes up she asks me about it."

  "Van is taking care of it. According to the police, Emma was stopped at an intersection waiting
for the light to change when she was hit. Her insurance agent has already gotten the process started to get her car repaired. He's going to call Van as soon as he has all the details. Who ever hit her will have to pay all of her medical, too."

  "Good."

  "Anna called Emma's parents and they should be here soon."

  "I'm glad. I think Emma is lucky she has such wonderful friends."

  "I think our Emma is well loved. She found her soul mate."

  "I did." Emma's hoarse voice made them both smile and glance her way.