A New Journey (Second Chance #3)

by Christina Escue

  When Andrew gave Karla the basic description of the girl who hit her Karla’s face fell. “Oh my gosh. Do you remember me telling you about the girl who was harassing me during the ACT’s?”

  “Yes, why?” Andrew asked. He was hoping this wasn’t going where he thought it was going.

  “I think the girl who hit me may be the same girl. I don’t know that for a fact, but the basic description is the same and they have the same first name.”

  “We can find out, honey, but for now I want you to promise me that you will focus on getting well. You are in no way responsible for this.”

  “I just need to know, Dad. I know I’m not responsible for any of it, but I still need to know.”

  “I’ll find out for you. I promise.” Andrew said and when Dr. Carpenter returned a moment later Andrew left the room to speak with the other girl’s parents.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Karla walked into the apartment and headed straight to her room. She was glad to be home, but she was also worried. She had talked to Mr. and Mrs. Emmerson before she left the hospital and she now knew for a fact that the girl who hit her was Candice. She was driving home from her part-time job and was letting her mom know she was on her way when she hit Karla.

  “Mom, Dad, Elliot, I need to talk to you please.” Karla shouted through the apartment as she walked back out of her room.

  “What’s up, sis?” Elliot said as he walked out of his room.

  “I need to talk to all of you about what was going on before the accident.” Karla said and took a seat at the table.

  “Alright. You know you can talk to us about anything.” Leslie said as she took the seat beside Karla. When Andrew sat across from Karla and Elliot sat at her other side she told them about the dreams.

  “I haven’t told anyone exactly what happened with Tony that night her hurt me and I think that may be part of the problem. I know I could come to any of you and talk about it, but that’s easier said than done. Dad, can you do something for me?”

  “Sure, sweetheart, anything.” Andrew answered. He was worried about her, but glad she was talking to them.

  “Can you find me someone to talk to about all of this? Someone who has been trained to listen.”

  “I know just the person, honey.” Andrew said and grinned. “I’ll call her first thing in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Dad. I’m sorry that I can’t tell you all the details. It’s just really hard to talk about and I think I need to talk to someone else first, but I promise I will talk to you about it after I talk to her. I love you three, Kiara and Manuel more than anything and I want to talk to you all about it.”

  “Karla, honey, you do whatever you need to do to stop having the nightmares.” Leslie told her with an understanding smile. “We will always be here if you want to talk to us, but never think we are going to make you feel bad for choosing to talk to a professional. Andrew and I have both turned to professionals before so we completely understand.”

  “Thank you.” Karla said and her eyes filled with tears. “I just want things to be the way they were before Tony came back. I want our lives back to normal.”

  “They will be, sis.” Elliot told her as he got out of his chair and hugged her tightly. “We are still a family and that is never going to change. Our family isn’t defined by a house, it’s defined by the people in it and we’re all still here.”

  “When did you get so smart?” Karla asked with a watery smile.

  “I learned from my big sister.” Elliot answered and hugged her tighter. “Now, what else is on your mind?”

  “When did you learn to read me this good?” Karla asked in awe.

  “Remember all those times you were tutoring me and helping me learn all the little reading tricks?”

  “Of course I do.” Karla answered and grinned.

  “Well, when you are in tutor mode you let your tough girl image slip and people can see the real you. You show your emotions in your eyes and anyone who is paying attention can see them.”

  “You aren’t the first person to tell me that.” Karla admitted. “Callie has told me that when I’ve been leading practice. She said she could tell when I was irritated with the team by the look in my eyes.”

  “Anyone can if they know what they’re looking for.” Elliot said. “Now, are you going to tell us what else is bothering you?”

  “The girl who rear-ended me is the same girl I had the problem with during the ACT test. I talked to her parents before I came home and I found out that her little brother was diagnosed with leukemia last year. He died about three months ago, but they have been plagued with medical bills for over a year and Candice had to get a job to help pay for everything. I would love to set up some kind of fundraiser to try to help them. I know it’s close to the holidays and money is tight for a lot of people, but surely we can think of some way to help them.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, we will come up with a way to raise money to help them. Didn’t they have insurance?” Leslie asked.

  “Mr. Emmerson had just started a new job when Cameron, that’s Candice’s brother, was diagnosed and his insurance hadn’t started yet. They were billed for the first few rounds of treatment before the insurance kicked in. Dad, he was in the children’s ward of the hospital you work at.”

  “I’ll pull his file when I go in tomorrow and see how much they owe the hospital. We can try to raise a few thousand dollars over that so they can have some money to cover Candice’s medical bills too. She’s still in ICU and if she makes it she’ll have a long, hard road to recovery.”

  “Thank you all.” Karla said and stood from her seat at the table. “I think I’m going to take a nap before dinner. My wrist is hurting a lot and I’m achy all over again. There is a question that is playing over and over in my mind. Why didn’t Candice have her seat belt on? Not only is it a law, but it’s a proven life saver.”

  “I don’t know, sweetheart, and we may never know. I’m just glad you did have yours on. It could have been a lot worse if you didn’t.” Leslie told her. “Do you want one of your pain pills to help you rest?”

  “No. I am just going to take some ibuprofen and lay down for a little while. I just need a few days and I’ll be good as new.” Karla said with a small smile. “I love you all.”

  “We love you too, honey.” Leslie answered and Karla shut her bedroom door.

  After she took three ibuprofen she stretched out on her bed and instantly fell asleep.

  Two hours later she was awakened by voices coming from the other room.

  “Conner, she’s fine. She’s just resting. I promise you she’s fine.” Andrew said calmly.

  “I want to see her, Dr. Peterson.” Conner said in a quiet voice.

  “What’s going on?” Karla asked from the door way of her room.

  “Karla.” Conner said and relief filled his eyes. “You’re alright.”

  “I’m alright, Conner. What’s going on?”

  “I tried calling you and it kept going straight to voicemail. I was so worried.” Conner told her as he walked toward her and stopped in front of her.

  “My phone was destroyed in the wreck. Dad is going to get me a new one tomorrow.”

  “I was so scared. There are rumors flying around school that the girl who hit you is Candice Emmerson, the girl you had a run in with on ACT day.”

  “Conner, the girl who hit me was Candice. She isn’t doing well.”

  “Oh, no. That’s awful.” Conner said as he pulled her into his arms. “You doing okay?”

  “I am. Just tired.” Karla answered as she pulled out of Conner’s arms and walked to the couch. When she sat down Conner sat on her right and took hold of her hand.

  “I thought you were staying in the hospital again tonight.”

  “She was going to, but she convinced me she would rest better here and since she didn’t need surgery on her wrist I decided to let her come home.” Andrew answered with a soft smile. “Before you showed up we were just getting re
ady to wake Karla for dinner. Would you like to stay?”

  “Yes, sir, but first I need to apologize. I was very rude when I stormed in here like I did. I hope you can forgive my rudeness.”

  “It’s already forgiven, Conner.” Leslie said with a smile. “Andrew would have behaved the same way if it had been me.” She added with a stern look at her husband.

  Andrew tried to look offended at her words, but he failed miserably and they all started laughing.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  “Karla, you have got to take it easy.” Rylee said as Karla walked into practice Thursday afternoon.

  “I am taking it easy. You three won’t even let me carry my own backpack. You’re driving me crazy.” Karla said irritably. Andrew had told her friends that she wasn’t supposed to do anything and they were following his orders perfectly. “You three can report back to Dr. Daddy that I did exactly what he wanted me to do, which is absolutely nothing.”

  “Dr. Daddy?” Daniel asked as he walked up behind them. “Is that what you’re calling your Dad now?”

  “Yes. Since my accident he has been more doctor than Dad so I’ve been calling him Dr. Daddy. He seems to find it funny.”

  “I can imagine. On a serious note, how are you?” He asked and looked pointedly at her arm.

  “I have a broken wrist and some scrapes and bruises, but I’m alright. My car is totaled, but these three will haul me around. Not that I could drive anyway.” She answered. Not that I want to drive anyway, she thought to herself.

  Daniel nodded and walked to the front of the classroom. Karla and Rylee followed him up there and started practice. By the end of practice Karla was exhausted. “I’m ready to go home.”

  “You’re going to have to wait for that.” Elliot said from where he’d been watching practice. “I have a surprise for you.” When he grabbed her hand and led her from the room Conner, Rylee and Callie followed them.

  “Where are we going, Elliot?” Karla demanded, but Elliot just kept walking. When he stopped in front of the gym Conner stepped behind Karla and put his hands over her eyes.

  “Don’t freak, Karla. We have a surprise for you.” Conner whispered in her ear. “Rylee and Callie are going to walk with you so you don’t fall, but I’m keeping my hands over your eyes.”

  “You are all something else. All day you have been telling me to rest and take it easy and when I actually want to go home and rest you aren’t letting me. Ugh.”

  “I promise you’ll want to see this.” Elliot said as he opened the gym door.

  When they stepped inside and stopped Conner kept his hands over Karla’s eyes for a minute.

  “One, two, three!” Rylee said from her left and Conner took his hands away from her eyes.

  The gym was full of people, most of whom Karla did not know, but a few she did. On the wall above the doors leading outside was a sign that read; Emmerson Family Fund Raiser. When Karla read it her eyes filled with tears.

  “How?”

  “Dr. Daddy did it.” Elliot said with a grin.

  When Karla looked over and saw Andrew and Leslie standing at the front of the group of people her eyes filled with tears. “Excuse me.” She whispered to her brother and friends before she walked toward her Mom and Dad.

  “How?” She asked when she stopped in front of them.

  “I made a few phone calls.” Andrew said with a shrug of his shoulders. “It meant a lot to you so I did what needed to be done to make it happen.”

  “You are a very wonderful father.” Karla said and awkwardly hugged him. “And I’ve been acting like a spoiled brat.”

  “Hey, look at me.” Andrew said and when Karla looked up at him he gave her his usual half grin. “You have been acting like a teenage girl who has been under a lot of stress. Plus I kind of like the ‘Dr. Daddy’ nickname.”

  “You would.” Karla said with a grin. “Now do you want to tell me what you have planned?”

  “I will if you’ll sit down and rest while I do. You look beat.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Daddy.” Karla said with a grin as she sat on the bottom bleacher. “Now, care to share?”

  “Well you mentioned wanting to find a way to raise money to help them so that’s what I did.” Andrew answered honestly. “I got their hospital balance and pulled a couple of strings to get the balance from the doctor too. We have a lot to do, if you feel up to it.”

  “Of course I do.” Karla answered and smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Anything for my girl.” Andrew answered. “Now, let’s get this party started.”

  An hour later they had organized a rummage sale, which would be held in the school gym, and a planned a pot luck dinner. All the money raised would go into an account and would be used to pay off all the medical bills the Emmerson’s had. Karla was exhausted, but she felt great about the progress that had been made.

  “Karla, you look beat. Ready to head home?” Andrew asked, but before Karla could answer Trevor Carpenter stepped up beside them.

  “May I speak with Karla a moment please?” He asked Andrew.

  “Not alone.” Andrew answered. “You can say whatever you have to say in front of me or not at all.”

  “Understandable.” Trevor agreed before he focused on Karla. “I know my words will never be enough, but I am deeply sorry for everything I have done. I honestly don’t remember most of it, but Travis and Dad have told me some horrible things I did to you. I want you to know that I am on medication now and am having weekly sessions with Dr. Morgan. She’s great and diagnosed my problem very quickly. Thank you for not pressing criminal charges against me and for allowing me to get help. I know you may never forgive me, but I hope that someday we can try to be friends.”

  “Trevor, you were sick and you did not know what you were doing. How do you feel about me right now?”

  “I see you as a smart, funny and beautiful girl, but I also see you as nothing more than a friend. My obsession with you was caused by the form of bi-polar disorder I have and as long as I stay on my meds I won’t have those feelings anymore.”

  “I think we can be friends someday.” Karla told him. “But if you come off your medication that’s when our friendship ends.”

  “Understood.” Trevor answered with a small smile. “Now I need to go talk to Conner. I have a feeling it’s going to be harder to get his forgiveness than it was yours.”

  “You’re right about that.” Elliot said as he walked up beside Karla. “Callie and Rylee have pulled him out in the hall at the moment.”

  “This is going to be fun.” Trevor said quietly before he took a deep breath and walked out the doors to talk to Conner.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  “I should go out there.” Karla said ten minutes after Trevor walked out of the gym.

  “No you shouldn’t.” Elliot said and stepped in front of his sister when she took a step toward the doors. “You have to trust that Conner will do the right thing.”

  “Elliot’s right.” Leslie said. “Conner knows what was going on with Trevor and you have to trust that he will handle it how he feels best. Have faith in him, sweetheart.”

  “I do have faith in him, but I also know he has a temper.” Karla told them.

  “Believe me, we all know he has a temper.” Elliot told her. “But he knows that you wouldn’t want him to hurt Trevor so I think he’ll keep his temper in check.”

  “I hope so.” Karla said. When she sat on the bleacher she’d been on most of the evening Elliot sat beside her.

  “You’re exhausted, sis.” He said and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Maybe we should have waited to do this on a night you didn’t have practice.”

  “I’m alright.” Karla said, but she was starting to feel a little light headed.

  When she laid her head over on Elliot’s shoulder and closed her eyes she instantly fell asleep.

  “Karla?” Elliot said and when she didn’t respond he started getting a little worried. “Andrew, I think Karla passed out.”r />
  Andrew hurried over and kneeled on the gym floor. “Karla, honey, wake up.”

  When he didn’t get a response he gently shook her and her eyes opened slightly. “What’s wrong?” She asked softly.

  “Are you okay?” Andrew asked. Her normal mocha colored skin had taken a pasty pallor and he was concerned.

  “Yeah, just really sleepy.” She responded. “And a little light headed. I think I over did it today.”

  “I have to agree with you on that.” Andrew said and sat beside her on the bleacher. “I think it’s time we got you home. Think you can walk?”

  “Not sure.” She responded and stumbled as she tried to stand up. “Guess not.”

  “Come on, sweetheart. We’ll get you home and in bed.” Andrew said as he lifted her easily into his arms. “Elliot can you get Leslie and tell her we’re leaving? I’m going to get Karla to the car.”

  “I’ll find her.” Elliot responded and darted off to find Leslie. Once he found her he sent Conner a text and followed her to the car.

  ****

  “Conner, can I talk to you for a minute?” Trevor asked as soon as he walked out into the hall.

  “What do you want, Trevor?” Conner answered.

  “I wanted to apologize for everything. I know words don’t mean anything, but I intend to prove to everyone that I’ve changed. I’m not that person and I never really was. I have a disease that caused me to behave like that, which I’m sure you already know, but that isn’t an excuse for what I did to Karla. She’s forgiven me, but I will totally understand if you can’t.”

  “Trevor, you hurt Karla. You drugged her and you had every intention of raping her. If Travis hadn’t stopped you when he did you would have broken something inside her that I would have had to work for a long time to repair. I understand that you’re sick and that it wasn’t really you doing it, but I cannot forgive and forget as easily as she can.”