|
|
The storm had abated to a light snowfall and the wind had died down. It had turned colder, however, and the chill seemed to go straight through to Lucy's bones. She shivered and tried to quicken her pace to match Carter's longer strides. He realized she was struggling through the deep snow and slowed down, taking her elbow to help steady her footing. Although the street had recently been plowed, the sidewalk hadn't yet been cleared. Carter thought it might be easier to walk on the street. There wasn't much traffic now. But he heard and saw the occasional car spinning its wheels and swerving off to the side. That indicated icy patches hidden under a light dusting of snow and he didn't want to risk slipping and falling.
Neither of them spoke for the longest time. It was partly due to the raw coldness of the air. But mostly due to that awkwardness between them again. They had left the warmth and intimacy of Charlie's Place behind, and were plunged back into the real world once more. They now had about half a block to go before they reached the hospital.
Slightly out of breath, Lucy asked "Are you going to ask Dr. Benton to help start your car?"
"Yeah, if he's out of surgery. I'm glad I have the day off tomorrow," Carter replied, sounding a little tired.
"You mean today," Lucy corrected. "Right. Today. New Year's Day."
They lapsed back into silence and came to an intersection. Cook County General lay just around the corner, and Carter unconsciously began to walk faster, eager to get back to a warm place. As the light turned green, he stepped out into the street, not noticing that Lucy wasn't at his side.
One of Lucy's boots felt loose, and she glanced down. The bootlace was untied and she called out, "Hold on a sec'. My lace came undone." As she started bending down to retie it, she saw Carter turn around. He paused for a moment and then began walking back towards her. A flash of headlights coming around the corner drew her attention and she froze. The car was moving way too fast and it suddenly veered out of control. Lucy's heart leapt into her throat and she finally found her voice.
"John, look out!" she cried.
Carter had started walking back to the curb when he saw the acute fear and alarm in Lucy's face. She was looking behind him and he swung around, blinded by the oncoming headlights. He heard her scream his name and tried desperately to scramble out of the way, knowing he wouldn't make it in time. Then he felt a strong push on his chest and he fell backwards. As he was falling, he saw the car strike Lucy with such force that her knapsack went flying through the air. Her head impacted the ground hard, and she rolled several times before coming to a stop.
Carter landed on his butt with a jolt that jarred his teeth, and for a split second, he was frozen to the spot in horror. *This can't be happening!* He quickly came to his senses and shot to his feet, running to Lucy's prone form.
"Lucy! Oh, God...Lucy!" His breath came out in harsh gasps and he knelt at her side, ripping off his gloves. He felt for a pulse at her neck and momentarily panicked when he couldn't find one. No, there it was. But it felt weak and thready. *Help...I gotta get help* Where was his phone? In his bag. He looked around, spotting it near where he'd fallen. He scuttled over to it, searching with clumsy fingers. He finally found it but then couldn't remember the number of the ER. *Damnit! Wait, I've got it programmed* He told himself to calm down or he wouldn't be of any good to Lucy.
The phone rang. And rang. "Come on Jerry, pick up!" Carter said out loud, feeling his frustration mount.
"ER..."
"Jerry! Lucy's been hurt...hit by a car..." Carter looked down at her and noticed for the first time that one leg was bent at an unnatural angle. She was also missing a boot. "She has a possible head injury, broken leg, pulse is weak. Get a stretcher down here now!"
Jerry had answered the phone rather sleepily but he sounded wide awake now, instantly recognizing Carter's voice. "Where are you?"
Carter told him their location and turned when he heard a car door opening. In his concern for Lucy, he had forgotten all about the driver. The young man looked to be in his early twenties and he half stepped out of the car with one foot on the ground.
Carter felt the blood rush to his head and he jabbed his finger towards the man. "You, you son of a ...no, not you Jerry. Stay right where you are," he called out to the dazed looking man. Into the phone he said, "Jerry, I want you to call the police and send some security. And tell them to hurry it up with the stretcher. It's freezing out here."
Carter hung up and approached the man cautiously, noting his glazed eyes. His instinct told him this guy was drunk. The man was clutching the steering wheel with one hand and the door with the other, staring slack-jawed at Lucy's still figure. "Is she dead?" he whispered.
"No, she's not dead," Carter snapped angrily, stepping closer. The man was breathing heavily and Carter could easily smell the alcohol from two feet away. Now that his suspicion was confirmed, he felt his anger soaring to new heights. The man had an open gash on his forehead. Although Carter would have dearly loved to throttle him, he found himself asking "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"Wha'?"
"Are you hurt anywhere else?" Carter barked. "Your forehead's bleeding."
The question finally sank in and the man shook his head, lightly touching the edge of his wound with his finger. "No..."
"Too bad." Carter grabbed the guy by the front of his coat with one hand, hauling him out of the car. With his free hand he slammed the door shut.
"Hey..." the man protested feebly, trying to loosen himself from Carter's choking grip. "What're you doin'?"
"Making sure you don't make a run for it." The man was forced to stumble along behind Carter until they reached Lucy's side. Carter pushed him roughly into the snowdrift. "Stay there," he ordered. "And don't move."
Carter positioned himself where he could attend to Lucy and keep an eye on the drunk. He didn't want to take any chance that the guy would drive off. He turned his attention back to Lucy and touched her cheek. It was so cold. "Luce, can you hear me?" There was no response and he was worried about the fact that she hadn't regained consciousness yet. She was lying facedown, with one cheek pressed against the snow. He wished he could put a scarf or something underneath to protect her face from the cold, but he didn't dare move her head in case of a spinal cord injury. For the same reason, he couldn't pick her up and carry her to the ER himself.
"I found her boot and her bag."
Carter jerked his head up. A middle-aged woman with kind eyes held out Lucy's knapsack and stray boot. "They were way over there," she continued, pointing behind her. She glanced down at Lucy, making sympathetic noises. "Poor thing. Will she be all right?"
"Yeah," Carter said hoarsely, accepting Lucy's things. "She'll be fine." But the truth was, he didn't know if she'd be fine. He was scared. Maybe the most scared he had ever been in his life. But he pushed that emotion down where it couldn't reach him. He had to be able to think clearly. There was another emotion that was nagging at him and he belatedly recognized it was guilt. It was he that should have been struck by the car, not Lucy. She had pushed him out of the way, had sacrificed herself for him. *I'm sorry. Please God, let her be all right* He recalled how beautiful her eyes had looked in the candlelight at Charlie's Place, and he would give anything to see her open those eyes now. He stroked her cheek again, still so white and cold. *Come on Luce, wake up*
He looked down the street. *What's taking so long? She'll freeze to death before they get here* In reality, he knew only a few minutes had passed since he'd called Jerry, but it seemed to be a lifetime. He took his coat off and gently placed it on top of her.
"Oh, young man! You'll catch your death of cold!" the woman exclaimed.
"I'm ok," Carter said. He thought he heard voices and turned his head. He leapt to his feet, seeing Dr. Benton, Dr. Greene, Lydia and Chuni running towards them with the stretcher. He waved them on. "Come on! Hurry!" Three burly security men were running behind them and he looked back at the drunk. He hadn't moved from his place on the snowdrift and continued to stare at Lucy as if in shock.
Everyone's faces were grim as they set the stretcher down and got to work.
"Watch her head," Carter warned. "She hit the ground pretty hard." He started to kneel down, wanting to help. But Peter stopped him, removing his coat from Lucy and placing it around Carter's shoulders.
"You're shaking, Carter. Go back to the ER and get yourself warm."
Was he shaking? He didn't even realize it. "I'm staying with Lucy."
"Is this the guy?" one of the security men asked. Two of them were each holding one of the drunk's arms. It seemed that the third security officer wasn't needed. Even one would have been enough, since he wasn't putting up any resistance.
"Yeah, that's him," Carter stated flatly.
"Poor Lucy," Chuni murmured, shaking her head.
Mark glanced at her. "Let's keep our focus," he said, not unkindly.
Lucy was fitted with a neck brace and splint for her leg, before being placed on a back board. They worked together quickly and efficiently, only taking the time to ask Carter some pertinent questions like: how long ago did it happen, did she become conscious at any time, etc..
When they were ready, Mark said "Ok, people, we're going to move as fast and smooth as possible. Let's go!"
As Carter started to run along after them, he barely heard the older woman calling out to him that he'd forgotten his bag. He thanked her, retrieving it from the snow and tried to catch up to the group.
They burst through the doors of the ER and headed for the closest trauma room. Haleh had been waiting in the hallway for them, and she followed close behind. Carter was right at her heels, but he stopped short when Peter said, "Haleh, would you please escort Dr. Carter to the lounge."
"What? But I want to help," Carter protested.
"Have you been drinking tonight?"
"Uh, yeah...a little..." He knew Dr. Benton was right, but that didn't make it any easier. "It's ok. I know where the lounge is." He stared after them as they entered the trauma room. With a heavy heart, he made his way to the lounge, relieved to find it empty. He stood motionless for several moments and then collapsed into a nearby chair. He was still clutching Lucy's lost items and he had to slowly unclench his fingers. He hadn't realized how tightly he'd been gripping them. He leaned forward, holding his head in both hands and rocking slightly back and forth. A continuous chant was running through his head *Please God, let her be ok* over and over again. Then a different thought intruded *It should have been me* A lump came to his throat and he fought the urge to cry.
The sudden ringing of his cell phone caused Carter to jump. He reached for the phone in his bag.
"Hello."
"John? What's wrong? You sound funny."
"Roxanne? I...look, this isn't a good time."
"Why? What's going on?" she insisted.
Carter sighed. "Lucy was hit by a car. She's in trauma...I really can't talk to you right now."
Roxanne was silent for several seconds. "So it's still Lucy, is it?" she said softly. "I called to apologize and you're still going on about her."
Carter was stunned by that remark. "Did you hear what I said?" He couldn't believe Roxanne's selfishness. "She was hit by a damned car! A drunk driver!"
"Stop yelling at me."
"I'm not yelling!" Carter stopped and lowered his voice as he realized he was indeed shouting. "Roxanne," he said clearly, "I cannot deal with you right now. I'm hanging up."
"John, don't you dare..."
He shut the phone off and hurled it across the room. The instant it left his hand he regretted his impulsive action. But the phone struck the back cushion of the couch, bounced a couple of times and landed harmlessly on the seat. While it had been a stupid thing to do, at least he had released some pent up tension. If he had previously had any doubts about breaking off his relationship with Roxanne, he certainly had none now. Her insensitivity and heartlessness appalled him.
Jerry peeked his head in. "Dr. Carter, the police are here. They want to speak with you."
Carter nodded. "Thanks Jerry. I'll be right there." He took a moment to calm himself down and left the lounge to meet with the police. It didn't take too long. The facts were pretty clear and the blood alcohol test showed the man was well over the legal limit. The cut on his forehead was being sutured right now, and then he would be taken to the police station by one of the officers. His partner wanted to wait around to see what Lucy's condition was.
Carter showed him to the waiting area and then he returned to the lounge. He didn't feel like sitting anymore and started pacing around the room. He kept looking at his watch. It seemed to be taking a long time. What did that mean? He turned on the TV but immediately shut it off again. He went to the coffeemaker and poured himself a cup. But he left it sitting on the counter and started his pacing again. Agonizing minutes ticked by.
"Carter?"
He jumped, turning to find Mark entering the lounge with a reassuring smile on his face.
"Oh, thank God!" Carter felt such immense relief that he found he had to sit down after all. He had been imagining the worst. Brain damage. Paralysis.
Mark sat down beside him on the couch. "Yeah, she's going to be ok. Lots of bruising, some lacerations, a broken fibula and a minor concussion. No internal damage to her organs." He paused. "It's her hat that saved her."
"What?" Carter thought he hadn't heard correctly.
"Her hat," Mark repeated. "It's pretty thick wool, so it really absorbed a lot of the impact. I think her head must have struck some ice, so if it hadn't been for that hat, we would have been looking at a severe concussion and possibly worse."
Carter once more thanked God for small miracles. "It was my hat. Lucy was just...borrowing it."
"Is that right? Well, she'll have to thank you in the morning."
Carter gave a short, humourless laugh. "It's me that has to thank Lucy. She saved me."
Mark gave him a puzzled look. "How do you mean?"
"The car was headed straight for me. I thought I was a goner. But somehow she pushed me out of the way and that's how she got hit." Carter briefly closed his eyes, replaying in his mind the image of seeing Lucy struck by the car. He knew he would never be able to forget it.
Mark was impressed by Lucy's bravery. He patted Carter on the shoulder. "Well, sounds like you do owe her some thanks. And maybe a box of chocolates. A big one."
That made Carter smile. "Is she still unconscious?"
"No, she's awake now. Her leg is being set, then we'll admit her upstairs overnight for observation." Mark stood up. "She's asked for you a couple of times. You want to see her?"
"Yes, definitely." Carter followed Mark out into the hallway and remembered the police officer in the waiting area. "Dr. Greene, one of the officers has been waiting to hear about Lucy's condition. He's in chairs."
"Ok, I'll go talk to him. Lucy's in Exam 2."
The door to the exam room was open and Carter hesitated in the doorway. Dr. Benton was setting the cast for Lucy's leg. Her bed was slightly inclined so she was sitting up, but her eyes were closed. One side of her face was badly swollen and the delicate skin was already starting to bruise.
Peter spied him hovering by the open door. "Come in, Carter. I'm just about finished here."
Lucy's eyes opened at the sound of his voice. Though her head was pounding and the rest of her was aching with pain, she managed a tiny smile for Carter's benefit. "Hey, Dr. Carter," she said weakly.
"Hey yourself." He came closer to the bed, returning her smile. "How do you feel?"
"Like I got trampled by a herd of elephants. I don't think the painkillers have kicked in yet."
"We only gave you a mild dosage because of your concussion," Peter explained. He stood up, rolling his neck. "All done. Would you like me to call your mother?"
"No," Lucy said quickly. "I don't want to scare her in the middle of the night. I'll call her in the morning."
"Ok. Mark is taking care of the arrangements to have you admitted. They're expecting you on the third floor. Let's get you upstairs." Peter looked at Carter. "Would you care to do the honours?"
"Sure," Carter replied, wanting to talk to Lucy alone for a few minutes. If she felt up to it.
Peter turned to go and Lucy said, "Thanks for everything, Dr. Benton."
He looked back at her. "No problem. Everyone's glad you're all right. Get a good night's sleep."
Carter helped Lucy into a wheelchair and pushed her out into the hallway towards the elevator. As they went by, people stopped to wish her well, or give her a brief hug. She was obviously well liked in the ER. Lucy appreciated the attention, but her eyelids were growing heavier. She was starting to feel pretty groggy. The pain was fading a little so the drugs must have started taking effect.
Once up on the third floor, a nurse showed them to her room. Carter hadn't been expecting a private room, but Dr. Greene must have asked for one. He could see that Lucy was exhausted so he wanted to get her in bed as quickly as possible.
"Put your arms around my neck," Carter said, lifting her easily in his arms. He placed her down gently and arranged the covers around her. "Are you warm enough?"
"Mmm hmm." Lucy nodded.
"Are you sure? I could get you another blanket."
"I'm fine. Really."
Carter had hoped he would be able to talk with her, but now was not the time. "I'm gonna get going then. You need your rest."
"Don't go, John...please. I don't want to be alone."
"All right. Anything you say." Carter pulled a chair close to her side and sat down. He rested his arms on the bed. "I'll stay until you're asleep. How's that?"
"Ok." It was dark in the room except for a small lamp on the table behind Carter. It cast his face in shadow and he looked so serious. "What are you thinking?" she asked.
He didn't answer for a long time. Finally, he said slowly "I'm thinking you could have been killed. That I never would have forgiven myself. Never." He looked into her eyes. "It should have been me, Luce. Why did you do it?"
Lucy knew he was asking why she had pushed him out of harm's way. Truthfully, everything had happened so fast and she had reacted without thinking. But she would do the same thing again in a heartbeat. She was struggling to keep awake now and barely managed to answer him. "I didn't want you to get hurt," she whispered.
Carter didn't know what to say. He was touched by her selfless act, beyond any words he could express. He looked down at his hands for the longest time. When he finally glanced up at her again, her eyes were shut. She was fast asleep.
Carter leaned forward and kissed her softly on the forehead, stroking her hair. "Thank you, Lucy," he murmured. He didn't want to leave her just yet, so he sat back in his chair and watched her sleep.
--------------------------
Feedback is welcomed and appreciated!
Shirley yoshinaka@sprint.ca
Thank you :)
