Gracie's Game: Sudden Anger, Accidentally on Purpose (45 page)

"But I did it, all the same!" Amy insisted.

Gracie handed her a tissue from the box thoughtfully provided on the table and Amy blew her nose. Then she dropped her head into her hands and began crying again. "I wish I'd
never
tried to take that shortcut."

"What shortcut?" Kelly asked. "Didn't you take the Interstate?"

Amy shook her head, smearing tears over her palms. She raised her head and took another tissue, wiping her face. "I thought there'd be less traffic if I took the state highway," she said as if trying to convince herself of the truth of the statement. I told her we'd get to the school before everyone else. Oh, if I hadn't done that this wouldn't have happened!"

"You don't know that," Gracie said, patting Amy's arm. "If Meaghan was following you then you
couldn't
have hit her car."

"It was
dark
, there weren't any lights out there. And it was
raining
," Amy insisted.

"Amy, I know you're upset," Gracie said. "But you're not making any sense! Start from the beginning and tell us exactly what happened."

Amy took a deep, shuddering breath and sat up a little straighter. "I saw the signs for the state road on the way there and like I said, I thought there'd be less traffic and I'd get home quicker. You know how it is trying to get out of a stadium with about a zillion other people all wanting out at the same time."

"That's why we left as soon as the game was over," Kelly said. "But I can see how you'd think the less-traveled road might be faster," he hastened to add.

"So I told Meaghan about my idea and she liked that, she said she'd follow me. But it was dark and raining and the road had lots of curves; it was kinda scary driving."

Amy paused to sniffle as more tears threatened. Gracie just nodded for her to continue.

"My phone rang so I pulled over to the side to answer it," Amy said. "You know how they're always going on about how talking on the phone while you're driving isn't safe."

Everyone at the table nodded solemnly.

"So Meaghan passed me and I said I couldn't talk right then and then I had to hurry to catch up to her." A look of horror stole over Amy's face. "But when I did I was going too fast and I couldn't see very well and I guess I misjudged the distance. I ran into her car."

"It was an accident," Kelly told her. "It could've happened to anyone under those conditions."

Amy was staring straight ahead, seeing not her friends but what had happened an hour ago. She spoke mechanically, saying "There was a curve to the right just ahead. I saw her brake lights go on, but the car just kept sliding. The road was wet, her car just kept going straight ahead. It flew off the road, I watched it like it was in slow motion. It hit a tree. I don't know how I got my car stopped."

"Amy, it wasn't your fault," Gracie said. "You don't need to say anymore."

"I ran down the bank and tried to help her. But her door was locked and I couldn't get in and she wasn't
moving
," Amy couldn't seem to stop talking. "I didn't know what to
do
, I beat on the window but she wouldn't wake up. I yelled and screamed for her to open the door."

"And then you did the only thing you
could
do," Gracie said in a soothing voice. "You went back to your car and called 911. You did exactly the right thing."

Amy nodded. "Yes, I did the only thing I could. It took them forever to get there; I didn't really know where we were so they had to look for my headlights. I called Jennifer while they were putting Meaghan in the ambulance. I didn't know what else to do."

Jennifer stood up and threw her arms around Amy's shoulders. "It's okay, it's not your fault. Stop saying it is!"

Shawna had been sitting at the next table and apparently overheard most of the story and she came over to add her reassurances to Amy. The rest of the kids realized that something was going on and as the account spread everyone came over to add their assurance that it was just an accident and they didn't think it was her fault.

"Maybe it
was
just an accident," Amy finally agreed. "But we sure have had an awful lot of accidents, lately."

"This will be the last of them," Gracie said with assurance. "It's time our luck changed."

Chapter 39

When the football team and cheerleaders arrived in the 2nd floor waiting room they were hoping to hear something more about Meaghan's status, but there was nothing to report. Brittney had gone down to ask the ER nurse if she could tell them anything, but the woman again cited the privacy laws and refused to say anything else. They'd all seen a face peer in the tiny window at them from time to time, staff checking up on the large group. But even with the addition of more people the room was surprisingly quiet.

Jake spent some time talking privately with Amy, making her re-live the accident again Gracie thought. But he too apparently absolved her of guilt, ending the chat by patting her on the arm before he rejoined his teammates. She noticed that although Jake seemed concerned he hadn't apparently shed any tears; but then he
was
a guy.

Time dragged on. They took up a collection and Shaun left to get pizzas. Some of the kids decided to leave after making sure someone would call them when there was news. Gracie thought about it herself, but was afraid she wouldn't be able to sleep if she did go home. She wasn't that close to Meaghan, but she
was
her friend and she wanted to know what had happened to her.

People came and went occasionally but when a middle-aged couple walked in the room grew silent and all eyes stared at them. They had to be Meaghan's parents. The woman had short mousy-brown hair, but even at this hour she wore an expensive tailored pantsuit with a large gold cross pendant. The man wore slacks and a pin-striped shirt open at the neck; with a touch of gray at his temples and stylish glasses he looked every inch the distinguished attorney. Gracie remembered that Meaghan had said he worked at lot at home and she could picture him closing up file folders and rushing here when the call had come.

"Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt, I'm Amy." She came forward and offered her hand. Mr. Pruitt shook hands with her, but Mrs. Pruitt pulled her into a hug.

"Yes, dear; I remember you. Call me Cynthia please," she said. Her manner was warm and friendly. "And this is my husband, Steve. Oh my goodness, I'm so comforted to see so many of Meaghan's friends here. It means so very much to us to see how many young people care for her."

Amy looked a little nervous. "Uh, please sit wherever you'd like, and I'd be happy to get you some coffee or something to eat. We'll all do anything we can to make this a little easier for you."

"A cup of coffee would be nice," Steve said as he led his wife to a table in one corner. "But I don't feel like eating just now."

Cynthia sat down next to her husband and Amy joined them, while Jennifer brought two cups of coffee from the large pot on the counter; Brittney trailed her with a handful of creamer and sweetener packets, stir-sticks and napkins. "We're all so very sorry," Brittney said.

Cynthia patted her hand and told her, "You're sweet to take care of us like this. The Lord has blessed Meaghan with good-hearted friends. Is there any of that pizza left?"

Cody flipped open the boxes and called out, "There's three slices of Pepperoni left, and one Supreme."

Steve shuddered slightly at the thought of eating cold pizza at this late hour but Cynthia requested the remaining piece of Supreme. "If nobody minds," she said. "I must keep up my strength."

Cody brought the pizza to her using a paper towel for a plate.

"Thank you, young man," Cynthia said kindly. She closed her eyes and bowed her head. "Thank you Lord for this good food and for these wonderful young people. I ask you, Lord, to watch over my daughter Meaghan, and the doctors and nurses who are taking care of her. I would humbly ask that you allow her to live, but if not I am comforted to know she will be in your loving presence for all eternity. Thy will be done. In Jesus' name, Amen."

"Amen," murmured most of the students. Many were quite sincere, though some looked distinctly uncomfortable and seemed to reply out of courtesy alone.

"Mrs…uh, Cynthia," Amy began as the woman took a big bite of pizza. "I know this must be really hard for you, but
please
, could you tell us how Meaghan is?"

Steve spoke up. "She is alive, thank God. She has some internal damage and they've taken her to surgery. The doctor believes she has a good chance of full recovery, but there are no guarantees of course."

A loud sigh of relief echoed across the room. The girls hugged each other while the guys exchanged high-fives. Phrases such as "Oh thank goodness", "I'm
so
glad she's okay", and "I
so
wanted to hear that" could be heard among the general babble of relief.

"Were you able to see her?" Gracie asked.

"They allowed us to sit with her for a little while," Cynthia said. "We held her hand and talked to her."

"You mean she was conscious?" Amy asked in surprise.

Cynthia turned her head to give Amy an odd look. "No, dear. But I know she heard us nonetheless."

Amy colored a bit, ducking her head in embarrassment. "I just meant that she must've been in pain, and it would, um, be a kindness if she wasn't awake through that."

Cynthia patted Amy's arm, apparently her favorite gesture. "I agree, Amy. I would've loved to be able to hear her voice, but I wouldn't want her to suffer." She took another bite of pizza.

Some of the students decided to leave on that note of good news, creating a background noise of coats being pulled on, backpacks and/or purses being closed, and quiet requests to be updated as well as goodbyes. Several of them paused to speak briefly with Meaghan's parents before they left.

Cynthia had finished her pizza by the time the room settled down again. Brittney served them both more coffee. Steve had been mostly silent, drinking his coffee as if on remote control.

"I believe I'd like to go see the babies in the nursery," Cynthia remarked.

"We should stay here, so the doctor will know where to find us when Meaghan comes out of surgery," Steve said, trying to be reasonable.

"Nonsense!" Cynthia replied. "They said it would take hours, and we'll be right here in the hospital." She turned to Amy. "I'll give you my phone number and you can call me if they come looking for us." She turned back to her husband, a pleading look in her eyes. "That will work, won't it? I would so like to see the babies right now, God's little miracles and an affirmation of life."

Steve's face relaxed into a wan smile. "When you put it like that, how can I say 'no'?"

Amy dug a pen out of her purse and pulled a napkin closer. "I'll be happy to call you, what's your number?"

Cynthia recited the number and watched as Amy wrote it down. "What is that on your hand, Amy? That's not a tattoo, is it?" Her voice contained more than a hint of scorn.

Amy glanced at the offending hand and laughed. "No, it's just where they stamped my hand when I left the game. I'd left my umbrella in the car and had to go get it when it started sprinkling. I'll watch your purse for you if you like; that way you don't have to bother with it."

Cynthia smiled at the simple explanation. "Well then, that's all right, isn't it? It will wash off. Thank you Dear, it would be nice not to have to tote that heavy purse with me, and I know you'll take good care of it."

Steve and Cynthia left the waiting room and immediately everyone began discussing what 'internal injuries' might mean and just how serious they might be. Jennifer began cleaning up, throwing pizza boxes and soda cans in the trash. Gracie reminded her to use the recycle bins where possible. Brittney wanted to make another pot of coffee but couldn't figure out how so Cheryl showed her. Many of them pulled out phone or laptops and posted the news on FaceBook. Meaghan wasn't out of the woods yet and they were worried about her.

Amy stood up and walked away from the table carrying three purses.

"Amy, what in the world are you doing?" asked Gracie.

"Gotta go potty," Amy replied. "And I promised Mrs. Pruitt I'd watch her purse. I forgot all about having Meaghan's too, guess I'd better give it to her when she gets back."

"Why don't you just leave them here?" Gracie wanted to know. "Nobody will bother them."

Amy shook her head, a stubborn look on her face. "I promised, and that makes me responsible," she insisted.

No sooner had she left than a police officer entered the room. "I'm Officer Simon," he announced. "I'm looking for Amy Jones, the nurse downstairs said she might be here."

"She just left for the ladies' room," Gracie said. "Why don't you sit down and wait, I'm sure she'll be back in a couple minutes."

The policeman looked around and spied the coffeepot, went over and helped himself to a cup. He sat at the table nearest the door and sipped at his coffee. Amy came in a few minutes later and stopped cold when she saw the cop. Then she laughed at herself and handed the three bags to Gracie and sat down with the officer.

"I knew someone would want to talk to me," she said.

He appraised her critically, trying to get a good measure of her attitude. "You're Amy Jones?" he asked.

She nodded. "I told the officer at the scene that it was all my fault. I guess I'm in big trouble, huh?"

He asked her to go through the events leading up to the crash and she did so far more lucidly and accurately this time, though she was clearly nervous and expected the worst. She still seemed to take sole responsibility for what had happened.

The cop made notes, then spent a minute going over them. "The EMTs said the airbag didn't deploy, is that correct?"

Amy frowned in thought for a moment and said, "You know, now that you mention it I didn't see the airbag. It was really dark, but I'd left my car pointed at hers so I could use the headlights to help see. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. I banged on the window and yelled at her to wake up, but she didn't. And I remember wondering if she'd hit her head on the steering wheel or something, and I wouldn't have thought that if the airbag had been there."

Officer Simon shrugged and put his notebook back in his pocket, took another sip of coffee. "They're not perfect," he said. "Sometimes they don't go off like they're supposed to."

Tyler approached the table. "Officer, I think I should tell you that Meaghan had car trouble today at lunch."

The policeman gestured to Tyler to sit down. "What kind of car trouble?"

"It wouldn't start," Tyler told him. He gestured over his shoulder and added, "Jake fixed it for her. But I thought maybe it could have caused more trouble and might've, uh, what's the word,
contributed
to the accident."

Officer Simon looked in the direction of Tyler's gesture. "Which one of you is Jake?"

Jake stood and walked over to join them, but remained standing. "I am, sir. Jake Salazar. It was just a loose battery cable, and I tightened the bolts, that's all."

"Nuts," the officer automatically corrected. Someone in the back of the room snickered.

"I saw him do it," Allison called from where she sat. "The battery's in the trunk of that car, he couldn't have done anything else."

"Me, too," Shaun put in.

"I was there too," Kelly said. "He's telling the truth."

"Okay, got it." The cop pulled his notebook back out to add this information. "I'll check into it. I've got your phone number if I have any more questions. Thank you, Miss Jones."

Amy looked surprised. "You're not going to arrest me?"

He smiled and said, "Not unless I find out it wasn't just an unfortunate accident."

He looked at the room full of students. "I hope your friend is okay," he said.