I was in and out of consciousness and every breath I took felt like a knife was being stabbed through my chest with brute force. The sirens wailed from every direction hurting my ears and causing my head to throb. I couldn’t move, I felt paralyzed and like every bone in my body was broken. And what little I could see before me was red, everything was red. I could hear electric saws cutting away at the car above me and a lot of yelling… yelling. I thought I was going to die, and every time I would open my eyes I could see that there was just a little more light ahead of me. When I thought I had reached the end, and I had given up on hope there his voice was the lowest haunting whisper. I will remember these words that resound over and over and over in my mind until I am numb with pain. My brother James was crammed and sandwiched next to me and I realized the blood was all his when he strained to whisper, “I love you and I missed you Nollie…”
When I wake it is to the rooster crowing outside the window of the guest bedroom at the ranch on Sunday morning, a whole day later. I cover my head with the patch work quilt that I sleep under. My eyes are puffy and red and I hold my side tightly where my wound had been the day of the accident. I could never remember if James had said he would miss me or he had missed me because it changed with every nightmare. And no matter how he said it, it always hurt just the same.
I am utterly embarrassed over yesterday’s dramatics and if I ever want to see Jacob or Annie again I’ll be required an explanation. My face is burning and likely the color of a very ripe tomato as every moment from yesterday races through my mind. Maybe Annie and Jacob don’t want to see me again, after all, I made myself look like a crazy fool. I’m rolling my eyes because it’s suddenly obvious to me that I belong in a heavily padded room secured by many locks to which only one key can open. If this happens, I suggest someone melt that key down and make a pretty knick-knack out of it so that there would be no chance of me ever escaping.
I sigh because there is a gentle knock on the door and I realize that it is indeed Sunday, the day I am to be dragged to church by Lil and Jack. And although I have explained to them that I have never attended church in my entire life they still insist on bringing me along. Every time I enter the building I fear someone may throw holy water on me and banish me to eternal damnation. I crawl out of bed. Luckily no one has had the gumption to throw water on me yet, however if they did I can’t say I’d blame them.
-Naomi Hildebrandt (C)Let me know what you think, feed back is always welcome and extremely helpful. I'd like to get a couple proof readers so if anyone enjoys reading let me know, someone who is awesome with grammar as well! Until next time! :) Always pursue your passions! They help the world around you seem less chaotic ;)
