Page 186 of Happy Hour

We listened as the ESPN reporter spoke of the crash. “Jameson Riley, NASCAR’s hotheaded rookie, was air lifted to Pocono Medical Center after his win this afternoon. While doing a victory burnout in the tunnel turn at Pocono International Raceway, Darrin Torres, driver of the Wyle Products number fourteen, hit Riley’s Simplex Ford number nine on the driver side. Riley had apparently loosened his belts after he took the checkered flag. Track officials said he was unconscious when they arrived. He was immediately air lifted and is currently listed in critical, but stable condition. No comment has been made by the Wyle Products team nor was Darrin available for comment. There were no other cars on the track so it remains a mystery as towhyTorres was even on the track still when he hit Riley.

“These two have had encounters in the past, and without a comment made by the Gibson Racing, it leads us to believe this was some sort of retaliation on the number nine. Darrin and Jameson had been battling for the lead the majority of the day but when Jameson pulled away around lap two hundred, Darrin was unable to catch him. NASCAR has announced in a press conference twenty minutes ago, that Torres has been suspended for the remainder of the season. Gordon Reynolds, Director of Competition announced minutes ago fines would be delivered as well with extreme severity. It was also announced that Gibson Racing will be allowed to replace the driver of the number fourteen.”

“Jesus,” Charlie mumbled turning down the radio when Emma’s phone rang.

“Hello?” she answered immediately searching through her bag for tissues. “Okay...yeah, we are almost to Olympia...” she was quiet listening to what I assumed was Spencer and handed me a tissue. “Yes, Sway is coming too...okay...see you in a few hours.” Emma hung up and turned towards me. “He’s okay, Sway.” She leaned forward to capture my gaze. “Don’t stress out in your condition...”

I nodded.

“Spencer said they will need to do surgery on his wrist and put in some pins but he’s going to be just fine. He’s got six broken ribs, a broken wrist, a fracture radius, broken collarbone and a punctured lung.”

I gasped.

“Jameson will be okay, he’s still unconscious but the doctors said there is no brain injury...just a concussion.” Her eyes narrowed. “Sway,” she made me look at her again. “He’s fine. You need to relax and not stress out right now.”

All I could do was nod.

Here I just found out I was pregnant andnowthe father of my baby was in the hospital.

I could be told he would be all right, or at least I prayed he would be but that didn’t stop that paralyzing numb feeling from returning.

My mind wandered to just a few months ago, knowing the change that occurred within myself. In just a few short months, I went from being what I thought I’d always be to him, to being pregnant with his child.

A child I never knew I wanted until right now.

A piece of him was now inside me creating a link between us or maybe it was strengthening the one already there. What I never understood until right then, staring off at the passing headlights, each illuminating the change within us, that link was now lock.

I knew then I couldn’t settle for just a taste with him.

A taste would never be enough.

I had a thirst I never knew I had, to a substance that was vital.

---