Page 23 of Crash
“Yeah,” I bark.
“Austin, all I could hear was the sound of her screaming then the car being hit and dragged,” Courtney sobs hysterically.
Tears well in my eyes. “Courtney, sis, what the fuck happened?”
She was on her Bluetooth when she got in the car. I heard it connect, and she was bitching about how she couldn’t hear any music while driving because her phone call takes precedent. She told me the news, and we were talking about the tour and the things she wanted me to prepare. Then…it happened so fast.” She cries and her voice becomes distant.
Another person intercepts the call “Hello?”
“Yes. This is Austin Lancaster, Courtney’s brother. Tessa is fine. She’s a bit banged up, and we are taking her to the hospital to be checked out.” I bite back my emotions, not wanting to cause any more panic.
The unknown person relays the information, and Courtney calms down, returning to the call. “Austin, she’s okay?”
Right now, I need my sister to be calm, and even though this is a falsehood I’m telling her, it’s what I have to do in this moment to help me regain control. “We’re going to take her to the hospital for a full checkup. You can meet us there.”
“Did you call her folks? Do you want me to?” she offers.
“No, I’ll do that so that it can be documented and in the police report since we are working with them. I love you and will see you soon.” I disconnect and continue to monitor the removal of the door.
“We are clear,” one man yells.
They pull, and after a loud pop, an opening appears, and they carry away the scrap metal. Caleb rushes to Tessa with his bag and begins the assessment. I grab the gurney and the backboard, placing it next to the car. Afterwards, he places a cervical collar on her neck to keep her still. Another unit comes to assist, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Seeing her like this, unconscious, unable to tell me what happened, takes my focus out of play. Sure, I’ve responded to many accidents, some even with fatalities, but it hits differently when it’s someone you know.
“Austin, why don’t you let them take over and you go call her family?” Caleb suggests.
He gives me a reassuring look, and I nod in acceptance. Returning to the truck, I take a few minutes to myself as tears stream down my cheeks. I didn’t know my feelings for her were so deep until now. The reality of what I’ve been hiding from myself hits me like a ton of bricks. After I clear my throat, I take my phone and dial her dad. I’ve had his number for a few years now. He, my dad, and I occasionally go fishing on the weekends or catch a big game at the stadium. The phone initiates that first ring, and I brace myself for having to tell him that his daughter, his only child, is severely injured.
“Austin. How are you doing, buddy?” His cheerful tone makes this even harder to do.
I clear my throat one more time before speaking. “Mr. Gordon.” I take a deep breath, stilling my emotions.
“Austin, what’s wrong, son?”
“Tessa was involved in a motor vehicle accident. We are preparing to transport her to New Hanover now.”
His deep breaths come through the phone, and I can’t help but reciprocate my own.
“George, what is it?” her mother, Joyce, says in the background.
He shares with her the details, and a mother’s pain is carried through the line.
“Austin, my baby. Is she…?”
“No, no. She is unconscious with strong vitals, but we’ll continue to monitor her.”
A loud knock at their door and constant ringing of their bell aggravates her, and she yells for Mr. Gordon to answer it.
“Courtney called us. Come on, let’s go. We’ll take you,” my dad tells them.
The phone falls silent, and I can’t help the emotions overcoming me.
“Austin! Austin!” a woman screams.
I jump from the truck to find the source.
“Austin,” she calls again. “Where are you?” Sobs follow her plea to find me.
“Bro, she’s awake. Come on.” Caleb ushers me through the scene and to her side. They have her positioned on the gurney and securely immobilized for her safety.
