Page 6 of Trash Talk
I crank the engine again, “where are they?”
“Persimmon.”
I race over to Persimmon Medical Center. It’s on the east end of downtown and doesn’t take us long to get there. Unfortunately, we’re not met with great news. I know first-hand what it’s like to lose a parent. Hell, I lost both. Em and her sisters are going to need a ton of support in the coming months. It took years for me to move past everything. Because you don’t get over losing a parent. It leaves a scar, a hole in your heart and in your life. And no one can tell you how to cope with your new normal, or how long the healing process will take. It’s different for everyone. Thankfully, I had Gramps to look out for me and make sure I didn’t go off the deep end. Too much. It was touch and go for a while.
The outpouring of love and kindness from our community who’ve been holding vigil with the Alexanders is amazing. The people in this town support one another. I know if I had to look at one more casserole after my parents died though, I was gonna lose it. They’ve been known to go overboard with their thoughtfulness, but Gramps and I had dinner for months. I became a master at thawing out a covered dish.
Charlie, Em's sister, had some bruises and cuts on her arms, neck and face from the shattered window, but she was in the back seat, so she took the least amount of damage. They were able to patch her up quickly.
We end up staying for a couple hours, until Em's aunt is out of surgery; she had a few broken bones and some internal bleeding, but it looks like she is going to pull through. Thank God there’s a little good news. I pat Hud on the back (I go to school with him) and tell him I’m glad his mom’s gonna be all right. His brother, Jake is there too. We’re a somber group tonight. It’s crazy with how high I felt before at the game to how low I feel now. I think all anyone’s done tonight is hugged, cried, prayed and screamed. Joshua, Mr. Alexander, did most of the screaming.
I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. He just lost his wife. The woman he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with. And now she’s gone. Only Ruby’s mom could calm him. She pulled him in for a hug and he collapsed. She sat on the floor cradling him in her arms and crying with him. They’ve been friends since high school. Anyone would be lucky to have a friendship like that.
I look at Ruby; I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know if I lost her, it would devastate me. In just a few years, she’s become so important to me. I want her in my life always.
Her hair is a sweaty mess, and her face is stained with tears. She’s still wearing her track suit over her uniform. She needs to get cleaned up and eat something. I talk her into going home for a shower and some food with the promise that I will bring her straight back here when she’s done.
I manage to run home, change clothes and order new tacos while she cleans up. After the delivery guy gets there, we eat in silence. Until her mom texts that she’s taking Em home. Joshua is staying at the hospital with the boys and Charlie— they’re keeping her overnight for observation. Sophia, Em’s older sister, is on her way from Charleston now (thankfully her boyfriend is bringing her; I can’t imagine driving after getting that news). I know Ruby wants to be there for Em, so I offer to drive her over.
“Thank you, Knox. For everything.”
“Of course. There’s nothin’ I wouldn’t do for you.”
“When we get there…” she pauses like she doesn’t know what to say. Or maybe she doesn’t know how to say it. She’s not great about asking for help. I wait patiently as she finds the words.
“Will you stay for a bit? I’ll feel better knowing you’re there with me.” I nod to her. I’ll stay all night if she wants, be there for her. She needs a friend to lean on right now, and I made a promise earlier. One I intend to keep.
