In the Stars (5 page)

“What can I say? I am very passionate about music. I might not be able to sing for shit, or play any instruments, but I sure do love to listen to it and all the emotions I get out of it. When Eric walked into the Starbucks, I am pretty sure I had a loss of all self-control and senses. Since I am getting there early, we will have plenty of time to talk about it all.”

“Eric; who is Eric?”

“I will be there soon, Raleigh. I will give you all the crazy and juicy details then.” I hear her grunt her protest, but I just laugh and end the call.

As I am driving to her house, I can’t help but think back to the day of the accident. Summer had started, after our first year of college, and we met up with some of our friends at the Rappahannock River for some swimming and riding around on one of the guys’ boats. It was great seeing some of our High School friends again. It was a fun, yet very tiring, day.

Raleigh was driving the two of us back home, when a boy ran a red light, while reaching into his floor board for something, and hit Raleigh’s car on the driver’s side; right behind the front tire and into her door. Thank the lord we both had our seatbelts on, and her car did have air bags. I know things could have turned out so much worse. Honestly, though, that day changed both of us, and took a lot away from Raleigh.

I hit my head on the passenger side window, and it knocked me unconscious. When I woke, we were in a cloud of smoke, and when I looked over at Raleigh her head was full of blood and she was out cold. I went to reach for her, and realized my own head was pounding. I reached over behind my right ear, and let out a yelp from the pain. When I pulled my hand away, it was covered in blood. The car was now surrounded by other people who had witnessed the accident.

They were all trying to talk at the same time, asking if I was ok, could I tell them my name or the day of the week, to try and stay still because help was on the way. At the time, it all just seemed to be a lot of jumble, and all I wanted was to see Raleigh’s eyes open and know that she was ok. I could hear sirens, and everyone started backing away from the car.

Paramedics and police arrived on the scene, asking the same type questions, and removing us both from the car. We both got put on stretchers, and put in different ambulances and rushed to the hospital.

It was the most painful ride of my life. Not because I had a gash from behind the middle of my ear and down the side of my neck, but because I didn’t know if my best friend was alive or dead.

Raleigh had been there for me from the moment I moved to Virginia, from Florida, at twelve years old. She took me under her wing that first day of seventh grade, and she hadn’t left my side since. In that moment, riding in the ambulance, I felt like I was doing just that; letting her down, because I wasn’t there to help her in her time of need.

While they were stitching me up at the hospital my mom showed up.

The police had gotten hold of Raleigh’s parents from her license plate info, and her parents had called my mom. I started to cry again when I saw her, and she was crying as well. They let her come in, and she took hold of my hand and started kissing it all over. Her hands were shaking badly, and I started frantically asking her if she knew about Raleigh. She started rubbing my arm to calm me down, telling me that her parents were there in the waiting room and Raleigh was in surgery. I remember thinking:
well, at least surgery means she is alive.

They did a scan on me, and told me I had a mild concussion, but the symptoms from that should clear up within a few days. I had to avoid exerting myself for at least a week, and was given pain pills for my neck, where the force of the impact and the glass had cut and split it open. It’s now a raised scar, but I haven’t had any further problems from the concussion.

Raleigh, on the other hand, ended up with two deep gashes high up on her forehead from the glass, and a concussion as well. She also had a severe break in her left leg, two broken ribs, and her left arm and shoulder were broken. Due to all her injuries, and recovery process, she wasn’t able to start back to college at the start of this year. Which is how I ended up needing to room with someone else, meaning Piper.

Raleigh is a very strong willed, determined girl, though, and I know she will pull through this just fine.

When I arrive at Raleigh’s house, I am happy to see her sitting on the front porch, waiting for me as I pull in the drive. When she sees me pulling out my overnight bag, she gets a big grin on her face. “Oh boy, are we having a slumber party tonight, Caroline?” She gives me a wink, as I reach out and give her a big hug, being careful to avoid her left shoulder.

“Well, if your parents don’t mind, and you will have me, I would love that. I can always stay with Mom, though, if not. I think Mark will be there, but I have been around him several times over the last few months, and can honestly say he is great with Mom, and I really like him. I have met his son Sam a couple times, too. He is 21, and really cute, by the way, Raleigh.”

She gives me that shy smile of hers. “Well, speaking of cute, I believe you owe me a certain hot story. So come on in, sit your stuff down in my room while you say your quick hellos to my parents, and then spill it.” With that, she starts rubbing her hands together in front of her face, like she just can’t wait to hear all the juicy details.

I open the door to her house for us both to walk in, and I am instantly greeted by two very special people. Raleigh’s parents are great, and I love them like family. She has an older sister, Laura, as well, but she has her own place. I give them both great big hugs, and give her dad a little peck on the cheek; he always gives me the cutest grin when I do that.

I lost my Dad when I was eleven, to cancer, and Raleigh’s dad has always tried to treat me extra special since he met me. That is why my mom and I moved here from Florida. Mom’s parents lived here in Virginia, so, once I finished my sixth grade year at Mims Elementary, and mom got the house sold, we moved in with my grandparents. We lived with them for a year, while Mom found a job and saved up some money. She used the money from the sale of our house in Mims to buy a three bedroom rancher with an amazing screen in porch off the back of it.

My parents were madly in love, and it was very hard on Mom and I both, without dad. She kept herself busy, though, and was determined to make a good life for us. I am very proud of her, because I feel she did just that. I have a wonderful life.

After my greeting with Raleigh’s parents, we head up to her room. I spill out the whole story of my day, lingering on all the juicy details of Eric. Raleigh is sitting with her back against the headboard of her bed, and a pillow on her lap with her hands crossed over it. She is listening so intently, and I love watching all the different facial expressions she makes along the way.

She laughs at my over excited description of Eric. “Dang girl, you got it bad. I have never seen you this worked up over describing a guy before. Excited, yes, but practically ready to have an orgasm sitting right there in his back seat while watching him drive… well, that is an all-time best right there. You think you will see him again, or, for that matter, would you like to?”

It only takes me a second to answer her, because I have been thinking of these exact things ever since he drove away. “Well, Tara is supposed to be keeping in touch with me, and, since he is her brother, I guess that is always a slight chance. As far as do I want to see him… oh my, how could I not? There is just one problem with that. I am afraid of my self-control if I do.

I swear I might just jump him. I pictured doing so many things to and with him, and, other than the removal of, clothes were not involved, and I don’t even know him. He could have a wife or girlfriend, for all I know. I don’t remember seeing a ring, and he didn’t act as though he was taken, with some of his actions and looks I felt like he was giving me. But, honestly, I probably just wanted to see those things because I was on a lust high from him.”

Raleigh ponders this for a moment. “Well, I sure as hell hope I am there to witness you ripping his clothes off and taking what you want. That should be barrels of fun. I promise not to video tape it, and any pictures I take of him while you do this will be for my own private pleasure.” She starts gesturing with her hands like she is holding a camera up and snapping pictures. I give her a light smack on her good arm. “Really, Raleigh? Sorry, but if I get him, I’m not sharing that one, not even in pictures. Now, get your ass in gear, and finish getting ready for your appointment.”

I help her style her long Auburn hair. Honestly, you really don’t have to do a lot to it; just add a little mousse and finger through it, and she lucks out with perfect bouncy curls at the ends. She has bangs cut in the front, which she never had before. She uses them to cover her scars on her forehead from the accident. She doesn’t feel comfortable wearing tanks or short shorts any more either, because of the scars from her surgery where they had to repair her broken bones. I am determined to break her of this; she has a great body, and should be happy to show it off.

She adds a little mascara and lip gloss. Her long lashes extending fully from her honey colored eyes. I give her a big smile in the mirror. “Ok Raleigh, let’s go meet your new heroes. I also read some really good things about this new physical therapy office you are going to.”

I PULL INTO the lot of the Physical Therapist office and turn off the engine. I look over at Raleigh, who is looking pretty excited while looking over the building. Considering they are getting ready to work her over some more, I’m happy to see she can still find something to smile about through it all. “Ok, let’s go get you one of The Works Specials. Does that sound good?”

She just rolls her eyes at me and gets out of the car. We walk inside, and Raleigh gives her information at the front desk, and then comes to sit down beside me with the all so wonderful new patient paper work. She hands me a couple, and we each proceed to start filling out all the information needed. I take the papers back up to the front for her, and we talk some about the upcoming week as we wait for her name to be called.

A short elderly lady opens the door, calling out Raleigh’s name. We stand up together and walk through the open door. “Right this way, please ladies. Is this your sister?”

Raleigh perks up and looks at the lady walking us in. “I wish she was my sister, but she is my best friend, and is here to help me through it all today. Honestly, maybe the best friend part is better than being my sister. I already have one of those, and she and I have definitely had several catty moments with each other.” We all let out a laugh, and are ushered into a decent size room with lots of different equipment.

“Your assistant, Kyle Brooks, will be in to see you in just a moment, Ms. Jefferson. Please have a seat; either on the bench or the bed. Whichever you feel more comfortable on.” We both say thank you, and are left alone in the room.

We sit down, side by side, on the bench, and are taking the room in. Talking about all the machines and weights and stretchy bands, as well as the different size exercise balls.

I grab one of the stretchy bands nearby and start tugging and stretching it in all different ways, while making silly faces at Raleigh. She is laughing and snorting at me, and then the door opens while I am in mid-stream of a very ridiculous facial expression. I suddenly drop the band into my lap, and look straight ahead at a very handsome young physical assistant walking through the door. Raleigh turns and looks at the same time, and I am pretty sure both of our mouths are wide open. He raises his eyebrows at us, and gives me a slightly stern look. “I’m sorry ladies, am I interrupting something?”

I’m a little tongue tied and embarrassed over my childishness, so Raleigh speaks up first, stuttering only slightly. “Oh no, ummm sorry about that. I am Raleigh, the actual patient, and this uncontrollable lady beside me is my friend, Caroline.” Raleigh looks over at me and gives me a smug ha-ha type look.

I finally close my mouth, and give her my angry, you will pay for that look in return. I look back up at her assistant and smile. “I was just trying to keep her from crying at her appointment is all. She is terrified of doctor offices. She always fears they are going to give her a shot, and she doesn’t like boo boos.” I then smile brightly at Raleigh. Ha, take that one why don’t you.

“Oh please, Caroline, you were the one I had to nearly knock out in order to finally drag you into the tattoo parlor with me for our ink. I worked hard sketching my design, and you were trying to make it not happen. So don’t even try and say I’m the one with a fear of needles.” She then cocks her head sideways and huffs at me with a take that expression.

“Well, Raleigh, that is only because my tat was going to be big and…” suddenly we both get cut off by a loud clearing of a voice.

Oh shit, that’s right; Mr. Hotty assistant has arrived to do his job. Oops. He clears his throat once again before speaking. “Ok, well then, we will just act like that didn’t happen. I would appreciate it, though, if you continue to come along for her visits, that you would refrain yourself from playing with the equipment.”