Paper Thin

I heard Sadie, but a frantic sensation coursed through me as another thought hit me. “Was Mom in the car with her?”

“No. She was home with me. Emma had run to the store real quick.”

Relief flooded me. “Thank God.”

“I didn’t mean to call so many times. I just thought you should know,” Dawson choked out. “I’m really glad she forgot to take her phone. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had a way to get a hold of you.”

“Thanks for letting me know.” The words came out automatically. “I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”

“Okay. I’ll let you know if the doctors tell me anything more.”

“Okay.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.” I hung up. My heart started back, but my lungs still refused to pull in air. I couldn’t breathe. How could Emma have been in a car accident? I’d just talked to her a few hours ago. She had been fine, and now she wasn’t. She was lying in a hospital bed, locked in a deep sleep controlled by doctors.

How was any of this real?

“Are you okay?” Sadie’s voice was small.

I shook my head, and tears fell from my eyes. I wasn’t okay, and if my sister didn’t make it through this, I never would be again.

A light tapping on the driver’s side window startled us both. It was Thresh. Sadie rolled down her window.

“Hey, what’s going on? Are you two still coming? I noticed you sort of moved your car, but not all the way.” There was concern in his words.

“No. Not tonight. Umm.” Sadie paused. I wondered if it was because she didn’t want me to hear her explanation, or if she was unsure that she could word the reason why we weren’t coming without choking up.

“Okay. Is everything all right?” Thresh seemed confused.

“Hey, what’s the hold up?” I heard Joh

“They aren’t coming,” Thresh replied.

“What? Why?”

I sank down into my seat and buried my face in my hands. The sound of Sadie’s door opening caught my attention. I felt her slip out of the car.

“Char just found out her sister was in a really bad car accident. I think I’m going to take her home, and sit with her tonight.” Her words crushed me with their weight. “Rain check?”

“Absolutely.” Thresh was quick to say.

“Sure, yeah. No problem,” Joh

“I don’t think so,” Sadie answered. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She climbed back into the car, and drove us back to the dorms. I sobbed the entire ride.

“Why hasn’t he called yet?” I glanced at my cell for the hundredth time in the last hour.

“He will.” Sadie placed a hand on my knee. “When he knows something.”

“I should pack up and head there now. I’m sure I could make it before sunrise.” It was one in the morning. I could be there by seven on the dot, maybe earlier since Easton was an hour closer to me than Parish Cove.

“Char, you’re too upset to be behind the wheel. Plus, you haven’t gotten any sleep.”

I set my cell down. “I can’t sleep. My head is swimming with scary what-if questions.” I ran my hands through my hair, ready to pull it all out if my mind didn’t shut up.

“I’m sure.” She crossed over to her bed. “But, if you plan on making that drive, you have got to at least get some sleep.”

She was right. I knew she was, but the itching sensation spreading through urging me to get to my sister’s side was nearly overpowering.

“Just try to close your eyes for a little while.” She yawned. “There’s nothing you can do for Emma right now. If something happens, or if Dawson hears anything, I’m sure he won’t waste any time calling to fill you in.” Her words grated on my nerves.

“Okay, you want sleep. I get it,” I snapped as I slipped beneath my covers.

“I’m not trying to be rude or insensitive. I’m just telling you the truth.” I could tell from her tone she was taken aback by my harshness.

“I know,” I said in a softer tone. “I’m just scared and worried.” I flipped over onto my side as more tears slipped from my eyes.

“You have every right to be. Hell, I would be too, but there’s nothing you can do for her right now.”

“Turn out the light. Let’s try to get some sleep,” I whispered.

“Okay.” She flipped the switch to the lamp on our shared desk. “Night, Char. I’ll pray for Emma.”

That was all it took for my body to be wracked with silent sobs. My sister shouldn’t be in a position where she needed anyone’s prayers. She should be safely tucked in her bed at home. She was newly engaged, an awesome second grade teacher, and did a hell of a job caring for our mother. There was no reason for her to be lying in a hospital bed, unconscious.

What if she didn’t pull through this? How would I survive?

Guilt slapped me in the face for never making an effort to grow our relationship. We should be closer than we were. I should have tried more to be a part of her life. I should have been a better sister to her. Now I might never get the chance.

The walls of the dorm closed in on me as that last thought resonated deep within me, laying down roots.

Sleep came, but not as easily as it had for Sadie. I’d heard her breathing level out twenty minutes after the light was turned off. I hoped sleep would have served as an escape from this nightmare, but it was more torture.

Nightmares of my sister’s accident plagued me. I could see everything happen in slow motion while I stood on the side of the street, unable to do anything to stop it. All I could do in the dream was cry and shout for her to watch out.

When I woke my cheeks were stained with tears. I kicked off the sheets and blankets, and forced myself to sit up in bed. It took half a second for me to realize there had been some reality to the dream. The conversation with Dawson came rushing back. I reached for my phone, hoping for something from him. Nothing. No new text messages. No missed calls. Nothing. How could he still know nothing?

Any news? ~ Charlotte

He didn’t respond. I wondered if he was sleeping, or talking to one of the doctors.

I flung my covers back, and crossed the room to grab my suitcase still propped against the wall. There hadn’t been enough time to unpack. I tossed out all my dirty clothes and threw them on my bed. With my toiletries still inside, all I had to do was cram in some clean clothes. I grabbed a few pairs of sleep shorts, clean underwear, a couple more bras, and two or three clean outfits. I wasn’t sure how long I would be gone for, but I knew it would at least be for few days.

After changing into my favorite pair of black yoga pants, and pulling an oversized sweater over my tank, I twisted my long hair into a loose bun on top of my head while I sca

My sister needed me, and frankly, I needed to see for myself that her heart was still beating.

I MADE A PIT STOP at the gas station on the corner before hitting the highway. My car needed gas, and I needed something to fuel myself as well. The few hours of restless sleep I managed to get wouldn’t be enough to last me through the drive to Easton. Coffee was a necessity. So was something sweet to eat.