After the nursing home settled and Gerald's friends said a solemn goodbye, the mortician arrived and took the body. I had never seen someone die before. Even now the emotions I felt that day are hard to explain. I hadn't worked at Silver Meadows long so I didn't know Gerald too well. He had been a quiet man who didn't open up to many people. I noticed he had few friends in Silver Meadows but got along with everyone when he needed for activities. My shift finally ended at five and I left the heavy weight behind as I stepped out the front doors.
When I arrived home the sudden silence was almost as depressing as the soft murmuring of gossiping old women. I quickly turned on the TV to add noise. It was tuned to the local news. Not wanting to surround myself by more sadness I changed to a cooking show.
Sometimes I felt that living alone may not have been the best idea. I had no choice though. I originally moved to Oregon to attend college but after what happened when I came out to my family I knew I wasn't welcome back home. My brothers refused to acknowledge me after my father kicked me out. I did have one brother, Gabriel, who was at school when it all happened, but I am sure they told him about it and that he turned against me too.
I began to prepare my dinner in the small kitchen, occasionally glancing at the TV. The woman on screen was preparing salmon with a side of pasta salad. My dinner was far less sophisticated: Macaroni and cheese. It was a recipe I had made myself in the second grade. It is still one of my favorite things to make.
The night passed as any other night. First, homework for my English class. I usually followed this up by reading, but after the long day I chose to go straight to bed. When I woke up the next morning, my alarm was singing an ungodly tune, I could tell the day would suck. This revelation was one I had often. So often that many would call me a pessimist. They would, I think, if I knew more than six people.
When I went to make my coffee the coffee maker broke. So I opted for cereal instead. The milk was bad. I was out of eggs, bread was moldy, and the fruit was over ripe.
I ended up stopping at McDonalds on the way to school. As did half the students on campus. The whole time I was inside my stomach was screaming at me. When I got my food an hour later I had to shove it in my bag and race to school.
The only class I ever looked forward to was my Ancient Languages course. I had a friend in that class. Sam Winchester. He was taller than most people their age. He was an intimidating man but once you got to know him he was a genuine person who cared for those he was close to.
My first class wasn't until 11:00 so I used that time to tutor a high school student or two. It is only a fifteen dollars per session but every little bit helps. After I tutor I got to Ancient Languages. I had graduated high school with my associates so I was able to go straight into earning credits towards my major. The only problem with that was that I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in. Sam had his life planned out. I was jealous of that. Even his brother, who only had a high school diploma, seemed to have his life planned better than me. My life just seems so pitiful at times.
Just when I thought I was going to break my knight in shining armor came into my line of sight. I walked through that glorious, shining, heavenly door and into my Ancient Languages class. Sam was already in his usual seat, his bag guarding the one next to him. I tapped his shoulder and he moved his bag. I landed in the seat with a satisfied sigh.
"So you survived the morning?" He let out a soft laugh as he watched me exaggerate a nod.
"Just barely. I was tutoring Amanda today and she was doing worse than I have ever seen before. I don't know how someone can be so stupid!" My voice a hushed whisper as the teacher arrived.
"I do." He replied with a smirk.
"Oh yeah? Enlighten me Sam." I scowled at him.
"She thinks you're hot. So she does bad in order to have more sessions with you." He was obviously hiding laughter, his smile tight and eyes bright.
"Women are so superficial." I huffed. Sam was about to reply but the teacher began his lesson.
That day I got stuck at the school later than usual. By the time I unchained my bike the sun had already set. The moon wasn't bright that night, the small sliver that was visible hardly lighting the wet streets enough to see street signs. As I made my way home I realized that the reflective tape on my bike had slipped off in the rain. I'll be fine. No one usually drives this road.
As I turned the corner I suddenly saw a red light to my left. I had just enough time to look before the dark truck backed right into my bike. The driver must have been moving fast because next thing I knew I was being flung off my bike and across the road. My last thought before I blacked out was "I hope my coat doesn't get torn", after that everything blacked out.
...
I rushed home, my mind racing through scenarios of what might have happened. The first, and worst, one that came to mind was that Bobby had gotten so low that he…no. Bobby has more self-respect than that. He would never do something like that.
When I reached the street we lived on I saw an ambulance and two police cars. Our neighbor was talking to the cops, his truck halfway out of his driveway. The idiot has always been a horrible driver. He must have finally hit someone. Under the back of his truck was a mutilated bike. I parked on the side of the road in front of my place. I rushed to Sammy and was shocked to see Bobby outside with him.
"What happened?" I asked, the question directed to Sam.
"The-", Sam stared but Bobby interrupted.
"Jameson, that idgit, was backing out when he hit some guy on a bike. Poor guy never saw it coming." Bobby seemed oddly worried about the guy who got hit. One look at Sam showed he was too.
"Who got hit?" I asked, trying to get a look at the ambulance.
"Sam's friend Castiel. He must have been going home." Bobby turned and walked inside.
My mouth dropped open. The guy from the nursing home? "Is he okay?" I turned to Sam at this point.
"I hope…" Sam turned and followed Bobby inside.
I walked over to the ambulance and was nearly stopped but when I said I knew Castiel they let me through. He was laying in the stretcher, just about to be moved into the ambulance. He had a neck brace on and a sling on his right arm. He was completely unconscious. The medics said he would be fine and called a cop to move me out of the way so they could leave.
I woke up the next day and remembered what happened the night before. When I got downstairs Sammy was already there making breakfast.
"Wanna go visit your friend? I bet he is awake by now." I patted Sam's shoulder as I passed him.
"Sure. Maybe after classes. I can pick up his homework."
"Sam, I am pretty sure he has at least a concussion. He can do his homework later. Besides, missing one day can't hurt too much, can it?" I leaned against the counter as I waited for his response.
"Fine. Let me get dressed and we can go."
As Sam got ready I called the hospital to get the room number. They informed me that he had family there but that we were fine to come see him. I relayed the information to Sam as we walked out to the car. When he paled I got a little nervous.
"We need to get there fast." That was all he said as we got in the car.
...
When I came to I was a little confused before I realized where I was. The smell of the hospital was nauseating, as was the pain I felt when I turned my head. The all became nothing when I saw there was someone in my room.
"Hello Castiel." That voice. Oh God, how can one person invoke so much fear and guilt in one person.