Crossroad

Chapter 2

"And the little prince said to the man, 'Grownups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always explaining things to them.'"

Jamie Scott looked around the kitchen in his home. With a smile on his face while he was eating his cereal. His pet rabbit Chester sat beside him locked safely in his cage. Today was show and tell in his classroom at school and the 4-year-old was beyond excited to tell his classmates about his favorite friend.

"Morning Jimmy Jam." Haley said. While she walked into the kitchen. Hugging her son tightly.

"Morning momma." Jamie said happily.

"You have fun during show and tell today okay." Haley said smiling warmly at him.

"I will then on Friday is my talent show." "I can't wait for everyone to see it." "You're going to be so surprised." Jamie said to her. His eyes going wide with excitement.

"I'm on pins and needles you've been so secretive about your act so I'm ready to see what you've been perfecting." "And you know regardless of whether or not you win the contest we will be celebrate you anyway because we love you so much." "All of us are going to be in the audience. "Me, aunt Brooke, aunt Peyton, uncle Lucas, uncle Skills, and daddy too." Haley said. Taking a breath. As she saw his eyes light up.

"Are you sure daddy's going to go.?" Jamie asked her.

"Yes, he wouldn't miss your big night." Haley said to him.

"You get into the car." "Marc will drop you off at school." "I've got to get to work." "I love you baby." Haley said. Leaning over as she kissed his cheek.

"I love you too momma." Jamie said. Grabbing his backpack as he ran out the door. Haley smiled at the sight.

She and Nathan had hired Marc six months ago. He had been a huge help to them both because Haley had begun teaching at the high school again and Nathan was playing for the Bobcats their most sought after new team member. Everything had been going great. They had adjusted their schedules and were able to still have time together as a couple which Haley had been so grateful for she should have expected something to eventually go wrong. The accident happened. Nathan was on the way to an away game and this other driver was driving on the wrong side of the road and was drunk and swerved into him. The driver dead. Nathan was injured worse than any of us had imagined. I truly thought I had lost him. And having to come to grips with the idea of that new reality and finding the strength to tell Jamie that he had to say goodbye to his father.

Still brings tears to my eyes. Nathan ended up waking up and being able to speak and have his memory. But it wasn't until the doctor came in and informed us that he would make a full recovery except for his legs. The impact of the crash and the amount of damage done. Meant that Nathan's ability to walk was basically nonexistent. The percentage was very minimal. Meaning basketball and life as he knew it would be different. He had all the possibility in the world if he chose to look at it in the right way.

The news hitting him with a wave of uncertainty. I had sat down. Closed my eyes and took a breath. Reopening them to the sound of Nathan yelling.

"Get out!" "Get the hell out of my hospital room!" "You come in here and say I'm going to make a full recovery then add on the fact that I'm paralyzed!" "I am Nathan Scott!" "Basketball is who I am." "My life isn't going to be different." "My life is over." "Don't give me your bullshit about other options and looking on the brighter side of things." "No one is going to want anything to do with me once this news is out." "You know your facts, and your numbers, you don't know anything about this." "The world that I will no longer be a part of." Nathan said. Turning over facing the wall.

As I blinked back tears. Looking over at the doctor. "I'm so sorry." "My husband is not normally like this at all." I say to him. Trying to keep myself from bursting into tears.

The doctor put his hand on my shoulder. "No need to apologize Mrs. Scott." "I just delivered life shattering news." "I expect nothing less of a reaction." "I'm going to give you both a chance to absorb this." "I'll be back later to give you more information." The doctor said. As he walked out of the room. Closing the door behind him.

I put my hand on his. Speaking calmly and hopeful that my voice wasn't shaking. "It's going to be fine." "We are going to be okay." "You are alive and we have an entire life to look forward to together." "Always and forever." "It still means as much to me now than it ever has." "I'm going to go get Jamie he's practically talked off everyone's ear by now talking and asking questions." "He's going to be so relieved to see you." I say. While I started to get up. Feeling him hand go on top of mine. His gaze turning me back around.

"No I don't want him to see me like this." Nathan said. His voice now more hollow.

"Nate, he loves you and was so worried he was terrified literally clinging to me since I told him." "He isn't going to care about any of this." "You are his father." "His hero." "Don't push him away." I said to him. Feeling my voice break the unshed tears burning my eyes.

"I said no Haley." "I need to sleep." "And hope this is just some horrible nightmare." Nathan said. Turning back over.

Removing his hand from mine. I looked back at him once more.

Before I found the words to speak again.

"I'll let you sleep in peace." "I'm going to be in the gift shop with Jamie." "He's been asking me for a while now to get you a present so that is what we'll be doing." "I love you Nathan." I said to him.

Walking slowly towards the door. Stepping back outside to the ongoing world around us.

…

Haley looked back at her bedroom door. Nathan was there physically but emotionally and mentally he was so distant. It broke her heart in more ways than she could put into words. All she could focus on was Jamie and making sure he knew that even with everything going on that he was loved and supported. He was one of the main people in her life that kept her going. Grabbing her keys. Haley headed out the door into her car and drove to the high school.

….

Author's Note: Thank you all for the support. I truly love reading your feedback. Let me know what you think of this chapter.? Your ideas, predictions, Review!