*Keith*
Keith had been incoherent for the past few days. His dad hated to see him in this shape, but he would rather see him disjointed than squinting in pain. In fact – he was just content that Keith was still alive. The doctor told him it was a miracle that Keith made it through the surgery. Keith somehow managed to get an infection in his body that almost shut down his respiratory system, but they quickly removed the maligned lymph nodes.
"Mom?" Keith looked around the room. His eyes opened for the first time since before the surgery.
"In all my years of nursing, I've been called everything but. My name is Jewel." The nurse cheerfully stated. "It's good to see you nice and alert." She said with a smile. "That morphine can really knock some out." She changed Keith's IV bag and placed it back on the pole.
"Well Nurse Jewel I do believe this is the part where you give me an ice cream for being so good." Keith said sarcastically but still groggily.
"Ice cream? I'll be right back." The nurse smirked as she nodded at Mr. Zetterstorm.
"It's good to see you awake, son." He said getting out of his chair and giving Keith a hug.
"Now Dad, I thought you liked it better when I was asleep." He laughed. "My ever-so-sarcastic mannerisms and all."
"Ah, I've gotten used to them," He teased.
"Have you heard from…."
"Son, there is something I have to tell you." It was as if Mr. Zetterstorm already knew the question. "Natalie she…"
"Is she alright?" Keith asked concerned.
"The night I found you on the couch, a girl called me. Keith, you just woke up. It's just not the time." Mr. Zetterstorm said frustrated, searching for the words.
"Dad, please." Keith dropped his cynical tone and turned it into a serious matter.
"Natalie was in a car accident….." He said quickly. "It was on the news. They found her with her car crashed into a tree…."
Keith rolled over on his side. He searched inside his memory for the last time they spoke but he couldn't. The damn chemo was taking away some of his memories and he hated hated everything. He hated that he would have to take it easy for a while even though the truck show in London, Ontario was so close he could taste it. He hated that he never told Natalie he loved her.
"Dad, I need you to find out something for me about Natalie. Please find out where she is and if she is…" Keith couldn't muster up the nerve to say it so he substituted a word instead. "Okay."
*Natalie*
Her room was filled with various get well soon cards, bears, and balloons. Beside her bed was a glass vase with the most beautiful Spanish roses. She reached her arm over to read the card:
Dear Natalie,
Thinking of you. Raff.
Natalie rolled her eyes as she pushed the roses out of her sight. Her feelings for Raff were long gone. Sometimes she questioned if they were ever there in the first place, or if she just dated him as a means of pleasing everyone. That's how it is supposed to happen, right? Two attractive athletes with common friends just fits the mold; but not to Natalie anymore. She no longer cared what people think. She only knew she wanted to be with Keith. His lop sided grin, the way he tucked his lips behind his teeth. The way he always had that darkness in his eyes. The way he had a spontaneous scene for them to do together. Even the way he pushed her away. She was used to getting what she wants. It is said nothing taste as good as what you can't have, but Keith was so close Natalie could taste it. It only made it that much sweeter in her mouth.
Fidgeting in her bed, she knew she wouldn't rest until she heard his voice. She grabbed the phone off the night-side, and as she did, she knocked over the roses. Glass flew everywhere. An all too familiar sound for Natalie. The car wreck. She should be dead right now. She wanted to be dead right now.
Looking at the glass in the floor, Natalie held her knees up to her chest. Letting out free-flowing tears, she knew her sanity had gone out the window. Trying to gain her composure, she reached for the phone to dial Keith's number. After seven long rings and no answer, she slammed the phone down.
"We heard a crash. Is everything alright?" A nurse came running in. Her own question was answered when she was the broken glass shattered on the floor. "Oh don't worry about that, sweetie. It happens all the time." She then called for a janitor. "Let me check your bandage." The nurse sat on Natalie's bed and began to fiddle with her bandages.
"I'm sorry. I'm usually not like this," Natalie replied nervously. "I'm just worried about a friend of mine." Natalie bit her lip.
"It's okay, dear. You're entitled to a good cry. You experienced a horrific accident," The nurse patted her. "Your wounds are healing nicely." She said putting a fresh gauze on Natalie's forehead.
"When can I go home? There is someone I need to see," Natalie questioned nervously. "Keith. He's my…." Natalie didn't know how to finish the sentence.
"Keith?" The nurses eyes widened. "A handsome young man named Keith came here the same day you did." She titled her head back and forth. "I can't release any more information than that. HIPPA laws." She shrugged. "He sure loves his ice cream."
Natalie shot up and felt intense pain in her shoulder that was casted. "That's my Keith!" She said excitedly. "Can I see him?"
"Sure. He's right down the hall. This is the pediatric unit after all." The nurse winked at her. "Just don't tell anyone I told you," She whispered as she got up to leave "Who are we to stand in front of young love?"
Natalie smiled at the nurse as she tried to get up. She hadn't been mobile since the accident. Her body was too sore to move much, but to see Keith, would be worth it. Thoughts consumed her as she searched individual rooms for Keith. Why was he in here? Would this be the goodbye scence she so dreaded? Did something happen to him when she got out of the truck? She should've stayed with him, she thought. Shouldn't have left his side; even if he didn't want to talk about things. What is there to talk about anyway? Keith had cancer and there is nothing anyone can do about it but she should be there for him to ease the pain.
Natalie kept searching through each room but Keith was nowhere to be found. Feeling the defeat, she slumped down in the hallway. The nurse must've thought Keith was someone else. Keith was kind of a common name anyway. Sighing and her legs full of pain, Natalie sat in the hallway.
"Natalie?" Mr. Zetterstorm walked by, carrying a cup of coffee.
"Oh my!" Natalie shot up off the ground. "How is he?" She asked.
"Just another surgery," Mr. Zetterstorm sighed. "I believe he was more worried about you." He gave her a pat on the back.
"Me?" Natalie asked.
"Your friend Brooke called that night, but it was on the news too. He sent me on a mission to find you." Mr. Zetterstorm laughed. "I am glad I ran into you. It would've been crazy of me to search these rooms." He smiled as Natalie nervously laughed and her face flushed. I knew I lost it, she thought.
"You can go on in. He's in room 346. He should be awake now. I'll just go and drink my coffee in the cafeteria and give you some alone time." He grinned as he walked toward the elevator.
Natalie limped her way to the other side of the pediatric ward. She strolled along each room until she saw the number 346 nailed to the wall. Taking in a deep breath, Natalie entered without knocking. Excitement didn't allow her to.
"Keith!" Natalie squealed.
Keith was stuffing his face with ice cream in a sterophome cup. The ice cream was melting down his face as he looked up. Once he became aware of who called his name, his face turned a rosey red as he wiped the ice cream off his face with his hospital gown.
"Hey Partner!" Keith called. "You're a celebrity now. You know that?" Keith looked at her serious. "Just saw you on the Live at 5 news." He patted his bed and motioned Natalie to come toward him. "You were going 90 on the freeway? Natalie, I know we agreed to do things that won't raise your GPA but this…"
"Keith!" Natalie quickly wanted to change the subject. She didn't want to have to explain how she ran her car into a tree as a means of escape. How she did it to so death would allow them to switch places…..but she was unsuccessful.
Throwing herself into his arms, Natalie could no longer fight back the tears. "I was walking through the valley of death, Keith, and I wanted to lay there and then…."
Keith's eyes widened. "I carried you through the portal?" He swallowed. Natalie rested her head on his chest and started crying. He could feel her shaking and vibrating with each sob. "I told you Natalie – that is my scene not yours. You have a beautiful life in front of you and I…." Keith swallowed densely again.
"Keith?" Natalie looked up. They had been avoiding this conversation since she found out from Al. The last memory previously before this was her jumping out of Keith's truck as he drove away. "I'm never going to leave you ever again."
"Well Partner, it's just you and me now. The sky's the limit." He held her in his embrace. Keith wasn't used to this. In some ways, he couldn't comprehend it. How could she demeanor his masquerade he practiced so well?
He wanted to leave her forever, that day. Leave her walking back to school without him. It was easier than having to say goodbye and hurt her more now, but something inside him feels different. Without Natalie, life isn't worth living at all – even if it's only for a short while.
The yellow truck didn't even seem to matter as much anymore.
"Well Anderson, congratulations." Keith blurted his thoughts out loud.
Authors Note: I really hope you are enjoying my story so far. I know that I didn't quite capture Keith or Natalie in the light of the movie personality, but maybe I'll write another someday and try really hard. I should post another chapter really soon.
Thanks so much for the reviews so far!
