Through the Compact Disc
Humph…I had this beautifully written while I was in an inspirational mood. But curse my father's computer! I'm not allowed to save much because the computer remembers every stinking thing that passes through it, even when deleted, and the memory is incredibly short, so instead I copied it to send to my email address, and while I'm about to send it, the computer blanks out! The screen just goes black and my dad had to reboot the thing. Oh, it made me so freaking mad! But, I'm going to write everything I remember. So, be happy, or, well, be sad, be however you feel, but most of all, be happy…what was I talking about? Oh, yeah, be happy with what you see, please. Please tell me how I did…hint, hint.
Do not own anything unless, you know, there aren't any legal papers for it. Simple enough for you lawyers?
A woman with dark, black hair pulled up into a half ponytail, in her early thirties, and was sitting in a dimly lit room dropped the remote as soon as she heard someone say the name. Widening her eyes, she ran to the table, grabbed her purse, ran out the door, into the elevator, and jogged through the lobby of a Marriott Hotel. She pulled the keys out of her purse and sprinted to her car. Impatiently sticking the keys in the ignition, she drove out of the lot and headed for the direction of the hospital that she hadn't been to in years.
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Deana's POV~~~
I glanced out of the window, watching the houses we passed come from one side of the window to the next. I sighed as my father drove about 5 miles above the speed limit to get to the hospital. As it was just our luck, my mother had been in a wreck on the other side of town, so they took her to Hillwood Medical instead of Providence, which was closer to our house.
I wanted to cry; I wanted to cry and be sad, but I couldn't. It was like there was something lodged into my throat blocking me from taking a breath large enough to make tears. It felt horrible, not being able to cry when my mother could be on the brink of death! I couldn't cry when it was my own fault, too. I don't care what dad said, I had a part in this entire thing. And it felt awful. If I hadn't made such a big freaking deal of… well, you know the story by now. Come on, eyes, show some humanity! Oh, they won't listen. But if I didn't so, I felt like I'd burst from my grief. You would, too, if your mother had been in an accident that bad!
I took my gaze from the window to my father in the drivers seat. He's staring straight forward, something he does whenever he's really determined, or has his mind on something. That look is what happens to him whenever he's concentrated on something as hard as possible and still daydreaming about something at the same time. I cocked my head over to see the front of his face. His eyes were scrunched up, and I saw a solitary tear on his cheek, but nothing else. It seemed as though he was having the same problem. I mean, his wife was in mortal peril! A head on collision and then sitting in a burning car for so long… I'm not going to think about that right now. Sighing, I turned to look through the front window as he drove eight miles above the speed limit. Unfortunately, she was taken to Hillwood Medical instead of the closer Providence Hospital since she crashed on the other side of town.
Another thought dreaded my mind now. We were rushing to get to her, and that was all I could do. It was terrible, that my mother could be fighting life as it is (okay, I inherited my mom's paranoia and showed it at bad times) and all I could do was sit in this car waiting. It's the worst feeling there is, feeling useless, not knowing what to do when someone you love is in trouble. Yet again, I say, it was my fault. I brought this up. If I hadn't wanted that stupid CD… whatever. Dad, please hurry up. Mom, please don't go.
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Helga's POV~~~
I ran back to Chad, tears in my eyes. I grabbed his arm and told him to get in his car and drive back to his hotel room. He probably figured that there would be no possible way I'd allow him to follow me where I was going, so he did as I told.
I turned toward where I had parked my car in the gas station parking lot and made my way past the small crowd that had gathered there. I easily did so, thanks to the fact that everyone parted when they saw me. At least they didn't jump me for autographs. Thankfully, they knew this was serious. Seeing my course was clear, I sprinted to my car and practically jumped inside. I left the keys in the ignition, so I thanked God that no one stole it. They better not have, it had tracking devices all over it.
I started the car up and drove over the curb. Who cares? I had to get to the hospital!
While I was driving, I thought about Francesca. Not only that, of course, but the irony of the situation. I remember back in elementary school, I'd have done anything, literally anything, including having a red-head almost drown, to have Arnold, to get obstacles out of my way. I guess I've matured in some ways since then. I mean, really, the woman may be extremely chary, but still, that accident was pretty awful. What am I saying, it was downright gruesome! Also, the fact that Arnold was already truly heart-bound to her helped me in my speediness. The last fact is that, call me insane, but I'd swear it was all completely my fault. I mean, it was my stupid wanting to be close to Arnold… I looked in the rearview mirror and saw that dreamy expression on my face again.
Just stop it, Helga. I've got to get to that hospital.
Finally! It's in sight! Hillwood Medical… I haven't been there in years! Shut up, Helga, I've got something to do! No time for memory lane strolls! Let's see… parking, parking, parking, parking spot right there! Wait… it's handicapped. Oh, who cares, the Emergency Room is all that's open now, and the elderly people's appointments are always in the daytime!
I practically leapt out of my car and ran to the front door. As soon as I had, I saw Chad standing right in front of me.
"I thought I told you not to follow me," I said, irritated. Hey, you would, too, pal.
"It wasn't in my job description to let you go off into a public place whenever there was a big crisis in both your love life and the real life," he answered smart-mouthed.
I jogged past him, saying "Whatever!" No doubt, he followed me.
I busted through the front doors. The receptionist looked up, almost startled that I'd come in so quickly. I walked over to her, leaned over, about to sign in, when I saw a woman waving at me and heard her saying my name.
"Helga! Helga, come here!"
I stood up to get a better view of her. Even after all these years… anyway, I gasped and smiled, giddiness taking over my thoughts.
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Arnold's POV~~~
I scrunched up my eyes, not wanting to close them, because if I did, I probably would crash, but I was also crying. Francesca, why didn't you just believe me? I was telling the truth! Of course I like her, but I don't have anything near a crush on her! I'm just shocked that SHE wrote all of those songs, and that there was so much meaning in them. It was so different from the Helga I thought I knew and when she came to see me… Well, I haven't really talked with her for about twenty years, so of course I was even more surprised!
I sighed, still driving straight to the hospital. Just a few more minutes, Frannie, please, just stay alive…
Francesca was always a little suspicious, but she had very good reason to be. I just don't know why she had thought that I would hurt her like that! Not only would I never want to, but also there was no existing reason for me to! And to top it all off, I had two people I knew well (well, at least I knew one well) were taking the blame of it all… when it should be me to be taking it. I know I didn't give those college boys the beer, but I guess… no, what am I thinking? Of course it wasn't my fault! It was absolutely nobody's! How was I supposed to comfort Deana and myself and be of any service to Frannie when I had an unnecessarily heavy conscience?
Agh, whatever! I just had to get to that hospital. Right. Now.
I was so focused on actually getting to the hospital…
"Dad, you passed it!" Deana cried impatiently.
…That I completely didn't notice I actually had.
"Damn!" I whispered, forgetting Deana was sitting right next to me. I went straight into reverse and jerked into the hospital parking lot. Maybe I should've been a little more careful in a hospital parking area, but no time to think about that. I was swerving down every aisle, desperately looking for a place to park.
Deana pointed to the aisle cross from us. "There! Next to that old orange jeep!" (A/N: My dad's, 1972, imagine it big and really bright with a removable metal, white top.) I veered as fast as I could while still being safe into the lot. I had… what happened to Frannie… so far into my mind I was being as safe as possible while still being fast.
I turned off the ignition and jumped out of the car, Deana in synchronism with me. But suddenly, I paused. Maybe I didn't want to go into the hospital, because if I did, then there might be bad news. Something may have happened that would be fatal, and if I went in, I'd know that I was to late to do anything about it. If I just stayed here, then maybe nothing would change about her, and the doctors could help her better. Oh, God, please…
I felt a small hand on my wrist, and turned to see Deana standing there, looking at me like she knew exactly what I was thinking. Apparently, she did. "Dad," she said quietly, but with a lot of force, "I know what you're thinking, because I thought the same thing, too. But if we don't go inside, then we can't do anything. They still probably don't know her name, since they probably weren't paying attention to her." She obviously meant Helga. "Mom needs us right now, and if I don't do anything," her voice was growing louder and stronger, "then I won't be able to live with myself, even if she survives. Dad, you're the psychiatrist, you know that we should go in there."
I looked at her and nodded slowly. She was absolutely right. She is very smart, to knock sense into her own father. "Let's go."
We raced in between cars and down aisles, until we finally got to the doors. I walked in through one, Dee through the other, and walked up to the sign-in sheet. I had just started on the T in Tiller, when I heard a familiar voice to my left.
"Arnold, Deana!"
Both of us looked up to see Helga, and someone else, running up to us. I looked fixedly at the black-haired woman about my age who was extremely familiar. I'm guessing my face changed quickly when I realized who she was, because she smiled as soon as I confirmed it.
"Ph-Ph-Phoebe? Phoebe Hyerdhal?"
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Phoebe's POV~~~
I smiled warily. "Yes. Hello, Arnold."
"No time to chat, now," said Helga forcefully. "Sign in, Football Head!"
I guess both Arnold and I were surprised that she still called him this when she was irritated, but we didn't have time to show it. Arnold leaned back over the desk and finished scribbling his and his daughter's names. Before he could say anything, however, Helga's own dominant nature barged in.
"Francesca Tiller, recent car accident, you wouldn't tell us what's going on with her, but he's family, so tell him!"
"Is Mom okay?" asked the Arnold's daughter.
"How's she doing now?"
"Please tell us."
"Okay, okay!" said the receptionist. "Now, she's only been in E.R. for a few minutes, but the injuries are a few third degree burns, a concussion, plenty of bleeding wounds, and possibly a fractured rib. So far, she is alive…"
"What do you mean, so far?" demanded the girl.
"…just unconscious, and we are trying to diagnose any other injuries. And, what I mean by so far," she said, "is that the concussion is pretty serious. The injuries, both outer and inner, are, too. We're trying to revive her, which may take a while. Her breathing is raspy and she's required an oxygen mask. Now please, be seated, and we will tell you when you may be able to see her."
All four of us looked at each other for a moment. I suppose that everyone else didn't feel like sitting down either.
"Ma'am," said Arnold, hitting his fist on the desk, "are you sure that she will be okay?"
"Sir, I'm sorry," she said, "but I don't know what will happen. Soon I'll have more on file and-"
"Lady, I don't care what you have on file," screamed the girl desperately. It was obvious why, of course. "I want to see my mother!"
"Deana, calm down, she's okay!" said Arnold. "Frannie is okay, honey. We'll be able to see her soon."
"I want to see her now!" she tantrum, sobbing. Lord, this was too much for her to think about. She looked only eleven, and from what Helga had told me, it was incredibly worse than what the media showed. "I want to see her! Why can't I see her? MOM!"
Arnold took her hand and led her away from the desk and into the waiting room. Poor Deana. This must be very hard for both her and, naturally, Arnold. You could tell that Arnold was extremely near breaking down himself. He's been through enough in his life. His parents, his grandparents… he didn't entail another heartbreak.
I suppose Helga was thinking around the same thing I was. She looked like she wanted to comfort him so terribly, but she was holding back. It was entirely understandable why, however. Her lifelong love's spouse hurt like this. She obviously didn't feel like he needed comforting from her at the moment. But, oh, dear, how I wish she could… I wish she would! Arnold and Deana were doing their best to comfort each other, but… I don't know why, but instinctively I believe Helga should at least say a few words of soothing!
Wow. I watch soap operas sometimes, and this should really be made into one. Still, it was a serious matter. I hope the three… the four of them get some peace… and soon.
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Helga's POV~~~
Come on, Helga. Just do… something! Oh, I don't even know what I'm thinking about? Is it a simple freaking matter of comforting him or the fact that its, well, Arnold? Oh, this is too much in my head! And what's worse, you ask? The fact that there are about four ideas for songs zooming through my head at this very moment, and I still am fighting the urge to just put my hand on his shoulder! For cripe's sake, this is just so complicated! Why can I not bring myself up to this? I'm a grown woman!
Shut up. Once again, I know exactly why! I barely even know the woman and she's affecting my brain so badly! Why? I know why. And by now, you should know, too. Why am I even thinking this?
The most I could bring my self up to was looking at Deana and whispering softly, "It's okay. Nothing bad has happened yet."
I didn't get the response I expected, or anticipated. She glared at my and said, "Are you kidding? The second to worst thing has happened!"
"Deana, calm down," said Arnold, still looking at the floor. "She isn't doing anything wrong."
"Oh, yeah?" she said, turning on her father. "Who cares who means anything, it happened, no matter what!" She started getting riled up, and I could tell she was about to throw a, well, to be honest, my own eleven-year-old self. Whoa. Freaky. "It's my fault you even started thinking bout her, its her fault for coming over, and it's your fault for following her out the door with those stupid gaga eyes!" Her face started scrunching up again, close to tears. "You keep saying it's nobody's fault, but it's yours, Helga's, and most of all, mine! Mom is in the hospital, lying unconscious in a bed, because of all of us… except that Phoebe lady there."
Phoebe bit her lip at that. Arnold thinned out his expression and it was obvious that he was starting to believe she was right. I had to do something now! And believe me, as of now, I was more than up to it.
"Deana, listen," I said. I grabbed her arms and turned her to look at me. "I know that you're feeling bad at the moment. You love your mom, and everyone here is hurting in some way."
"What do you care?" she asked. "If it wasn't for you liking my dad, none of this would've happened."
"Listen, Deana. You are right. I had a part in this. Your father had a part in this. We all had a part in this."
"Um, Helga?" asked Arnold quietly. "What are you thinking?"
"Shh," hushed Phoebe.
"Look Deana. Everyone has done something that caused another. I would bet that if your father hadn't even met Francesca, then this wouldn't have happened. If it weren't for that, you wouldn't be standing here, either. Everything in life is planned out, Deana. Everything someone does causes more than one simple thing. But you know what, Deana? The only way it's your fault is if you did it on purpose, knowing what the outcome would be. You, Arnold, me, or even those college kids, knew for sure what exactly would happen. We don't even know what will happen now. But don't you ever, ever blame yourself for something you did that no one would ever think would lead to this, okay?"
Deana's eyebrows were still scrunched together, but she slowly nodded. "But just because I didn't mean to do anything doesn't mean I can't feel bad."
I thinned out my lips and said, "You know, feel bad. Feel bad, because it's human to have pain. Your father's feeling bad, and even I'm feeling bad because I know that something I did made this happen. If you didn't feel bad about this in any way, that would be callous. Just don't go as far as loading it ALL on your shoulders, okay?" I leaned back, letting go of Deana. "Now," I said, "let's wait for some news."
"Wow, Helga," I heard Phoebe whisper in my ear. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you've had that planned out for a while."
"Actually," I whispered back, "I' glad I didn't start rhyming and putting in vocals."
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Arnold's POV~~~
Wow. I wasn't sure if Helga really was like how she sang, or if she just made it all up. Of course now that was one point in her favor. Deana actually looked a little calmer now. I think the same went for me, too.
I placed a hand on Helga's shoulder. When she looked over at me, I said, "Thanks, Helga. That was something she really needed right now."
Helga smiled softly. "No problem, Football… I mean, Arnold."
"Hey!" I heard Phoebe say from behind Helga. "What was that?"
Helga turned back around and I let go of her shoulder. "What do you mean?" she demanded.
Phoebe stood up and looked over at a set of bushes outside of the window near the door. We followed her gaze. "I swear I saw something flash behind there," she said. "It looked precisely like a-"
"A camera," said Deana, Helga, and Phoebe.
"Yes," she whispered. "A camera."
Helga and Deana's eyes grew wide and Helga's breath started to get quicker. "What?" I asked. "What's the matter?"
"Get ready for a lot of publicity tomorrow," said Helga. "Crap! This is just perfect!" She walked back to her chair and kicked it. "Paparazzi! There's going to be tons of tabloids with Arnold's and my picture on it! What's worse? Arnold's hand is on my shoulder and I'm smiling and it's right-" she stomped her foot, "-after-" and again "-Francesca's-" and again "-accident!" She exhaled angrily and reached into her back pocket. She pulled out a cell phone.
Well, this is absolutely perfect, isn't it? Stupid tabloids… I have enough to worry about right now, anyway!
"Yeah, George? Helga," she said. "Look, a photographer just got a picture of me with Arnold's hand on my shoulder and me smiling… Shut up, G, it didn't mean anything! Yeah, well, it's probably being sent to the World Inquirer right now, and I want that story stopped… Of course I do! I don't want Arnold or me to look like a cheapskate… Because we're at the Emergency Room at Hillwood Medical… God, Fredson, do you ever watch the news? Never mind, I just want denial on the story RIGHT NOW! …Listen, you work for me, and if you don't do this, I'll have to… Good, I see we've gotten through. Now DO IT!" She turned off the phone and sat back down in a huff. Heck, I would, too, but y head was reeling with everything going on.
I can't believe this has happened. I can't do anything until we get the news, and I really don't like this feeling. I can't wait until we can see Francesca.
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Deana's POV~~~
It was about two hours after the photographer spied on us. Great, now the rest of the world will think what my mom thought, and look where it got her. Oh, shut up, Deana, I've got to at least try and stop thinking about that. Maybe I should take Helga off of my 'People I Hate' list.
I was curled up in my chair, getting really tired. It was eight o' clock or something when we found out, which meant it was close to ten. Man, I had to start getting back on my sleeping schedule. School was about to start. Oh, who cares about school? I want to know how mom is doing!
Finally. My prayers were answered.
A doctor with a surgical mask around his neck walked up to us. "Excuse me," he said. "Are you the Tillers?"
Dad, Helga, the Phoebe lady, and me all looked up and nodded. Oh, yes! Finally we've got news!
"Well," he continued, "Francesca is okay at the moment…"
"YES!"
"Thank the Lord!"
"Oh, that's great!"
"Fantastic."
The doctor smiled as we all settled back in our seats. "Her breathing is close to normal and we believe we've bandaged and fixed all wounds. She is still unconscious, and hopefully she will return to an awaken state soon. You are not yet able to enter the room, but there is a window if you'd like to see how she is doing.
I instantly stood up. "Come on, let's go!" I looked at the doctor. "Where's her room?"
Amazing! She's going to be all right! She's not going to die! I'll be able to talk to her again!
I looked at Dad. He was leaning his head over the back of the chair, his hands covering his face, and whispering over and over, "Oh, my God. Oh, my God." Helga sighed and leaned forward, grinning. Phoebe looked extremely happy and was looking at the three of us.
Another doctor walked up behind the first, and said, "I'll take you to her room. There are still a few doctors in her room, so you won't be able to enter."
"We know," said dad, standing up, looking as though he'd been asleep for thirty years, but still as happy as anything. Helga and Phoebe stood up after them.
I was ecstatic. I was going to see Mom. Everything else could wait. Mom was coming first.
So, how do you like it? I hope it meets standards for you all! And please, review! This is right up there with Explanations on my favorites, so I want to make sure you all like it, too. Thanks, guys! **Yes, you're a beautiful audience!** Well said. I want to know just HOW beautiful. **Don't turn your back on us. We won't be ignored!** That's quite enough Linkin Park for today, Phebga. **Aw, already? FINE!** Review, and I'll get the next installment up quickly! **What she said.**
Briana LFBH and PhebgaMFM
