Case 03: Truth isn't Always Fair
"By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive to the truth." -Peter Abelard
It had been long, agonizing two weeks and a half since Elsa was introduced to Jack Overland and Rebecca Overland. This week was supposed to be Anna's turn to watch over the two survivors, however Anna explained to her how her mother needed a surgery and she would greatly appreciate the favour if Elsa could manage her shift. Mrs. Overland finally was put into the surgery to abort her unborn child. Meanwhile she sat next to Mr. Overland... at the start it felt awkward to sit next to the unconscious man; a stranger no less. However, she'd somehow grown slightly close to him.
She heard and observed numerous colleagues and friends of Mr. Overland visit him each day. It was difficult watching their hopes crumble away slow bit by bit, yet she knew how much harder it was for them when they came to change his bandages. Each time they gingerly removed the bandages, she saw his marred body. The doctors managed to fix most of his burns, but the scars were permanently stamped onto his flesh as proof of all the loss in the car accident. The purplish bruises would fade away over time... but those terrible scars, they would stay forever to remind him once he woke up.
However, each time she watched the lines on the monitor spike up, it gave her hope for his survival. Every heartbeat fed hope to all of the people who loved him so dearly. Despite of his broken body, it looked more powerful every time his chest gently rolled up and down. It marked his unfaltering desire to live... that's what she saw when she watched him.
Elsa observed his serene expression. He looked so different from the time she first laid eyes on him. Coloured had returned to his rosy cheeks and not a trace of dirt, grime, grease, or blood painted his face. His soft, brown matted hair no longer contained knots as it hung loosely and framed his handsome face. She gently touched his left hand as she watched the golden ring shine brightly on his fourth finger.
She wondered if he knew the loss of his children. Did he know that his wife was in a surgery? If he did, was he holding on to life just for her? One of the doctors had said that his wounds showed how desperately he was protecting his family from further harm until rescue arrived. She may not have known him personally before this accident, but knowing him already, he sounded like the most amazing man.
He had several friends who deeply loved and cared for him, numerous colleagues and subordinates who admired him greatly, and a family who was fighting next with him. In her field of work, it was more than rare to meet a victim like Jack Overland.
Elsa merely had authority to govern law and she definitely not a god to judge what each person deserved in life, but she often felt that most of the victims she met deserved the misfortune because they usually did in fact hurt or wronged someone else in their lives... but Jack Overland, he was a good man who did not deserve this form of tragedy. It was blatantly unfair, but here he was in front of her in a coma.
She couldn't help, but stare at her left hand as well. She stared at the fourth finger that used to hold a diamond ring... Right now it was thrown deep into her office desk's drawer. She felt a tinge of anger towards herself for remembering it again. Her shattered marriage that may have failed due to her dedication to work. She recalled how fiercely defended her job, but recently observing Jack made her feel empty... And shallow. Did she give up far too easily? Did she give up far too easily compared to Jack Overland who was continuing to fight? Those questions kept bothering her. It made her feel guilty and weak; she hated those feelings. They were messy emotions, tainted emotions.
Perhaps it was the guilt that constantly shoved her in the back of her mind that made her want to stay and watch Mr. Overland to wake up and be reunited with Mrs. Overland... Because hers was over. Hers didn't end with the happily ever after, but she could see that ending for this man. A part of her was envious of this thought because the legal issues had been finalized a week before Jack's accident.
Obviously nobody knew of her inner chaos, except Mr. Overland to whom she had secretly talked to when nobody was around. She never had the intention to share her troubles, but one of the nurses had suggested her to simply talk to him because a coma patient may be able to hear whatever was happening around them. It sounded dumb, but the silence and his peaceful face helped. It made life easier somehow. It felt as if he was listening although she was certain that there were medical debates around the idea.
from the corner of her eyes, she could feel another teardrop trying to escape. This was hard... For everyone maybe. Elsa tightened her grip onto his warm, large hands and faintly whispered an earnest plea, "Please return to where you belong. Your friends are waiting for you. Your wife needs you. I'm sure it won't be easy for you when you come back... Maybe you don't need them, but I think everyone needs you, Mr. Overland. Please come back to your loved ones..."
She gazed at his face and he obviously didn't respond as he continued to rest on the bed. Elsa sighed at her pointless effort for a miracle. She withdrew her hand and she stared at it. It was always strange how the man before wouldn't even stir, but the warmth from his hand always lingered for a while.
Then she remembered how she promised Doctor Tia Tooth that she would tell her why the car accident occurred once she also learned of the reason. She stared at Jack and decided to go find the Hospital Head Administrator since the man wouldn't be going anywhere and while she had supervised him, there had never been any trouble. Therefore she deemed it was alright to go talk to Tia, whom she had slowly gotten to know better.
She looked back at Mr. Overland one more time before closing the door behind her as she left his recovery room and like always he didn't bid her goodbye. Elsa exited the quiet room and walked down the bright corridor where a few nurses chatted amongst themselves. Most of the time, the hallway which Jack and Rebecca's private rooms were located were usually silent; it was on the fourth floor which was the second highest floor in the hospital. It was an ideal location because on sunny days, the rooms were radiant, full of golden, warm rays. It made it easy for Elsa to do her work alone when she stayed with the couple.
However, one negative point was the fact that Tia's office was located on the first floor of the hospital. Although the corridors were usually quiet and peaceful, the elevators were always occupied. While staying at this hospital, she learned that it was more optimal to use the stairs and it wasn't too bad moving up and down the stairs. It was a bit of an exercise, but it honestly wasn't too difficult. As she continued to pass other patients' rooms, she greeted around six nurses and doctors.
As she descended several flights of stairs, she noted how many people the hospital employed as she possibly couldn't remember all of the workers' faces. However, they've become quite friendly with her. At first they kept their distance and silently observed her as an outsider, yet now they would quickly pass her a smile or a friendly wave. They've come to realize how she understood their feelings for their close colleague. Finally, she reached the first floor where it was the most hectic area as countless patients, guests, doctors, nurses, and family members visited the Mayo Clinic.
She passed the mob of people who kept waiting for the elevators, the entrance, and turned into another cramped corner. Elsa smiled at the security officers who were exceptionally respectful and friendly towards her. Finally, the words: HEAD HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR: Dr. T. TOOTH M.D. came to view and she saw Tia dealing with another fresh stack of paper while sipping on her hot cup of coffee.
Elsa briefly knocked on the glass door and gave Tia a knowing smile as she entered Tia's office. She greeted, "Hey... long day isn't it?"
Tia offered a small, tired smile and agreed, "Like always..."
The detective noticed how the young woman was wearing the same outfit as the previous day and remarked, "You didn't go home last night?"
Tia confessed, "Yeah, I had a conference with the other administrators yesterday night and then I remembered how I had to read these proposals from the hospital departments. Then my assistant told me how the pharmacy didn't get full shipment before she went home... and there were a lot of complaints from the angry doctors. So I had to contact the company ASAP which wasn't easy considering the time... Then it was too late to go home and come back so I ended up staying..."
The doctor yawned and took another mouthful of the bitter black coffee. Elsa chuckled and said, "I'm far too familiar with late night work."
Tia replied, "But nobody noticed except you. You have a keen eye for details."
The blond detective shrugged and said, "It's my job to be aware of my surroundings as much as possible... but hey, I got the completed report on the car accident."
Tia looked hesitant to hear the news as her hand stopped moving and she looked up to face Elsa. She sighed and put her pen down, ready to absorb the report. The room felt so small at that moment as Elsa felt horribly sick to share the information. She slowly started, "The mechanics say that the gasoline tanker was using the high beam lights before the crash... and that probably blinded Mr. Overland while he was driving."
Tia slowly exhaled her long held breath and her shoulders sagged as she asked, "So the crash was Jack's fault?"
Elsa quickly answered, "No... no. It wasn't anyone's fault. The truck driver, it was determined that he had a heart attack while he was driving. The man died before the crash even happened. That's why the truck collided with Jack's car and the icy condition wouldn't have helped either."
Elsa steeled herself as she waited for the expected emotional burst and it felt terrible as her guts coiled into knots inside. She had grown fairly close to the woman who sat in front of her with a confused, hurt expression. She could see the tears shimmering her glossy eyes while Tia cocked her head and covered her mouth which threatened let out of a croak of despair.
Instead of a sob, or an angry scream... Tia asked the impossible question, "Then who are we supposed to blame for their deaths... their current condition... everything?"
The detective was experienced with her job and she normally had an answer to that common question; it was always asked as it was human nature to search for an acceptable reason or someone or something to blame. Yet in Jack Overland's case... there was nothing. There wasn't an answer to that question... and Tia seemed to understand how there wasn't an answer because she numbly stated, "That's not fair... that's just not fair..."
Elsa bowed her head and agreed, "I know."
Silence cloaked the two women; Tia had to process and digest the daunting fact and Elsa's job was to patiently wait for her. Wait for something... maybe a better news. Elsa waited, then felt the need to embrace the woman who was putting on the brave front for those around her. She gently hugged her and she calmly ignored the faint whimpers and her shirt dampening.
Elsa understood the raw frustrations for the injustices in life so she held her tight until that familiar despair and wanting to give up ebbed away. In the background, the office phone rang, but it was left unattended and it beeped into recording: Um... Doctor Tia, we just wanted to give you the good news... um. Mrs. Overland's procedure with the oxytocin went smoothly. She's now resting in her room.
Elsa frowned at the news as the trembling worsened under her arms.. and it was true. None of this was fair.
I know the first four chapters has been depressing, but next chapter Jack will definitely wake up. Promise. So thank you for reading as always and please leave a review. Cheers :)