Dreams and Tragedies

By Nicole L. Hendrick

Laurie and Mandy Winters have their entire world turned inside out,
with a single phone call. Their parents were involved in a serious car
accident; both lives are uncertain. As their journey progresses, Laurie
loses control on her world as her younger sister loses grip on reality.
Laurie suddenly finds extra support from an unexpected friend,
someone that she never imagined that she would meet. With her
encouraging words, will Laurie be able to pull Mandy back to them or
will she be lost to them forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 11, 2009
• ISBN: 9781477167090

Nicole L. Hendrick

I live in Michigan, with my husband of thirteen yrs. I have two sons, ages eleven and ten, and our black lab, Great Dane mix, which is two years old. I have two older stepdaughters and one grandson that is a year old. I am a stay home mom slash homemaker. I enjoy reading, being outdoors, and spending time with my family. I write in the evening and every spare moment I get, which I have done seriously since I was fifteen.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The stars shined bright, as sixteen-year-old Laurie stood twirling her long wavy auburn hair. She gazed out over the sleepy little town, of Cliffton, which was always quiet by this late hour. She could not understand why they had not heard from her parents yet, it usually only took three hours for them to drive to Fairmont. She glanced over at the small alarm clock for what seemed like the thousandth time; she could feel the dread building up knowing that it had been well over three hours.

To take her mind off her parents, Laurie glanced over at her younger sister sleeping peacefully. They both loved staying with their grandparents when their parents went out of town on business. This weekend their Grandpa Joe was driving truck out of town, their Grandma Nancy enjoyed having this time with the girls.

The phone in the hall rang, bringing Laurie out of her thoughts. She waited for her grandma to enter their room to tell them that their parents had arrived safely in Fairmont. Why was her Grandma silent? What was going on? After about five minutes, Laurie could not wait another minute she made her way over to the slightly jarred door. The silence seemed to penetrate her to the bone. Peering out into dim lit hallway, she was shocked to find the telephone on the hook.

Making her way down the carpeted stairs, she heard her grandma talking on the phone in the den. She knew in her gut that something was seriously wrong. Everything imaginable went through her mind when Laurie found her grandma on the sofa crying. However somehow she knew that it had something to do with her parents.

Grandma, what’s wrong? Laurie questioned as her grandma looked up at her with tears streaming down her face.

We need to talk, dear. Nancy replied startled, not realizing that her granddaughter had entered the small room.

What is it? Laurie asked not actually wanting to hear the news.

Nancy began to shake, Laurie sat down next to her, I don’t want to be the one to tell you this.

Grandma, just tell me please. Laurie begged holding her hand.

There has been a terrible accident. She replied nervously as she took a deep breath before continuing, Your parents were involved.

What happened?

All I have been told is that a drunk driver crossed the median and caused a chain reaction, a total of six vehicles were involved.

Does Grandpa Frank and Grandma Maria know yet? Laurie asked imagining what her dad’s parents were experiencing with her dad being their only child.

I just called them, the hospital has notified them. I still need to call Jeanette and Ken plus Tiffany’s dormitory to let them know. Nancy continued to shake, When we know more about the situation then we will decide if they will meet us at the hospital.

What about Grandpa Joe?

I need to call the trucking company to get a message to him.

What do we do now? Laurie asked in shock.

We need to leave for Fairmont immediately. Nancy told her as she watched Laurie go from pale to ghost white. She stood to support her granddaughter in case she fainted.

Laurie, could you please wake Mandy, so I can make the phone calls.

Laurie nodded, slowly forcing herself to take a couple of steps not sure, if her legs would hold her own weight. Making her way up the stairs, she kept praying that her parents would be all right. She entered the bedroom with no clue on how to wake Mandy, who was only thirteen. How was she supposed to handle this?

Mandy, you need to wake up. Laurie stammered trying to keep her voice steady.

No, just a few more minutes. Mandy murmured as she rolled over.

You have to wake up now! Laurie told her with firmness, as she pulled the blankets off her.

Huh, what’s wrong with you? Mandy questioned confused as she tried to focus her eyes on her sister.

Taking a deep breath, Laurie turned side ways, to keep Mandy from seeing the reflection of her eyes. Grandma needs to talk to you, it’s extremely important. Laurie told her as she returned to the window; she tried to fight the tears that were streaming down her face.

Mandy hesitated in the bedroom doorway, and then took the stairs two at a time, knowing something was hurting her sister deeply.

Nancy was hanging up the phone as she entered the kitchen. She motioned for Mandy to sit down while fighting to hold her emotions in.

Precious, I don’t want to be the one to tell you this, but I don’t have a choice.

Mandy glanced at her grandma bewildered. All she did know was that it was not good with the way her and Laurie were behaving.

Your parents were involved in a terrible accident on their way to Fairmont.

Are they all right? Terror filled Mandy’s eyes.

They both are in critical condition is all I have been told, we are leaving for Fairmont immediately. Nancy answered

I will get dressed. Mandy managed to say as the shock started to sink in.

Mandy quietly entered the bedroom, to find Laurie had already dressed and had a small overnight bag packed. Mandy dressed silently, just as she was finishing the phone in the hall rung.

The girls raced downstairs to find out if it was information on their parents. Clinging to each other as their grandma spoke on the phone. Was that news on mom and dad? Mandy asked the minute her grandma hung up the phone. Mandy shook as she waited for an answer afraid to know, now that the news had time to sink in.

Laurie kept silent, realizing that any news could actually go either way. She did not want to hear any news that would make her parents’ conditions worse.

Leaning on the counter, Nancy turned to the girls, The hospital called to let us know that your mom has pulled through surgery, but she is still in critical condition. There is no news on your dad. Nancy updated them.

Did you contact Grandpa Joe yet? Laurie quickly changed the subject.

I called the company; they are working on locating his exact location. Nancy reassured her not believing that she had to have her husband called in from the road for the first time in over twenty yrs. She dreaded the idea of him having to him be told by a stranger.

What is mom’s condition right now? Mandy questioned.

We don’t know exactly due to the intensity of her injuries.

Are we going to be orphans? Mandy stuttered.

No, honey, no matter what you will never be alone. I promise you that. She embraced them both, trying to hold back her own fright.

Did you make our arrangements to leave for Fairmont? Laurie asked.

Our plane leaves in about twenty minutes. It shouldn’t take more than an hour to arrive if there are no problems. Nancy told them, glad that they only lived about three hundred miles from Fairmont.

*     *     *

Trying to be strong Mandy and Laurie clung to each other through the entire plane ride. The plane touched down almost two hours after the first phone call. Neither recalled the airplane ride or the taxi ride to the hospital, their minds were preoccupied with thoughts of their parents.

They arrived at the hospital by taxi; their grandma took their hand to give them strength as they entered through the wide double doors. Nancy went to the admitting office and explained who she was.

The receptionist on duty immediately directed them to the intensive care unit on the third floor.

Joe, Frank, Maria were waiting for them in the waiting room. It felt comforting to have them all together.

Grandpa Joe, how did you manage to beat us here? Laurie asked already knowing that her Grandpa Frank and Grandma Maria had taken a private plane.

I got lucky; I was outside Fairmont when the call came over the cab radio. A group of truckers followed me to the rest stop then made sure I had a ride here while they secured my shipment with another driver. He answered his granddaughter’s question hoping that he would be able to answer the one’s that were bound to come up.

We need you to sit down; we were informed of some news a few minutes ago. Frank replied as Joe went over to Nancy.

What’s wrong? Mandy questioned as she sit in the nearest chair.

I don’t know how to tell you this. Frank glanced to the floor.

Just tell us, please? Mandy begged him looking from one adult’s face to another, her Grandma Maria walked out into the hallway.

Your dad had complications during surgery: his heart wasn’t strong enough to deal with the shock to his system. Unfortunately they did everything that could for him, but was unable to save him. Frank told them, the look on his granddaughters’ faces tore his heart out.

Not daddy! Mandy yelled as her Grandma Nancy went over to her, they all knew that Mandy had been daddy’s girl.

I would like to see him, please? Laurie stated in shock.

That is not a good idea. Her Grandpa Frank told her knowing what his Son’s appearance due to him identifying his body.

I won’t accept that he is gone until I see him. Laurie stated looking at her grandparents; she had all the defiance that her dad used to have.

Her Grandma Maria just rejoined them, her face pale, streaked with tears.

I will talk with the doctor to see what I can do. Frank told her reluctantly after talking with the other three adults. He knew that the girls had to deal with their loss in their own way; he just hoped that this would not traumatize Laurie.

Thank you. Laurie told them still not letting the reality of the situation sink in.

What about mom? Mandy questioned hoping that it was a better update than their dad’s was.

She is stable, but we won’t know the total extent of her injuries for at least seventy two hours. Joe spoke up still not believing that this was happening.

What are her injuries? Laurie asked not sure if she was ready to be told.

The major thing right now is a fractured skull without any brain injury at this time. They also had to remove her spleen, and they placed a chest tube in her chest due to a punctured lung. Joe listed as if he was reading a grocery list, not speaking of his oldest daughter. It was obvious that he was not allowing the facts to sink in.

Frank returned almost immediately with a young doctor.

You may see your father, but remember that he may appear different due to his injuries. He informed her.

Laurie glanced around, not knowing if this was a good idea, yet knew that she had to see her dad to accept that he was gone.

Laurie, I will join you and Doctor Emerson, Joe Spoke up, shivering at the thought of seeing Jacob in that condition.

Shaking her head, Laurie held her head high, No, I need to do this one on my own, thanks.

Joe glanced toward Dr. Emerson then the other adults, unsure about the whole plan.

I will take Mandy to see Connie. Nancy stood up still trying to absorb her son in law’s death. She felt the need to hold her oldest daughter’s hand to feel the warmth from it in order to believe that she was still alive.

I will bring Laurie to Connie’s room when she is finished. Dr. Emerson told them.

Thanks for everything, Dr. Emerson. Frank shook his hand.

It’s not a problem. Laurie, please follow me.

Laurie followed him to an elevator, to the basement. They went down the hall to a tiny room, which was closed in, no windows just two double doors… Laurie knew that she had to face reality once she walked through the cold steel doors. The smell hit her first, she fought not to cough and choke, then the bareness of the room caused the light to reflect off everything. She quickly saw where her father was being held; Dr. Emerson pulled the drawer out.

Dr Emerson stood in the room beside her; he waited a minute after they approached Jacob’s body to see if she would change her mind. Once it was apparent that she would not, he slowly pulled the crisp white sheet to Jacob’s shoulders.

Unable to look down at first, Laurie held her breath as she finally did. She was taken by surprise; no words could have prepared her for what she saw. Her father had burns all over his face, cuts, not to mention bruising.

This is not my dad? Laurie shrieked shaking not from the cold in the room, but from the gruesome sight that lay in front of her.

I am sorry, but your grandfather already identified him. The doctor assured her with sympathy.

May I have a few minutes alone with him? Not taking her eyes from her dad’s, once handsome face.

Nodding, the doctor slipped out of the room.

Waiting to hear the click of the door latch, Laurie took her dad’s hand from under the sheet. She instinctively wanted to drop it at first, due to the eerie feeling from the burns, which seemed to char his hand to its last layer of skin.

Daddy, I can’t believe that your gone, I already miss you dearly. I promise to keep you in a special place in my heart. I love you and I will try to make you proud of me, starting with helping Mandy through this horror and being there when she needs me.