Accidental Lives

By David Burger

Accidental Lives is the story of a man who is in a car accident which leaves him awake in the hospital with no memory of the past six months. Partially paralyzed, he struggles with not having the life he had planned. Tomorrow finds him in a strange apartment in New York City with no memory of the past six months. He cannot remember graduating college or his best friend. Every other day he finds himself waking in the previous world convinced that the day before and its world were merely a dream.

He finds himself attracted to a woman from the hospital that has a mystical belief system. He inadvertently discovers that what he is learning from her may actually work as he finds evidence in his New York world. One world offers his planned future and the other a love life.

Torn between what appears to be two dream worlds, he finds himself tortured for one to end. Eventually his New York world provides its own love. By chance, she is the exact same image as his love interest in the other world. As he falls for both, torment turns into fear that one will indeed end and prove only a dream.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504333801

David Burger

David Burger is a single father and blue-collar plant worker in beautiful northwest Arkansas. David Burger’s love for his two beautiful daughters—as well as his experiences and troubled times through childhood, a failed marriage, and career—led him toward a spiritual journey to find a deeper connection to the world around him. In doing so, he has found, and continues to search, for a more meaningful life, self-love, and acceptance which in turn strengthens his ability to love and accept others. He has aspirations to write and have his stories published and made into movies

Book preview

Chapter 1: Together

The excitement and anticipation of the holidays filled the air. The Brodie family was to spend the season at the home of Darren, their eldest son. The home was an immaculate twelve-room estate in upstate New York afforded to Mr. Brodie by the success of his law firm. Darren was far from the typical tight-laced lawyer. His large heart and love for his family were two of the many attributes that fueled his firm’s success. Darren had married his college sweetheart, Teresa, and immediately accepted her family as his own.

With the sense of responsibility that came with being the firstborn of an established northeastern American family, Darren loved and looked out for Teresa’s family with the heart of a husband and father. These holidays held extra urgency for him. He had decided to make the official offer to Teresa’s brother Brian to join him at the law firm. Brian was to take the bar exam soon and was considering in which direction to pave his path. Darren admired Brian’s work ethic and the energy he put into his schoolwork and into life in general.

Some in the family had assumed Brian’s joining Darren’s firm would be a natural progression, but Darren had often thought Brian may be better off building his own career out from the shadow of his brother-in-law and the firm. The other side of that thought was what kept Darren up at night with excitement, imagining what it would feel like to mentor Brian and experience the pride of a big brother. He’d discussed the prospect with his partners, and they’d unanimously given Brian their blessing to become part of the firm. Darren wanted Brian to earn a high rank and planned to offer him an entry-level position but he had a world of confidence that Brian would climb the ladder to representing the firm’s most elite clientele in record time.

Darren paced the foyer with his ear tuned to any sound outside that may indicate the arrival of family, particularly Brian.

Teresa giggled at her husband’s manic state and commented, I bet you were never this antsy as a child on Christmas morning, even when you knew there was a new shiny BB gun waiting for you under the tree. Pure amusement framed by adoration came across her face.

As he smiled slightly with the thought of what he must look like to her, he took inventory of his emotions and offered, I can honestly tell you I don’t ever remember feeling this way. The intensity of the anticipation is almost unbearable. I may explode if someone doesn’t show up soon and relieve this insane pressure. Calm washed over him in admitting how he felt, and he wrung his hands in an attempt to hang on to the moment of sanity.

Teresa took her husband’s hands in hers and took a deep, cleansing breath for him. They looked into each other’s eyes; the glance led to an impromptu staring match. Each offered a slight smile and wide eyes to prompt the other to blink first. In moments like this, their connection was almost childlike and gave them both security in the relationship that no expensive gift or well-written card could ever provide.

Interrupting the moment, the sound that Darren had long waited for came faintly from the drive. He broke his statuesque pose as his mouth dropped open, and his eyes bulged as an ecstatic gleam came to them.

As he started to turn toward the door, Teresa said, You know, Darren, there is a chance he may have his mind set on another firm or plans of taking some other path.

It was as if she had shot off a starter’s pistol, as he quickly made his way to the front door, not even considering Teresa’s point. He muttered, Yeah, yeah, over his shoulder and pulled the massive door open.

Teresa shouted, Good luck! The BB gun should be in the long, skinny package under the Christmas tree. She crossed her arms as the corners of her mouth turned up in a satisfied smile. She watched from the doorway as her distinguished and proper husband rushed to open the car’s passenger door with the enthusiasm of a ten-year-old. The occupant of the vehicle was not Brian but Teresa’s mother, but having more family present for Darren’s big announcement was a satisfying pacifier until Brian arrived.

This was a lady of class, wisdom, and knowledge, and she had a great sense of humor. It was her great influence that had helped to make Darren’s beloved wife and brother-in-law the people they were. He saw parts of her character and personality in each of her children. Darren was as dear to her family as he was to his own.

He offered an open hand to help her from the car. She took it, stood, and gently kissed him on the cheek. So very good to see you, Darren. Thank you for having me out for the holiday.

Darren answered, But of course! It wouldn’t be a party without you.

Teresa’s mother smiled and turned to Teresa. Hello, my beautiful baby girl.

Teresa smiled widely. Come on in out of the cold! I’ll get you settled in your room.

Her mother had longed to spend time with her daughter catching up on each other’s lives and sharing memories of the past, making the holidays a treasured time.

One by one, family members arrived, some in carloads. Darren greeted each one, and with each arrival, his anticipation for seeing Brian grew. Darren particularly enjoyed having his siblings’ and cousins’ younger children visit. Their youthful exuberance and innocence were essential to Christmas.

As the commotion in the house gradually built, a vehicle made its way down the drive unnoticed. The once-white Nissan Altima was a vehicle that a college student such as Brian could afford yet be unashamed to own. It was a far cry from the broken-down Gremlin he drove and took dates out in during high school. Nostalgia sometimes won over Brian, and he briefly missed the beast of a Gremlin, but he had always seen himself in a machine with tons more horses under the hood. He parked the Nissan in the line of cars on the outside lane of the horseshoe drive; grabbed his travel bag, which looked to be packed for a stay of one night instead of the weeks he’d be here for the holidays; and proceeded to the house.

As he reached the front door, he heard squeals of welcoming and the chatter of missed loved ones getting reacquainted. Knocking would be of no use, plus it would spoil the surprise of his grand entrance. Brian eased the door open just wide enough to fit through. He sidestepped into the main entranceway as if performing the first step of a Jackson Five routine. He dropped his bag as he swung his arms high into the air with the motion of a world-class gymnast finishing a dismount and announced, Look who’s here!

His charm and smile brightened the room, and the joy of his presence filled the crowded foyer. The younger children raced to him and embraced him about the trunk, and he managed to wrap his arms around them in a hug, rocking them, prompting a roar of laughter. His smile grew even larger as he reached over the heads of the enthusiastic children to greet the rest of the family, who had formed a line before him. His playful nature had attracted the children, and his positive, strong, respectful nature appealed to the adults.

Darren waited in the line of family for his turn and then outstretched his hand for his own welcome. Brian took it and pulled Darren in for a quick embrace accompanied by three loud slaps on the back. As they separated from the hug, they smiled at one another.

Darren offered, I have a big Christmas surprise for you.

"And I have a big Christmas surprise for you," Brian shot back.

Not to be outdone, Darren retorted, Actually, I have two big Christmas surprises for you.

Brian shined a smile as if to say gotcha and answered, I have two big Christmas surprises for you too.

The men stared at the other, their cat-that-ate-the-canary smiles on their faces, and then Darren said, You wait right here. I’ll show you one of the surprises. He turned and went to the back of the house.

Brian took the chance to give his mother another long, heartfelt hug. She mentioned how much everyone had missed him.

Brian looked at his sister and joked, Even you? You missed me?

Mom had to say that, Teresa responded. She doesn’t want to hurt her baby’s feelings.

Brian sneered like a tiger ready to attack its prey and exclaimed, Baby? I’ll show you who the baby is. With one quick move, he lifted Teresa over his shoulder and smacked her rear. Over her panicked laughs, he joked, Who’s the baby now? Tell me you missed me. Tell me you missed me!

Her younger brother would not relent, and she was about to wet herself laughing, so Teresa caved. Okay, okay! I missed you. I missed you!

Brian set her down gently with that satisfied boyish smile Teresa had seen a million times during their childhood. In hopes of taking away that smug look, she teased, But only just a tiny bit.

Brian lurched toward her, and she squealed like a little girl and darted behind her mother for protection.

Their mother, amused at her children in their late twenties, held up her hands and scolded, Okay, you two, don’t make me spank you in front of all the children.

There was a low roar of approval from the children in hopes of seeing such an amusing sight. Brian’s smile returned when his sister peeked over their mother’s shoulder. He then caught that all-too-familiar firm look from his mother, and his smile faded into an expression that said, But, Mom! She had seen it a million times before, especially when he was being disciplined.

The roar of an engine and a honk from a car horn came from the drive. Brian gave Teresa and their mother a quizzical look, and they nodded and gestured toward the door. He stood for a moment, then moved swiftly outside. He stood on the front stoop, slapped his forehead, and exclaimed, I can’t believe it! Is that the 1992 Viper?

Darren sat behind the wheel in a scarf, driving gloves, leather helmet, and goggles, all of which made him look more like someone about to battle the Red Baron in a dogfight than a guy about to go on a leisure drive.

Brian had always talked about someday owning the car he had dreamed about since getting his license, a red convertible 1992 Dodge Viper. Brian didn’t know it yet, but Darren was planning on giving Brian the car as a Christmas gift and a slight enticement to invite him to join the firm. For the few weeks since he had bought it, he had kept it a secret and put as many miles on it as he could before delivering the news that this was, indeed, another big Christmas surprise.

Brian flew to the passenger side in disbelief. Where did you manage to get this?

Darren laughed and answered, I had some work done so it would be cherry again, but it is a dream to own!

You’re telling me! But look at your getup. Do you really have to wear that to drive it? Brian laughed.

As he did when cornered in any duel before, Darren smiled. "Well, you do … if you want to drive her."

Brian’s eyes widen with excitement. You really mean it? I can drive her?

Darren laughed. Brian was a sucker for fancy cars, especially this one. If you’re willing to wear the gear, I’m willing to give you the wheel.

You’re on! Brian raced to his car to retrieve his backpack.

By the time Brian returned, Darren had removed his gear. Without hesitation, Brian fumbled in excitement as he slipped on the driving gloves and laced the leather helmet under his chin. Darren took his place in the passenger’s seat as Brian whooshed the scarf around his neck, wedged the backpack between the seats. He stood up in the driver’s side, holding on to the top of the windshield, and pumped his fist toward the family gathered in admiration on the front porch. With all the enthusiasm of a boy finding a new Lionel model train on Christmas Day, he let out a boisterous Woohoo! His family giggled and waved as he slid into the seat. Darren gestured with his chin to the goggles propped atop the leather headgear.

Really? Brian commented as he pulled the goggles down over his eyes.

Darren now displayed his own satisfied smile and asked, What’ve you got there? as Brian pulled a CD from his backpack.

Brian popped the CD into the player. A new group from Vermont—Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. You’re going to like them.

He revved the engine, and the sounds of the radio came to life with a soulful Ugh! and a guitar riff that harmonized with the engine. He popped the clutch, and the car pounced to life. As the screech of the tires faded, those standing on the front porch heard Brian’s wail of, You got me down on the floor, as he sang a duet with the bluesy voice of Grace Potter.

All Darren could see under the goggles were Brian’s big, bright teeth. Brian became lost in the moment as the crisp winter air whooshed by. He stopped singing and enjoyed the feeling of his scarf flapping furiously behind him. After making their way through some scarcely populated countryside, they found a small county road, hardly used and never patrolled by the police, so Brian could put the car through all of its gears and play with its top speed. The snow-covered fields blurred into a white veil.

Darren knew his way around these back roads and warned, There are railroad tracks coming up. Take it easy on the suspension.

Brian’s mouth was a wide smile of pure elation. The car took flight as it hit the incline to the tracks. The blast of an air horn startled both men, and the train impacted behind the driver’s door. The car crumpled like an aluminum can, spun counterclockwise to face the train, and hit the ground. The impact threw the two men together, and Darren saw a flash of white light when his head slammed into Brian’s. The tires squealed, and the car bounced and spun again, slamming the men from side to side, pushing their full weight against the seat belts. The tires again squealed angrily as the car skidded away from the passing train. The snow crunched under the car and braked it by the side of the road.

The men were silent. The train passed noisily by at full speed, the radio continued playing, and the radiator hissed out a plume of steam. Both men sat motionless, unconscious. It would be hours before they were found. As dusk settled in along the countryside, a siren approaching from the distance pierced the frozen air.

Chapter 2: Awake

Brian had had a difficult rehabilitation over the past six months. He was relearning how to walk but was not yet able to without an aid. Today he planned to stroll out of the facility’s front door along the walk bordered with lush grass and places of tranquility for the hospital’s patients. Brian rarely ventured outside, much less took a decent stroll, because of his self-pity about the loss of time and physical ability he suffered, but today he found a degree of determination that had become foreign to him. That came with a price, as it caused his frustration to build over the difficulty of navigating his walker.

He had managed his way to the ground floor. Exerted already, he gained a few ounces of promise when he saw the sunlight brightening the marble floor of the entryway. He eagerly pushed the walker along. With his focus on the automatic double glass sliding doors, he did not notice the barrier in his path. His walker came to an abrupt halt, throwing his weight forward enough to lift the back wheels off the ground.

Looking down he noticed the thick shag of the hospital’s welcome mat covering most of the entryway from just inside the glass doors. He sighed at the thought of making it across. His thoughts swayed to how easy it would have been to exit the doors had he been healthy, how this mat would not have caused him a second of thought. As he struggled with much mental fortitude to get his legs to react and position themselves to put his weight against the walker, he began what felt like a hundred-mile journey. Under every ounce of pressure he could muster, his walker slowly crept ahead of him two feet before he had to struggle to reposition his legs to keep from losing his balance, and then he prepared himself again for another demoralizing effort.

He repeated this task, fatigue pulling on him with each push. People turned their attention to him, and he could feel their pity. A wave of heat surged through his body as if his blood were boiling. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. With all the energy he had exerted, he knew his goal must be within reach.

He slowly looked over to the front door to find he was only in the middle of the rug. He was going to have to redouble his efforts to reach his destination, or even to quit and turn back. He once again leaned forward and pushed with everything his broken body would give, only to move the walker mere inches. He breathed as if he had been in a dead sprint. The next excruciating effort made his head feel as if it would burst. Determined to gain control over his own body, he became desperate, and screams echoed in his head for something in this world to bring him relief from this nightmare. He shook as the pressure in his skull flowed to his whole body. He succumbed to the idea that there was no relief, clenching his jaw, squeezing the arms of the walker, and mentally cursing his situation. Damn my legs, damn this walker, damn this hospital, and damn me for being like this! As he stood red-faced and feeling alone in his deprivation, a tear fell from his left eye and down his cheek.

Embarrassed, he wiped his face quickly and glanced around to see if anyone had