What If by Sue DeCrescenzo It was Monday morning. On the way out the door, CeCe grabbed her purse and phone, hugged her cat; then pressed the garage door opener. She smiled - her first brand-new car.
When she turned onto the main road, her GPS beeped announcing an accident on her favorite route. She hated taking the interstate, but she was already late. She made a left and headed for the entrance ramp.
∞ CeCe said, where am I and what happened? Her head was killing her, her left arm was in a sling, her tongue felt swollen and tasted like cotton. And she swears she could feel a cat climbing on her stomach. A cat, I must be home? A voice said, Hello, my name is Nurse Jean, and this is Allie my cat. She likes to visit my patients at the hospital.
The sun was just coming up. She opened her window. The air smelled crisp and cool with a promise of a beautiful Fall day. Next week is Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it. CeCe entered the interstate; traffic moved quickly. She hit the gas and merged into the right lane. She cruised along when - oh @#$%, the car in front of her stopped; then it sounded like a bomb went off and CeCe blacked out.
At the hospital, CeCe exclaimed. I’m in a hospital, what happened? Nurse Jean said, you were in a multiple car pileup on the interstate. Several folks didn’t make it. You’re one of the lucky ones. Allie and I have been coming for several weeks now. We’re glad to see you open your eyes.
∞ This is Kylie Watts, Channel 56 TV, reporting live on the multiple car pile-up on Interstate 80. As you can see, Life Flight just landed, and ambulances are transporting victims to area hospitals as quickly as possible.
I have been here several weeks? Yes, you were in a coma. Your left arm has a pin and plate in it and might need additional surgery. We’re not sure about your legs yet, but let’s not worry about that now. Nurse Jean pulled back the covers and massaged CeCe’s legs. Allie perched on CeCe’s chest and starting purring. Soon, CeCe fell back to sleep.
Officer Hayes, can you access the scene for the viewers? I have never seen so many cars piled up and the damage is extensive. Jones asked, it’s a clear stretch of road, what happened? Officer Hayes replied, it appears to be an unfortunate chain of events, but we’re still investigating. As crews scrambled to remove the injured from the scene, helicopters drowned out the rest of the interview.
Over the next several weeks, Nurse Jean and Allie visited regularly. CeCe was not sure about the time or the day. And she also thought it was odd that Nurse Jean wore a 1940 nurse’s uniform with a starched hat and apron, white oxfords, and one of those watches pinned to her - 52 -
