the parking lot. He lets me know I will be “eating his dust” on the way home. To which, I tell him “in his dreams”, my car by far is faster than his Ranger. On the way home, my car stops unexpectedly. It has never done this before and never did so again. I have to pull over and restart my car. I drove over two hills then I saw the wreck. I saw my best friend coated in blood in the ditch. The EMT’s rushed out. They question me about the accident. This is when the adrenalin has run out. Joel starts groaning. He is in so much pain. The EMT’s move to put him on a canvas cloth. He groans some more and I am taken away from the scene by Shae’s mother. She holds me and tells me it will be alright. Taking the jacket off her back she puts it on me. Behind us the Ranger is burning up. The firemen on the scene are putting out the fire. From there, I am brought to Shae’s home, where I try to occupy my time calling those who are affected by Joel’s absence. I’m told I am not allowed to drive to the hospital where Joel is being taken. I called my mother and begged her to take me. No, I tell her I am going to go to see him. It becomes a blur till I am in the waiting room. I see him within a few minutes. He is battered up as hell, black eyes, cuts up and down his left arm and hand, cuts all over his face, but in one piece. Everytime I see those cuts that are now scars, I remember that day. I remember.
PROSE 51
