who jolted awake. Hugh swung his head towards me. He was out of it—probably medicated. He’d gotten fat. Mom’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes were swollen. She’d been crying. Dad noted my presence and returned his gaze to the linoleum floor. He knew I could have been here hours ago. If Ollie had died in the hospital that night, it would have been his fault I didn’t get to say goodbye. “Hey, Mads.” Ollie’s voice was hoarse but undeniably his. “Hey, Ollie.” He had a hard time telling the story without breaking down. There had been five of them in the car that night, and he swore there was no alcohol involved—at least for the driver. Three of them made it out before the engine fire sparked
He had a hard time telling the story without breaking down. the fuel line and lit the car up like a New Year’s party. He’d done everything he could. I assured him that was all that mattered. The blistered burns on his hands were all that kept me from squeezing them. 22
The Talon 2022
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he doctor brought good news. They would have to see Ollie every day that week as standard procedure after an accident like this, but unless we wanted to keep him in the hospital, they would discharge him that night. Ollie rode home with Mom. Dad mumbled something about checking in at the office and drove by himself. Hugh drove with me. “Why wouldn’t he come home with us?” I buckled my seatbelt. “Work. It’s always work.” Hugh slouched in the passenger seat with his feet on my dash. “How can you relax right now?” “You know this past day hasn’t been easy for any of us—right? Not just you.” “Ahh, that’s rich. He didn’t fucking tell me until this morning. Ollie could have died.” “Maddie, you live in Atlanta. You wouldn’t have made it anyway.” “I would have beat you to the hospital by the time you shook your hangover and took your Adderall.” “Look. You’re emotional right now. I get it. Just don’t turn this on me.” Silence. Poison. Hugh was right. This wasn’t his fault. “I still would have wanted to know, even if I couldn’t make it. It’s not fair that I wouldn’t have.”
