At last ‘A life’
By Julie D Cole
Chapter 75 Final Chapter.

I didn’t know what else to say except ‘What happened, what’s wrong, why are you here?’

‘Chrissy I’m sorry but Jessica, Sally and Mary Jo were on the way to a restaurant and they were involved in an accident on the motorway. A van was speeding to try to overtake them and seems to have hit them and knocked them into another vehicle and then they skidded out of control and ended up in the ditch.’

‘My God. Are the badly hurt?’

‘They are all injured and we don’t know how badly Sally is hurt just yet because she is unconscious. The medics said she kept trying to wake up and she was reaching out and calling your name.’

‘Was she badly hurt?’

‘Not really she took a bang on the head on the window and had a few cuts and bruises according to the doctor but they are frightened in case there is any internal hemorrhage. She was stable when I left and I didn’t get any messages so far. Do you want to come back with me to see her?’

‘Yes of course. ‘What about Jessica and Sally?’.

‘Jessica has bad cuts and bruises and she’s been able to tell the police what happened. Mary Jo had to be cut out of the car and has a broken leg and some bruised ribs. It’s a good job the air bags worked or they would both have been much worse.’

‘But Sally, what about Sally?’

‘As I say she was unconscious when I left but we have to wait.’

‘But she woke up didn’t she. Isn’t that what you said?’

‘Yes but not for long and she seems to be badly concused. They don’t know if she has head and neck injuries so they were taking great care as I left.’

‘Who is with her. Is anybody with her. She’ll be frightened out of her skin ‘

‘She doesn’t know much about it at the moment and it’s too early to say anything. The doctor asked me to notify her family but I don’t have any details. They want to know if you know.’

‘Well I have a number for her mother just in case. I should call her.’

I went to a quiet corner and by now mum, dad and Julie were close by talking to Kate.
It was the most difficult phone call I ever had to make. Much more difficult than discussing my own problems that I realized were nothing compared to a daughter who has been in an accident and may be badly injured or worse. Her mum was shocked and upset so I managed to calm her.

Then she asked who I was.

“I’m Chrissy Taylor, her girlfriend. We live together and I love her more than anything.’
She was calm enough to say she’d make arrangements with her brother to travel immediately to the hospital and I agreed to text the details after I talked to Kate.

Julie came over and said ‘Come on sis, we have to be strong and we have to be optimistic. I’m coming with you.’

‘But Jules, I love her and I was just beginning to sort my life out. Now this.’

‘Come on Chrissy we have to go help her. She needs you. Be strong for her.’

‘Oh Jules why didn’t I bring her with us?’

‘Come on Kate is going to take us since I can’t drive because of the wine.’

That journey was the longest in my life and I sat in the back of Kate’s car with Julie holding my hand. I looked up at the stars and just said a quiet prayer asking for forgiveness for being different and asking not to be punished anymore.’

Kate got us there in no time and we arrived at A&E to find it full of people. Then Kate saw one of the nurses and she took us through to a waiting area that was away from the main waiting area.
The doctor was very nice but had no news other than she was stable and there was nothing external to be concerned about. ‘Are you family or a friend?’

‘I’m Chrissy Taylor her best friend. We live together. We love each other.’

Quite why I said that I’ll never know but I didn’t care what people thought. I just wanted Sally to recover. I told him that her mum was on the way but it would be a few hours.
I asked if I could see her.

I went alone and knelt at the side of her bed. I held her hand but there was no grip and no sign of consciousness. She looked peaceful.

I prayed again and then I started to talk to her. I told her that I loved her and that I would take care of her forever and that I was sorry for all the wrong things I’d done in my life. I told her that she had to wake up and that she mustn’t leave me or I could never have the life that I wanted. I wanted that life so badly but I’d give it all up for her if only she’d come back to me.

I closed my eyes and squeezed her hand trying to massage some life into her.

A nurse came in to check the monitors and insisted I sit in the chair at the side of the bed. She asked if I wanted to stay with her and if I needed some tea. I just nodded.
I was still hanging on massaging her hand when Julie and Kate came into the room.

‘Mum and dad came through. They were worried about you sis.’

‘Oh that’s kind of them.’

‘Dad’s told me to give you a message and says they’ll be waiting for you.’

‘Was that his message?’

‘No he said something about going back to London.’

‘Oh no why?’

‘He said he has to pick up his things so he can move back home. Back with us’

‘Oh Jules that’s great news. Sally did you hear that dad’s coming home.’

I wished she could have heard for herself.

Kate came in and asked if I was OK.

I thought a bit and I looked at her. I wish we could have met before. She was the best boss in the world and I had really felt different working with her. She had given me confidence in myself.

I just thanked her for her kindness to me and particularly for her kindness in looking after me and offering me a job.

'But Kate I'm sorry I don't think I can accept.'

'Why Chrissy you are crazy to miss this chance?'

'Kate, I have just given a promise to God that I’d give up theses notion of living as a woman and deceiving people in exchange for his help. I want him to bring Sally back so I can take care of her. My real mum died because of me and I can't let Sally die because of me. I have to change back.'

I was crying and I looked down to the floor.

Then I felt a movement as Sally squeezed my hand. I turned as she opened her eyes and said ‘No Chrissy no. Please for me. You have to carry on.’

As I looked into her eyes she smiled faintly.

‘Oh Sally Oh Sally I love you. You woke up. Nurse, Nurse.’

Then she pulled my arm gently so she could whisper to me.

‘Chrissy I love you as you are. You are Chrissy or you are Chris. You are one person and I love you as you are now. Please don’t change we have a life together.’

‘Oh Sally you’re back. Sally thanks to God. Thanks for coming back to me. Sally I promise that we will have a wonderful life together.'

'At last a life……. for both of us.’

Sadly not to be continued…….

The End.
Sorry it dragged so long for the less patient readers and the ones who don’t care for too much romance.

For those who supported and encouraged me I owe you more than you know. I dedicate it to you and since I liked to write this story now I want to do more.

Julie D Cole