Rollover Read Free Page A

difference.”
    â€œDo they know how it happened?”
    â€œI don’t think so. Not yet anyway. The driver was killed.”
    â€œDriver?”
    â€œYeah, some old guy who was giving Dan a ride. Guess the Cherokee had engine trouble. Phillip called the dealer in Las Vegas and they towed it in.”
    â€œAnd the driver…died?”
    â€œCrushed. The truck rolled at least three times. Dan was thrown clear but the driver wasn’t as lucky.”
    â€œThat’s horrible. A simple Good Samaritan act leads to death. Poor man. Will I be able to see Dan now?”
    â€œOf course, but I want you to be prepared.”
    â€œFor…?”
    â€œAll the tubes, the machines—” Tears welled up and Carolyn didn’t continue.
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    But nothing ever really prepares someone to see a loved one incapacitated—someone who had been so vital, so strong. Elaine pushed open the door and stopped. “Oh.” She couldn’t seem to move but stayed rooted to a spot just inside the room. Finally, she stepped closer to the bed willing herself to breathe, take a deep breath, and then another.
    â€œWill you be okay by yourself? I thought I’d go back to the motel.”
    â€œYes, go…I’m sure you haven’t slept much. Give my love to Phillip.” Elaine hadn’t taken her eyes off of Dan.
    â€œSpeaking of sleep, you look like you could use some, too. I asked them to set up a cot. But it doesn’t look very comfortable.”
    Elaine glanced at the metal and canvas frame against the back wall stacked with folded sheets, a blanket and pillow. “Looks perfect. A slab of marble would probably work at this point.”
    â€œThen, I’m off. The floor nurses check vitals hourly so I’m not sure how much sleep you’ll get. I’ll let them know you’re here.”
    â€œThanks.” Elaine walked to the cot and put her purse down next to her overnight bag. “Oh, I almost forgot, is Simon with you?”
    â€œDan knows better than to even ask—you can’t turn cat people into dog-sitters. I’m sure he kenneled him, probably in that place I recommended in the North Valley, Canine Country Club. I’m pretty sure he said he was driving up through Albuquerque to drop him off.
    â€œI’ll call later. It would be great to have him with me…might make things easier.” After a quick hug Carolyn was out the door.
    ***
    Elaine stood at the foot of Dan’s hospital bed. It was almost impossible to take it all in—the tubes, the quiet churning of machines, the drips from bottles hanging above him…but it was the stark, blanched paleness of what had been a tanned face that pulled at her heart. If she had a doubt, there was none now—Dan was struggling—maybe fighting for his life.
    Bandages covered the right side of his head stretching from his ear, up and across just above his forehead. Someone had shaved his head—shearing dark brown wavy hair just barely peppered with silver. She almost smiled—that would pique his vanity. But it would grow back. Hair removal wasn’t permanent. His right hand and arm were in a cast and tethered to the bed. Broken, she remembered from Carolyn’s message. In addition, there was probably a lot of bruising that she couldn’t see.
    She bent over the bed and kissed his cheek. “Hey, I’m home. World’s fastest trip almost to Ireland and back. Now, we’ve got to spend some time on you.”
    His eyes were closed, breathing assisted by machine. Elaine took his good hand and held it. Ice cold. She gently massaged it between her two hands to get some warmth into the flesh. “It’ll be all right. Not easy, but all right. I think you can hear me so I’m going to keep talking.” she paused to see if there was any change. None, but she continued to tell him about the trip over, what the group had done night