Page 6 of When We Crash

“…week after the accident that killed two, and we are now told the only survivor is expected to make a full recovery.”

Ms. Andrews rushed in, her hair in her face. She set her purse down and I couldn’t help but watch as she caught her breath and pushed her hair from her face. “Hi,” she said, her hands hitting her thighs.

I offered a smile before the television pulled my attention again.

She glanced over her shoulder and didn’t hesitate before reaching up to turn it off. Her eyes took their time making their way to mine. “You just focus on getting better, Dex.”

I wanted to tell her to turn it back on. That I didn’t want to sit in silence because it didn’t make mefeelbetter. But she spoke first.

“You have some people here to see you. Becca…” She glanced at me, like she was looking for a hint of recognition after saying the name. “Well, Becca is here. Um, Ralph. He’s here. Did you want to see them?”

Considering she’d just stripped me of my television privileges, I nodded, eager to have a distraction.

“I’ll let them know you’re awake.” She stepped out without another word.

The door opened slowly and just as slowly, a face appeared. Jet black hair hung down, pin-straight, framing a striking face. She wore a small smile, one that spoke of nerves and familiarity.

When I didn’t speak, the girl took a deep breath and rushed over to me, taking my hand in hers.

“Hi, babe,” she said, tucking her dark hair behind her ear and looking at the machine my leg was in. “Feeling better?”

Before I could attempt to answer, the door opened again.

“Hey, jackass. Who told you to play in traffic?” a voice boomed from behind who I assumed was Becca.

Ralph.

Iknewthat. Blond hair that sometimes looked a little orange, eyes that crinkled almost shut when he laughed, all wrapped in a towering frame.

I looked at Ms. Andrews again and noticed her frown at Ralph’s choice of words. When she glanced at me, I turned back to Ralph, smiling.

“Hey,” I said, my voice catching. I cleared my throat as he mimicked me with a laugh.

Becoming serious, he sat at the edge of the bed and asked, “So, any news? When are you out of here?”

I noticed Becca staring at me. She’d let go of my hand and stood outside of my conversation with Ralph.

“Hopefully the end of the week,” my aunt answered for me. “But he’s having trouble with his memory. Ralph, he seems to remember you, but not me or Becca.”

The girl looked at me and whatever was left of a smile disappeared. Before I could say anything, she rushed out of the room.

My aunt sat in a chair with a huff, her arms spread and her head leaned back as she looked at the ceiling.

Ralph proceeded to roll his eyes and said, “Can’t lie, dude, I’m glad she left. You know I can’t take her voice.” He pointed his fingers to his temple in the shape of a pretend gun.

“IthinkI’m supposed to take offense to that. Or at the very least defend her. But I don’t know her. I don’t even know me.” I chuckled. “I only seem to kinda know you.”

“I’m all you need to know.” He grinned, and I saw that one of his front teeth was chipped. It didn’t take away from the intensity of his features, though. He was a man in a teenager’s body. “So, a week? That means you should be at the Thanksgiving game, watching me kick some Bobcat ass.”

“No foul-mouthing, Ralph. Your parents raised you better than that,” my aunt chastised, not looking up from the phone she’d pulled out of her purse. “I have to make a call. I’ll be right outside.” She stepped out, closing the door behind her.

“Well, let’s get down to it, now that the womenfolk are gone. What the fuck, man?” Gone was the smile, and in its place were hard eyes and a set jaw.

I couldn’t keep up with him.

From one extreme to the other. I was left somewhere in the dust.

“What do you mean?” I asked, worried that the past me—the past Dex—had done something to piss him off.

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