So at about 7:30 I was sitting on the couch, dozing off over a book, when the phone rang; it was my friend Rick. He needed me for a few minutes to "come get my truck and take it back to your house"; he was about three blocks away. I asked why, he said he's just been rear-ended on the highway turning into my neighborhood! I'd heard sirens just before the phone rang; didn't know where they were going. Well, I threw on a denim jacket (mistake! It was full dark, the wind blowing, and about 28 degrees) and walked up there; sure enough, his pickup was in the ditch on the side of the road, and EMTs were strapping him to a stretcher. I talked to him as long as they would let me, asked him if he wanted me to ride with him, and he said, no, I want you to take care of my truck. So I told him to be good and don't go pinching any nurses, and got his keys, checked in with the trooper who was directing traffic, and went home. I walked around the long way and looked at the car that had hit him, it was a small white four-door sedan, and had nothing left of the front end but the engine block -- it was horrible, I don't know if anyone was killed; I do know that at least three ambulances were called to the scene.
When the trooper called, I went to get the truck. The trooper first had me put on the turn signals and step on the brake so he could check the lights; all working. Then I drove home. The driver's seat is sprung, the back half-reclined; the seat belt is jammed; I don't know why the air bag didn't deploy, but I'm glad of it. The truck looks okay except for the back bumper; but she is probably totaled. She drives like her rear end got pushed up about six inches; there's a thumping noise and a serious shimmy; she is not a happy girl. (I'd be happy if my rear end got pushed up six inches; but that's a story for another day. Or not.)
Rick called me just a little while ago. He couldn't talk long, just for a couple of minutes; I got which hospital he's in and let him know his girl made it home with me. I'll have to check on him later, I figure about 10:00 or so they may be through with him and he'll have time for a friend. I'm glad he's talking, and seems to be in reasonably good spirits, considering; I hope he's not too badly hurt.
I know sometimes I joke around even when it's a serious occasion. I don't mean to make light of anyone's pain, I guess it's my way of pushing back the darkness. I've been praying for the people in that little car ... and for my best friend Rick.
Update Tuesday 4:40 a.m. Rick called last night about eleven, he still hadn't seen a doctor but was getting CAT scans, MRIs, etc. etc. A trooper had talked to him shortly before, it seems the woman who hit him had been drinking, an open container in the car; her passenger was a teenager who suffered some broken ribs ... Anyway, no fatalities, Thank God! I'll find out more today.
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