One Year Ago

One Year Ago Today

          Sharon was dreading her upcomng birthday. To her, it was a day that was cemented on life's calender to remind her of the days that just marched right past her. She felt like a spectator who was watching her life pass by and its opportunities were being taken by others more willing and qualified. All at once the doorbell and the phone rang at the same time.

         "Which one do I answer first? Do I want to answer either one?"

         "Hello. Can you please hold for a minute? I have to answer the door."

         "What do you want? Why are you here, Doug?"

         "I came to give you these."

         Doug held out a bouquet of white roses a box of chocolate covered macadamias, and a small, red velvet covered box.

          I don't have time right now. I have a phone call waiting. Please have a seat and I'll get back with you."

         "I'm sorry I took so long. May I ask who's calling?"

         "Sharon, it's Mickey. If you're busy, I can call you back."

         Looking at Doug who was sitting on her couch, forlorned, she turned to look through her pane glass patio door and told Mickey that she would talk to him later. She hung the phone up, and walked back to the couch. Doug's greenish blue eyes were sad and pleading. He stood up and came to her.

         "Are you going to open you birthday present? It was picked out especially for you by loving hands."

         Sharon picked up the box that laid on her glass end table and walked over to her silver trash can. She opened it with her foot and threw the box in it. It's clang was deafening. Stolling back to her front door, she opened it and motioned for Doug to leave,

          'You are one cold ice princess. I get you something to say I'm sorry and you do not even want to know what it is. I'll never darken your doorstep again, lady. May I take out your trash?"

         "Please do. I don't want any stench fouling my perfume or my immaculate apartment. Give it to someone who really cares."

         He opened the can, retrieved the box, brushed it off, and placed it in his jacket pocket. As he walked out the door, he whispered "Happy Birthday, Baby" in her ear. Sharon slammed the door after him with all the force of a tornado. Doug stood outside her door, in a blinding blizzard, looking at the ring box. He opened it, and put it back. He walked to his car, got in, and left.

          Sharon went to the phone to call Mickey. The phone rang five times before he answered it.

         "Hi Sharon. Are you alone and have time to talk? Are you sitting down?"

         "Mickey, you are scaring me. What is wrong? Are you okay?"

         "I am fine. It is Nancy. She was in a car accident this afternoon. She had a head on collision with a semi on her way to the office. She is in the hospital. She is not expected to live. I thought since you two are best friends, you would want to know about it. She is at Wilson Memorial. The roads are horrible. Please be careful."

         Sharon screamed in the phone,"No! Not Nancy. She has to be okay."

          "Now take it easy, Sharon. All we can do is pray. Call the hospital to see if you can get any information. If you can, call me and I will pick you up and take you."

         Sharon hung up the phone immediately and her mind was racing. She started to look for the telephone directory to get the hospital's number. After what seemed an eternity, she finally found it in her desk Flipping through its pages she was ripping more than looking. After finally finding the number, Sharon dialed. She was met with a busy signal. Angry and upset, Sharon felt the hair on her neck stand on end. On the fourth try, there was ringing.

         "Patient Imformation. May I help you?"

{indent{}"I'm calling about a patient named Nancy Simkins. She was brought in earlier due to a car accident," Sharon asked, anxiously.

          The operator placed her on hold for what seemed to be forever. When she returned, Sharon was asked if she was a family member. Sharon said no, but that she was her best friend. The operator informed her that this patient's information could only be released the family.

         "Nancy doesn't have family. Her parents died when she was a child. There are no siblings. I'm her only family. Can she have any visitors?"

         "I'll let you tallk to the ICU nurses station, ma'am."

         After being transferred to the ICU nurses station, Sharon again waited for the phone to be answered. Finally it was.

         "Intensive Care, Nurse Bromley speaking. May I help you?" a stern voice answered.

         "I'm calling about a patient, Nancy Simkins. I'm Sharon Friedman, her best friend. Nancy has no family and I'm all she has. I'm desprate to find out anything I can. What can you tell me? Is she alive?" a worried Sharon asked.

          Again being placed on hold inflamed Sharon. When the phone ws picked up, it was the doctor who spoke. Sharon breathed a sigh of relief. She thought that maybe now she would get the answers she so desperately needed.

         "This is Dr. Nagron. Whom am I speaking to?"

         "My name is Sharon Friedman. I'm Nancy Simkins's best friend. She has no family and I've been trying to find out what happened and how she is. Can you please give me the information?, Sharon said nervously.

         "Ms. Simkins is in guarded condition. She has a closed head injury, and right now, has no feeling below her waist. She's unconscious and on a ventilator. I'd rather she not have visitors at present", the doctor said in a matter of fact tone.

         "Could you please keep me posted on her condition, doctor?", Sharon implored.

         "Yes I will, Ms, Friedman." Dr. Nagron said, soothingly.

         Sharon slowly hung up the receiver and stared. The blizzard seemed to be lessening. Walking back to the kitchen, she opened her cabinet to see if there was anything to nibble on. Seeing nothing that appealed to her, she closed it, and walked back to the living room. She found herself pacing around the room like a caged animal. She needed to do something, but there was nothing. Forcing herself to think of other things took Sharon to a happier time when she first met Nancy. It was back when they were in first grade. While she was thinking of that day, the phone interrupted her travels.

         "Hello"

         "Sharon, it's Mickey. How's Nancy? Can you see her?"

         "No Mickey. She's in guarded condition, and may be paralyzed from waist down. She has a closed head injury. They won't let me see her," Sharon sobbed.

         "Do you want me to come and stay with you? I'm here if you need anything. Are they going to keep you informed?" Mickey asked.

          Yes they will. I'll keep you posted and let you know everything I find out. I'd better keep the line open in case the hospital calls. I'll be fine. I need some time alone. Tonight hasn't been the best for me. I need some down time, alone." Sharon sighed.

         Sharon started pacing the living room of her apartment, wanting the phone to ring, yet dreading its shrilling sound. Feeling the exhaustion envelop her she sat in her recliner and was soon fast asleep. As dawn was breaking, she was jerked awake by the ringing of her doorbell. Slowly rising, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and walking unsteadily, she answered it.

         "Have you heard anything from the hospital since last night?" Mickey asked.

         "No I haven't." Looking at her message counter, Sharon noticed it was blank. "I'll call and see if there is any news. I'll talk to the doctor directly," Sharon replied.

          While Mickey went to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, Sharon called Dr. Nagron. Unable to reach him, she left a message to have him call her back as soon as possible. Mickey returned with two cups of coffee and doughnuts that he bought at the "Doughnut Hole." Sharon's stomach was in knots. She did not feel like eating and all she wanted to do was find out how her best friend was doing. The phone rang again.

         "Hello."

         "Sharon, it is Doug. Can I come over to talk?"

         "It is not a good time for you to be here. I have more important things on my mind right now. I have to keep this line open. I have to hang up. Thanks for calling."

         Disconnecting the phone, Sharon tossed it on the couch and screamed. "Why won't that doctor call?"

         "He will. Just calm down and give him time. I am sure he is a very busy man. If you do not mind me asking, who was that just now?," Mickey inquired.

          I would rather not say right now. I have too much on my plate. I feel so helpless. You have been a Godsend, Mickey. I do not know what I would do without you. Thank you for your friendship," Sharon sighed.

         Mickey walked over to her and gave her a hug. He sensed that she was very tense and offered to give her a back rub. She was too tired to object, and sat down at the dining table. Mickey started the rub and just as Sharon placed her head on the table, the phone rang again. She jumped up and ran to answer it.

         "Hello."

         "Ms. Friedman, this is Dr. Nagron."

         "Yes doctor. Is there any news on Nancy? Is she still alive?"

         " I have some news, but I would rather you come to my office here at the hospital. Can you be here in a half hour?," Dr. Nagron flatly stated.

          Looking at Mickey, then turning to look at the weather, she said she would be there.

         "The doctor wants to see me in a half hour at the hospital. He has some news, but it is nothing he wanted to tell me over the phone. She is dead, Mickey. I lost my best friend," Sharon sobbed.

         Taking Sharon in his arms, Mickey tried to be reassuring. "You know nothing of the sort. We are going to the hospital and find out what the news is, then deal with the aftermath. Get your coat, purse, and anything else. I am at your service today," he said.

         While riding to the hospital, Sharon could not help but think back to when she and Nancy first met. They were in first grade. Sharon was reserved and quiet, while Nancy was outgoing and personable. Over the thirty year friendship, these traits had switched. While still deep in thought, Sharon remembered another day. It was when she was already hired at the company. Nancy was in a fruitless search for a well paying job. Like Sharon, she went to college and received a B.A. in Liberal Arts, while Sharon received a MBA. She had called Nancy to inform her that there was an opening in the company's Data Entry pool. Nancy anxoiously arranged an interview. She was subsequently hired. That was twelve years ago.


         "How much longer, Mickey?" Sharon asked.

         Not long. I have to take my time since the roads are slick."

         As Mickey turned into the hospital's parking lot, Sharon could hardly wait to get out of the car. As soon as they were parked, she ran to the entrance and then to the reception desk. Mickey had a hard time keeping up with her.

          Out of breath, Sharon hissed "Dr. Nagron's office, please." She did not even acknowledge Mickey's presence. The receptionist told her the third floor, Room 358. Sharon did not wait for the elevator. She found the stairwell and ran up the three flights. Mickey, also out of breath, took the elevator. They both reached their appointed destination at the same time.

         Mickey grabbed Sharon's arm. "Slow down. We are here, We are not going to find out anything any sooner. Let's walk the rest of the way," he said, breathless.

          "I'm scared Mickey. I need to know about Nancy," Sharon cried.

          Finally they found the office and knocked before entering. After the introductions, the three of them sat down and Dr. Nagron began.

"Ms. Friendman, before you called me earlier, There was a Code Blue called on Ms. Simkins. We did everything we could. Ms. Simkins passed away at 9:50 a.m. this morning. She had a brain bleed that we did not detect. If she had survived, she would not have been the same person you knew before," Dr. Nagron stated.

         "Oh my God! I was right, Mickey. I lost my best friend. Now what am I supposed to do? I am at a loss. Why her?" Sharon sobbed.

         "Ms. Friedman, are you sure Ms. Simkins had no family? We need to contact someone to make arrangements for the body. I hate to be so blunt, but..."

          Calming down slightly, Sharon proceeded to tell Dr. Nagron about Nancy. She told him that she would try to see if there was any family that she did not know about. She and Mickey prepared to leave and told the doctor that they woould stay in touch. Once in the hospital's hallway, Sharon's emotions overwhelmed her and she could not stand any longer. Mickey guided her to the nearest chair and he went to get her something to drink.