In the previous column, Nathan Hendricks wakes up in an unfamiliar world, a world filled with antiseptic and rhythmic beeps. He quickly becomes aware of his helplessness when the grip of nausea attacks him. With a nurse by his side, he learns a few days have passed since he last opened his eyes. But Nathan still doesn’t remember or know many of the details surrounding the last few days. It isn’t until he sees the red handkerchief does the past come reeling through his head. Will his inner strength be enough to get him through the unknown, his future?
Three Seconds
A tear slips out of the corner of his eye; he remembers part of the story now.
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“Nathan, Nathan, can you hear us?” a cowboy said. Nathan slowly opened his eyes to a circle of faces leaning over him.
“Uh-huh,” he moaned. His lips and tongue felt like coarse sandpaper, but that was all he could feel. The stabbing pain he felt when landing had subsided. I think I’m all right, probably just got the wind knocked out of me, he thought.
“You’re going to be fine,” dad said, gently placing his hand on Nathan’s shoulder. Nathan couldn’t feel his dad’s touch; he could see his dad’s hand, but there was no sensation.
Am I going to be fine? Nathan thought. There is something definitely wrong. He remained silent about what he was feeling or not feeling. He could read the worry in the eyes above him, and he didn’t want to add to their grief.
“An ambulance is on the way,” a voice called in the distance. A few seconds later, a new pair of eyes was above him; it was Jake, Nathan’s best friend. “How ya doing, Nate? Help is on the way!” Jake and Nathan had been friends since the first grade; their friendship started when Nathan noticed Jake sitting alone at lunch. Nathan sat down beside him, and it wasn’t long before they were laughing and teasing the girls who walked past them. Nathan always thought of Jake as his little brother, even though they were the same age. But Jake was little. His height of five foot and weight of 130 pounds was small to Nathan’s six foot and 200 pounds. Whatever Jake lacked in stature he made up for in energy, enthusiasm, and wit; he would do anything for Nathan and always had some joke to make him laugh.
“I thought you couldn’t make it today,” Nathan whispered.
“Your dad called and said you were riding Gangucha. I wasn’t going to miss your showdown with the devil; I can potty train myself some other day!” All the faces in circle slowly turned and looked at Jake. “I’m kidding, guys; I’ve almost mastered it.” Each of the guys slowly took a step backwards. Nathan smiled, knowing that Jake was just trying to relieve the tension.
A siren was heard in the distance and grew louder with every passing second. It wasn’t long before a flourish of new people hovered over him, shoving out all the familiar faces. Someone gently untied the red handkerchief from his neck and replaced it with a brace; another person was pumping a blood pressure cuff, while the other was listening to his chest. “Pressure is a little high,” the man said.
“Airways are clear,” the lady said.
“I think he is stable for transport,” the other lady reported. “We’re going to slide a plastic board under you, Nathan.” Nathan closed his eyes as the medics gently pushed the board under him; for the first time he felt fear wince within him.
“Hang in there,” Jake called.
“I’ll meet you at the hospital,” dad said. “You’ll be fine; you’re in good hands now.” He gently tousled Nathan’s hair and then turned away. Nathan could read the fear in his dad’s eyes, but he felt a little better knowing that he wasn’t the only one who was scared. The medics slowly lifted the stretcher and began the trek across the ring. A single clap was heard in the distance until it erupted into a chorus of applause around the ring. Nathan closed his eyes; he didn’t deserve the applause, not this time; he had been beaten.
The stretcher jostled a little as the medics pulled it into the ambulance. The doors were slammed shut, and all was quiet. Nathan sighed; he was tired. Nathan heard the ambulance sirens blaring, but he was too exhausted to even question the medics on what might be wrong with him.
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