Sasha sat in the dark of the room alone. Penny's family had gone out to get food, leaving her alone with her friend. Apparently Penny had been asking for her all night and Sasha was filled with a useless guilt and distress that she hadn't been there as soon as something happened to her friend.
Apparently everyone had tried to call. But no one could get through. Not on her cell, not on Greg's. Greg only just turned it on before Jay went into shock, and hadn't checked the many messages yet, as he'd been tending Jay.
But Sasha could think of none of that now. Penny lay asleep; dangerously close, still, to losing her right hand. Sasha wanted to be right by her side when she opened her eyes.
Soon Penny's mother came back into the room. "They've all decided to eat down there to give us a chance to talk and to keep the room quiet."
"Oh. That is nice." Sasha said absently. "Can you tell me anything about the accident?"
"Penny's father was called to the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was over the alcohol limit. He died in the crash. He hit them head on."
"Can I see Gilbert?"
"Yes. His parents are with him; at least they are in the room outside. No one is allowed into the room with him."
"I'll go now, and I will be fast so that I can come back and tell Penny that I saw him."
Sasha stood outside the room where Gilbert lay, covered in tubes and wires, monitors regularly watching his progress. His parents, his brother and his sister in law sat outside staring in through the glass, trying to make sense of a tragedy such as this.
Sasha had never met them before. She said her hellos. She hadn't seen any of them since the wedding of course. No one said how horrible it was to re meet under these circumstances, but Sasha assumed it was on everyone's mind just as it was on hers.
She asked the family what they knew and they simply stated the next twenty-four hours were crucial. Gilbert was fighting for his life as he lay motionless in the hospital bed.
Gilbert's mother said they had asked that Penny not be notified, because it will make her sicker. Sasha asked if the doctor had said that and Gilbert's parents said they weren't sure, but it would bring a terrible lot of anxiety to an already very sick woman.
On her way out, Sasha verified this with the nurse, wondering how she was going to give any of this information to Penny. She had no idea how much her friend was allowed to know, but she wanted to be sure that if she was allowed that she knew about the state her husband was in. She knew for sure that if the situation were reversed, she would want as much detail from her best friend as she could get.
Sasha rushed back to Penny's side only to find she hadn't woken up yet. As she approached the bed, she fought back tears watching her friend stretched out in the darkened room, her hand and lower arm bandaged and in a splint. Penny's mother turned when she saw her walk in, and smiled.
"She hasn't woken at all. I'm glad you're back here. She will want you and she's likely to disturb soon. She's due for her next lot of pain killers."
Sasha took her place next to Penny's mother, determined to find out all she needed to know before Penny woke. "Does she know about Gilbert? His family seem to think she doesn't."
Penny's mother looked slightly shocked for a moment, then said "Of course she does. She asked about him first, as soon as she could and we told her. I would never keep something like that from my daughter unless it was desperately important."
Relief flooded through Sasha. "Thank god. I was almost thinking I would have to let her know if no one had told her."
"As soon as we let her know she started to ask after you. I'm not sure what she wants, but it does seem to be something important."
Their whispered conversation was interrupted by Penny stirring. Both of the women turned immediately to see her moving her head from side to side, faint moans starting to come from her mouth. Her mother ran to her side.
"Mum. Are you there?" She called out in a weak voice.
"I'm here sweetheart. How are you feeling?"
"It's hurting again."
Sasha thought her heart would break. Penny's mother reached up and rung the bell for the nurse. Then she gently stroked her daughters perspiring forehead.
"Everything will be alright darling, you'll see. I'm right here, and we have the best people looking after you."
"How is Gilbert?"
Penny's mother looked up at Sasha with a worried expression and then back at her daughter. "He's the same darling."
"Is Sasha here?"
Sasha moved forward and took Penny's good hand in her own. "I'm here honey. Sorry it took me a while, but I am with you now."
Penny opened her eyes. Both had dark bruises around them and were bloodshot. Sasha started, and turned toward Penny's mother. "She hit her face n the dash." She whispered to Sasha by way of explanation.
"Sasha?"
"Yes Penny. I'm here. I'm right by your side. You're going to be alright you know. The doctors are very confident."
"I'm worried about Gilbert."
"Ssshhhh now. Gilbert is in good hands. You must slow your recovery down and worry too much about him. That won't help anything. Get yourself well, that is the best thing you can do for Gilbert and for yourself."
Penny rolled her head to look at her mother.
"Mom, where is the nurse?"
"I'll run and get her honey."
As soon as she was out of the room, Penny turned to Sasha.
"I wanted to get you alone for a minute. You have to do something for me."
Sasha leaned in close so Penny didn't have to strain too much to talk. "Of course. Anything you need. What can I do?"
"I need you to go back to that tarot reader. The one we saw over a week ago that freaked out at you."
Sasha froze. She wasn't sure she liked where this was headed.
"Why. What do you want from her?"
"Do you remember what she said to me when she looked at my hand Sasha?"
Sasha scoured her mind. It drew a complete blank. "No. I only remember her telling me to get out."