Brian Timmons
Corinne Pratt- sister-in-law
Camille Pratt- fiancΓ©
Kevin Pratt- father
Connie Pratt- mother
Summary of Part 1- Brian Timmons and Camille Pratt both attend graduate medical school in the Boston area. They first get together on a cold, wintry night in her apartment and begin a relationship soon afterward. Corinne Pratt, older, attractive sister of Camille, hates the fact that her sister is in a relationship with a black man. When the couple come to the family home in N. Carolina, for a summer visit, Corinne makes her racist displeasure known concerning their union. A few months later, Camille is in involved in a devastating car accident. Father, mother, and Corinne come to Boston to see Camille... and the story begins.
Chapter 1
The Pratt family left Durham, North Carolina and arrived at Boston's Logan Airport one day after receiving the news of Camille's car accident. Her parents were devastated, especially her father, Kevin. He loved both of his daughters, equally, but he had always felt that Camille took after him in personality and disposition, while Corinne took after her mother, Connie. He had always admired Camille's quiet spunkiness as opposed to Corinne's somewhat aggressive personality. He had held his tongue regarding Corinne's abominable behavior towards Brian, on the advice of his wife. His wife was of the opinion that if Brian couldn't handle the ribbing, how was he going to handle the outside world, which would certainly frown on the relationship? He actually liked Brian and thought his feelings towards his youngest daughter were genuine.
Upon arriving at Boston's Logan Airport, the family immediately made their way to the hospital. They had made arrangements to stay with Brian in the large, Victorian home he and Camille had rented together. It was in a nice neighborhood that was within ten minutes from hospital and contained four bedrooms on three floors and had more than enough room for them to stay during their stay.
Upon entering the hospital, they were directed to the Critical Care Unit and made their way to the 5
th
floor. Entering the unit, they found a disheveled and emotionally drained Brian by Camille's bedside, sitting beside the bed looking out the window, forlornly. Kevin walked to him and Brian stood and they hugged each other for a long while, both crying, openly. Connie walked slowly to her youngest daughter's hospital bed, touched and stroked her hair and also began openly weeping. Her daughter had several tubes and wires connected to her body and head. Her head was wrapped in gauze and her face was black and blue. Corinne stood there, almost in shock, when she saw the condition her younger sister was in. It crushed her that she might never get to speak with her again. She felt as if the Earth had shifted under her feet. How could this be happening to her family?
Corinne watched as Brian walked with her father to Camille's bedside, and his inevitable collapse to his knees as he begged God to bring his daughter back to her family. Brian had not acknowledged her and while holding her father, shot her a disdainful glance. She realized it the moment it happened and also that she absolutely deserved that look. The last time they had seen each other, she had been a total and complete bitch! She had attempted to humiliate him and come between him and her sister, and now, Camille was lying in an induced coma and she couldn't apologize to her. It was then that the reality of the situation hit her, and she began crying, heavily. Brian, still holding her father near the foot of the bed, looked up at her with an 'I could give two fucks' glare.
The family stayed at the hospital for approximately 4-5 hours. During that time, they spoke with the surgeon and others who were caring for Camille. Some of Brian and Camille's friends came by and met the family and spent time with them. Kevin found out from one of their friends that Brian had not been back in class since the accident and was talking of taking a sabbatical from medical school till Camille recovered, hopefully. At that moment, it confirmed to him, that Brian truly loved his little girl. He made it a point to speak to him later about his future. He knew his baby daughter would not want Brian to pause his studies.
The family left the hospital, planning to return the following morning, and went to the house that Camille and Brian shared. The home was spacious and comfortable, something they all needed. Brian showed each of them to their bedrooms, the parents would stay in the first-floor bedroom, which had a full bathroom, so they wouldn't have to go back and forth on the stairs. Corinne would stay on the second floor, which also had a full bath, down the hall from his bedroom. Later, after they all had a chance to shower and change into sleeping gear, Brian ordered pizza and salad from a restaurant a few blocks away. They ate and talked about the visitation schedule, Camille's progress since the accident, quality of her care, etc....
Later, Brian left out to go for his daily run. The family, left alone since the first time they arrived, all readily agreed that Brian's feelings towards Camille were genuine. Any decisions made concerning Camille would include him, they all agreed. As Corinne, lay in her bed later that evening, she thought how lucky her sister truly was to have someone who genuinely loved her in her life. This thought made her feel guilty all over again, as the clock hit 11pm.
Chapter 2