Second Chances Read online

  Second Chances

  Written By

  Aaron D Brinker

  Copyright © 2017 Aaron D. Brinker

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  1

  Chaun Hutchins lived an ordinary life. He had earned his degree, got a job in his field of study, was married, and had a child on the way. The area of his life that placed him with a silent minority was the verbal abuse inflicted by his wife, Katrina. Chaun had no idea that, within the next two hours, his life would drastically be changed. It was a cold night in December. That winter had remained dry. No rain, no ice, only bitter cold. He and Katrina were at a party, and she was talking with her best friend, Shannon Billings. Chaun stood off to the side of the room alone. He was usually personable and outgoing, but lately, he was reserved and very distant from most. He watched as his best friend, Jake, approached him. Jake Billings was Shannon’s older brother and the host of the party. “Chaun, you all right?”

  “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

  “You don’t seem like yourself tonight. Usually, you’re out talking with everyone and getting people laughing. You just seem quieter than usual.”

  “I’m just focused on the new exhibit opening at the museum this week, that’s all. It’s been in the works for a long time.” He fidgeted with the glass he was holding, nervously, running his index finger back and forth along its lip. “I’ve been getting sick of how Kat’s been treating me lately as well. I know most of it is hormonal issues with her being pregnant and all, but it still gets to me from time to time.”

  “I can’t imagine trying to deal with all of that at once. Honestly, I know there were times when she wasn’t pregnant that she would treat you like dirt. Granted she has a good heart and all, but a good portion of the time she can come off as very abrasive.”

  “That is true. I’ve just gotten fed up with it lately.” His head lowered as he looked at the glass in his hand. “Maybe if I wait until after the baby is born things will ease up a bit. Like I said, with the hormones going crazy right now it could be making it worse.”

  Jake placed his hand on Chaun’s shoulder. Chaun raised his head slightly looking at Jake. “You might have a point. At least get out and start acting like your old self. Everything at work will be okay. You’ve handled it many times before; this time should be just like all the rest. Worry about it while you’re at work and not my party. You should be having fun and not standing in a corner feeling sorry for yourself.”

  Chaun gave a slight smile, “Maybe you’re right. I’m usually the life of the party. You’ve always said I typically am like your party’s court jester. Got to admit, though… there are a lot of easy targets here tonight. Look at all these crappy sweaters. I feel like I’m at a damn convention of grandkids with lousy Christmas gifts.”

  Jake started laughing, “That’s more like the Chaun that graces my parties with his presence. Get your ass out there and have some fun.”

  On the other side of the room, Katrina sat talking with Shannon. It was not a secret among all the friends that Shannon never thought too highly of Chaun. At times it even seemed like she despised him. It appeared to everyone that Shannon had not liked Chaun even in high school. Most thought she had misjudged Chaun’s carefree and goofy spirit for immaturity. Kat continued talking, “I don’t know Shannon. He has just seemed so distant lately. It’s not like him. He hardly talks anymore, he just stays quiet, even on the way up here. He said maybe five words to me the entire drive up from Indianapolis.”

  “You know my opinion on it. Honestly, I think he’s an idiot and that you could do better.”

  “I know how you feel and I can understand it. I love him and want to stay with him. I probably haven’t been the easiest to live with since I’ve been pregnant and the hormones have gone crazy. I’ll have spurts where I go from crying to screaming within a few minutes of each other. Give him a chance; he’s not all that bad once you get to know him.”

  Shannon looked down, deep in thought. She looked up to where Chaun was talking with Jake. “What do you see in him?”

  “Honestly, with how boyish he acts at times you wouldn’t think it but, he is very intelligent. He’s actually one of the smartest people I know.”

  “Hmmm… never would have guessed it. He always acts so dumb.”

  “I know, someone meeting him for just a couple minutes wouldn’t be able to guess it. It’s when he’s not joking or listen carefully that you can really tell.”

  Shannon looked at Chaun once again, raised her brow in astonishment. “I know Jake calls him the “Court Jester” of all his parties. Guess it would be kind of hard to be a jester without wits.”

  “I just wish he would talk more. I’m getting so sick of his quietness. It’s driving me up the wall.”

  “Talk to him then. Convince him to tell you what’s been bugging him. You aren’t going to get this settled until you two talk things out.”

  “That’s true. I’ll see if I can get him to talk on the way home. Who knows, maybe we can make up if we argue on the way home.”

  Shannon gagged about ready to vomit. “That’s disgusting. It’s bad enough I have to see him when he has his shirt off around the pool in the summer, let alone think of him naked.” Kat laughed.

  “Well, I better go see if he’s ready to go. I know it’s a long drive home and I’ve been decently tired lately.”

  Kat got up and walked over to where Chaun was talking with a few people. “Chaun, I’m ready to go. Get my coat and go start the car.” Chaun looked and nodded at her for a second and began to finish his conversation. “Did you hear me? Go get my coat and start the car.”

  Chaun’s facial expression changed and he got more of an angry, distant look on his face. “If you guys will excuse me, she’s ready to leave. Have a safe drive home.”

  One of the guys talking to Chaun said, “You too, and congrats on the baby.”

  Chaun gave a slight smile, and he and Kat said simultaneously, “Thank you.” Chaun walked into the other room, grabbed her coat, walked out, and handed it to her. She said, “Thank you.” He didn’t say a word as he walked out the door and started the car. Ten minutes later he and Kat were saying goodbye to Jake and Shannon.

  Jake said, “You guys drive careful and call us when you get home to let us know you made it safely.”

  Chaun said, “Will do. Don’t have too much fun once we’re gone.”

  Shannon gave Kat a hug and looked at Chaun, “You treat her well.”

  Chaun got a depressed look on his face, “I always do.” I can’t believe this. Kat treats me like crap, and she tells me to treat her well. They walked out the door, and Chaun opened the passenger door to their 91 Pontiac Sunbird. After Kat was safely in, he closed the door. He slowly walked around, got in the car, and backed out of the driveway.

  *

  The drive to the highway, after backing out of Jake’s driveway, took only ten minutes. It wasn’t until they were driving Southbound on Highway 31 that Katrina got angry enough to speak. With as little tact as possible, she said, “Why the hell aren’t you talking to anyone?” Chaun remained silent. “Hello? Are you deaf, or just ignoring me?”

  “I’m not deaf. I just don’t feel like talking right now.”

  “You could have fooled me. With as little as you’ve spoken lately, someone would think you had gone deaf.”

  As Chaun and Katrina began to yell at each other, a blue Ford Explorer pulled ahead into their blind spot in the passing lane. The Semi-truck in front of them kept at the same rate of speed. Chaun began to get more and more agitated with Kat. How could I have been so blind and married someone so hateful? “Look I know your hormones have been going crazy lately, but that’s no excuse to keep treating me like shit.”

  “I do not treat you
like shit, and how dare you bring the pregnancy into this. I swear Chaun you are such a moron. You’ll use any excuse available to blame everyone else.”

  “I do not blame everyone else.”

  “Yes, you do. It never fails. Whenever things start to get tough, you go and blame someone else for your problems.”

  “I do not blame everyone else when things get tough. You want to know the reason I’ve been quiet and introverted lately? It’s because I’ve been nervous as hell about the new exhibit at work. But you wouldn’t know about that because you don’t shut your mouth long enough to actually listen to anyone else.”

  Katrina sat with her mouth open in shock. Chaun had never spoken back to her the way he had at that moment. She was furious. Her face grew red. Chaun knew what was getting ready to happen. The rant seemed to ring in his ears before her mouth started forming the words. “How dare you talk to me like that, I’m a woman and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. You are a worthless piece of shit. I’m eight months pregnant with our child. My hormones are going crazy, and I have always treated you with respect and love. And all this time you have remained quiet and acted like a total recluse.”

  “You’ve treated me with nothing but respect and love? What reality have you been living in? Very rarely have you treated me with respect and anything close to love. You are spiteful and very hateful. I don’t even know why I married you. You have made my life a living hell. I’m done. As soon as I can, I’m going to file for divorce. You are mostly the reason I’ve remained quiet for so long. Every time I would open my mouth you would have some sort of hateful retort. I’m done with being your victim. Find someone else to treat like dirt.”

  It felt like everything was moving in slow motion. He saw the hurt in her eyes and the tears form at their corners. He turned to look out the windshield at the road and saw the semi slam on its brakes. Kat screamed and held onto the dashboard and door handle. He swerved onto the shoulder to miss the semi. Chaun saw another vehicle that was stranded on the side of the road. He had already been hitting the brake as he veered onto the shoulder. He realized he wasn’t slowing down enough and then realized the distance was too short to stop completely. The last thing he remembered was the car slamming into the back of the stranded vehicle and a nauseatingly painful feeling in both of his legs. Kat’s screams stopped the instant of the impact.

  2

  Chaun noticed the smell of a hospital and the incessant beep of a heart monitor before attempting to open his eyes. It took a long time to get his eyes open enough to see clearly. For some reason, they were extremely sensitive to light and had to be opened gradually to keep the light from hurting them. Within about a half an hour he finally was able to open them to where things started to become clear. He was lying in a hospital bed. The beeping he had heard was coming from his heart and blood pressure monitor. His nurse’s name was Denise. His Dr.’s name was Smith. The table next to the hospital bed was loaded with cards that said, “Get well soon.” His mind frantically rattled off question after question: What had happened after he had blacked out; How were Katrina and the baby; How long had he been asleep.

  He looked down towards the bed controls and hit the button to sit up more than what he had been. He had no idea how long he had been asleep. A woman walked in to check his vitals and let out a scream and jumped when she saw Chaun sitting up with his eyes open. Her eyes, Chaun noticed, were a pale blue. How long have I been out? She is hyperventilating and so shocked at the sight of seeing me awake. She had dark brown hair and was close to, or around, 5’ 6” tall. Once she had composed herself after a couple seconds, she said, “I’m so sorry. You just startled me. My name is Denise, and I’m your nurse for today. You’ve been out a while. After seeing you unresponsive for so long, it just startled me.” Chaun opened his mouth to speak. His mouth and throat felt as dry as Death Valley. He was not able to speak. Denise held up her hand with her index finger extended. She turned, left the room, and returned moments later with a cup of ice. She gave the cup to Chaun. He nodded his thanks, tipped the cup towards his mouth, and began chewing a piece of ice. After he had eaten five pieces of ice, he attempted speaking once again. His voice sounded gravelly. Denise placed her hand on the bed rail. “Whisper. You don’t want to strain your vocal chords. Excuse me for a couple minutes, and I will go call your parents.”

  Chaun said, “Call my parents? What am I, in elementary school? All I’m wanting is answers.” Is it so hard to answer a confused person’s questions? I don’t know where I am or what happened after I blacked out during the accident.” His eyes bounced all over the place to find something to focus on to regain mental stability.

  “I’m sorry. Our nursing staff was advised to call your parents as soon as you were awake and not to answer any major questions. I’ll be right back.” She then left the room.

  Chaun was at a loss for words. How serious could the situation be that his parents wouldn’t let the nurses answer any questions? He felt as if an enormous weight was placed on his chest. He was having trouble breathing. Chaun laced his fingers together and looked down at them trying to focus. Unable to move his legs he lifted the blanket and noticed that not one but, both of his legs were in casts. He was thrust into chasms of confusion dissimilar to anything he had ever experienced before that moment. He also knew that he needed to apologize to Kat for the argument and the way he had spoken to her that night.

  *

  Denise walked out of the room and directly to the nurse’s desk. She picked the phone up and dialed Dave Hutchins’ cell number. “Dave?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Denise from the hospital. He’s awake.”

  “Come again?”

  “Chaun’s awake.”

  “Is he asking questions?”

  “Yeah. I told him that you and Michelle preferred to answer any questions he may have.”

  “We’ll be right there. We are only about 10 minutes away.”

  After hanging up the phone, Denise went back to Chaun’s room to take his vitals. Chaun looked at Denise. She could tell by the look on his face that he was extremely confused. His face lost all color the moment she walked in. His fingers were laced in his lap, he hung his head again, eyes looking at his, she was sure, clammy hands. She placed her hand on his shoulder as she said, “Your parents will be here shortly. You will have all your questions answered soon, I promise. I will be your nurse until night shift arrives. I’ll see if the Dr. will be able to remove your feeding tube before they get here, so you’ll be more comfortable.” Chaun’s head snapped upwards, his eyes meeting hers. There was questioning in his eyes. He then noticed the feeling of something protruding from his abdomen. He placed his hand on it and felt the tube that had been inserted into his abdomen through an incision. If you need anything, just hit that button.” She smiled, turned, and walked out of the room.

  *

  A few minutes later, a man entered the room in a white coat. He was taller than average with brown hair and a tan complexion. “How are you Chaun? I’m Dr. Smith. How are you feeling?”

  Chaun shrugged and began with a sigh, “Extremely confused, but from what Denise says it should be cleared up soon enough.”

  Dr. Smith’s brow furrowed and then he got a small smile on his face. “Well, lets at least get that feeding tube out so you can start trying to eat naturally. How’s that sound?”

  Chaun nodded expressionlessly. “Sounds good. To tell the truth, I am pretty hungry.”

  Dr. Smith walked up to Chaun’s left side. “This may hurt a little when we do this, but you’ll feel better afterward.” He pulled the blanket back to expose the tube protruding from Chaun’s abdomen. Denise entered the room with gauze and a few supplies needed for the procedure. She walked around and stopped when she reached Chaun’s right side. Dr. Smith continued. “It will be quick.” He said this as he started pulling the surgical tape away from the tube. Denise laid a cloth on Chaun’s stomach. Dr. Smith began to pull, and with a slight popping so
und, the tube was removed. Denise then placed the gauze over the opening and secured it with surgical tape. “And that’s it.” Dr. Smith dropped the tube in the biohazard trash can followed by his gloves. He walked over to the sink, washed his hands, and turned back to Chaun. “You doing okay?”

  Chaun nodded. “Yeah, thanks, Doc.”

  “You’re welcome. We’ll have to ease you back onto solid food for the first couple days.” Chaun nodded again to convey his understanding. “Your parents should be here shortly.” Dr. Smith then walked out of the room.

  “Do you want to try and eat some jello and see how it settles?”

  “Anything sounds good. I am hungry.”

  3

  Dave and Michelle stepped off of the elevator. They quickly walked around the nurse’s desk and continued on to Chaun’s room. They were surprised when they entered and found Chaun sitting up eating jello. Dave and Michelle’s faces brightened. Chaun thought it was weird. The look he read on their faces was the look of someone that had run into a long lost friend. Michelle moved around to the right side of Chaun’s bed and threw her arms around him in a strong embrace. Dave walked up to Chaun’s left side. Dave spoke in his usual gravelly voice, “They told us you were awake.”

  “Yep and they’ve also refused to answer any questions. I was told that you preferred to answer any questions I may have.”

  Dave nodded. His voice grew softer. “That’s true. I thought you would prefer me to tell you everything.” Dave’s eyes lowered. Chaun noticed Dave’s brow furrow slightly.

  “What do you mean everything?”

  “What’s the last thing you remember?”

  “The last thing I remember is arguing with Kat, feeling guilty as soon as I had seen her reaction to what I said, the semi in front of us slamming on his brakes, hitting the car and feeling pain in my legs, and then waking up here. It couldn’t have been that bad, could it? How long have I been out, overnight, a day or two?”