Chapter Six

For the next two weeks, Sidney and I made ways to see eachother. When my mom was out, Sidney would come over. My dad knew what was happening, and he said it was fine. He said my mom just needed time to cool off. We really didn't give her that time, Mrs. Lemieux called for me to babysit the kids. I would go babysit and then Sidney would come home after an hour or two. We did it a few times, but this one time my mom came over because she felt bad since I had a big AP Bio test to study for. She really didn't expect to find me, Sidney, and the kids laying on the couch watching movies. Then my mom lost it. She forbid Sidney to call me or see me. She was serious this time, she said if she found out about it, I wouldn't be able to play indoor soccer. I thought she was bluffing but Sidney believed her. It was one week that Sidney and I didn't see eachother except a passing on the street. We didn't talk to eachother except a wave hello. It was one week, but I was sure it would be okay. Then.. the unthinkable happened.



"Hello, can I talk to Josephine Smith?" A woman called and asked.

"Yes, I am Josephine."

"I'm sorry, Miss. Your parents were in an accident." She said bluntly.

"What? How? Are they alright?"

"You should come to the hospital."

"I can't. I have four younger siblings I am babysitting. I don't have carseats for them in my car." I said panicing.

"It will be fine, honey. Call someone to come sit with the kids, and then get here as soon as you can." She said calmly.



I was freaking out. Sidney was on a road trip, not like that would have been the best alternative. I didn't know who to call, so I called one of the soccer moms from my team. She rushed over to babysit and I rushed into the city to see my parents.

When I got to the hospital, I saw Jacob.
"What are you doing here??" I asked confused.
"Dad gave them my cell number, and I came as soon as we got off the bus."
"Do you know what happened?"
"They were driving home from our game and I guess dad hit ice."
"Are they okay?"
"Dad just has a broken arm and a few broken ribs, but mom.. mom is bad." He said.
"What? What do you mean.. bad?"
"She is all banged up and they took her up to surgery."
"What kind of surgery?"
"She had a collapsed lung or something.. Don't worry it will be fine."
"How can you say that? Our parents are in the hospital.. how can everything be fine?"
"I don't know Jo, I don't know what else to say, but its not like we can do anything."
"We have to do something..This is can't be happening." I said sitting down in the waiting room and putting my hands over my head.
"We will get through this.. lets just go see Dad." He said trying to comfort me.

The next few days are a whirlwind. My mom is in recovery. She has had two surgeries, the one for the lung and then they had to repair a bone in her foot. My dad was basically living at the hospital so we were trying to take care of everything at the house. My grandparents flew in to take care of the kids so Jacob and I kind of went back to normal, except for the fact my parents were mia all the time. I tried to go visit every night but it was hard driving into the city and leaving everything at the house.
"Whats wrong?" Jacob said coming into my room.
"Whats right anymore?"
"Mom is doing better. She is coming home in like a week."
"I know, I just can't believe this happened.. and.."
"And what?"
"Sidney didn't call. He didn't call me when my parents were in a car accident.. nothing.. not even a text."
"Maybe he doesn't know." Jake said.
"He has to know. Nathalie has sent over food for us, if Nathalie knows, she had to have told Sidney."
"You don't know that."
"Lets just face it, hes not the guy I thought he was."
"Joey, don't condemn him. You don't know whats going on with him, and I'm sure he wishes he could be there."
"Whatever, I'm going to the hospital."

"Hi, Mom. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, you don't have to keep coming here everyday."
"I feel bad, I was so mad at you about Sidney. I know that you were just trying to look out for me."
"I was wrong, though. I shouldn't try and run your life. He is a good boy, you deserve him."
"Some guy, he hasn't even called."
"He will. Trust me." And then we talked for awhile and I headed home.

When I drove to my house, I saw someone sitting on my porch.
"How is your mom?" He asked when I got closer.
"Like you care." I said.
"I do care."
"Really, Sidney? You care about my mom or me when you haven't called or text for two weeks?! They got in the accident over a week and a half ago.. where were you when I needed you?"
"I was on the road for a few days and then I didn't know what to do, I mean we didn't leave on the best of terms."
"You didn't know what to do? Typically when your BEST friend needs you, you are there for them no questions asked.. but I guess that term means nothing to you."
"You are my best friend and if I could have been here, I would have been."
"You could have called, Sidney. You could have done something. You have no idea how its been."
"I'm sorry.. I'm here now." He said coming over to hold me.
"Don't touch me, Sidney! You weren't here when I needed you. I needed you more than I have ever needed anyone and who the hell knows where you were.. I can't deal with this.. not now." I said walking in to my house and closing the door.