one for the books

                        definitely

 

once   he imagined confused glass 

                                     similar   carnival Funhouse mirrors

although the reflections  werent

                                   rather 

corporeal

            to a T

 

she became three a trinity

                              they independent of her  all three original

    independent

 

 

she was riding in the car beside him as they drove in reverselaughing across the dunes that overlooked the ocean suddenlybraked

                        a womanappeared out of nowherefell directly behind the car

Did you hit her? looked terrified

                                 No no   I don believe so  Sit tight   Please

as he exited the carleft the door open she opened hers needed fresh air thought she was going to throwup  going behind the car it appeared he was right they hadnt struck her she faced inward wedged between sand pushed by the braked tires  the unbroken dune

    she was unconscious

he dug out the length of her body behind her

freed she began rolling towards him

                                      she   rolled  towards him

    he didnt recoil

he simply rocked back on his haunches

                                                 stood

    he looked through the rear window at her in the passengers seat she had turned was on her knees

intensely urgently she looked at him

                                            Is she okay?

he nodded

             One moment

he went around the car opened the door behind her

                                                       Shes unconscious  Well take her to the hospital

Do you need help?

No No   I have her

returning to the rear of the car he dropped to his knees gathered her in his arms

                                                                                      stood

walked around the car

guided her head first into the backseat

set her fanny down

carefullylaid her halfin halfout of the car

she watched

he went around to the other side opened the door took ahold of her under her shoulders pulled her inside

closed the door

returned he gentlybent her knees rested her legs against the seatback

looked up at her  

                 Are you okay

    I . . . . I . . I think I am.

Okay  Good    Strange

                            he shut the door

went around behind the car

got in

         closed the door

for what seemed a momentthough was longer he looked out through the windshield

                                                                                                         flashback

saw the brilliant electricblue illuminated-from-within tenpoint buck they unfortunately hit and killed ten years earlier

 

    shifted his body turned his head

                                          Are you okay

Now.   I’m not sure.

                      she was still on her knees

she leaned over  gently brushed hair that was on her face aside could feel her fingers gently graze her face

    She looks exactly like me.

 

Ja  Exactly

She feels exactly like you

                                 Shut your door Hallie  We need to get her to Emergency

Yes.  Yes.

 

when they stopped she was still unconscious

preceding him through the door she garnered an empty gurney yanked it towards the door as he entered carrying her

a nurse impelled by Hallie abruptly commanding the gurney hustled towards them

                                                                                        You can’t . . .

then went silent

went professional

they wheeled her in an examination room immediately off Reception

Hallie explained to the nurse the event

nurse was gobsmacked

                            she kept looking back and forth between the women

There’s no relation . . . between you?

No.

      She’s a stranger.

somewhat stunned the nurse  perhaps convinced otherwiseconvinced  they were twins  was perhapsfrightened   doppelgangers

    a doctor appeared

she was in good hands

they retreated to Reception

                                  were unable to sit

 

If you don’t mind . . . I need fresh air. I’m going outside.

Saw the chairs the table

I did.

    Are you okay

I’m . . I’m . . . sighed . confused.

he nodded

she went through the SHUSH of the automatic doors wandered over to the chairs  standing behind one she leaned over it clutched its arms

                                  stood like that

 

    nurse walked into Reception

                                     She’s conscious. She’s asking for you.

astonished  Asking for me  

Yes.   Joe.

             You’re Joe, correct?

Joe

     Joe    I am

    She asked for you. Please follow me.

he glanced outside

                     Hallie had finally sat down head in hands  elbows on knees

they had propped the gurney into the sitting position

                                                         she smiled at him as he entered

the nurse explained that while they couldnt say why she had fallen unconscious their examination revealed her to be otherwise sound  normal

Normal

         he said

No contusions. No abrasions.

                                Her vitals are appropriate, in sync, for all intent and purposes normal.

We did, however, find sand in her hair.

                                          she laughed timing impeccable

    Shes  fit  to be released

There’s no discernable reason to keep her.

Hallie.  she corrected the nurse

Hallie

    Yes.  Hallie.

Hallie

               If youll excuse me

Id like to tell  Hallie

                       Shes outdoorsshed want to know immediately

Of course.

            the nurse Hallie  said at once

he backed outturned left up the short hallway to Reception

                                                               entering it he looked out the window to where Hallie sat

there was a woman with her

exiting the automatic doorswalking towards them heels hard on the pavement  they turned to his approach

Hallie

        and  Hallie

he almost went over onto his face

they asked together How is she?

    Hallie

Yes.

Shes fine  Theyll be releasing her

Hallie said We thought so, we could feel she was.

the other Hallie noddedsmiled amazing dimples  Hallies dimples

    I was just coming out to check on you to Hallie who sat facing him

Excuse me  he did an aboutface

hurried back inside

 

Hallie sat in a wheelchair had moved to Receptions apron

                                                              We’ll be able to leave in just a moment, there's paperwork I have to sign.

    Paperwork

Yes.

Yes  Of course

                         I should bring the car up

Yes.

    he paused

Hallie smiled her dimples amazing

                                  he looked out the window  they were conversing

he was good

               cant deny reality

walking towards the doors he thought the ride home was   going to be something else

0743,  Wednesday,  15  10. 25

1046,  Thursday,  16  10. 25