Chapter 72.

Christy stood before Mel, wearing an oversized T-shirt of her husband's.  Jen stood off to the side behind Mel, flexing her neck from side to side.  Her brace lay on the bed beside Christy's dress.  Mel looked at Christy and instructed her "raise your arms please."

Mel walked over to the bed and picked up the back brace, leaving the cervical extension on the bed.  She stepped behind Christy and opened the brace up wide.  She told Christy "this is the first time I have put a brace on someone while wearing a cervical extension, I definitely am not as flexible as normal.  I apologize if I poke or prod you too hard."  She then maneuvered the brace around Christy's body, taking care to not jab Christy with the clavicle outriggers of the brace.  Once the brace was snugly wrapped around Christy's torso, Mel went to tugging and pulling on the undershirt.  As she did she explained to Christy "normally, you would be wearing a snug, almost compression type undershirt like you saw Jen had on.  This helps eliminate any fabric bulges that could cause chaffing or discomfort underneath the brace.  I can't promise I can get them all out from this baggie shirt, but I will try."  Once she was satisfied with her efforts, she stepped back in front of Christy and snugly secured the three straps of the brace.  As she was tightening the brace she noticed the look on Christy's face.  Mel reassured her "you are doing fine, just breath."

Once finished, Mel stepped back to admire her work.   She asked Christy "well, first thoughts?"  Christy said "wow, instant posture.  And waist trainer.  All in one."  This drew a laugh from both Mel and Jen.  Mel said "you just thought instant posture, let me attach the cervical extension."

It was then that Jen noticed movement out of the corner of her eye.  The ladies had not closed the bedroom door, and from where she stood Jen could see down the hall.  The movement she had caught was Mike stepping into the hallway.  Christy quickly tapped Mel on the back, and with her head gestured down the hall.  Both Mel and Christy took a few steps over, poked their heads around the door and silently looked down the hall.  They saw Maggie emerge from the bathroom after Mike, her hand in his.  She had a glow about her, and there was even a slight smile on her face, just barely visible behind all the orthodontic gear on her face.  Mike and Maggie did not notice the ladies down the hall discreetly spying on them.  Once in the hall Mike quickly turned so he was facing Maggie.  He gave her a hug.  Though barely audible, the three ladies in the bedroom could hear him tell her "I love you.  You look beautiful.  Everything is going to be ok."  He then pulled back and kissed her on the top of the head.  Turning, his hand still entwined with hers, he led her down the hall to the staircase leading downstairs.  Maggie halted.  Mike turned around once again and looked her in the eyes.  He said "it is going to be ok.  Carrie will be so excited that you are staying."  With those words of encouragement, the ladies could see Maggie take a deep breath, and then start down the stairs.

Christy exclaimed "aww, they are so cute together.  And did you see that?  Maggie was even smiling.  No, I can't be mad at them."  Mel and Jen, moved by what they just saw, hugged each other.  Mel looked at Jen and said "I would like to kiss you so much, if it weren't for the facemask dictator over there."  Christy busted out laughing and said "hey, I'm not that bad.  And look, I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk.  You can't argue that."  This drew a laugh from both Jen and Mel.  Picking up the cervical extension, Mel said "we'll see if you are still so chipper once I strap this bad boy on you."

Once the cervical extension was secured, Christy said "wow, this is different.  I feel two inches taller.  And I can't see the floor.  You two are troopers."  She then reached up to her neck to unstrap the neck brace.  Mel stopped her and said "why don't you try to do a few things wearing it, and then I will take it off."  Christy went to cock her head, and realized immediately that was impossible.  She asked "like what?"  Mel instructed her to sit down on the bed.  Christy complied.  Then she asked Christy to lay down in the bed.  It was at this point that Christy realized she took getting in bed for granted.  After a couple of attempts, she finally managed to literally fall into bed.  It was very awkward.  Once there she tried to wiggle and roll around to get comfortable.  As she did Jen told her "it takes a little time to get used to it, and the right combination of pillows to get comfortable."  After several seconds of watching Christy struggle, Mel instructed her to get out of bed.  Christy made several unsuccessful attempts to sit up.  She asked "how???", her voice on the verge of panic.  Jen came over.  She rolled Christy over on her side and bent her waist at a 90 degree angle so her legs were extended over the edge of the bed.  She then told Christy to use her arms to push herself up to a sitting position. This worked, and Christy was back upright, sitting on the edge of the bed with her feet back on the floor.

As she stood, Christy looked at Mel and said "I get it.  This is hard.  But, I think I have had enough.  Can you please take this off me please?"  Mel moved over and unstrapped the neck brace from her neck, then undid the thumbscrews and laid the cervical extension on the bed.  She picked up Christy's dress and handed it to her.  Confused, Christy asked Mel "I thought you were going to take it off after I tried a few things."  Mel answered "I meant the cervical extension.  Why don't you wear the back brace for a little while, until we leave.  I want to give bae here a little break.  She's earned it.  It will be discreet under your dress, and it will give you a better feel for what it is like."  Then for good measure she said "hey, you were the one that wanted to try it on."  Christy nodded her head in submission and slipped her dress back on.  She stepped over in front of her full length mirror and took herself in.  The facemask on her face didn't even register in her mind anymore, she had become so accustomed to seeing herself wearing it.  But she did study the reflection of her torso very closely.  She could see the brace barely visible around her underarms, but like Mel had said it was largely discreet.  She wondered what the reaction would be if some of her guests realized she was wearing a back brace.

Jen walked over beside Christy.  She put her arm around her and said "you are rocking that brace. So why don't we head back downstairs.  You need to check on all your party guests.  And I think we are all interested in how Mike and Maggie are making along."

Back downstairs, the ladies found the inside of the house devoid of people.  As they made their way to the dining room they saw everyone outside on the back patio.  They walked out to find most of the crowd clustered around Mattie G and Todd, each of whom were seated and each tuning an acoustic guitar.  Josie came up to the trio and said "Nikki talked them into playing.  She seems to have Mattie wrapped around her finger tonight."  Christy said to Jen and Mel "they are really good, they used to be in a band when they were in college. I think they both sort of played their way through school."  Josie added on "aww thank you! I am pretty biased, but I think they are pretty good too.  And yeah, all those gigs really helped my Todd pay for his way through school."  After a few seconds of silence watching them tune up, Josie said "again Christy, thank you so much for this party."  She reached in quickly and hugged Christy.  When she did, she felt the hard brace that was wrapped around her body.  Josie released Christy and looked at her quizzically.  Christy said "I am trying out Jen's brace.  Maybe I am a weirdo, but I was curious what it is like."  Josie sat there a second thinking and replied "hmm, that's pretty cool.  Hey, I need to go check on Maggie.  I am afraid that Carrie is going to literally talk her ear off."  As she walked away the three could see Carrie in the background, in her blue delaire face mask, talking and animatedly gesturing in front of Maggie.  They couldn't hear what the conversation was about, but they could see that Carrie was very excited. Carrie then started jumping up and down and gave Maggie a big hug.

Christy looked at Mel and Jen and exhaled.  She said "Josie didn't make a big deal about that thank goodness."  Jen said "Christy, I have found it is a lot like braces.  Most people are pretty indifferent.  They are so consumed with their own personal issues and lives they don't care.  There are some that have questions or comments.  But most of those are from people that have gone through it in the past and want to tell you their experience, or are questons from those thinking about starting themselves.  I think a lot of us come up with these outrageous, embarrassing scenarios in our heads; I know I did before getting my scoliosis brace AND my orthodontic braces; but they don't come true.  They are just fears."

Christy looked over at Jen and said "you know, you are completely right.  I didn't know I was friends with Yoda, wise one she is."  Mel laughed and said "she is a LOT prettier than Yoda.  But you know, come to think of it, he might could have used a scoliosis brace himself.  But enough of this philosophical introspection.  Maybe I am just nosy, but I am really curious what has Carrie so worked up."  Jen and Christy followed Mel's gaze and saw Carrie, despite the lack of music, grinding up against Maggie.  Mike was looking on laughing hysterically.

Chapter 74.

Back upstairs in the master bedroom, Jen sent a text to Kevin asking where he was, they were about ready for their ride.  She then waited for a response.  Standing beside the bed, Christy removed her dress, laying it by the cervical extension still laying there from earlier.  With her dress removed, the brace cradling Christy's upper body was on full display.  The clavicle outriggers swept up under her armpits, holding her shoulders back, thrusting her chest forward.  From across the room, Jen noticed Matt looking on hungrily with lust apparent in his eyes.  Before Mel loosened the straps and removed the brace she asked Christy what she thought of it.

Christy replied "well, it certainly feels different.  And I was definitely not able to forget I was wearing it at any time, like Jen said she did now sometimes.  And it is starting to dig in and feel sore in a few places now.  But it wasn't honestly as bad as I thought.  I do feel like I am standing up so much straighter.  And I feel a little self conscious about how much it sucks my waist in, and how much it pushes my boobs out into the world.  But some women pay lots of money for that don't they?" and laughed.  Mel giggled too and answered "yes, I guess you are right.  Maybe we have been marketing this wrong the whole time."  This drew a laugh from everyone, even Matt who broke out of the trance he seemed to be in earlier.

Mel moved over and quickly undid the straps.  She stepped around to Christy's backside and opened the brace up and carefully removed it from her body.  Once the brace was off Christy remarked "wow, as strange as it felt when you put the brace on me, it feels even stranger now being out of the brace.  Maybe I was starting to get used to it."

Jen said "that is exactly how I feel now.  It feels normal to me when I am wearing it.  But when I take it off it feels unnatural.  It took a few weeks to get there though, along with maybe just a few tears and moments of self pity.  But now, it really isn't that big a deal."  Then her phone dinged with a reply from Kevin.

K:  I just finished dropping a rider off about 40 minutes north of where I dropped you off earlier.  Are you still at the same address?  Once you confirm the address, I will head that way.

Jen, without even consulting her partner, shot a response back.

J:  Absolutely not.  I am not going to take over an hour out of your night, probably one of your busiest and most profitable nights of the week, to drive all the way back down here.  I will hold you to a raincheck later, when it is better for you.  But I absolutely refuse to take you up on your offer right this minute.  I will schedule us a ride through the Uber app.  I really do appreciate the offer though, and I will let you fulfill it some other time.  On another note, I really look forward to chatting with your fiancé about adult orthodontics.  Half the women here have braces.  So you can imagine, that has been a big topic of discussion around this party here tonight.  BTW, what is your fiancé's name?

K:  Well, thank you for being so thoughtful.  I do appreciate it.  And tonight is one of my busiest and best nights.  But I am still completely willing, even eager, to come and get you two.  But I also won't fight you over it. And I totally will honor a raincheck.  Just text me when you need a lift.  As for my fiancé, her name is Shelly.  We spoke earlier tonight, and I brought up her having another orthodontic consult, at your orthodontist.  I told her it wouldn't cost anything, and that there were a couple of patients that wanted to talk to her about it.  She was pretty conflicted.  On one hand I could sense her nervousness, maybe it was even fear; but on the other hand she also was excited about it, and the idea of having the smile she has always wanted.  So, thank you for that as well.

J:  You are so welcome.  And thank you for the ride earlier, and the future ride I am going to hold you to it.  Please have Shelly call Dr. Cooper's on Monday, or you can do it for that matter, and talk with Josie.  Actually, maybe you should do it for her.  Offer it to her as a present you are giving her, because you love her and want her to have the smile she has always wanted.  That might make it easier for her to say yes to.  Either way, Josie will get you two all fixed up.  Then, Christy, Mel and I can talk, text or even meet up with her to try to dampen any fears she has.  But I will also be honest about what she would be getting into. Have a great evening!  And stay safe on the roads!

K: Thank you.  That is a wonderful idea.  Thank you for that perspective.  I'll call on Monday.  Have a great rest of your evening and weekend!

Jen looked up to find everyone looking at her.  She had been consumed by her phone the last few minutes and had been oblivious to anything else around her.  Mel smiled at her and asked "you arranging a booty call for later?"  Jen laughed and responded "no dummy, that was Kevin.  He is way north of town, and I told him NOT to take an hour or more out of his night to come pick us up.  But just for that comment, I am going to make you schedule us another ride."  Mel pulled out her phone and started working on it.  Jen continued "By the way Christy, he said his fiance Shelly is open to a consult.  They are going to call Dr. Cooper's Monday and schedule an appointment."

Christy answered "Yay!  We can always use another player on team braces.  Now, about that Uber, please just stay here.  There is a perfectly good bed next door.  And I can scrounge up some extra pillows."

Mel piped in "too late, I have already scheduled us a ride.  It will be here in 9 minutes.  I need to go ahead and get baby girl strapped back into her armor."  Christy said "well, I guess I can't fight you and make you stay.  Matt and I will leave you two to it.  I will meet you downstairs to see you out and offer you a proper good night."

About 5 minutes later, the four of them stood downstairs chatting.  Jen once again said "thank you again for inviting us Christy. I think I can speak for Mel when I say we had a great time.  And thank you for granting me a brief pardon from scoliosis prison.  I will say though, all things considered, tonight went a lot better wearing all this than I feared " as she gestured to the neck brace and then the facemask.  "It definitely isn't something I want to do all the time, but it is good to know I can do it."  Mel stiffly hugged her and said "it is because you are a badass, I have told you that before."  Jen hugged Mel back and said "no, it is because I have such a fantastic partner, one going through the same thing, that holds me up when I have my moments of weakness."  Mel leaned in and put her facemask up against Jen's and made an exaggerated puckering noise and 'kissed' her.   Mel said "that will have to do until we get home, away from Christy's prying eyes, and we can take these off."  Christy laughed and said "I have said it before, I will say it again.  You two are too cute."  Mel's phone than pinged at her.  She looked up and said "our chariot has arrived."

As Christy walked the two out to the street, she noticed the black Ford explorer.  It was older, beat up, and looked like it might have some duct tape and clothes hangers holding some of it together.  There was a loud knocking noise coming from under the hood, and there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust.  Mel and Jen had noticed the same, and Jen looked over and said "it is only a 15 minute ride, we will survive."

Christy watched as the Explorer pulled away.  She then turned back towards the house.  She now had to evict some guests. 

Once out on the patio she loudly announced "alrighty everyone, it is that time.  You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!  But seriously, please do start wrapping it up.  It is after midnight, and it is way past our bedtime."  Josie stood and said "Christy!  Thank you so much for tonight!  It has been the best!"  She then turned to her other friends and said "you heard the lady, it is time for us to make like trees. If you want, we can move this to my house."  She then turned and noticed Maggie, who was sitting in Mike's lap, her headgear obscured head resting on his chest.   Josie continued "but I completely understand and won't be offended if some of you need to go home."

The next morning Christy woke up later than normal.  She sensed immediately she was alone in bed.  Her and Matt had been up for quite a while after their guests had left.  The sunlight was pouring in through the blinds.  And while she was still basking in a glow, she also noticed she had a little bit of a headache and hangover.  She slid out of the bed, slipped a robe over her body, naked except for the facemask on her face, and headed towards the kitchen.  There she found Matt cooking breakfast.  He turned and said "you rascal, you spoil all my plans.  I was hoping you would keep sleeping and I could surprise you with breakfast in bed."  Christy went over and hugged him and said "you are the best man in the whole world."

They ate in the living room, curled up next to each other on the couch.  The TV was on in the background, but it was largely ignored by the couple.  As they ate, Christy as usual had to be very careful to avoid her facemask and springs.  Matt looked over at Christy and asked "any idea when Dr. Cooper might let you out of that?"  Christy said "actually, I think he would do it whenever I asked.  He might be a little disappointed, and he is happy I am doing it, but he didn't make me do this.  I did this for Josie.  But you know what, I did let her out last night.  And obviously, I know how to remove it.  And you have been such a good boy, maybe I will take it off this evening.  For both of us" and winked at Matt.  She said "I will have to be extra careful with this bear trap still screwed in my mouth, I don't want to hurt you."  Matt looked at Christy and said "that is a risk I am more than willing to take."  The bulge under his robe confirmed to Christy that he was not just saying it to be polite.  She looked over at him and said "well, stay on your best behavior the rest of the day you pervert, and we might see what happens." 

Christy then noticed a story on the TV.  There had been a huge wreck on I-5 the night before.  It had involved almost a dozen vehicles, one of them a semi.  There was an on-scene reporter there filming in the daylight as police and tow companies still worked to clear the wreckage and open the interstate.  There were demolished vehicles piled into and on top of each other still, almost 8 hours after the wreck.  With smoke still wafting up and charred crumpled wreckage littering the roadway, it looked horrible.  The on-scene reporter announced there had been 11 injuries, 3 life threatening, and sadly 4 fatalities.  The reporter then announced they had video of the wreck from the previous night.  As the dark, grainy, shaky video played Christy thought it looked even worse.  There was a huge fire, crumpled vehicles, and good Samaritans trying to help who were largely held back by the flames.  The reporter announced the video was shot just shortly after the wreck occurred, taken by a bystander, and before fire rescue and police had arrived.  Between the poor quality of the video and general chaos, Christy did not notice the black SUV.  Only it's back end was visible, the front end of the vehicle completely crushed and hidden beneath the semi-trailer that lay on top of it.

Thank you.  I actually came back to post "The End - For Now".   Then I saw your response.  I knew it was a cruel way to end things, but that was the plan. Your response has changed the plan.  I will go ahead and include Chapter 75. 

I have been so motivated to finish this story, at least this volume of it, mainly because I have another story I want to start.  And I want to continue the story you mentioned, First Time Home Buyer.  I have the main plot in my head, I just need to get it put down into words.  I haven't decided which to work on first, but it might make more sense to launch back into Home Buyer since it was left hanging precariously.

Chapter 75.

After breakfast, Christy lounged on the couch.  Matt was in the kitchen cleaning dishes.  Christy had earlier tried to help him, but he had nudged her out of the kitchen, saying "no, you go relax.  I am trying to be a most extra good boy, hoping for a treat later" and winked at her.  She laughed.  He then playfully slapped her on the bottom and said "now get, let me work in peace" as he gave her a big metallic smile.

As she lazily flipped through the channels, not much was on that she was interested in on a Saturday morning, Matt came in and plopped down beside her.  He put his arm around her shoulders and said "so sleepy head, are you ready to put me to work some more?  I was hoping we could go to the Depot and get some things.  I was thinking we could work on a couple of the projects out back you have been wanting to do.  It is going to be a pretty day, and I have the most beautiful foreman in the world to tell me what to do."

She leaned into him and said "you really are on your best behavior.  And I would absolutely love that."  Still leaning in she said "I would love to kiss you right now if I didn't have this fence in the way.  But later, after I get some more work out of you, I think we will be able to do something about that."

Several hours later, the couple was hot, sweaty and a little dirty in the backyard.  They had made good progress on the new flower bed and crushed marble landscaping that Christy had been wanting to install.  They were finishing up the flowerbed, side by side on their knees, each planting flowers in the soft new dirt.  They came to a stopping point, all the containers that held flowers now empty and laying scattered about around them.  Matt took his finger and dabbed a little dirt on Christy's nose and said "I am ready for a break boss. I will fix us up a little late lunch.  And a couple of cold drinks.  A nice cold Moscow Mule sounds pretty good right now.  Or a seabreeze.  Or both! What do you say!"

Standing to admire their handiwork Christy responded "that sounds incredible.  All of it.  And thank you so much for this! I think it looks incredible."  Matt stepped over and put his arm around her waist and answered "of course it looks incredible, an amazing architect came up with the plans."  He started toward the patio doors and said "come on, let me fix us some drinks.  We have earned them."

While Matt worked on the drinks and lunch in the kitchen, a braces friendly turkey and swiss pinwheel alongside a fresh chopped tomato and cucumber salad, Christy excused herself to the bathroom to freshen up.  Once in the bathroom she wiped her face with a towel to get the dirt and grime off.  Even after a week, she realized it was still a chore to clean her face wearing the facemask.  She made a decision.  One that she thought would elate Matt.  She opened the drawer and removed the small dental pliers she had used to remove Josie's mask the night before.  She first removed the springs from her mask, using the pliers to uncrimp the ends that had held them securely on previously, and lay the mask aside.  She then bared her teeth.  She realized this would be a little trickier doing it on herself than the previous evening.  But she took her time and was very careful and deliberate not to damage her braces.  Eventually she was successful in removing the springs from her mouth.  Then she had another idea on how she wanted to surprise Matt.  She took a pair of elastics and attached the facemask back to her face. 

As she entered the den, she noticed Matt had once again outfoxed her.  He was already sitting on the couch; and had their lunch and drinks on the table in front of him.  He looked up at her and said "I know I am a barbarian for eating in the den, but it is the weekend.  Plus, it lets me curl up a lot closer to you than those kitchen chairs do."  He didn't notice she was wearing elastics on her facemask instead of the springs of the past week.  Christy said "well, just for that last comment, I am not going to give you any grief about it."

She sat down beside him and said "it looks great.  But first, let me do something."  He wasn't looking at her directly, his attention focused on the table.  But he noticed in his peripheral vision that his wife was fiddling with her mouth.  Hoping there was not something wrong with her braces, he turned and asked "is everything ok?"  She smiled at him and then removed one of her elastics from her mouth.  She repeated with the other side and laid the mask on the table beside their food.  She said "no, nothing is wrong, exactly the opposite."  She leaned in and gave him a big kiss.  This time, she beat him to the punch, running her tongue into his mouth.  After the two made out for several minutes, Christy leaned back.  She said "thank you for lunch.  It does look good.  But there is something else I have been craving to put in my mouth."

An hour later, the two lay in bed cuddling.  Lunch was still on the table downstairs, long since forgotten.  As they lay there Christy realized she hadn't checked her phone in hours.  She had sent Jen a message that morning and hadn't even thought to look for the reply.  When she looked at her phone though, she saw she had no messages from Jen.  One from Josie, one from Allison, and one that looked like spam.  But none from Jen.  That is strange she thought, Jen usually was prompt in her replies.  And it had now been hours.  She shot her another one.

C:  Just checking on you two love birds.  Let me know everything is ok.

Back downstairs they sat at the kitchen table, working on assembling a new bird feeder.  But Christy was distracted.  She just felt something was wrong.  She still had not heard back from Jen.  So, she picked up her phone and dialed her.  It went straight to voicemail.  She then tried calling Mel.  The same, it went straight to voicemail.  Worry was welling up inside her.  She sent a group text to all the girls from the office asking if they had heard from Jen or Mel. When they all responded they had not heard from them, Christy looked over at Matt and said "I think something is wrong. Nobody has heard from Jen or Mel."  He looked over and said "I am sure they are fine.  They are probably out; at the beach, shopping, maybe somewhere they don't have service."  As Christy sat there worrying, the news from that morning ran through her head.  The huge wreck on I-5.  On a stretch of I-5 between her house and Jen's.  As she replayed the video in her head, she saw the black Explorer.  Matt looked up when he heard his wife crying across the table.  He rushed over to her and comforted her asking "what is it?  It is ok."  Christy latched onto him and wailed "Jen and Mel... they were in that wreck.  I know they were. They left in a black Explorer.  There was a black Explorer in that wreck.”  He continued to comfort her, holding her tight in one arm while stroking the back of her head with the other.  He said "no, I am sure it is ok.  I am sure they are ok.  And when they text you back we are both going to laugh about this.  But in the meantime, I will call around to hospitals and see if they were admitted."

Christy willed herself to calm down some, the tears coming to a halt.  She was completely focused on Matt as he dialed the various hospitals in the area, asking if either a Jennifer Collins or Melissa Saunders had been admitted recently.  After each call, he would hit end and smile at Christy and say "nope, they are not there.".  In the middle of the fifth call though, Christy could see the change in the expression on his face and she launched back into tears.  He rushed back around the table and held her.  He softly said "I am so sorry baby.  They were admitted to Baptist at 2 am this morning.  They wouldn't tell me anymore over the phone.  I am going to drive you there right now."

Christy tried to compose herself as they approached the front desk of the hospital.  She had cried most of the 45 minute ride, and her eyes were red.  Matt did his best to hold her as they walked.  At the reception desk, Matt said "hello, I am Matt Thomas, this is my wife Christy Thomas.  We are here to see Jennifer Collins and Melissa Saunders.  We were told they were admitted this morning. We are friends of theirs" and thinking it might help to get more information he added "and my wife is one of their medical providers."  Matt intentionally used this approach; one of ‘hey we are here to see a friend that broke their arm’ to try to keep Christy calm.  And to keep himself calm.  By now, even he was worried that the worst case might be the truth.  The attendant on duty typed some things into her computer.  She then picked up a phone and dialed an extension.  The attendant said "there are two people here to see Jennifer Collins and Melissa Saunders."  She turned her attention back to Matt and Christy, and with a forced smile on her face said "someone will be here very shortly, if you would please just wait there" as she gestured over towards some metal and vinyl seating.

Christy couldn't sit, she paced back and forth as Matt looked on feeling powerless to do anything. After about three minutes a voice interrupted them.  A woman, apparently in her 50s or 60s, had approached them.  She asked "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas?  I understand you are here to see Miss Collins and Miss Saunders? My name is Amelia Lockhard, if you would please, follow me."  When Jen saw her, the first thing she noticed is that she was dressed in a lady's business suit, not in scrubs.  Jen instantly knew this was a horrible sign and the knot in the pit of her stomach intensified.

As they entered what was apparently the woman's office, tears had again begun to slide down Christy's face.  Miss Lockhard asked for the couple to sit in the seats in front of her desk.  Once everyone was seated Miss Lockhard locked on with sympathy and told the couple "Miss Saunders and Miss Collins were in an accident last night.  They were admitted here at 2:02 am.  I am sorry to be the one to inform you, but both of them passed earlier this morning."

Christy broke down. Crying hysterically, she buried herself in Matt's side, hugging him so tightly it hurt.  She was repeating over and over "it is my fault, I should have made them stay."

The End.

This is in my opinion one of the best stories in this forum.

Congratulations to the author!