After we say our goodbyes, I get into myCivicand drive into town for dinner before I head home.
This is my first interview I’m actually confident about, and I think I’ve got a good chance of getting it.
I sit at the bar atHillsboro Bar and Grill, and order a Philly cheesesteak sandwich and a beer on tap. The place is pretty packed for a Monday night, so I assume it’s a popular joint. As I wait for my food, I pull out my phone to see a text from Mike.
Mike:Well, how’d it go?
Me:Good. I laid on the charm extra thick ;)
Mike:LOL, then I’m sure you won them over.
Me:I’m having a quick bite to eat, then I’m headed home.
Mike:Call me when you get in.
Me:Will do,Mom
He sends me several eye-roll emojis, making me laugh.
Me:Love you.
Mike:Love you, too.
I read his words about ten more times. It never gets old.
My sandwich is pretty good, and I only drink half of my beer before I pay the bill and head back to Cannon Beach.
The two-hour drive doesn’t seem that long, but when it’s dark and there’s nothing to see, it can get boring. My phone is connected to my car, so I find a song onSpotifyfrom the playlist Mike sent me a while ago on my way back and playOrdinaryby Alex Warren. Such a damn good song.
I sing along to the lyrics, slowing my speed down once I reach the mountains. It’s misting out, and a lot of fog is building.
“Fuck,” I mumble and turn on my wipers. I’m literally in the middle of nowhere, but not too far now, so I keep pushing through to get home.
Out of nowhere, a small herd of elk walks across the road. I slam my brakes so I don’t hit them, but the road is slick, and I start to fishtail. When I overcorrect, I swerve my car.
“Oh, shit!”
I brace my arms to my face as my car crashes through the guardrail and down into a deep ditch, nose first, and lands in the creek below. My head hits something before the airbags go off. I’m dizzy and disoriented as I hang awkwardly by my seatbelt.
I groan and try to process, but my mind is blank until I finally come around. Once I get my brain in working order, I scratch the tickling under my nose, and my hand comes away with blood. “Jesus fuck…”
I need to find my phone. It’s still attached to the USB, so I tug on the cord to pull the phone toward me. After tucking it into my jacket, I unbuckle my belt, open my car door, and look down. The car is still nose down, the back leaning against some rocks.
My hands and body are shaking almost violently from the drop in adrenaline as I climb out of my battered car. As soon as I’m out, I losemy footing and slip on the algae-covered rocks, and twist my ankle before landing on my knees. “Fuckinggoddamnmotherfuckerbitch! Ugh!”
I pull myself to stand, huff in irritation, and open the trunk of the car. I reach in to grab my emergency backpack, which I always have with me, stuffed with water, snacks, rope, a flashlight, spare clothes, and a blanket.
When I’ve got it on my back, I climb out of the ditch and onto the road. It’s not that deep, but it’s enough to total my fucking car. Good thingCivicsare safe cars, otherwise I would’ve been fucked.
I stand on the road and pull out my phone to call for help, but I’ve got no signal up here. “Hike it is, then.”
My ankle and knees hurt like a bitch, and I’ve got a headache coming on, but I have no choice but to walk until I can get a clear signal.
Chapter 27
Mike
He’sfine.Dennisassuredme he was fine. His car was totaled, but he’s fine. Still, as I blast through the door to the emergency room, all sorts of dreadful scenarios are playing on repeat in my head. When you think of it, the word ‘fine’ says absolutely nothing about a person’s condition. One person’sfinecan mean another person’s… I don’t know. My mind is running around in circles with images of Dennis with blood trickling into his eyes from a gash in his forehead, his body all twisted and broken, as the doctors cart him off for surgery. I need to see him before I believe it.
