Tales of Akron

[In Chapter 25, Mike and Jim shared a room at the hospital after their automobile accident. Dr. Jim told them to spend the night in the hospital and he'd probably send them home the next morning. During the night Mike had strange dreams about two children. He woke screaming.]

          A nurse sat by his bed.

          Mike shifted under the sheet.

          The nurse patted his hand and whispered, "You'll be well tomorrow. Sleep. You're not alone."

          A restless sleep, with the aid of the medicine Dr. Jim prescribed, finally took over Mike's brain.

          The next morning, Dr. Jim checked his two patients, declared them healed enough to go home and dismissed them from the hospital.

          Dan called a taxi to take them home.

          "Aren't we a handsome couple," Dan laughed. "The bandages do something for us. Maybe we're sexier in them. But, frankly, I'm too sore to think much about sex."

          Mike smiled, "Me, too. I hurt all over. But, nothing is broken or seriously hurt. We have a lot to be thankful for."

          "What happened," Dan asked.

          "I don't know. I just don't know," Mike said.

          "I want to find out."

          They entered their house and Dan said, "Great to be home. Want to go out for dinner tonight?"

          "Let's have something delivered. West Point Market delivers. Let's call and have a big feast sent over."

          The men rested through the day. They were still tired and didn't feel well from the accident. At 4:45 the telephone rang.

          "Dr. Jim, we're feeling great. That's not true. But, we're feeling better," Dan laughed. "Great, we'll see you in half an hour."

          "Mike, that's the great medical service you get in Akron. Dr. Jim wants to stop by and see us on his way home."

          "A good doctor and a good friend," said Mike.

          Dr. Jim shook hands with his two friends and said, "Let's sit and talk a few minutes."

          "Is everything okay?" Dan said.

          "You don't know what happened in the accident. I wanted to be the one to tell you," said Jim. "According to the police report, the accident was not your fault. The other driver was drunk. He and his wife were killed."

          "Oh, no, " Mike said.

          "And the two children were killed. A boy and a girl. The boy was three and the girl, six."

          "I wanted you to hear it from me," said Jim. "I know the two of you and I know that you'll take guilt on yourself. But, you had nothing to do with the deaths. The other driver hit your car. He ran a light."

          Mike covered his face with his hands and sobbed. Dan put his arm around Mike's shoulder to comfort him.

          "Mike, can I do anything for you?" said Dr. Jim.

          "I had two dreams last night. Two children. A boy and a girl. They told me that I took their parents away from them. The girl asked me where I put her parents. The boy cried and said he wanted his Mommy. It was awful. I felt guilty. They accused me of killing their parents."

          Dr. Jim reached in his pocket and took out a small bottle. I have two sleeping pills for you, Mike. They'll help you rest tonight. I'll call you tomorrow. Mike, you had nothing to do with this accident. You're innocent.

          After Jim left, Mike said he wanted to take one pill and go to bed. As sleep crept over him, a girl walked out of the darkness of his slumber and said, "Mike, I told you we can't find our parents. But, those people -- the people who tell you where you should go when you're new here -- those people told us to stay with you." Mike shifted in his sleep and moaned.

          Dan rubbed Mike's back. "Dear Friend, I know you're having a nightmare and I don't know what to do to help you. But, I'm here with you. Please know that I'm here and that I love you."