Chapter 1 – Coming Home
Monday January 6
I HEARD A MOAN THAT woke me up. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the good kind of moan. And it was coming from me. My muscles and joints had a deep ache. I still felt the effects of the avalanche. I think I would rather have been tackled over and over again. I edged out of bed feeling like an old man as I tried not to make any sudden moves. My grandfather once told me getting old wasn’t for the faint of heart. I now understood what he’d meant. I shuffled my feet into the bathroom to take my meds.
The last few days were a blur. Yesterday they released me from the hospital. A press conference was arranged, at which I had to sit through an hour of the most idiotic questions. “Were you scared?” “Did you think you were going to die?” Hell, yes, I thought I was going to die. How do you describe it so others can understand what you went through, and was it really any of their business?
I was lucky Ford Models had given me talking points, or I might have ended someone’s life. Finally, the doctor in charge rescued me. He told them I required my rest to get better. Range Sports was delighted that I credited them with saving my life. It was true, their thermal cold-weather gear was the reason I was still breathing.
Being trapped after the avalanche had a profound effect on me, and not just physically. I found I was emotionally numb. I felt no excitement highs, or depression lows, not like I had in the past. The psychologist told me this was common for someone that had gone through what I had. She said that given time, I would be back to normal.
My doctor told me to get physically active as quickly as possible. They explained that the best way to start feeling normal was to stretch and use my muscles to work out all the kinks. Standing in the shower, I decided I wasn’t going to school today, I was going to the gym to work out. The pain had motivated me to exercise.
Dad had brought me home last night. He made sure I was settled in, and then he flew back to California where Mom was getting her cancer treatment. On the flight home, Dad and I had a long talk about my mom’s treatment. It wasn’t going as well as they’d hoped. I could see the fear in Dad’s eyes. They suggested she try some experimental treatment as a last-ditch effort. He told me if they didn’t see some improvement soon, Mom wanted to come home. She wanted to die with her family around her.
If I hadn’t been emotionally numb, that would have been the last straw. I think Dad was surprised when I calmly told him to do what he felt was best, that he had my support.
Mom’s situation helped me keep from being selfish and dwelling on my problems. It was true that if you look around, you would always find someone worse off. At least I knew I could do something to make myself feel better. All I could do for my mom was to pray.
After Dad left for the airport, Greg and Angie caught me up on everything that had happened. Pastor Dan’s funeral had been held last week. The church had asked me to say a few words at a Sunday sermon, once I was up to it.
On a different note, we had a new football coach. The team that defeated us in the playoffs had lost in the championship game. Our athletic director was able to lure their head coach to come to our school. Greg said the players sounded excited to get someone with that high of a profile. I wasn’t so sure. They had run a very conservative offense and relied on their defense. I wondered if he would bring that type of scheme here, or if he would be using my talent to its fullest. I guess I was feeling a little selfish.
“MORNING,” I SAID TO Greg and Angie as they made breakfast.
“Hey, Bro, want some pancakes?”
“You know I do. I think they were trying to starve me in that hospital.” I turned to Angie and asked, “Are you free to give me a ride to the gym this morning?”
“Aren’t you going to school?” Angie asked.
“No, I feel like shit. The doctor told me the quickest way to start to feel normal again is to work out. I may need to have Greg give me a massage when he gets home. I feel like I was used as a piñata.”
Well, they said to move and stretch. I figured that if I really worked out, it would all come back faster, right?
“Will you need me to stay, or can I go and get my books while you work out?”
“That’s right, when do you start at the junior college?” I asked Angie.
“My first class is Wednesday.”
We chatted through breakfast, and I could see Greg and Angie glancing at me. I think they were both worried about me and trying to gauge how I was doing. Greg had to run to make it to school on time. Angie had something on her mind, and it appeared I was going to be grilled. I held up my hands.
“Hang on. I’m really in a lot of pain. Grab your swimsuit, and we’ll go to the gym and relax in the hot tub. Then you can ask me anything you want.”
“Oooo, are you sure about that?”
I pursed my lips and thought about what I had just offered.
“I’ll give you a one-day free pass. I’ll answer anything you want, but don’t think for one second I’ll confirm anything later.”
She sprinted out of the kitchen to get her suit. This should be interesting.
I WASN’T SURPRISED that Angie beat me to the hot tub. We were the only two in the gym besides the staff. I had to sign Angie in as my guest and talk to the personal trainers. I told them what my issues were. They agreed the hot tub would be a good way to start. While I soaked, they would come up with a plan for me when I came out on the floor.
Angie launched into her interrogation before I even got in.
“Are you okay?”
Of all the questions to ask ... but I’d promised I would give her honest answers.
“No. I’m scared to death we’re going to lose Mom. I’ve no idea what I would do without her in my life.”
I felt myself choking up. Thirty seconds into this conversation and there was a tear rolling down my cheek. She slid across the hot tub and pulled me into her arms. I’d been holding this in for over a month, trying to be strong for everyone else. It took me a moment, but I got myself under control.
“Sorry about that. You caught me off guard.”
“Oh, David, we’re all scared about what’s going on with Mom. They’re doing everything they can to help her. What I want to know is how you’re doing? You almost died.”
I sighed.
“I said you have a free pass today. I don’t think I’ll want to talk about this anytime soon. Angie, I had given up. I had made my peace and was prepared to die.”
Angie cringed.
“After the avalanche and the propane tank exploded, I was trapped. Being buried alive was my worst nightmare. Between that, the cold, and the dehydration, I’m not sure which was worse. I could feel my strength going bit by bit. I thought the last time I drifted off to sleep, that was it. When the giant fur-ball licked my face, I was delirious.
“While I was stuck down there, I began to understand what’s important to me. You and Kyle mean the world to me. I’ll always be there for you two. You’re family.”
“What about Tracy?” Angie asked.
I snorted.
“That crazy bitch? I loved her, and she dumped me, again, this time because someone said we should break up because it would help my career. I had assured her there was no way I would listen to their stupid advice. My guess is that her dad got to her. I’ve no idea what he told her to convince her that this was for the best. Then she goes out with Luke. Hell, she told me when they went out her freshman year he was quick, and not in a good way. So the only reason she would ask him out is to hurt me.