The Darkness

Although the blinds on the window were drawn, I could see sunlight on the edges of the covering. As I looked around I saw the bed I was in and the walls of the room were all white. The only object that wasn’t was a big chair which was occupied by a large man. It was my dad, and as I sat up to look at him he got out of the chair, came to my side and spoke to me.

“Well, good morning, Bobby. Thank God you’re finally awake! How are you feeling? Do you know where you are?”

“Yes, sir, I’m in the hospital.”

“You’re right, and you’ve been in and out of what the doctor described as a voluntary coma for most of the past six days. He said it was a way for you to disassociate yourself from the reality of Rachel’s death. Everyone has been terribly concerned about you. While we were at the funeral you didn’t acknowledge anyone that came to speak to you.”

“Dad, I can’t believe Rachel is dead! I hardly remember even being at the funeral. Whom did I fail to acknowledge?”

“Well, your Mom for one, but she understood why, after the doctor explained the situation to her.”

“Where is Mom? I need to apologize to her.”

“She returned to Chicago with Sister Mary Clare and Father Dominic. They were here the day of the funeral. We agreed it would be best for her to go back   with them since we had no idea how long you might remain in a coma, and you know how emotional she can get. She’s staying with Sister at St. Patrick’s until I return. I’ve called her every night since you’ve been back here. She will be really glad to hear you’re awake. How do you feel?”

“I guess I’m okay. My chest hurts a little, and my nose is numb, but otherwise I’m okay. I’m sorry! I don’t remember seeing any of them. Who else came?”

“Ripper came late in the evening New Years Day. He took an emergency leave. He’s with the Miller family now. I believe he and Ruth are close to making

a commitment. And Frankie drove up to Madison to pick up Stan. They were here for the funeral. Also your friends Father Clement and Brother Leo came.”

“Gee, Dad, they’ll all think I’m terrible. How can I make it up to them?”

“Bobby, they all understand the shock you’ve experienced. When you feel like it you can contact each of them and let them know how much you appreciate their concern for you.”

“What about Arthur, and Deborah, and the rest of the Millers? I can’t remember talking to any of them. Wait! Now I remember it was Arthur who told me Rachel was dead. He was here in the hospital when I woke up the first time.”

“Yes he was. Somehow he found out about the crash and ran to the site. He checked on Rachel first and determined she had expired. He came around to your side and began attending to you. Blood was pouring from the gash across your nose, so he took off his jacket, removed his shirt and pressed the fabric against the wound. When he was certain he had stopped the bleeding, he asked an onlooker to hold the compress until he could put his jacket on. It’s amazing he wasn’t frostbitten in the almost freezing temperature. He may have saved your life, Bobby. When the ambulance finally arrived, he rode with you to the hospital.”

“How did you find out?”

There were ten guys standing outside the office and possibly another dozen in line behind a man sitting in the chair next to Sergeant’s desk. All of them were in civilian clothes except one of the guys in the hallway. He was in an Air Force blue uniform. It had insignia but no stripes like the sergeant had on his uniform. I chose him to be the one I’d ask the question.

“Are all of you waiting to sign up?”

“No, me and the rest of these guys out here have already checked in with the Sergeant and have our papers. The ones inside are waiting their turn.”

“So, you’re in the Air Force, are you helping Sergeant Williams transport us to Scott Field?”

“No again, I’m like the rest of you. I just happen to already be in service.”

I looked at the guys standing near the man I was talking to.

“Have you all been sworn in?”

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