Barely Visible

Chapter 4

Aileen’s POV

  After carefully patting Esmé, Tommy waddled over to me.

“Aileen?” he asked

“I’m sorry Tommy, I’m so, so sorry. I’m supposed to be all responsible because I’m like 10 years older than you and stuff but,  I’m just useless!” I cried

“No, you’re not, you’re great Aileen, everything is gonna’ be okay.” he whimpered.I started bawling on his shoulder, at that moment I felt like I needed him more than he needed me.

“Should I call my mommy?” he asked.

“No, It's fine, I’ll do it.” I said.

I wiped the tears from my puffy, red eyes. I  quickly gathered myself together then dialled the number.

“Hello? Mrs. Birmingham?”

“Yes, Aileen is that you dear?”

“Yes, Tommy’s with me, there’s been a car accident, Esmé and Mr. Valdez are badly injured and an ambulance is coming.” I said calmly now having regained most of my self control which is usually tucked at the back of my conscience.

“Oh my goodness! I’m headed for the hospital right now! I’ll meet you kids there.”

“Alright, Mrs. Birmingham. Bye.”

“See you soon.”

I hung up. I took a deep breath then almost immediately dialled the Esmé’s home phone.

“Hello, Mrs. Valdez, something’s happened, it’s Esmé...and uh...Mr. Valdez.”

“Yes? Aileen?” she asked her voice filled with fear.

“Ya, they were in an accident, the ambulances are coming.” I said as I forced back the tears. Then, as if on cue, I heard the sirens wailing.

  The ambulances arrived and the paramedics rushed out of the ambulance with two hospital gurneys. They collected Esmé then wrenched the car door open to retrieve, who I now knew, was definitely Mr.Valdez. I hoisted Tommy into the back of the ambulance, then clambered in myself. He reached for my hand and I obliged giving his a quick squeeze in return.

                          <><><>       

   At the hospital the gurneys were carted away, I attempted to follow them but doctors held me back. I wanted to scream, all I wanted was my best friend by my side. Instead, I obediently sat down in the hard backed waiting room’s chairs. Tommy was quivering beside me when we were joined by Mrs. Birmingham and Mrs.Valdez. Tommy bolted over to his mother and gave a her a hug as big as someone his size could manage. Mrs. Birmingham is a chubby, jolly, british mother with short, curly blond hair. Like a mother taken straight from a fairytale. Mrs. Valdez on the other hand is a not very bright. She is incompetent and flustered with long, straight, brown, hair and large round glasses.

“Thomas!” Mrs. Birmingham exclaimed, “Are you okay?” then turning to me she asked, “How’s everyone doing?’

“We don’t know yet.” With that a nurse with a stiff, blonde bob and ocean blue eyes entered the room.

“May I have a word, I have some news,” she asked squeakily.

“Um... okay.” I answered

“I’m glad to announce that Miss. Esmé Valdez has recovered however, Mr. Valdez did not take part in her luckiness, he has passed away. Miss. Esmé will be over here in a minute.

“Wait, what? You mean he’s dead?” I clapped my hand over my mouth realising what I had just said. Everyone stared at me in astonishment.

“Yes.” she said and quietly, bowed her head and slipped out of the room.

“I’m going to go check on her.” I said defiantly.

“But, but Aileen, the doctors said,” interjected Mrs. Birmingham

“I. Don’t. Care. She’s. My. Best. Friend.” I replied stressing every word and stalked out of the room while thinking to myself, “Why on earth didn’t I check for a pulse?

That was a bit of a longer chapter and they will get longer after this. The picture is of Esmé's mom, Mrs. Valdez. Thanks again for reading. Vote, comment, fan.