Chapter 3: Page 152

Walker lay down and tried in vain to sleep for the hour he had before he had to go to work. He was exhausted but his mind would not give him the rest he needed. In a blur, he got up, took a shower and headed to the Lumber Depot. His boss, Susan, met him at the door.

“I am so sorry about this,” she said. When I scheduled you I didn't realize what had happened. I need you until noon but then you can go. I know you must have a million questions about work and insurance. When you’re ready, you can sit down with Don in Human Resources and sort things out.

“Thanks,” said Walker.

He entered the employee workroom, clocked in, put on his work apron, and made his way to the electronics section where he had been assigned. Thankfully it was a slow morning. He began to straighten up the shelves. As he came around the a corner of an aisle, he bumped into Angela.

“Walker, she said, placing her hand on his shoulder. I am so sorry. She shoved some cash in the front pocked of his work apron. “I know money is the least of your worries right now. But take my advice: don't neglect yourself. Take Connie out to dinner where you can be alone for a little while. And don’t forget to sleep.

Walker didn't know what to say. He stood and stared. Angela did not expect a response. She placed her hand on his shoulder again, then returned to her work. Walker pulled the cash from his apron. It was five hundred dollar bills.

The rest of the morning was like being in another world. He wandered around as if in a dream, answering questions about the pros and cons of ceiling fans and telling people where the electric cords were. It seemed colossally unimportant. Finally, noon came and Walker went to the hospital.

Lizzy has been assigned to a room. There was still no space in intensive care so she had been assigned to a regular room. Thankfully, it was private. It looked more like a florist shop than a hospital room. Flowers and cards were pouring in from far and wide.

Connie was there, along with three of Lizzy's best friends. To Walker's surprise, Lizzy was sitting up and smiling as her friends bathed her in small talk and school gossip. It was a welcome dose of normalcy. They stayed a little while longer, said their goodbyes and left.

“So how are things?” asked Walker.

Connie answered. “The good news is that the swelling has gone down and she is not in mortal danger. They're still unsure how much damage was done. They'll do more tests today.“

“That's good,” said Walker, putting his arm around her and giving her a hug. He took one of the two visitor’s chairs and turned to to face Lizzie. She was still covered with wires and tubes. It made her look weak, like she was dependent on machines to live.

“How are you sweetie,” he asked gently.

“Okay I guess,” she said. “My head is pounding and everything feels a little fuzzy.”

Connie got up. “I need some breakfast, she said. “I'll leave you two to talk for a bit.”

Walker held Lizzy's hand. They sat in silence. Finally, Lizzie said

“I’m scared daddy.”

“I am too,” said Walker. “But I’m here for you. We’ll get through this. Everything is gonna to be okay.”

Lizzie looked at him thoughtfully. “Last night you said God had a reason for all this. Today you say everything is going to be okay. Why do you say that? How do you know?”

Walker fumbled for an answer. “I don’t," he admitted.

The room returned to the regular beeping of monitors. Lizzie closed her eyes. Walker stared at the sheets, asking God for help. The night before the accident, Lizzy, Connie, and Walker had stayed up until 2:00 AM binge watching “Stranger Things” on Netflix.

Without opening her eyes, Lizzie said, ““You know how on Stranger Things, there is an evil world called the Upside Down that interlocks with the regular world?”

“Yes.”

“I feel like I fell into the upside down.