Stone Unturned: DAN

The bright lights of the ER were almost blinding to Dan.

The pain he suffered during the fall had somewhat subsided and even the slight headache had lessen in its intensity. His phone was completely dead and he hadn't had a chance to call Fancy.

"This could have been so much worse Mr. Stone," the doctor said while standing next to him and a nurse.

"I know your right knee had a lot to do with this hurtful incident."

"According to you a very bad car accident occurred in 2004 and you received some physical therapy around that time."

"However, another slight fender bender just a year ago, aggravated the knee in the same area. Thus your mobility is sometimes strained and unpredictable Mr. Stone, is that right?" asked the doctor probingly but gently.

"Yes, that's correct. I was attempting to relax a little but I ended up here with you," replied Dan while smirking shamefully and peering through his glasses.

The doctor provided him with simple instructions about resting his knee and utilizing pain management using ibuprofen. He also suggested using ice as needed to relieve the discomfort.

Dan thanked them and folded the discharge paper into a small square. He then stuffed it into his pants pocket while exiting the hospital.

The whole time driving home he couldn't stop thinking about Melissa.

He knew he loved Fancy, but he had been in love with Melissa since high school. They dated through college too and she absolutely loved nature. Dan never really cared about being outside until he began dating her.

She always admired the way birds sang anytime, day or night.

Melissa would also try to convince him that they flew near or around people to remind them of how free their human spirits were meant to be.

He was always impressed by her beauty and intelligence. She never hesitated helping him with anything if it was finishing up last minute term papers, clipping fast food coupons, or being absolutely honest with him if she was having a bad day and preferred to see him another time.

Dan could not be without her even when they disagreed.

As Dan sat quietly at the traffic light thoughts of Melissa crept into his mind even more vividly.

"Dan are you sure you want to drive?" she asked him. They had a great feast at an overpriced and overrated restaurant. It had been a treat to celebrate making it through their Master's programs and landing potential prospects for gainful employment. 2004 was going to be their year.

"Yes I'll drive sweetie I am okay. We'll be home in 30 minutes or less since it's Wednesday. No one is out here tonight." They kissed and she laughed at him while strapping herself in the passenger's seat. She had no idea he planned to propose to her the very next day.

The rain was pounding and he hadn't been entirely honest with Melissa.

He was exhausted and could not wait to get some sleep. The nice, moderate speed Dan maintained was still troublesome and even proved fatal this painful night.

The rain, and that old, worn tire he encountered on the two lane highway caused him to swerve aggressively. As the vehicle spun around it soon veered off the road and collided violently with a large tree. He only remembered waking up in the hospital, with an IV in his arm, bruises on his face and a dislocated right knee.

He didn't know what happened to Melissa.

The traffic light turned green but Dan just sat motionless in thought. A car pulled up behind him and honked loudly for him to go. He accelerated and quickly reached his driveway. Fancy's car was not there.

He began to sob while slightly tilting his head back against the car's head rest. More memories found their way inside of his mind. Dan could not control the tears that fell from his eyes. He yelled "God I am sorry!"

"Mr. Stone, I am your defense attorney and will do all I can to get your sentence reduced," she said. "Since this was a tragic accident and no intent was evident the worst case scenario would be vehicular manslaughter, but I believe it will be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor."

Dan wiped his tears away, composed himself, and got out of the car. As he entered his house, with the binoculars around his neck and Melissa's photo, he saw a note on the kitchen counter and the promise ring sitting directly on top of it.

He didn't read the note. Dan opened his refrigerator door. The bottled water was cold to the touch as he reached in for one. Dan made his way to the bedroom and plugged up his mobile phone.

He hung the binoculars on the doorknob of a closet. He also placed the photo of Melissa gently on his dresser. Dan also reached for some ibuprofen on the nightstand and decided to take three while gulping down the bottled water.

He silently looked at himself in the full length mirror as he began to undress.

While pondering his call to Fancy, Dan prepared to take a long, hot shower.

-THE END