Just Breathe Again - Mia Villano Page 0,5

to hang out with tonight. We can leave if it’s too weird and they want to have an orgy or something, or we can stay and learn something new.” He smiled wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

“It’s not even funny, Vince. If it’s a freak show over there I’m leaving,” she yelled.

A freak show it wasn’t. Jeannie prepared to walk into a messy home full of furniture from the 1970’s, with animals running around everywhere, and macramé hanging on the walls. The place was a mansion in comparison to the home Vince built. The furniture, bought from one of the expensive furniture stores, Jeannie dreamed she would have one day. Their house was at least twice as large as theirs. Each room, decorated to a theme and the place, even had a guest house.

The night was wonderful, sitting on their back patio with a fire place, a complete kitchen, pool, waterfall, and stocked bar. After a couple drinks, Jeannie sensed Marsha would be a perfect friend. She also liked to talk dirty, swear like a man, and she smoked a cigar. They say opposites attract, and she and Jeannie were two polar opposites. She became someone Jeannie depended on for anything. She was the first person Jeannie called on her way to the hospital.

~~~~~~

“Hey Jeannie boo Beanie. What’s up, Momma?”

“Marsha I have a favor to ask. I’m sorry to bother you. Can you go over and check on the kids later. Vince was in an accident on his motorcycle and taken to St. Cecelia’s. I’m on my way there now,” Jeannie cried.

“Oh baby. Yes, I will take care of everything. Dear God. Are you driving in this condition? Is he going to be okay?” she asked.

“I have no idea, Marsha. They life flighted him, which isn’t good. A jogger found him in the ditch and you know he won’t wear a helmet. I’m so afraid. I can’t lose Vince, Marsha. He’s my life.”

“Stop it, honey. He’s a tough cookie. He’ll make it. I will take care of the kids. Don’t worry. You settle down and get to the hospital in one piece. Do you want me to call your mother?” she asked.

“No, I will call her. I’m sure she will be on the next plane here to help, right. You know how concerned she is with my life,” said Jeannie.

“This time will be different. Give it a shot, baby. Remember, I’m here if she can’t come. I have it covered. Be safe, beauty.”

Jeannie dreaded the call to her mom. As soon as she picked up the call, she made it clear she was busy.

“Jeannie, hi honey. Boy, you caught me at a crazy time. The contractor and I were outside going over plans for an addition on the house.”

Jeannie tried hard to keep herself together and not start crying while on the phone with her. “Mom, Vince has been in a terrible accident today on his motorcycle and they helicoptered him to the hospital in town. I don’t know if he’s going to live.”

“Dear God. What happened?”

“I don’t know yet until I get there. I’m on my way to the hospital now. I thought you needed to know, just in case.”

“Yes, thanks for calling honey. Please keep me posted as soon as you find out. I will have my phone with me. I can’t leave, but if you need me, please let me know,” she said.

She had to be kidding. If Jeannie needed her? Her husband was in critical condition and she had two children at home confused and scared. Jeannie heard the excuses before and they were nothing new.

“Okay, Mom. I will let you know.” That was all her mother ever gave her.

~~~~~~

Finding the parking garage, she followed the arrows up to the top for a free space. Not locking her car, she rushed inside taking the stairs two at a time. As she raced to the front desk, she lost her shoe, and had to back track. She forgot her purse in the car, and decided to leave it in there, even if she didn’t lock the doors. By the time she made it to the information desk, she was drenched in sweat.

“May I help you?” asked the lady at the front desk. Jeannie noticed her name tag said Beatrice. She had bright unnatural red hair, black eyeshadow, and was eating cookies when Jeannie came up to her.

“I’m looking for Vince Franklin. A motorcycle accident and they brought him in by helicopter,” she said, with a shaky voice.

Beatrice