Chapter 205 Book 5: Weston Is Critical

Chapter 205 Book 5: Weston Is Critical
It was easier to think of ending one’s life than actually doing so. Weston unconsciously rode towards Cody’s house. It was a childhood habit of his that whenever he was upset, he would land up there and spend a few days with him to feel energized again. However, in his dazed and heartbroken state, he was too absent-minded to notice a speed-breaker on the road and lost control of his speeding motorcycle. Before he could realize what was happening, in a split second, the motorcycle crashed into a wall nearby and he was flung off with force. The moment he hit the ground, the motorcycle fell on his legs with full force, crushing them. The excruciating pain in his legs made him lose consciousness instantly. All the people passing by gathered around, and someone called for an ambulance.
David Gray had just maneuvered his car out of his house when his neighbor’s son came riding up to him on his motorcycle. “Uncle David, Weston’s had an accident. Hurry,” he yelled in panic, riding away, urging him to follow. David Gray gripped the steering wheel, trying to calm his head, and followed the boy.
“Oh, my God,” gasped Weston’s mom, her eyes filling up with tears of panic. “Hurry, David. I knew he’d be up to something,” she wept. Panic gripped his heart, but he tried to keep calm. No, nothing could happen to his son. He needed to be brave.
With a grim expression, David Gray parked his car and thanked the boy, rushing towards the crowds gathered around Weston. There was an ambulance and a police patrol car parked nearby. The police were trying to make the crowds disperse. David Gray caught hold of his wife’s hand and walked up.
“Excuse me, officer. We’re the parents of the victim, please let us get through,” pleaded a haggard David Gray, pulling his weeping wife along. The officer escorted them through the crowd of onlookers towards the place where Weston was being carefully lifted onto a stretcher. Everyone gave them looks of sympathy.
“I’m David Gray. How serious is my son, doctor?” he asked the paramedic who performed the pre-medical check-up.
“His limbs are severely damaged, Mr. Gray. He needs immediate surgery, or he’d never be able to walk again,” said the paramedic. This was an acute emergency and there was no time to waste. They rushed an unconscious Weston to the ambulance, and the police dealt with Weston’s motorcycle. The ambulance drove away to the nearest hospital, followed by Weston’s parents in their car.
There was a tense silence in the car as Weston’s agitated parents followed the ambulance through the enormous gates of the super-specialty hospital. David Gray dropped his wife and went to park the car. Weston’s mom rushed inside alongside her unconscious son as they placed him on the wheeled stretcher. Weston’s dad joined her soon as they took him inside the Operation Theater. The hospital formalities were complete, and they sat nervously in front of the OT. Weston’s dad called Hudson and informed him of Weston’s accident.
“Was it an accident or did he try to take his life?” asked Hudson with fear.
“I don’t know, Hud. Just come home,” said his dad, breaking down over the phone.
“Dad, I’m coming. Please be strong for mom’s sake,” he told his dad.
“I can’t be strong. The paramedic said that his limbs have been severely damaged. I’m so scared, Hud. I want you to come and see your brother,” he pleaded.
“I’ll take the first flight home, dad. Hold on till then, please,” said Hudson, disconnecting the call. He and Anna Sophia packed their suitcases and locked their apartment, and boarded the next available flight to Las Vegas.
After disconnecting the call, Weston’s parents waited patiently for a doctor to emerge. After two long hours, a doctor emerged from the OT, and Weston’s dad rushed towards him. Weston had suffered from Comminuted Fractures where his limbs had been fractured into three or more parts. He needed internal and external fixation through surgery along with strong pain-relieving medication. The splints, plates, and screws placed internally would fix his broken bones.
Afterward, he was wheeled away to his room, still unconscious. His parents stayed in his room the whole time. It was another traumatic day for them. Hudson and Anna Sophia arrived by evening and came straight from the airport to see them. David Gray met them downstairs when Hudson called. He handed Hudson the car keys and escorted Anna Sophia towards Weston’s room. Hudson loaded their luggage into his dad’s car and walked towards Weston’s room afterward.
Later, Hudson went to talk to Weston’s doctor, Dr. Phil Clarke. As he was studying medicine, he could understand the treatment better than the others. Since Weston wouldn’t gain consciousness soon, Hudson sent his parents and Anna Sophia home. Later, Cody and Dave came over to the hospital after hearing about Weston’s accident. The three of them stayed over the entire night with Weston.
The next two days were critical for Weston. He drifted into a state of brief consciousness and unconsciousness. The pain was unbearable, and the sedatives made him drowsy. His family and friends took turns staying at the hospital with him. Finally, on the fourth day, he was released. Hudson arranged for a wheelchair for him and took him home. Weston didn’t say a single word since he gained consciousness. Everyone was concerned and wanted to know what caused the accident. Was it deliberate? But with his current frame of mind, they couldn’t ask him. The thought that her son might have tried to end his life crushed Henrietta Gray, and she waited for an opportunity to talk to him.
Weston closed his eyes and then opened them again to see Cody beside him in the car. “How are you feeling, bro?” he asked.
“Thankfully alive,” said Weston with a faint smile on his face. His mom found some hope in his words as she sat beside Hudson in his car. His dad was busy completing the hospital formalities and would return home later.
“How did it all happen?” asked Cody.
“I was coming over to your house. I didn’t notice the speed breaker and lost control,” he told him with a sigh. Hudson and his mom shared a look of relief. So it was an accident after all! Weston didn’t attempt to take his life.
“You could have called me over, bro. I would pick you up. Why did you have to ride when you weren’t in the right frame of mind?” scolded Cody.
“Yeah, I should have. It didn’t occur to me. Isabella left home and I just couldn’t get a grip over myself,” said Weston.
“Yes, I heard from Hud. Don’t worry, she’ll come back soon,” said Cody. Weston nodded, knowing that Isabella had left forever. She would never return to him.
“Stay with me for a few days,” asked Weston, his voice breaking a little.
“Sure, I was already planning to,” said Cody. They wheeled Weston towards the guest room downstairs, since he couldn’t use his room upstairs anymore. Cody too would stay with him for a few days and it was for the best. He was the only person apart from Isabella who could handle Weston. He took care of Weston too well. Hudson and Anna Sophia went back to New York and packed up the rest of their stuff. They discontinued their college there and moved back permanently to Las Vegas to support their family.
They enrolled themselves into good colleges in Las Vegas and stayed at home to give support to their parents and Weston. It had been a month since the accident and since Weston was improving, Cody went back home, although he came over every evening to check up on him. Their lives had turned upside down with doctor visits, and physiotherapists visiting them every now and then. Weston cooperated with everything. His temperament had undergone a massive transformation after the accident, as if it was a rebirth for him.
He had become more reserved, less reckless, and temperamental. He had become patient and mature, as if life had taught him more lessons than ever before. Every day, he read her diary, lying on the bed always as he wouldn’t be able to walk before 8 weeks. He expected nothing from his life now. He would be thankful if he could just walk. His legs didn’t look like they could support him even after 8 weeks. His family stood by him like a rock and he was glad to have Hudson and Anna Sophia back to provide support to him and his parents.
Weston engaged himself in getting a Master’s degree in computer engineering through an online course from a reputable university. It kept him occupied and gave him hope. His office, Sigma Technologies Inc. considered his condition and kept giving him projects to work on from home. All this kept him busy and improved his mood considerably. He had accepted the fact that his life would be barren without Isabella in it and wanted to keep himself busy with his work, dedicating himself to his career. His parents appreciated his efforts to keep himself occupied and positive. So life went on for the Gray family. Although they were heartbroken and couldn’t help worrying about Isabella every second of their lives, they accepted that there was nothing they could do about it.