Chapter 37: Accidental Goddess

That Sunday night, there was a terrific Nor’easter. By Monday morning, everything was crusted in ice. It was very Courier & Ives, but also potentially dangerous. As Hath made her way to the train station early that morning, an ice-crusted tree branch broke free from its trunk and fell onto her windshield and hood. Swerving instinctually, she plowed into a snow bank and came to an abrupt stop against a sign post. The airbag deployed, smashing into her face, and driving her head back hard against the headrest. There was a ringing in her ears, and her heart rate was in the stratosphere. In a panic, and with shaking hands, she beat at the airbag, and tried to get at her seatbelt so she could get out of the car.

A tap at the window made her jump. “Are you OK in there?” a concerned voice called. Hath couldn’t tell whether it was a man or woman; the echo from the airbag was still ringing through her head. Hath called out that she was, and asked the driver to call the police because she couldn’t find her blackberry. That done, the person called out again, “Can you get out?”

“I don’t know,” Hath answered. “I can’t seem to get the seatbelt undone.”

“Unlock your doors,” the person said. Hath complied, and the door opened to reveal a young kid, no more than twenty-five, clearly out enjoying the winter day, decked in a parka and ski pants. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Callum.”

“Callum, I’m Hath, and I’ll be your best friend if you can get me the hell out of this car.”

Callum looked at the seatbelt. “I’m gonna have to lean in to try to undo it. I’m not trying anything, okay?”

Hath laughed long and hard. “God, Callum, thank you. I so needed a laugh. Go ahead. I promise not to slug you.”

Callum leaned in and tried to work the mechanism, but it was jammed. “I can’t get it unfastened either,” he said, straightening. “I’ll bet the police have a knife or something they can cut it with.” He sat down in the snow outside the open door. “Are you warm enough?” he asked, noticing that Hath seemed to be shivering.

“I think so,” she said, as the events of the past several minutes finally caught up to her, and she burst into tears. Callum was to his feet in an instant, and awkwardly pat her shoulder. “It’s OK,” he said. “You’re OK; that’s the important thing. You can always get the car fixed.”

Hath sniffled. “I guess so. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it – hey you hear that?” A siren could be heard in the distance. “Sounds like the cavalry is on the way.”

“The cavalry is already here,” Hath said, patting Callum’s arm. “Thank you for stopping.”

“Are you kidding? My wife would have killed me if I told her I saw the accident but didn’t try to help,” he said, wincing. “She isn’t someone I want to make mad at me,” he finished, smiling.

The sirens grew louder, and soon, a police car, fire truck, ambulance, and flatbed pulled up. Hath rolled her eyes. “Jesus, what a mess,” she said. The EMTs checked her over while the police took her and Callum’s statements for the insurance company. The Tahoe was loaded onto a flatbed, and taken away, and the police officer was nice enough to take her back home. Once there, Hath called her car service, and went to work. She didn’t know what else to do. She certainly didn’t want to sit home and dwell on the accident.

When she got to work, a little later than she expected, the phone on her desk was ringing.

“Good Morning, this is Hath,” she answered, breathlessly.

“Hey baby,” David answered. He was lounging in bed, wanting to talk to his woman before going to sleep.

“Hey yourself,” Hath said. “What the heck time is it? Why aren’t you in bed?” David and the guys were in Japan, and they were about 14 hours ahead, putting it at close to one in the morning.

“I am in bed, baby,” he said seductively, “and I felt this overwhelming urge to call you, so I gave in. What’s going on?” Hath’s eyes got teary, and she didn’t answer right away. “Babe?” He asked, concern growing.

“I’m OK; just had a bit of a fight with a tree this morning.” Her voice was shaky, and she muted the phone to clear her throat and take a deep breath.

“WHAT!!” David jumped to his feet. He stalked over to the computer and punched the power button. “Are you OK? Get on the camera; I have to see you.”

“David, honey, I’m fine,” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I was more scared than hurt.”

“Please, I won’t be able to concentrate until I see for myself that you’re OK.”

Hath sighed. “OK, let me get to a conference room. Gimme five minutes.”

“Hurry,” David said. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she said, and hung up. Less than three minutes later, she was on video conference with David. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, with the sheets wrapped around his waist. Clearly, he didn’t have anything on.

“Jesus, David!” Hath exclaimed, and hurried to turn the monitor. “I’m at work. For cripe’s sake, warn me you’re naked before I put you on screen!”

David didn’t answer; he was scanning Hath’s face. “You look OK, are you sure you’re alright?”

“Positive.”

“OK. You can un-camera me now, unless…” he started to stand and the covers dropped alarmingly.

Hath squeaked. “David!” she hissed. “Cut that out!” She looked wildly around. “I’ve gotta go. I have a meeting or something I have to get to.”

David laughed. “Yeah, sure you do. I’ll call you later, OK?”

“Sure thing, baby. I love you,” Hath said.

“I love you more,” David answered, and after blowing a kiss, was gone.