Thanksgiving came and went and Dale didn’t hear from Michael or Buffy. He knew they were heading up on Saturday to get Macy. Saturday at 4am, Dale’s phone rang. He ignored it figuring it was the posse wanting him to come out and play. He had avoided them all weekend just wanting to be alone. The ringing stopped then started right back up, now his cell was ringing also, he finally gave in. "What?"
"Junior, it’s Teresa."
"Ter, it’s 4am what do you want?" He then realized it was 4 am and Teresa was calling him. Something must be wrong. "What’s wrong?"
"Dale there has been an accident. I thought you would want to know."
Dale felt it, something had been wrong most of the day. His voice shook, "Who? What happened?" Although in his heart he already felt it.
The tears in her voice were evident. "Michael and Buffy, went to get Macy. There was an accident. It’s pretty bad, June."
"Where are they?"
*****************
An hour later Dale walked into the emergency room, he saw Michael right away. His shoulders were slumped, his head in his hands. Dale said a small thank you that he was ok and quietly sat next to him. Michael knew he was there but didn’t say a word.
"Mikey, how is everyone?"
Michael took a deep breath. He was having trouble forming full sentences. "I don’t know. It was pretty bad. Drunk driver. Side swiped us. I didn’t see him. I didn’t see him." The tears started to fall and Dale laid an arm over his shoulder while taking his hand in his letting him cry.
The doctor came out a few minutes later "Mr. Waltrip?"
"Yes, how are they?"
"Your daughter is fine, we ran a bunch of tests, she took a pretty hard blow to her head and we wanted to make sure she didn’t have a concussion. Everything looks good though. You can take her home tonight."
"Thank God."
Dale noticed the grave look on the doctor’s face. "Mr. Waltrip, your wife was seriously injured. She took the brunt of the hit from the other car. There is a lot of internal bleeding and she took a severe hit to her head."
Michael looked at him. "So she needs surgery?"
"I am sorry we have done everything we can."
"What? What are you saying?"
Dale looked to the ground not believing what he was hearing.
"She doesn’t have that much time left, a few hours maybe."
Michael swallowed. "No. She can’t…" he looked at Junior. "Oh God, what have I done?"
"Mikey, you need to go see her, while you still can." Dale said through tears.
"Where’s Macy?" The doctor led him to where Macy was waiting. "Hey baby."
She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as he picked her up. "Daddy."
"It’s ok baby, I am here." He walked towards Buffy’s room.
She was conscience and he could see the tears running down her face. Michael knew right away the doctor had told her already when she reached for her daughter. "Hey, princess." Macy laid on her stomach and hugged her. Michael saw Buffy flinch from the pain and went to move her. "No," She met his stare. "The pain doesn’t matter anymore. I just want to hold her." Michael watched quietly knowing Macy wouldn’t understand what was happening, hell he wasn’t sure he did. "I love you so much, don’t ever forget that ok."
Macy looked at her like she was studying her face. "I love you too mamma."
Buffy looked at Michael through tear filled eyes, "I can’t do this."
Michael walked to the door. He found Teresa, Ty, DW, and Slugger had joined Dale in the waiting room. "Can one of you watch Macy for a while?"
DW walked into the room, kissed Buffy on the forehead. "We are all here for you love."
"I know, I love you guys."
He picked up Macy and carried her to the door. Macy waved over his shoulder as they walked out of the room.
Buffy waved back and put on her best fake smile. Michael sat on the bed and pulled her into his arms. "I am so sorry." The tears falling freely now.
"None of this is your fault." He knew she was referring to more than just the wreck. "You can’t stop your feelings. I don’t blame you or him. I love you so much Mikey. If he can help your pain, then don’t deny yourself of that."
"I love you, I always have. I always will."
"I know, I never doubted your love for me. Well, maybe for a second but I know you do. I know you better than you know yourself and I know what you are about to do, don’t. Don’t push him away. You are going to need him and everyone to get yourself and our daughter through this. Don’t worry about what everyone else has to say. Just be happy."
"How can I without you? You have always been there for us. I can’t go on without you."
"You have to for Macy, for our company, for DEI and Dale, and for Junior. You are strong and I will always be right here" she placed her hand over his heart. "with you forever." He held her until well after the last breath had left her body, crying, not knowing where to go from here.
Out in the waiting room family and friends sat and waited still not believing how one of Nascar‘s most famous couples had been torn apart but only one of them knew the truth of how that tear started long before this accident. An hour later the door to Buffy’s room opened. DW walked up to him and just hugged him. Then Teresa, "Take as much time as you need. I am so sorry Mikey." She wiped away the tears from her cheeks.
"Thanks."
After talking to Buffy’s parents and the hospital about arrangements he noticed them. Macy snuggled into Dale’s arms, fast asleep. He said goodbye to some people and then quietly sat next to Dale. After several silent minutes Dale spoke. "I wish sorry didn‘t sound as stupid as it does right now."
Michael studied him then his daughter. "I know and thanks. Dale, I need some time for myself, for us." He said taking a sleeping Macy from him as gently as he could.
She woke up in the exchange and looked around. She kissed Dale on the cheek and looked up at her dad. "Mommy’s with Uncle Dale now, isn’t she?"
The tears fell once again for both Dale and Michael and as Dale turned away Michael answered the sad little girl. "Yeah, princess, she is."
"He will take good care of her." And with that she snuggled deep into her daddy’s arms and fell asleep, the exhaustion of the day taking it‘s toll on her tiny body.
Dale finally gathered his thoughts and emotions and turned back to them. "You know I will do what ever I can. When you need anything, call me."
He looked at Dale and just nodded. Then he carried his daughter out to the car DW brought in for them and put her in the back seat. After buckling her in he walked to the drivers door. He met Dale’s stare one last time and got in and drove away. Dale stood there guilt filling every ounce of his being, knowing Michael felt it too. All the pain they had caused her would never be settled, never be relieved. And he knew that the pain Michael had felt these past few days, was only the beginning.