Chapter 8 ~ Out of Darkness ~
It had been three days since the attack and there still was no change. There hadn’t been any movement from Junior. His eyes never fluttered, his hands never twitched… he never shifted. It was like he had no life in him.
Steve finally had a chance to sleep in a bed. Nascar made sure that Juniors room was guarded at all times so therefore he had to step down as his bodyguard. His mother however, never moved. She slept, ate and sat in that hospital. All of the drivers were instructed to go back home to North Carolina by order of Mike Helton. They couldn’t stay around forever waiting for change. They had to go on with their lives.
Steve was the only one allowed to stay… but only for one reason. The Pennzoil driver had been in and out of the police station telling everyone just what Junior had told him about the letters. They wasn’t sure that it was the same person who had attacked him but it sure as hell was a good start.
After a long day of being interrogated for the 100th time Steve finally made it back to the hospital. As he exited the elevator he jumped 10 feet high when a hand landed on his shoulder.
“Whoa Steve calm down! Its just me!”
Steve swung around to see Junior’s sister Kelley standing behind him. Her red puffy eyes and messy hair made his moment of happiness to see her turn to sadness.
“Hey Kelley.” They both embraced in a hug. It had been so long since he had seen her and he was pissed off at the world that something like this would finally bring the family back together.
“How are you Steve? It’s been a while huh?”
“I’m fine Hun… it had been a long time hasn’t it? How’s the family doing? How’s your husband?”
“They are fine. I left them home. There’s no need to move them up here right now during this. Kerry’s here though”
Steve’s eyebrows fused together as he looked at her sideways. He didn’t understand why the whole family wouldn’t come to the hospital.
“Why… sorry for me asking Kelley but… why wouldn’t everyone come here?”
“Because… There’s no need.”
Steve didn’t mean to get upset by this but he did.
“Kelley why in the hell wouldn’t everyone wanna come here? Junior is seriously hurt… His family should be here and… and… Kelley he could…”
He couldn’t’ finish the sentence but didn’t have to.
“…Die? Seriously Steve. You’ve known my family for years now. You’re close to Junior. You know him! He’s gonna be fine! He’s the toughest person I know! Besides my father of course. I have no doubt that he’s gonna wake up soon and after that… We’ll be praying again for him to be back sleeping!”
Steve couldn’t’ help but chuckle as he put his arm around Junior’s sister as they started walking toward the hospital room.
“I’m glad you’re here Kel… You’ve just brightened up my day being you!”
“Well I’m glad! Hey… I’m gonna head downstairs for some coffee with Kerry… “
“Alrighty! I was just heading in to see the kid.”
“Alright Steve I’ll be up in a bit.”
~~~~~~~~~~
No one was in the room… except the seemingly lifeless form in front of him. Brenda, Junior’s mother was told to leave and get some sleep. She needed it badly. She put up quite a fight but with the help of Kenny Schrader and Ricky Rudd before they left, she was talked into it and ushered to the nearest hotel.
Steve pulled the chair once occupied by Brenda up to the hospital bed. He stared down at his young friend with sad eyes. With the machines beeping rhythmically in the background, his mind began to wander. It landed on one of the best days he could remember in the young man’s life.
It took place his rookie season… a race day. Like there was any doubt!
A winning day… or night really. The Winston… The day Junior showed his father that he meant business. That he could amount to something… That he was dedicated.
Steve remembered the smile on Junior’s face. The proud gleam in Dale Sr’s eye. As they stood in front of everyone.
Just remembering this moment was starting to make Steve’s eyes water. He was starting to think there would be no more days like that. Although there really couldn’t be anymore now that Dale was gone.
The Pennzoil driver reached over and grabbed a tissue from the box on the table, wiping away his eyes that were swelling. He got it before any fell.
“You have to get better kid... This is killing us…” Steve croaked while reaching for an other tissue.
He couldn’t help but cry. Tears now started to run down his face for the first time since it happened.
“Why didn’t you tell someone sooner!” he yelled through tears. His breath was starting to become ragged from crying and now his shirt was soaked from the salty liquid that fell out of his eyes.
“If you had just SAID something! I… I mean… Something could have been done!”
Steve reached for an other tissue and pulled out the last one.
“Figures…” he muttered and threw the empty box across the room.
Steve sat down again and leaned on the bed while placing his hand on top of Junior’s limp one. He was shocked for a moment to see that it wasn’t cold. He was so pale… all along Steve thought he’d be cold.
“Listen to me… The doctors said you might have some brain damage… I don’t buy it though… He said something about the loss of blood and being down or something… but he doesn’t know WHO he’s talking about! There is also a chance that this coma your in is caused by your concussion… well that’s what I want you to tell people! Ok? Your NOT brain dead! You hear me?
More tears started to roll down his cheeks and started to form a small pool on the sheet below him. He stared at Juniors ghost like face. There was nothing… Not even an eye flicker.
“Damn it” he screamed in frustration. He didn’t care who heard him… He had to get it out.
Finally he stood up slowly to leave. He squeezed Junior’s hand as his own silent good bye until……………
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve stood like stone. His hand being firmly grasped by the once limp pale hand of his teammate caused his whole body to freeze in place.
“Um… Junior?” He whispered… afraid to scare away the hold on his hand.
Steve sat down and stared at the young Earnhardt.
And Suddenly…
He wanted to cry again… But THIS time with happy tears.
Sitting in front of him was a fighter… trying his hardest to get his eyelids to listen to him
“Come on buddy!” Steve encouraged, still holding his hand. “You can do it!”
With a deep breath, Junior won the battle. His eyelids fluttered as his face strained to keep up the fight.
Then… slowly… while still blinking the sleep out… crystal blue eyes met Steve’s.
“Hey man!” Steve said while wiping his eyes.
Junior attempted to say something but became aware of something in his mouth. Steve saw a flash of panic in his eyes at the realization that he couldn’t talk.
“Whoa Dale… its ok… its just a tube. It’s helping you breathe. Look I’m gonna get your doctor ok? Are you gonna be ok?”
Junior nodded his head slowly as he glanced around the hospital room.
“OK. I’ll be right back! Don’t go back to sleep now!” Steve giggled and ran out.
~~~~~~~~
All he felt was pain. His whole body was on fire. He couldn’t talk or move… He was scared.
A sudden flush of memories hit him. His father… did he really see his father? He couldn’t have really seen him right?
Junior shut his eyes again to try and clear his throbbing head. The darkness was safer and he wanted to go back there. But he couldn’t… not after seeing the happiness on Steve’s face.
~~~~~~~~~
It didn’t take Steve long to come back with a doctor. But he didn’t just bring one person.
“Oh Junior! I told everyone you’d be ok!” his sister Kelley yelled as she ran over to his bed taking his hand.
Kerry stood away watching from the corner of the room. He made no attempt to come over to him. And when Junior’s eyes landed on him… Kerry looked away.
Junior didn’t have time to dwell on this. He was suddenly being blinded by a while light in his eyes.
“Hmm… good response.” The doctor said out loud as Junior slammed his eyes shut from the light. “I bet cha this tube is bothering you. I’m gonna take it out but first I want you to promise me that you’ll let me know if your having trouble breathing and I don’t want you to try and talk till I tell you to! Ok?”
Junior nodded.
“Ok… now... take a deep breath and when I say so breath out while I pull the tube.”
Junior allowed as much air in him as he could without more pain and then the worst gagging reflex took over him as he felt the tube come up his throat. It hit the sides of his throat and mouth and he started coughing. He came to the conclusion that coughing wasn’t a good idea at the moment as his chest burned.
“Ok that’s ok... get it out… that’s normal. Now try to take normal breaths.”
Finally Junior’s wheezing got under control.
“Shit…” he muttered as the extra pain slowly returned to the normal amount.
“Hey! What did I say about talking!” the doctor said with a smirk.
“HA… Leave it to Junior to have his first word be a curse.” Steve said with an amused look on his face as he stood to the side with his arms crossed.
After the giggling died down, Junior looked around the room… only to find a person missing.
