Accidentally Family
Hayley did not ask for any of this. She did not ask to witness a man in a trench coat being struck by lightning, perform CPR on him, drag him onto the car and drive him to the nearest hospital 50km away. She most certainly did not asked to be responsible for him when he wakes up 3 hours later without a single memory of his past.
“I’m telling you, for the last time, I don’t know if he had left anything at the scene because I was busy, oh I don’t know, saving his life!” Hayley gritted out.
“Yes, I understand, mam,” The nurse-in-charge replied patiently, “It’s just that there’s no wallet nor phone on him for identification, so we are unable to contact his family to bring him home. This hospital is too small to house patients for too long, so if you would be so kind to..”
“NO!” Hayley shouted. Upon realising that she has everyone’s attention in the hospital’s waiting lounge, she resumed, embarrassed, in a normal volume, “I.. I can’t.”
“I see.. then we will have to contact the Homeless Association for help, then.” The nurse complied. “Would you like to see him before you leave?”
She doesn’t have to.
She nodded.
***
“Hi.” Hayley greeted awkwardly.
“Hello. The nurses told me you saved me. Thank you very much, you are a very kind person.” The patient said earnestly.
He is sitting up on the bed halfway, dark hair mussed and blue eyes curiously observing her. He’s most likely in his mid forties, with his beard growing out and permanent five-o-clock shadow.
“Just doing my civic duty.” She murmured, uncomfortable with compliments.
“I would repay you, but I’m afraid I don’t know how.” He continued meekly.
“It’s alright. Just.. wait for your family to come get you.”
He nodded, looking down at his hands, decorated with medical tubes, then out of the window.
He looked lost, lonely and sad.
Hayley takes a deep breath.
***
“Hey, Hayley.”
“Hey, kiddo.” She ruffled Sam’s hair as she passed by him doing his homework to put her bags down.
He eyed the man in a trench coat tailing behind her cautiously.
“Yeah, about that.. Sam, this is the guy I was telling you about on the phone.”
Sam nodded, and held his hand out to the stranger.
“Hi, I’m Sam. What’s your name?”
“Hello, Sam,” He took his hand apprehensively and added, “I’m sorry.. I can’t remember my name.”
“It’s okay. Can I call you Nat?” Sam asked with wide green eyes.
“Sam -” Hayley chided. “Nat is fine.” The newcomer agreed with a small smile.
“Cool!” Sam beamed at him.
***
“You can’t do this, I’ve signed a contract.” Hayley whispered harshly into the phone.
“Come on, you know I need this job! What was I supposed to do, leave him to die!”
In the next room, Nat is teaching Sam maths because apparently you can forget your name but still remember maths.
“Please, sir, give me one last chance, I promise-” *click*
She closed her eyes and gulped.
***
Sam waved solemnly from the back of the car with Social Service on it as it drove away.
“I’ll get you back soon, be good, Sammy!” She hollered as she waved, a weak smile plastered on her face.
The moment he was gone from sight, Hayley closed her eyes and wipe a trembling hand down her face.
Her past memories flashed in front of her – Dad picks up a call while she was propped on his hip, the rush to the hospital, Dad leaving flowers for a stone called Mum, empty bottles scattered around a sleeping Dad, angry and drunk Dad, pain, scars, protect Sam, pain, hide Sam, pain, Sam with scars, escape –
“Are you okay?” A gentle touch to her shoulder dragged her to the present with a gasp.
“You.” Hayley spat as she jabbed a finger at him, eyes hard and red, “This is all your fault!”
Nat looked like a puppy that got kicked.
“If you hadn’t been struck, I hadn’t have to skip my job to save your life, get fired by my stupid boss and let Child Services take away my brother!”
Nat flinched.
“It’s not fair! I’m already 24! There’s only one year left before I can adopt him legally!” She yelled desperately.
“What am I going to do? I can’t-” Her voice broke. “I can’t protect him anymore.” She whispered hopelessly, sitting down onto the steps.
Nat was conflicted. He wanted to lend a comforting hand on her shoulder but he’s not sure if it was welcomed.
He settled for a soft, “It’s a bad day, not a bad life.” quote instead.
“I beg to differ.” Hayley snorted.
“If you get a new job, can you get Samuel back?”
“Yes, but who else will hire a black high school graduate whose only experience is in bartending?”
Nat frowned as he contemplated her situation. He brightened as his gaze fell upon her car.
“You can drive. Fast. The nurse told me you got me to the hospital in 5 minutes flat – any longer and I’ve been dead.”
“The traffic was working in my favour..” She argued weakly.
“And you know first aid, right?”
She nodded. He did not ask how.
“Then you can be an ambulance driver!” He concluded simply.
She sees the hope in his eyes despite the dire situation.
“I’m sorry.” For blaming you for my uselessness, she doesn’t say.
“If you give a call to the hospital, you are forgiven.” Nat beamed.
***
“We have several applicants for this job, but since you did the hospital a favor and we have witness your skills first-hand, you can start next Monday.” The nurse-in-charge informed her.
“Thank you. Truly.”
***
Although Hayley had erratic work hours, Nat was there to look after Sam. Her salary was also significantly higher than ever, she noted, pleased, as she thanked the person behind the counter.
“Oh hey, Mr. Wilson! Haven’t seen you in awhile!” the bank clerk chirped upon seeing Nat.
“You.. you know me?”
“Uh, yes? You only left this job three months ago, you know?” She replied, a little unsure.
“Sorry, what’s my name again?”
“Erm, Simon J. Wilson? Mr. Wilson, are you alright.. ?”
Nat looked like he had an epiphany.
“Yes, I think I will be.” He mumbled vaguely with pale lips.
***
“So, Simon J. Wilson huh?” Hayley ventured in faux casualness as she steered the car.
“James. Simon James Wilson. I was a bank accountant who got retrenched in the bad economy. Have been finding a job ever since, but I got mugged on the road the day you found me.”
“No wallet, no phone.” Hayley nodded in understanding.
“My landlord probably threw out my stuff, I already was behind rent payment anyway. My husband.. he passed a few years ago.” He gave a self-depreciating chuckle. “So that’s me, Simon J. Wilson, with no family and home to my name.”
“Well then,” Hayley decides with a warm smile as she parked outside her house, “Welcome home.”
(1,186 words)
