Page 2 of Falling With a Spin
The ringing didn’t stop, and neither did the pain.
I realized that what I thought was ringing was a scream of agony coming out of me. The pain was coming everywhere all around me. I peeled my head off the floor to see my leg bent in a way it should not.
No, this couldn’t be happening, I thought, feeling my heart shattered. I was just on stage doing the routine, and it was flawless. A sheering pain vibrated through me when I moved just a little bit.
I attempted to look for my mom, but everything was blurred by the tears that were welling up in my eyes. Suddenly, someone was next to me; blinking back the tears, I realized it was Caleb, and he was yelling for someone to call 911. All I wanted right now was my mom, for her to take away this pain, to tell me that this was just a nightmare.
“Emma, breathe. I need you to breathe. Someone call 911. God damn it!” I looked up at Caleb, and the pain in his face mirrored mine.
“I- I- I- ca- can’t i- i- it hu- hur- hurts,” I somehow managed to get the words out, squeezing my eyes shut.
“It’s going to be okay; help is coming.” He always knew what to say, but I didn’t believe him because nothing would be okay after this. I wouldn’t be okay. My dreams and hopes for the future lay scattered on the stage floor.
“Emma, baby, you are going to be okay,” My mom's soothing voice causes a sob to rake through me. She was right where I needed her, but her words were meaningless then. “The paramedics are here to take you to the hospital.”
“Emma, your mom and I will meet you at the hospital,” Caleb whispered.
The paramedics came and, as gently as they possibly could, placed me on a gurney. They strapped my right leg and put a barrier around my left one. I couldn’t bear to look at it again, to see how disoriented it looked.
“Ms. deKanter, we are going to give you some medication so that when you get to the hospital, we can get you right into surgery. Is there any medication you are allergic to?” the young paramedic asked.
With my throat raw from the screaming, I did my best to form a sentence but shook my head no instead.
“Okay, thank you,” The paramedic inserted the needle in my arm and dispensed the medicine. The next thing I knew, my eyes were fluttering shut as I was battling consciousness.
Beep beep beep
It’s a fucking Saturday; why is my alarm going off so God damn early? I tried to reach for the sound that was waking me up this early, but a jolt of pain shot through my body as I rolled over. I clenched my teeth, opening my eyes and taking in my surroundings.
I was in a hospital bed with needles in my arms. My left leg had pins sticking out and a black metal frame around it. What the hell? A white cotton blanket lays around me. I looked to my left and saw Caleb sitting in the chair, fast asleep and snoring. A giggle slipped past my lips, causing him to stir a wake.
“You’re awake,” he said with a hoarse voice. His eyes looked hollow, like he hadn’t slept for hours, and his hair was disheveled.
I looked down at the hospital gown that I was wearing, and with nothing under it, I felt exposed more than I had ever been before. I quickly pulled the blanket over me as Caleb came and sat at the edge of the bed.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, grabbing my hand and squeezing it.
“There is some pain, but it’s not too bad.” I gave a small smile. “What happened, anyway?” I question. “All I remember is doing my routine, and then there was a sudden pain in my leg,” I asked him.
“Oh, um, I think we should wait for your Mom to return,” he said, looking at the door.
“Caleb. Tell me what happened right now.”
Before he could answer, my mom walked in with balloons, flowers, and my favorite energy drink: Watermelon Red Bull.
“You’re awake!” My mom shouted, and I winced at the loudness of her voice. She threw everything she was carrying into Caleb’s arms to hug me.
“Hi, Mom,” I said, laughing while her grip tightened on me to the point where it hurt. “Okay, Mom, you can let go now. You’re starting to hurt me.”
“Oh, sorry, sweetheart. How are you feeling? Do I need to get the doctor? When did you wake up? Caleb, why didn’t you come and get me?” She flew questions at us from left to right.
“Mom, calm down; I just woke up. I don’t need the doctor just yet. I’m feeling fine, and he couldn't come to get you because right before you walked in, I was asking him what happened,” I told her, answering all her questions and looking at Caleb, waiting for his answer. He looked at me, then at my mom. They both stood there looking at each other as if they were having their little conversation mind to mind.
“Do you not remember what happened, honey?” I was worried by the sadness on my mom’s face.
“Only bits and pieces, but that's all.” I shrugged and took the drink from Caleb’s hand, cracking it open and sipping.
“Oh okay, well you see honey… you tore your ACL and Meniscus when you fell,” She quietly said.