Zachariah’s Post-Wedding Shock

 

After checking in with the nurse at the front of the emergency room, Zachariah collapsed into a blue hospital chair in a deserted hallway, staring out the window. He was still nicely dressed in a suit, but with his white shirt untucked and boots layered in dirt and mud. There was blood on Zachariah’s clothes, but he was not injured so he could not complain.

“Zachariah!”

Someone was shouting his name. It was his cousin, Lee, running toward him. Zachariah got up out of the chair. 

“Lee!”

He wasn’t expecting to see Lee here.

“Everything okay?” Zachariah asked, looking over Lee’s shoulder. “Did someone else get hurt last night?” 

“No, well, I mean yes. But unrelated to, well, the . . .” It was hard to say. “My wife’s mom, I don’t think you’ve met her, my wife that is, her mom was in a car accident, just outside here last night.” 

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear.” 

“Are you okay?” asked Lee. “I, well, I wanted to stick around but . . . what the fuck happened?”

Zachariah brushed his long blond hair back. There were saddlebags under his eyes, creases across his face as if etched in stone—withered, worn down, and yet smooth. 

“I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry,” Lee said. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. How awful this all must be.”

Zachariah looked away from him.

“Yes.”

“What are you doing here?”

I just thought I’d come check on Kurt and the other woman who got hurt. She was one of Jordan’s cousins. He’s in her room now.”

“Oh, god, I’m so sorry.”

Zachariah wanted to end the conversation, but he snapped out of it, as if now awake. He looked directly into Lee’s eyes and yet, past them. 

“Yeah man, I can’t even wrap my head around it. It all feels so surreal. Like a dream. I can’t even believe I’m here talking to you right now. It’s like my mind and body are in different places. My mind looking down on my body. I feel like I’m on drugs. But I’m not. I mean, yes, no, I know I didn’t do any drugs. I drank a bit obviously, but still. I don’t know. God.”

“Have you talked to the cops? Do they have any info?”

“No, I mean, not really. No one really knows anything. Not yet. You always hear about these things happening, are somewhat mentally prepared for them, living in America, but you never really think it’ll affect you.”

“Do they know why he was there, I mean, was this like, a hate crime?”

Zachariah eyes fell, and he turned his face. 

“I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry,” Lee said. “I can’t imagine. I don’t mean to ask so many questions. I’m sorry, though, I should probably get going.”

“Yes, of course.”

They two stood there and looked at each other awkwardly.

“Thanks for coming Lee, it’s been a while. I was hoping you’d come to the wedding because I wanted to catch up, but well . . .”

Zachariah really did want to hang out with Lee. This wedding of his really had thrown a curveball at everyone, but not for the reasons he had intended.

“Yeah, me too. Oh well, I guess.”

“Yes, oh well.” Zachariah moved to sit back down. “But please tell, who was it that got hurt?”

“Her name’s Rebecca, my wife’s mom.”

“Oh, yes, well, give them both my prayers.”

“Oh, yes, well . . . thanks.”

Lee and he hugged, and then Zachariah continued walking down the hospital hallway.