Class Novel: Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Author’s Note: I think there is a lot left that can be done and I want to close the filming so that Nat can cope with all that is happening around her. I think her priorities will have to change and I don’t think she’d still have the motivation to do the film right now anyway. I also wanted to introduce Jack into the story. He’s been talked about too much to be a prop and not an actual character, so I decided to possibly give him a chance to enter the story if the next writer chooses to do so. Enjoy with popcorn.

Two days had passed and Nat was still in the hospital. She didn’t have the strength physically or emotionally to get out of bed just yet. Susan and Bill had both came by to see her a few times, but Nat was either sleep when they came by, or she would tell her mother to tell them she didn’t want visitors; at least not now. Nat felt guilty and embarrassed. She knew that she had her crew and Eugene to support her, but she couldn’t gather the courage to talk about losing the baby at the moment. Her mother stayed by her side the entire time though.

“Natalie? Susan came by an hour ago when you were asleep.”

Nat hadn’t really said much these past few days, even to her mom.

“Her and the crew are deeply sorry and brought you some cards and flowers. She said that she and a couple of them are going to shoot some scenes today with your digital camera by the volcano. She just wanted to let you know so that you wouldn’t be offended, with you not being there and all.”

“I won’t be,” Nat said.

Nat’s mom looked shocked that she had actually said something.

            “Honey, again, I can’t express to you how deeply saddened I am by this also.”

            “I know, Mom. I know,” Nat said.

“Your father is on his way back from Denver, and he’s going to pack some more bags for us and we’re going to stay a couple days here with you if you don’t mind? We know that you don’t want to come home, and but we also know that you don’t need to be alone right now.”

“Mom… thanks. This means a lot to me,” Nat said.

Nat’s mom’s eyes began to tear up.

“Anything for you, Nat. I know we don’t always see eye to eye on the choices you make with your life, but I will always love you, no matter what route you choose to take.”

This was one of the few moments in which Nat and her mom actually bonded and got close with one another. Nat never needed her Mom or Dad’s money, or connections, or opinions. But she did depend on them emotionally, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

“Nat, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Before I came up here, I did talk to Jack. And… I know you may not have wanted me to, but it would have been unfair to not let him know.”

“Mom! Oh shit… what am I supposed to tell him now?”

“Well Nat, he called me this morning and I told him what happened. He was at an airport in Portland. He’s already on his way up here.”

“Damn it,” Nat said.

Nat’s phone was vibrating beside her, but she ignored it.

“Well, honey. I think this is will be for the best. I think you’ll either find an opportunity with Jack, or maybe some closure. Either way, I don’t think it will be hurt to meet up with him.

Nat’s phone continued to vibrate.

“You know, Mom, I think you’re right. I won’t hurt. I mean I really don’t have a choice now, anyway.”

Nat and her mom heard the ambulance siren wailing off in the distance as it approached. Nat’s phone continued to vibrate, but she still didn’t pay it any attention. A group of nurses ran down the hallways with gurneys and medical equipment.

“I wonder what the hell is going on,” Nat’s mom said.

Nat got out of her bed and she and her mother walked up to her door to peak outside the room and see what was going on. They peered out to see 3 different sets of nurses rushing down the hall to bring people to the emergency care units. The first two gurneys zoomed by and had a crew member on it who had been burned on his left leg and another crew member who had hardened lava on her arm. The last gurney is what caught Nat’s attention. She was startled to see Susan running alongside the gurney along with two other nurses. Nat’s stomach dropped when she saw Bill lying on stretched out, unconscious, with burns over his face and all across his arms and chest. One of his arms was so severely burned that only the bone was still showing.

“Oh my God, Susan what happened!” Nat said.

“Nat... the volcano… it erupted while we were filming and it got most of the crew. I tried to call you but you didn’t pick up,” Susan said.

“How’s Cody? Was he there?” Nat asked.

“Nat… I’m so sorry. But he was too close to the edge and when the volcano began to erupt the ground shook and he fell in.”

“Oh, shit..”

Nat’s stomach sunk to the bottom of the floor. She fell to her knees, mouth wide open. She was too shocked to say anything, too shocked to even cry. It was as if everything that could possibly go wrong was happening to her.