Monkey Business -21- Final by Melanie Brown

Monkey Business Part 21 - Final

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

Nick and I just stared at each other for several moments. Nick’s face reddened. He said, “Hey man, I’m sorry I really didn’t mean to kiss you.” I didn’t even know he could be embarrassed.

I folded my arms. “That was quite a surprise.” And actually, I kinda liked it but I’m not going to tell him that. I like our relationship exactly how it is.

“Well, it won’t happen again.” He wouldn’t look me in the eye.

“Will Miss Randi Gardner and Nick Wilson report to the tower please?” boomed over the PA system. It was Mr. Adams’ voice. Nick and I exchanged confused glances. The tower was where the officials kept tabs on the races.

The tower wasn’t very far from where the trophies are handed out, so Nick and I took a casual stroll over to it. However, I watched Mr. Adams hurry down the tower steps. He was out of breath when we met.

He took my hand. “Oh, Randi, I’m so sorry to tell you this.”

Confused and now worried, I asked, “What’s going on, Mr. Adams?”

Mr. Adams gulped a few breaths. “I was just contacted by the police as they didn’t know how to contact you. Randi, your father has been in a terrible accident. Some street racer broadsided his truck not far from here. Just down the highway.”

Oh my God! I felt the blood drain from my body. Dad? In an accident? He’s going to be so pissed.

Nick punched my arm and exclaimed, “Come on! Let’s go.” I nodded, starting to feel numb.

Mr. Adams said, “You two be careful. We don’t need you in an accident too.”

Doug, who’d we just beat in the race, was standing near us. He shouted, “You guys just go! I’ll take care of your bikes. Just go.”

Nick actually took hold of my hand and pulled me back to the pit. I tossed my helmet into the back seat as I jumped into the truck.

“Come on, you piece of shit!” growled Nick as the truck didn’t start right away. The truck finally roared into life and throwing a rooster tail of dirt behind us, Nick blasted down the dirt road to the highway.

I wiped away the muddy tracks tears were making down my cheeks. He’s not always as nice as he could be, but he’s still my dad. All kinds of worries poured through my mind.

We were going really fast. I said, “Don’t get a ticket.”

Nick kept looking straight ahead. “Let me worry about that.”

In less than a five minute drive we arrived at the scene of the accident. My heart caught in my throat when I saw Dad’s truck lying on its top. An ambulance was just arriving and there were several highway patrol cars.

I jumped out of Nick’s truck before he’d brought it to a stop and started running towards my Dad’s truck. I heard a cop shout, “Miss! Miss!” but I ignored him. Other than coolant running out of the engine compartment, the truck didn’t look all that damaged which made me feel hopeful. They just don’t build ‘em like this anymore.

They were already carrying my dad to the ambulance. Nearby was a teen standing by a police car. He was handcuffed. I so wanted to go beat the shit out him.

As they loaded Dad into the ambulance, I asked a paramedic, “Can I get a ride? That’s my Dad.”

He looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, “Get in.” As he joined me in the back of the ambulance, he smiled at me and asked, “Aren’t you that pink racer?” I nodded. I was still in my pink leathers. He added, “I’m a big fan.” I wanted to say that I didn’t give a shit at the moment, but I stayed quiet.

As the ambulance turned onto the highway, siren blaring, I realized I’d left Nick alone. Oh well, I’m sure he’d understand, circumstances and all.

I didn’t bother to hold back any tears as I watched the paramedic tending to the gash in my Dad’s forehead.

The paramedic said, “Preliminary diagnosis suggests he’s suffered a mild concussion. He also appears to have several broken ribs. He’s lucky he didn’t get a lung punctured.”

I asked, “Is he going to be okay?”

The paramedic shrugged. “I’m hesitant to speculate until he’s been looked at by the docs. His vitals seem good.”

Despite my tears, I smirked and said, “He’s an ornery old cuss. I’m sure he’s fine.” I wish I felt the words I’d just said.

The ambulance roared into the emergency entrance at the hospital. When it stopped, I jumped out to give the paramedics room to remove Dad on his gurney. He was quickly taken into the hospital. I wasn’t allowed to follow.

A woman stepped next to me and asked, “Are you the daughter?” I didn’t bother to correct her. I just nodded.

“Please follow me so we can get him registered. Does he have insurance?” The woman started to walk towards another door.

I frowned and said, “Money first.” I don’t think she heard me.

                    *

As she finished hugging me, Becky said, “Hey girl. If you need anything, let me know.”

I forced a smile and asked, “Can I win the next race?”

Becky laughed. “Okay, maybe not anything!” She gave me another hug. “Serious though. Let me know if I can help.”

“Sure.”

I watched her turn and walk from the waiting room, where I waited with Mom. To his credit, Nick had stayed in the waiting room after bringing Mom to the hospital. He thought her driving right now was a bad idea. When he had picked her up, Mom had packed a change of clothes so I could get out of those hot leathers. Hot as in temperature-wise, not sexy although they are kinda sexy.

With sadness in my heart, I realized that almost everyone who had paraded through the waiting room had come by to support me, not my dad. And they all thought I was a girl. One of his co-workers had come by to joke about how much he was needed to return to work. Has Dad not made any friends in his life?

I put my arm around Mom. At first, we thought we’d have a short wait. And then it was announced to us that he’d had complications during surgery. We haven’t heard anything since.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry! I got here as soon as I could. We were out of town,” said Colin as he bent down to hug Mom and then hug me. He clutched my hand. “Any news?”

I shook my head. “You didn’t have to come, Colin. We’re just sitting here waiting.”

Colin sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. “Are you kidding? I can’t leave my girl at a time like this!” I no longer had the strength to argue that I’m not his girl.

I just smiled weakly at him. “Thanks.”

Mom looked over at Colin and said, “You’re a good boy, Colin. Randi is lucky to have you.” I’m in the Twilight Zone.

A doctor came into the waiting room and walked up to Mom. Mom grabbed my hand and clutched it tightly.

“Mrs. Gardner? Your husband just came out of surgery. He’s doing great. He asked when he could return to work. You may visit, but just for five minutes. He needs to rest. Just you and your daughter, Mrs. Gardner.”

Mom turned and grabbed me in a hug, her tears mixing with mine. Somehow, Colin managed to kiss me. Nick gave me a thumbs-up.

Looking old and small, Mom stood up. “Thank you so much, doctor.”

A nurse led us to his room. I started crying as soon as I walked in. There on the hospital bed, instead of that feisty, blustery pillar of strength, was a smaller, weaker-looking old man. There were already a few flowers in the room. The largest bouquet was from Mr. Adams.

When Dad looked up when we entered, he asked, “How’s my truck?”

I chuckled despite my tears and said, “It’s going to need a little paint, Dad.”

He shook his head. “Damn. I bet that’s gonna cost a fortune.”

Mom stepped to his side and took his hand. She couldn’t really hug him but she did manage to kiss him. “I’m so glad to see you.”

I stepped next to Dad on the other side, sniffling. I wiggled one of the many lines hooked to him. “Sorry I can’t hug you.”

He smiled weakly. In a raspy voice he said, “I haven’t been very fair to you, have I? When you were born, I so wanted a son.” He chuckled and then winced in pain. “I didn’t allow myself to see who you really are.” He coughed a couple of times. It looked like it hurt.

He scowled and said, “But now from my death bed…”

I shook my head and chuckled at him. “You’re not dying, Dad. You’ll be home in a few weeks if not sooner.”

He frowned at me. “Hush a minute. I’m trying to be dramatic. What was I saying… before I was so rudely interrupted? What I was saying was that I’m happy to have a … a… a daughter.”

“Oh Daddy!” I squealed. I reached to hug him.

His eyes got big as he shouted, “No hugs!”

I stepped back quickly. “Thanks, Dad. This makes me very happy.”

Dad coughed a few times. It looked painful. He looked over at me and said, “Remember. This won’t happen overnight. You don’t just turn into a girl. But I’m no longer going to stand in your way. Just keep that idiot Colin out of the house.” He coughed a few more times.

A nurse stepped into the room. “I need you to leave so the patient can get some rest.”

Mom patted Dad’s foot. “We’ll just be outside this door, hon.”

I said, “Now don’t go anywhere.” That got a frown from Dad.

                    *

Dad finally came home. He was fit to be tired when the insurance company totaled his truck. The punk who hit him had no insurance and not even a driver’s license. He was cute, though.

Mom got me in with a counselor to guide me through a transition. Apparently, I can’t just declare it. But I registered as a girl to return to school. The only comments I got were from a few girls who thought I was leaving my tomboy stage.

Nick retired from racing. The last few races, he developed the hots for the trophy girl. They’ll get married in December. He still takes my bike and I to the track where Becky continues to kick my ass. Becky and her boyfriend are planning a June wedding after we’re all out of school.

Colin comes over to the house almost every day, much to Dad’s chagrin. The day before the first day of school, he proposed. I laughed and told him we need to get through school first, so he’s talking to Becky about a double wedding. Dad asked where his shotgun was when I told him Colin had proposed. I haven’t said yes to him yet. I want to have surgery first. Dad cried when I told him I wanted surgery.

My pink leathers will proudly go on display on a mannequin in the track store as I become a full-time model.  Mr. Adams is now my modeling manager after a big modeling agency signed a contract with me.

This past year has been one wild ride!

.

The End