Chapter 2: Who?

"Sweetheart, go back and check on him? I can see you are worried.  I'm fine, in fact I'd like sometime on my own" her mother says sick of watching her daughter sit only to get up seconds later and start pacing again.

"Are you sure?" Stacey asks, at her mother’s nod though she kisses her mother on the head before she running up the stairs to her childhood room.

She's back down in no time with a jacket and her bag "I'll be back later or early tomorrow.  I’ve got my phone, call if you need me" she promises her mother as she kisses her cheek before heading out the door.

Her mother breaths a sigh of relief, as she hopes Grant will be able to help her greave in a good way.  Because at the moment she is like a zombie.

Stacey’s trip back is a lot easier than the one going as she catches the train with no difficulties.  She knocks on Grants apartment door, when he doesn't answer she keys in the code and enters.  She finds him in his bedroom with his headphones on listening to something.

He smiles and jumps up when he hears her.  Which shocks her enough to shake her out of herself a little.  "You aren't sick?" she questions

"I was a little down because I missed you so miuch" he answers smiling.

Her eyes go wide and then narrows at him "how is your dad?" he asks smiling, not being able to see the storm brewing in her eyes.

"How is my dad? You've made Craig call me to say you are not doing well! Then smile and ask how is my DAD!" she cries

"Hey, calm down" he says moving his hand until it connects with her shoulder, then holding both shoulders in his hands.

"Calm down, calm down! What do you want?" she asks abruptly 

"I just wanted to see you, I missed you and didn't know how to say it over the phone.  So asked Craig to call you.  I didn't know if you'd come or not.  I'm glad you're here though" he says pulling her into his chest.

She rips herself from his hug and glares at him "you missed me, so had someone call me and lie to me.  My father is dead! Because you wouldn't let me leave when I wanted too.  I missed my train and had to take the coach.  I was late, he'd already gone.  HE'S GONE! BUT YOU MISSED ME!  SO, TO HELL WITH ANYONE ELSE! BECAUSE OF YOU I NEVER GOT TO SAY GOODBYE TO HIM!" she screams as the dam of emotions finally break.

"I didn't know, I just thought" he says, but Stacey stops him "I sent you a message!  You just thought of yourself! I thought you loved me, as I loved you? Now I find out that you only care for me when I'm being the docile girlfriend that does everything you want" she sobs

"What? That's a bit much" he argues "much? A bit much is missing your fathers last breath, because your boyfriend is sulking about being left on his own" she spits angrily unable to stop now she has let go of the grip she had on her emotions.

"I can't do this right now; I need to get back to my mother" she continues, turning around and walking quickly from his bedroom.

"Stacey, wait please" Grant cries but she is far too angry to listen.  She yanks open the door and then walks swiftly towards the elevator.

Grant tires to go after her, but in his hesitate he hits his hip on the dresser.  Then when he steps to the side, he slips on a piece of paper that has fallen too the floor.  He falls hard hitting his head on the corner of the bedframe and passes out.

Stacey can hardly see as the tears won’t stop falling.  She runs out of Grant's building and blindly runs forward wanting to get away and go back home immediately.  She wants, no needs her mum right now.

But she doesn't realise just how close to the road she is.  She steps out onto the road just as a car passes by.  It knocks her flying and she hits her head twice once on the car and another on the ground as she lands and the world goes black.

She is rushed to the nearest hospital.  They find her mothers phone number and call her, telling her that her daughter has been in a car accident.  That they need to operate to stop the bleeding in her head.  She gives them permission before promising to be there as soon as she can. 

Stacey's mother briefly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.  Before going to pack a few things, and telling her sister, who agrees to travel with her, and go to the train station.

Once she gets to the hospital 4 hours later, she is told that Stacey is in a coma and that they've managed to stop the bleeding, treated her other injuries and they'll just have to wait now to see if and when she wakes up.

Her mother looks at her daughter laying in the bed looking so small and pale, with a white net over her head which covers the bandages around it.

"How did this happen baby girl" her mother sniffs trying to fight back her tears.  Her sister hugs her and tells her to be strong as Stacey really needs her right now.

Over the coming days she learns that it was Stacey who ran out in front of the car.  From witness statements of the accident.  Some even saying that she was very visually upset.  Not really taking much notice of her surroundings.  

She tries to call Grant but he doesn’t answer on her first attempt then his phone is switched off when she tries again.  She informs the police that Grant lives in the building that her daughter was seen running out of and had gone to visit him when a friend had called to say he was sick.

The police try his address, but get no reply.  As he wasn't directly involved with the accident, they don't follow up on that side much.

When Stacey is more stable, her mother has her moved to a hospital closer to home.  She has to cremate her father without her and hold the funeral alone.

After trying to reach Grant for a month she gives up thinking that he obviously doesn’t care about Stacey or he’d have called.

He does get in touch with her a little later, but she doesn’t listen to him, just tells him to leave her daughter alone as he’s done enough damage already.  She blocks his number from her phone and her daughters after that, not wanting to have anything to do with him.

Her mother learns that she is a lot more capable than she thought, about taking care of everything.  She learns how to pay the bills, notify people of her husband’s death, so she can claim the life insurance, he’d taken out many years before hand.  Also, how to look after all the little things needed to sell their family home and buy an apartment that is closer to the hospital.

She carry’s on by not giving up the hope that her daughter will one day wake-up.  Even though its hard on her, she goes every day to sit and read to her.  Telling her stories about her childhood and the many holidays they went on.  Even retelling the stories of her twin sister that died at the age of two through heart failer.

When she gets home, she decorates and gets the apartment ready for when Stacey will wake-up.  She even makes friends with some of her new neighbours and learns they have an active residents’ group that organise events and gathering.  These also help her get by as Stacey lay's in the hosptial bed month after month.

The man responsible for hitting her is let off as they find the CCTV footage of Stacey running out into the road.  The only thing that is a little suspect is the passenger of his car, that runs away from the scene, but as she was just a passenger, they let it go.  Stacey is made to pay for the damage done to his car.  Which her mum pays, apologising for what Stacey did.

Stacey is in a coma for nearly a year, before finally waking up.  Her mother rushes back to the hospital and smiles at her daughter.  

"How are you feeling?" she asks

"Good all things considered" she answers 

"Mrs. Greenbank, can we have a word?" doctor asks from the doorway.

"I'll be right back sweetheart" her mother says before leaving.

"We can talk in my office" doctor says walking towards the end of the corridor.

"Is there a problem?" mother asks as she sits down.

"We have your daughters name as Stacey Greenbank, yes?" he asks

"Yes" her mother replies

"I had to ask her some questions when she woke just to get a base line of her cognitive thinking and state of mind in general.  However, when I asked her for her name, she gave the name of Amber Greenbank? Same birthday and year just a different first name?" doctor inform her.