Flamingo

Before

Unknown

"Whoo! Nora, can you go a little faster?" Slurred Charlotte. Ava laughed next to her. Both of them were drunk.

"Guys, please be quieter," Nora replied, getting aggravated. She was the designated driver after their other friend, Sophia's, 21st birthday party. Nora tried desperately to keep her eyes and mind on the road, blocking out the inebriated, obnoxious girls in the backseat of her convertible. It was currently 2:19 a.m and very dark out. She took a shortcut on the backroads which means there isn't a lot of light.

"Oh. My. Gosh. Nora!" Ava screamed. Nora panicked and slammed on the brakes. She unbuckled and whipped her head around.

"What? What's wrong?" She shouted, searching the girl's eyes for anything wrong. Suddenly, an outburst laughter filled her sound-sore ears.

"Calm down, girl! Our jam is on the radio!" Ava giggled. Nora wanted to rip her hair out, then all of skin off.

"You guys made me stop in the middle of this intersection for your stupid music?" Nora shouted. The two drunken girls grew quiet and looked down. Nora turned back around and tried to collect herself. She looked around at her surroundings: The road in front of her and the road to her left. Then the river next to them, that was down in deep and dark obis. Nora took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air around her. She turned back around, "Guys I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled. Can you please just drink some water and-" Nora was cut off.

"Nora look out!" Charlotte screeched. Nora looked at the road to her left. A large tank trunk was feet away from them. And it wasn't stopping. The headlights illuminated Nora's terrified expression as she felt the impact. The girl's screaming was suddenly stopped as the convertible flipped, sending it off the edge to their right. Nora flew out the car, her world a blur. She didn't have that belt of safety like the other girls. Slowly, and painfully, the girls and the car plummeted into the icy, rocky river below them. And their world faded away.

The truck driver ran to the edge, the supposed-to-be-secure metal railing was sliced with a large gap the car created. He looked down at the upside-down car. He turned on the flashlight on his phone. It didn't do much, but the dark stains along the rocks were enough for him to see. He looked over and saw the third girl upstream. It was difficult to make out her features but the one thing that stood out was her leg - it was bent a way it should not have been, blood everywhere. Quickly, the truck driver called 9-1-1 and described what had happened.

Lambertville, New Jersey

Hopewell Medical Center

"Miss Garcia?" A sweet voice filled the room. I slowly turned my head to the sound. A short, thin woman was wearing a comforting smile, "How are you feeling? Do you remember what happened?" I groaned.

"I feel like Dwayne The Rock Johnson just body-slammed me."

"I'll get you more Acetaminophen." She stated and started to walk out of the room.

"What?" Pretty sure it sounded like I had disgust in my voice.

"Painkillers." She corrected. I nodded and closed my eyes. I don't remember that much, but I'll try. Let's see, I went to Sophia's party with - oh my gosh. Charlotte, Ava! Are they okay? Are they in the hospital too? I looked around for a nurse-button. I saw one and frantically pressed the button over and over again, which I know doesn't actually do anything to help. Growing impatient, I decided to find them myself. I tossed the heavy, cream blanket off. I screamed. And I kept screaming until Tiny Nurse came and saw what I saw. I had no left leg. Everything below my thigh was just . . . gone. I swallowed my screams.

"I don't think I need any more painkillers. I think I'm hallucinating." I told her, I looked up and took deep breaths.

"We didn't want to find out like this. We wanted to slowly introduce you to this." The Tiny Nurse said. She sat down at the edge of my bed. I looked at her.

"I'm not imagining this?" I asked calmly, although on the inside I was hitting the ceiling.

"I'm afraid not, sweetie." My anger was starting to come up my throat.

"You didn't think to maybe consult me first before chopping my leg off?" I raised my voice. Now, I'm not an expert in this field but shouldn't there be some sort of communication before this happens?

"We asked your parents. You were unconscious and . . . well, your leg could not have been fixed. It would've taken a miracle." She showed her a pity smile, leaving me to wish I could rip it off. Suddenly it hit me. I don't have a leg. No more going to parties, no more sports. What am I supposed to do, read? I was now one of those kids my mom donates to online.

"My friends." I shot up, "Where are they?"

"They're going to be fine. A few stitches and one of them has a concussion. But they're okay." I sigh of relief escaped my mouth, "It's funny, how they were the intoxicated ones and you were the most damaged."

"Yup, hilarious. Haha." I said sarcastically. She cleared her throat.

"Would you like to see the doctor?" She asked.

"Please." I grew annoyed. I think the mix of my headache and waking to find out that your leg has been amputated was making me a little cranky. She left and I rolled my eyes, slumping deeper into the paper onto of the hospital bed. I looked down at my calf-less leg. Dumb, this is all dumb. I'm annoyed, angry, and confused. Mainly because I can't fix this. This isn't something I can just do better at next time. This is permanent. Three, quick knocks on the door interrupted my thoughts, "Come in?" I didn't mean for it to sound like a question. It's just, whats the point of knocking? It's not like I'm changing. Can't really go anywhere. A confusing man walked into the room. The only reason he's confusing is that he has a young face and gray hair. Botox, maybe? Lord knows he can probably afford it. He flashed a smile, no smile lines. How?

"I'm Dr. Scutt. How are you feeling?" I wanted to say, "Oh me? Oh ya, I'm fine just ya know, partially legless."

"Fine, apart from kinda being partially legless." Huh, guess I said what I wanted to. He sighed.

"Miss Garcia, I'm sorry you're upset. But you have to understand that this was the right decision. Your lower leg had severe trauma from the accident. When you fell, you landed right on your leg, causing the bone to collapse." I was overwhelmed by all of Dr. Scutt's descriptions. I felt my eyes beginning to water.

"Will be okay?" I choked. He gave me a pity smile.

"You look like a strong girl, I think you can get through this. Although you might experience what we call phantom pain, which is where you think the limb is still there even though it's not. And it can cause pain." He continued to explain the different medications I would have to take and different exercises that'll be necessary, "Are you ready to try some different types of crutches?" I nodded. He stood up, "Would you like to try to get up on your own? Or would you like some help?" I shook my head.

"I can do it." I swung my legs around so they dangled off the bed. I took a deep breath. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3. I used all my strength to boost myself up. My right leg was trembling under the weight.

"Come on, you can do it." Dr. Scutt said encouragingly. I started to wobble and lose my balance. Was this how it was going to be for the rest of my life? I finally gave up and sat back down. I rested my head in my hands. This is so frustrating, "I know this is frustrating, but you'll get the hang of it, "If a flamingo can do it, so can you." I looked up and gave a small smile.

"Let's go get those crutches."