Glancing at his watch for the hundredth time in less than five minutes, Spencer hoped he could leave the ER plenty of time to pick up his tux and make it to the church in time. He was getting married today. He still couldn’t believe his luck. He knew he was a catch in some people’s eyes. His mom’s mainly, but at 40, he knew his dreams of a wife and family were quickly vanishing. His mom and dad always said if he just put more effort into dating and meeting people, he would find someone to share his life with. As the head doctor of the ER at Boston Memorial, Spence didn’t have time to “date.” He thought he might meet someone who came into his ER or even another doctor or nurse who went to the same charity events that he was forced to attend. For the last several years, his plus one had been one of his sisters. How lame is that?
All of that changed about a year ago. Rachelle took him by surprise and swept him off his feet, and now he was only a few hours away from pledging his faithfulness to her. He fell hard. After six months of courting, Spence knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but he wanted to give her a chance to figure out the same.
Spence was answering some of his questions as he finished stitching up the cute, curly-haired seven-year-old boy sitting on the edge of the gurney.
“Why do you wear a white coat?”
“Did you have to take sewing lessons? My mom sews my pants and shirts when I tear them.”
“Are you gonna give me a shot? I’m not afraid cuz I’m seven.”
“Spock was trying to protect me, and that’s why he attacked that cat. But the cat’s claw got my arm first. I hope Spock is okay.”
Spence wondered who Spock was, then it hit him that he was the little guy’s pet and friend. He was distraught. Wrapping up the stitch work to keep it clean for a couple of days, he pulled out the needle for a tetanus shot. The boy looked at it with wide eyes. Spence felt terrible and wished someone would have come up with a way for children to drink their injections!
“It’s okay, Doctor Jackson. I’m not scared.”
“Well, that’s good because I was terrified of needles when I was your age, and I cried. If there were any other way to ensure that the cat didn’t have nasty germs that could make you sick, I wouldn’t give you this shot. But this is the only way to ensure you stay healthy and strong. Eyes open or shut?”
“Open doc. If I close them, then the surprise would scare me.”
“Smart man. I will make it quick, and you shouldn’t feel more than a prick or pinch.”
As Spence was talking, he was swabbing the arm with alcohol and a little analgesic to help numb the area for just a few seconds.
“All done! You didn’t even flinch. I’m impressed.”
“What? I didn’t feel anything or even see it. Are you sure you gave me the shot, doc?”
Spence ruffled the golden curls, lifted him off the table, and set him on his feet. The high-top Converse shoes brought back so many memories for Spence. He had played basketball all through junior high and high school, wearing his favorite Converse high tops! His parents didn’t have much money, so duct tape became common on his Converse when they started falling apart.
As the boy waived, Spencer looked at the clock on the wall. He was shocked that he only had 45 minutes to get to the church in time. Changing into jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket, Spencer grabbed the backpack in the locker and headed for the nurse’s station.
“I thought you had left an hour ago. Dr. Jackson, you’re running late. You know that Rachelle is going to be stressed right now. That woman is early for everything. Until you met her, you were late for everything. You should call her,” Evelyn, the charge nurse, advised him.
“Sorry, Eve, you got the short straw for tonight’s shift.”
“Well, take lots of pictures. Now go get married. Hurry.”
After picking up his tux, he rushed down the highway toward the chapel. With music blasting through his speaker system, his beeper went off. Glancing at it, he saw it was a 911 beep. Weren’t they all? He knew the doctors on call for tonight and was confident they could handle anything coming their way. He was off for his honeymoon to Costa Rica for the next seven glorious days.
His cell phone started ringing. Pushing the button on the steering wheel to put the call through, he answered, “This is Dr. Jackson. Is this an emergency of unusual proportions? Because I’m on my way to the chapel to get married. What’s going on?” “Spence, this is Evelyn. We just got a call from the Boston Fire Department. They are on their way in with three ambos. The bridge up Highway 101 collapsed. We have dozens of injuries. One of the patients said something about a couple of limos he saw pass him just before they got on the bridge. Isn’t your chapel on that same road?”
Spence’s heart skipped a beat when he stopped to think if anyone would be on that road, and he quickly pulled over. “Gotta go, Eve; I’m calling Rach right now. I’ll keep you posted.”
Pushing the button for Rachelle’s cell, he waited. And waited. “Hi, this is Rach. I’m doing something important, but I’ll get back to you when I can.”
Spencer heard the beep and left a panicked message to have her call him asap. As he sped out to the highway, the gravel peeled away from his tires. He could see the firetrucks and police lights at least a mile before reaching the bridge, and traffic was in gridlock.
Jumping out of the car, he ran with just his keys towards the disaster that waited ahead. Spence was very familiar with traumatic events, and he faced them every single day. Yes, he was the doctor, and everyone who came in was the wounded, victims of myriad scenarios.
There were only 20 minutes left until the wedding was supposed to start. Spence wasn’t sure how everything would play out, but he was determined to make it to the church and marry Rachelle, come hell or high water. He was about to find out just how complicated, if not impossible, that would be. He tried Rachelle’s cell phone again, and it went straight to voicemail.
“Officer, can you tell me what happened? I’m a doctor and on my way to my wedding on the other side of that bridge. My fiancé would really appreciate it if I showed up. Is there anything you can do to make that happen?” Spence tried to make his voice sound confident rather than terrified.
“I’m sorry, sir, but no one is getting to the other side. The bridge completely collapsed, and the river’s water is rising due to the recent rains. We’re working on rescue and recovery right now. If you’re a doctor, I’ll let you know so you can help. Trust me, they’ll need it. Do you work out of Boston Memorial because all the other hospitals are on the other side of that bridge? There were no cars on that side when the bridge collapsed, only from this side, crossing. Boston FD is trying to clear a way for paramedics and ambos to get the bodies out. Some of the cars are in the water and going under fast. I gotta go, but please, we could use your help.” The officer grabbed a bag from his trunk and ran towards the site. Spencer could do no less and started sprinting right behind him. He took an oath and would do everything possible to help the wounded. They needed him now. He also made a vow to Rachelle, but he knew she’d be there when this was done. The ones out there, either casualties or fatalities, needed him more.
The scene before him looked like a movie about a catastrophic event. Taking a deep breath, he ran to the nearest ambulance and what looked like a triage area and asked the haggard-looking paramedic, “what can I do to help. I’m Dr. Spencer Jackson from Boston Memorial?”
“Oh, thank God. Come over here. This is the triage area; Boston FP is bringing in the wounded. We are tagging them according to priority, then getting them stable, and the ambos are taking them to Memorial.”
“How many so far?” Spence asked.
“I quit counting after the first 25. I just heard that there are two limos with at least 8 people in each that they’re having difficulty getting to. I guess it might be a wedding party or prom.”
Spence’s body stopped cold. He knew that Rachelle and her bridal party were using one limo, and they had talked about getting a second one for the parents and siblings. Oh God…please don’t let it be theirs.
“Hey, why are you in a tux? I thought you were a doctor?” the young paramedic asked.
“I am a doctor. I was just on my way to the church for my wedding! Yes, that’s right. Now show me where those limos are…NOW!”
“But what about these patients? They need attention too.”
“You have other doctors here? Have any of these here been red-tagged? If not, find two other doctors to help until I can verify that my entire wedding party, family & fiancé is not in those limos. Please!”
As Spence ran in his spit-shined shoes and tuxedo, all he could think about was how long Rachelle could hold her breath underwater. He served two tours while in the Navy. The rigorous training taught him that the human body could stay underwater much longer than you think possible. He had always dreamed of being part of the SEAL team but couldn’t complete the program due to his mother getting sick. He had no siblings, and his father had died when he was six, so it was just him and his mom. She begged him not to, but he did it anyway. Love is a powerful motivator.
“Come on, Rach, if you’re in that limo underwater, just hold on… I’m coming.” This mantra kept playing in his head. He counted the seconds out loud…” 1, 2, 3, 4, 5….”
The sweat dripped down his face and back, even though it was barely 40 degrees outside. That meant the water was icy cold. That was a good thing; the chance of survival increased when the water temperature decreased.
Reaching the horrific reality of death and destruction, he grabbed the closest firefighter he could. The bright spotlights were set to better see the dark waters shining on the two long black limos. One looked like it was floating, right side up, halfway submerged. Spence had no idea what was keeping it from sinking into the depth of the rushing water. The other vehicle was standing on end. The limo’s hood was sticking out of the water like a black obelisk. His mind went numb.
“Hey, have you pulled anyone out of there yet? My fiancé may be in one of those limos. Please, we are getting married tonight. I can’t reach her on her cell, and I’m petrified that those limos are my wedding party, family, and fiancé!” Spence doubled over when he felt the bile coming up his esophagus. Turning from the firefighter, he emptied his stomach on the ground.
“You okay, sir? We’ve brought out three people and two bodies so far. It still needs to be determined if it was a wedding party, prom, or something else. Everyone looks dressed up. Give me a minute, and I’ll see if there’s more information. You said you’re a doctor? We could really use your help.”
“Please tell me where the bodies are and the wounded. I’ll start helping with them.” Spence walked in the direction of a makeshift tent that he pointed him to. Heart beating hard and fast, Spence found himself still counting. He did it as a kid when nerves got the best of him.
“120, 121, 122, 123….”
His shoes were covered in mud, and it started raining. He reached out to open the flap when a beautiful red-headed, green-eyed woman appeared in a frustrated hurry. It was dark near the tent, and Spence had only one thing on his mind. He barely noticed the woman until she looked up at him, standing no more than a foot apart. A vision started to form. The woman’s hair was wet, her makeup was running, and her dress looked smudged with water, blood, and dirt. The beautiful veil the woman was wearing and holding at the same time had not been marred. It sat slightly crooked on her head, and the tiara that held it was broken on one end.
As Spencer’s eyes cleared and his heart slowed, he reached out for the love of his life. This vision of a woman was real, and he pulled her close and just hung on.
“Oh my God… You’re alive. I can’t believe I found you. Are you hurt? Please talk to me. Rachelle…are you injured?” Spence was yelling. He didn’t mean to, but he also couldn’t help himself.
“I’m fine. The paramedics just checked me out, but we must get back there. Mom, dad, and Daniel are still in the water. The other limo had 8 people, Spence. Eight! Three of your groomsmen and their plus-ones. We gotta go, come on.” Rachelle picked up the bottom of her wedding dress and ran towards the mayhem. Looking at his fiancé, he realized her feet were bare, and she was running on rocks and debris as if it were nothing.
“Rachelle, wait…who were the other two in the limo?” he yelled, but it was too late, and she was already gone.
Six Months Later
“You better be at the church on time. I’m only doing this once. This is technically the second time, but with the same person. Oh, and I’m not riding in a limo ever again. The Ford Focus is just fine with me. I love you, Dr. Spencer Jackson, and I can’t wait to finally be your wife. Lord knows we need some joy around here. See you soon,” Spence hung up his cell and smiled after hearing Rachelle’s voice message.
“Tommy, you ready? We are leaving in 5 minutes. I know it’s still two hours before the ceremony, but I want to be prepared for anything this time.” Spence yelled at his cousin, who was standing in for Evan, his best friend, throughout high school and college. Spence had paid a visit to Evan at the cemetery this morning. He missed Evan and never imagined anyone else as his best man. Life doesn’t always work out the way you hoped, but somehow it always turns out just the way it’s supposed to, eventually.
Standing at the front of the church, Spence stood in awe and a thankful heart as he watched Rachelle’s best friend, Melody, walk down the aisle as the maid of honor. It was a slow walk, thankfully. Melody was only six months into her physical therapy and rehab. The loss of her leg in the accident was a terrible blow, but she was alive, and the smile on her face told everyone all they needed to know. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church. When the music swelled, everyone stood as the red-headed beauty came down the aisle.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the presence of God, family, and friends to share in this joyous occasion of holy matrimony for the second time. To those who are present, Spencer and Rachelle want to thank you for coming. And to those who are watching from above, thank you for a lifetime of memories. Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?”
“Her grandmother and I do,” said the grey-haired man standing next to the bride.
