December 5th 1996, at 3 a.m. I got a call from girl. My mom came in and woke me up saying she was on the phone and I needed to take it. 

Of course I knew if mom said take the call at 3am on a school night something wasn't right.

10 days earlier, She, her father, sister and niece were in a car accident. Her father, the worst hurt, was mediflighted to the closest major hospital.

Nothing happened to Girl other than bumps bruises and such. Sister broke her arm and niece was perfect!!!

Dad had several surgeries to help repair his legs, they had gone through the floor board of the car, becoming pinned. The Jaws of Life were the only things that could get him out. His legs were so badly broken (i'm no doctor) that infection or cells or something entered his blood stream. I remember Girl telling me that he was at one point delirious, thinking the nurse was his wife. 

December 5th around 1am his heart gave out on him and he left us behind.

So the phone call came in and by the time I got to the phone she had hung up. I asked mom what happened and she said he passed away tonight. I started crying, not for me of course, but for her.  I called back and I got her sister (the injured one) and made her tell me what was going on. 

Mom never objected to the fact that I at 315am got dressed got the keys to my truck and walked out the door. She knew, she knew.

When I arrived at Girls' house, I was greeted by sister, and some other family members. Girl was in the bedroom (thankfully!!!) with our friend that happened to live a couple blocks from her house.  She just melted when I walked in, and I'm pretty sure N (our friend that is gay) & I did too.

We stayed with her until about 630 when an uncle kicked us out (he really was an asshole considering)  N and I went back to my house where we just sat stunned. I called a teacher of ours and told her the news. I let N off at home to get cleaned up and dressed for school and I went on. I talked to the principal and let him know what happened (although the teacher had already let him know).

School that day seemed surreal. still does.  Several of the kids in our class were stunned to hear the news also. Some of them knew of the father outside his relation to Girl.  One boy broke into tears and didn't bother to hide it when the teacher told the class.  

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