Chapter 15

We started off the following year even more hectic than the previous one. The restaurant had taken off much faster than anticipated and Michelle was working twelve to fourteen hour days. She had hired Eddie Sampson as manager which kept her free to deal with the kitchen. She had also hired another cook and one more waitress. By June on most nights you would have to wait for a table between thirty and forty-five minutes. Michelle was getting home until after midnight on most days.

On July first of that year, I was sitting on the sofa watching television waiting for Michelle to come home. It was a Friday night and I always waited up on Friday and Saturday nights. Occasionally, I would fall asleep on the sofa which happened on this night. I woke up to my cell phone ringing loudly on the ottoman. I look at the screen it was two fifty-six in the morning. I sat up and answered the phone not recognizing the number.

“Who am I speaking to?” the male voice asked.

“Tim Williams.” I replied.

“Mr. Williams, I’m calling about a Michelle Woods currently residing at your residence.” he stated.

“Yes sir, she’s my fiancé. Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Yes sir, she has been involved in a serious accident on the highway. She has been taken to the Baylor University Medical Center on Gaston Ave.” he reported.

“Oh god, is she okay?” I replied.

“Sir, at this time it’s all I know. I suggest you get to the hospital as soon as possible.” he suggested.

I ran to the bedroom and put on a pair of jeans, pullover shirt and sneakers. I grabbed my wallet, keys and phone and ran out of the door. On the way out of the subdivision I called Stan Woods and relayed the little information I had at the time. He told me he would meet me there at once. I arrived at the hospital about three thirty and ran into the emergency room. I was immediately met by two police officers and a hospital administrator.

As they led me to the trauma center waiting room, I was informed that Michelle was struck by a SUV on the driver’s side on the vehicle. The driver of the SUV was not seriously hurt but was severely intoxicated blowing a .21 on the breathalyzer. All I was told at this time was that Michelle was in surgery and to take a seat.

I was completely numb and for the first time in my life completely helpless. About ten minutes later, Stan and Beverly Woods came running into the waiting room. I repeated everything I knew at the time and explained that she was in surgery. It was around four that morning when a surgeon entered the room and walked towards us.

“You’re here for Ms. Woods?” he asked.

“Yes sir. She’s my fiancé and this is her parents.” I replied.

“I’m Dr. Mikler, I’m a neurosurgeon and I have been working on Ms. Woods. I’m not going to lie, she’s in critical condition. She has suffered multiple broken bones but at this time the head trauma has me more concerned. She has severe swelling of the brain and I have to take her into surgery again quickly. My only chance is to remove the pressure on her brain by draining the skull and then put her in a chemical coma. Do I have your approval?” he asked.

I looked over at Stan and Beverly Woods making sure they had a say in this. They just stood there glassy eyed looking at the surgeon.

“Doctor, is this the only chance she has ... doing this operation?” I asked.

“I’m afraid it is.” he said, softly.

“Do it then.” I demanded.

The surgeon left and I went back to the chair I had been sitting on. About twenty minutes later, Robin Woods came running in the room falling into her parent’s arms. After brief conversation, she came over to me and kissed me on my lips softly, which I found odd. She sat down next to me and took my hand in hers.

“Tim, I’m so sorry. What are they doing?” she asked.

I explained what the neurosurgeon had explained to me and told her that Michelle was still in surgery. All we could do was sit here and wait. About thirty minutes later, Dr. Mikler came through the double doors his scrubs stained in red. I started to get up but he motioned for me to stay seated. He came up to me and knelt in front of me resting his hand on my knee. He didn’t have to say it, I knew.

“I’m sorry sir, I did everything I could think of. She died about ten minutes ago. I’m so sorry for your loss.” he said getting up and patting my shoulder.

Beverly Woods was sobbing hysterically as Stan tried to console her. Robin wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close. At that moment I realized that the most important thing in my life was gone forever. About thirty minutes later, I was still sitting in the same chair not knowing what to do or where to go. Just about that time, a man dressed in a suit walked up to me and sat down.

“Mr. Williams, I’m Detective Guthrie of the Dallas Police Department, I work in homicide. Can I asked you a few questions?” he inquired.

“Yes sir.” I responded, weakly.

“Michelle Woods was your fiancé, correct.” he asked.

“Yes sir.” I replied.

“She lived with you at this address?” he asked, showing me her driver’s license.

“Yes sir.” I answered.

“What was she doing out that late at night?” he asked.

“We own the Mon Armor Restaurant in town. She was coming home from work.” I answered.

“That’s good enough for now, Mr. Williams. At the present time, the other driver will be booked with vehicular homicide. The charge may go up or down slightly after it goes to the district attorney. My office will be in touch with you.” he stated, handing me his card.

I got up stilling feeling numb and told Stan and Beverly Woods I would contact them later. I took a few steps and almost fell grabbing a chair for support. Stan ran behind me and helped me back into the chair.

“Dad, I will take Tim home, you get mom home. I’ll call you in an hour or so.” Robin commanded.

I do not remember getting in my car or Robin driving me home. I woke up with the sunlight streaming through my bedroom window. It took a minute for me to understand that this was not a dream. I sat up on the bed and began to sob uncontrollably. How could everything go so horribly wrong in an instance. I sat there for a few minutes then got up and walked down the hallway. Robin was sitting at the kitchen counter on one of the stools drinking a cup of coffee.

“Let me make you a cup ... sit down, Tim.” she urged.

She poured me a cup and sat it down in front of me. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close to her. Once again, I cried uncontrollably and held on to Robin for dear life.

On Monday morning, the detective cleared us to begin funeral arrangements for Michelle. An autopsy had been done and the other driver charged with vehicular murder. This was his seventh DUI charge but only the first time he had taken a life. I told Stan and Beverly Woods that I would take care of all the arrangements. I drove to the funeral home and picked everything out feeling I knew what Michelle would have wanted.

The funeral was held that Saturday morning from nine to twelve at the funeral home with a mass thereafter. With then drove to the cemetery in severe thunderstorms that just would not let up. Everyone was crowded under three large green canopies trying to avoid the rain as much as possible. As the minister concluded the service, I stepped out into the driving rain. Michelle’s coffin has a pure white gloss finish to it with matching gold trim. I walked up slowly to the coffin and place a single red rose on the top of the lid.

“Baby, I can’t explain how I feel ... I am lost. My whole world has been taken from me. I don’t know how to keep living without you. Everything was perfect. I’m not sure I want to do this without you. I know what you would want me to do but I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do it. God, baby I love you. Now and always,”, I whispered, bending over to kiss the coffin.

By the time, I got back under the awning I was soaking wet. I was handed a couple of towels as I sat back in my chair. One by one, everyone passed by and expressed their condolences one last time. At the end it was just Stan, Beverly, Robin and I. Stan and Beverly were having people from the funeral over to their home. I had already told them, I was not going to attend I was going straight home.

I was the last one to leave driving straight home. By the time I got home I was shaking from the cold rain. I quickly took a hot shower and went to bed clutching Michelle’s pillow in my arms.