Poor Charlotte

I’ve told the story probably about 20 times now, so I figured its time to put it here. My friend, Alyssa and I were attending an International Double-Reed Society Conference at Ithaca College. I met Alyssa out in California at the Thomas Stacy Masterclass. We had a lot of fun and decided to go to the conference together. Rather than stay on campus in dorm rooms, we opted for a hotel. After registering, we went to check-in at the hotel. On the way, a woman in a Ford escape rear-ended us. We were stopped at a light. There was a 2007 Ford Shelby GT-500, beautiful car, in front of me. The light turned green, but the Shelby didn’t go. So I didn’t go. But the Ford Escape behind me hit the gas and then smashed into me. I slammed my brakes, trying not to hit the Shelby. He drove away but the Escape and I pulled into a parking lot. My head hurt from where it hit the head rest, but I was able to drive into the lot and get out of the car. I wasn’t sure how to react to the woman who had just smashed into us, but I followed her lead. The woman who had been driving the Escape jumped out and was so apologetic and actually pretty nice. She called the police immediately and kept asking if we were okay. My biggest fear with driving has always been to be rear-ended. After I realized that she wasn’t going to try and blame me or take an attitude, I burst into tears. It was scary and my head hurt. I was shaking really badly. Alyssa was okay, though we were both pretty shaken. As we waited for the cops, a woman walked over to us and said she had been in the Shelby in front of us. She gave some story about the driver needing to go pick someone up, but would be over in a few minutes. She said my car had scratched the back of the Shelby. An plainsclothes policeman pulled up and after identifying himself asked if everyone was ok. He wanted to know if he should call a bus. We were all up and walking, so it was okay. Alyssa kept going on and on about how we were okay at the moment, but we didn’t know anything. I know she was trying to help and keep our options open, but we didn’t a bus. I called my dad and told him what happened. The Shelby pulled up while I was on the phone and everyone was standing looking at the rear-end of his car where I hit him. He has a few scratches next to the license on his bumper and maybe a little dent. But my car was smashed in. I kinda of had little to no sympathy for the Shelby. My damages exceed the worth of my car, so it might end up getting totaled. My baby, my Charlotte, my best friend scarred and messed up.

The police showed up and gave us cards to exchange information and got our paperwork. Alyssa kept telling me what to say and interupting. I was getting a little annoyed with her. I know she was trying to protect us and help, but I was really impressesd with how nice the woman who hit me was being. I didn’t feel any need to be rude. Alyssa was also not driving. It’s not her car. I’ve been kind of short with her since the accident because she was being really annoying at certain points. It’s not like I’m stupid and don’t know what I’m doing. I’m also sick of hearing her talk about her husband’s accident and what he had to do. It was a different situation and a different state. It was also not my car. I may have been a little selfish, but seriously, I didn’t want to hear it.

I had a digital camera with me, and took pictures of my car and the two other cars (with the owner’s permission). Alyssa told me it was stupid to ask; I had every right to take pictures. I did have the right, but everyone was being polite and nice and respectful, so I didn’t feel like being rude. I also agreed to send the other drivers copies of the pictures I took. They were truly nice, which helped make the situation better. I even got a return email from the Shelby guy. He thanked me for sending the pictures so quick and told me the woman who hit me had already contacted him and assured him that she (or her insurance) would take care of the damage to his car. Legally, it could have gotten messy considering that my car hit his car, regardless of the fact that I was pushed from behind. So I appreciated that from them. The woman also gave me a bungee cord to hold my trunk down after we popped it open.

We were supposed to check into our hotel early, so I had Alyssa call the hotel and let them know we would be later than planned. When we got into our room, we found a lovely card and a bag with some goodies inside. They also gave us a coupon for a free pizza from a local place. They’ve been so nice. I spent about 2 hours on the phone with various insurance people repeating the story over and over, along with all the information. Alyssa called her husband and parents and I could hear her complaining about the conference events we were missing because of the accident. I didn’t really care because my car is destroyed! She’s been bitching about all the stuff we’ve missed and I honestly don’t care. I’m so thankful we walked away from the accident and weren’t more severely hurt. I’m so thankful that my car is still drivable at this point and can get us from Point A to Point B. Who the fuck cares that we missed a few things? We did attend the opening gala concert, but I was in a lot of pain. She had taken Ibruprofen shortly before the accident, so even if we went to the hospital, they wouldn’t be able to do anything for her until the drugs wore off. The pain didn’t really start until after I’d made all the phone calls. But after the concert and reception, I was in massive pain and wanted drugs. We came back to the hotel to change and ask the front desk attendant about where the best hospital was. I looked online, but I couldn’t tell what had an emergency room. While we were up in the room, Alyssa kept complaining how tired she was and that she just wanted to go to bed. She had made this huge deal while I was talking to the insurance about wanting to go to the doctor, but not wanting to pay. I found out that due to the No Fault Law in NY, she was covered under my insurance even if the accident had been my fault. I was in excruciating pain and she wanted to go to bed. I was so annoyed because she had been complaining about have scoliosis (spell?) and was concerned that the accident had made things worse. Then all of a sudden she didn’t want to go?

The front desk attendent recommended we go to a hospital a little outside the city, but she said it was brand new facilities and very nice. It was a great choice and we were in seeing a doctor minutes after arriving. They did X-Rays on both of us and gave us pain meds. I was still in quite a bit of pain after that so they added Vicodin to my cocktail. The verdict is that Alyssa has a strained neck and should take her X-rays to her home doctor regarding her scolosis. There’s no way the ER could tell if there was any change since they don’t have the before. But as far as they could tell, everything else was fine. I was not so lucky. I have chest contussions, a sprained left elbow and sprained left shoulder, all mainly from the seatbelt. My side of the car definitly got hit harder than Alyssa’s and I’m in a lot more pain than her. I took the Vicodin when we got back to the hotel and passed out in bed. I couldn’t wake up in the morning; I was so exhausted. I had driven the 6 hours home on Sunday after a crazy Saturday night at the White Inn (I should really tell that story too). Alyssa and I stayed up late on Sunday talking. I unpacked and rearranged my room on Monday and then another late night. Then I drove 4 and a half hours to the conference while Alyssa slept in the car to have an accident. So my brain and body shut down and wouldn’t get up early enough for Alyssa’s liking. So fucking sorry. While I was in the shower, I heard her on the phone crying to her husband that I prevented her from eating breakfast. There’s free breakfast in the hotel and she has her own key. She was awake, but said I wouldn’t wake up so she couldn’t go eat. Oh my god. She’s a 24 year old baby. She should have just gone downstairs and gotten something. So I have little sympathy for her. The drugs I have are helping, but I’m still in a considerable amount of pain most of the time. I know that its part of recovering from the accident, but pain like this wears you down. So I didn’t go to today’s evening concert, but I let Alyssa take my car and go. I also spent most of the day with Sarah from school. I think the time apart helped a lot.

I’m still in lots of pain but trying not to keep sniping at Alyssa. I can’t think about whats going to happen to my car yet. The conference goes to Saturday night and we’ll drive home Sunday. Then I’ll start figuring things out.

My poor baby, my Charlotte….