Three Minutes to Remember

Three Minutes to Remember

Kevin lay in his hospital bed, finally out of intensive care and on the neuro unit for the second day. He had begun to waken yesterday, recognizing his family as familiar if not by name. He had so many questions, but not ones he could put into words just yet. Everyone wanted to be helpful, to show their support, but the nurses had to post ‘no visitors’ signs after the first few hours. Too many of the guests wanted to help him by telling him all about the accident, and he wasn’t ready for that yet.

Kevin’s uncle Lars, just five years older, had filmed the whole thing on his video camera. It had been a wonderful run and the photography was excellent, the whole three minutes of it. The crash at the end when Kevin’s ski had come off was spectacular. He went straight through the fence and down the slope into a tree.

“Here, Kevin, I caught the whole thing. You can watch it as much as you want. Maybe it’ll help you understand what happened and why you’re feeling so awful right now. Just hold this button down. When it’s done, it’ll back up automatically and you can watch it again.”

You could hear the pride in Lars’ voice as he handed the camera over.

Kevin took it and watched, his face expressionless. He watched it again and again, looking more confused with each viewing.

Finally Lars couldn’t stand it another minute. “You were doing great, buddy! Look at that air! “ Lars’ was trying so hard to encourage him, but it wasn’t working. “Maybe this is too much for you, buddy. That wipe-out was fierce. I probably shouldn’t have let you see that part.”

He reached for the camera, and Kevin surrendered it, looking bewildered.

“What are you thinking about? What is it?” Lars asked.

“Who is that?” he asked.

“That’s you, buddy! You and Serena!”

“Who crashed?”

“You did, Kevin. That’s why you’re in the hospital.”

“Was he hurt?” Kevin asked.

Lars didn’t know what to say. Finally, looking Kevin straight in the eye, he said, “Yes, he was hurt bad.”