Prologue
Finally it was time, he could leave the clinic. How long had he longed for this day? Seven months or eight? He didn't know that exactly anymore. The memories of his accident were blury, he could only remember a few things. However, these were anything but nice.
****
It had been after the Christmas party of his father's company. Everyone had fun, drank and laughed. Nothing could have clouded his good mood. Just before midnight, they had all stood in front of the restaurant and shared one last bottle of mead.
"I raise my glass for Thor. Soon he will throw Odin off his throne and run the company. Soon the reign of terror of the mighty All-Father will be over."
Volstagg had lifted his glass, which was one of the plastic cups they had received from a desperate waiter who was glad that the group had finally left. But in his drunken state he had poured half of the contents over Brunhilde, Thor's adopted sister, who turned away annoyed.
"You can be glad that Odin isn't here anymore, Volstagg or you wouldn't have had a job tomorrow. Talking about the company, when does father actually intend to push the scepter into your hand?"
Volstagg had only grinned since the young Odinson had taken over his medieval slang. Before Thor could answer, Fandral had already interrupted him. Swaying, he leaned against his burly friend, looked at him seriously, what a sober person would've perceived as mad and poked his face with his finger.
"My dear Volstagg, I can understand that Odin may not be the most benevolent boss but let Thor first enjoy his spare time as a student. Before you know it, he'll sit in the office, sign important papers and fret with dissatisfied employees."
The beard man had angrily knocked Fandral's finger out of his view and had now completely turned to his smaller friend.
"You've already had enough fun with him. It's time he finally takes responsibility. Thor doesn't study at one of the best universities in the country to be drunk and to party all the time."
Volstagg grew louder and had approached the younger man.
"If I had had such a chance back then, I would have been happy. But my parents didn't have the money to finance my studies. Can you imagine how bitter it is to find out after the second semester that you won't be able to afford a third one, despite the extra income you earn. I'm only an ambulance driver and not a doctor but I'm still care for my own livelihood."
It became quiet. Odin led an nursing service for people with disabilities who didn't want to live in a nursing home or who needed help with small things but otherwise were able to live alone. Years ago, he had started with a branch in a small town near New York City, from where the drivers and nurses went to their patients. Later, he had opened more branches bit by bit as demand rose and the efficiency of Odin's staff was highly praised. So if you need help with home-based care these days, it was almost impossible to get past the company 'Borson and Son'.
Volstagg was one of the most popular drivers of the company because of his friendly, teddybear-like nature and patience, he brought the patients much joy and laughter. Originally, he had wanted to study medicine but his parents had had little money and had been unable to afford their son his education. That's why in his youth, Volstagg had spent more time working part-time than with his friends.
Thor, on the other hand, could afford a fine education because of his parent's, especially his father's fortune. He often went out with Fandral and Sif, drank far too much and enjoyed the company of men and women in lonley nights with whom he flirted shamelessly in bars and clubs. His carefree life was known not only in his university, everyone was begging for his attention as erveryone hoped for limitless fun with him, no, his private life was also much loved gossip for the employees of the company. Of course, this was a thorn in the eye of his father and sister. Thor, however, didn't care.
"Please. My friends, I ask you. The evening has been so nice. Let's not discuss such sad things."
Fandral grinned and enthusiastically agreed. From his younger sister, he got only an annoyed sigh.
"Fine, Thor's right. That's probably the fault of too much alcohol. But if you excuse me, I'll go home now. I have to get some sleep before my shift starts. Maybe I'll get something to eat on the way. So, who wants to share a taxi?"
Everyone in the group, except Thor and Fandral, had followed their beard friend's suggestion and ended the evening. It was not for nothing that they had said you should stop when the celebration was at its best. But these words weren't for Thor. He had grabbed Fandral and drunk the rest of the mead. Both men had been in the cold for a long time remembering the old days, laughing as they were trying to flirt with the gorgeous waiter who shut the doors of the restaurant after his shift and then chased them away.
Chuckling, they had stopped at Thor's car after the harsh words of the man and sat down heavily.
"Damn. I can't find my phone. How do we call a taxi now? How much energy does your battery still have?"
The answer was easy. Thor had taken so many photos and videos that the battery of his cellphone was dead. With a loud sigh, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Unfortunately, his fogged brain was no longer able to think clearly.
"You know what, I can still drive, my Fandral. We just have to be careful that the police doesn't stop us. My father will kill me if I lose my driver's license."
It had been a lie and the two men hadn't come far. After ten minutes, Thor's concentration had slipped and he had overlooked a stop sign. He could only remember a loud crash and a dark green car.
During the interrogation, he had been told that they had been lucky. The young man in the other car, on the other hand, had been badly injured and was in the hospital. The car of said man had come from the right side and that's why Thor had wrecked the driver's side. After that, he couldn't say much because his father had sent lawyers who had settled a deal. He had to undergo a withdrawal and had to pay a huge fine but otherwise there wouldn't be consequences.
****
If only he had gone home with his friends back then, if he only had shared a taxi with his good old friend Volstagg, his life would probably have been different. But here he was, at the doors of an rehab clinic waiting for his sister to drive him to his father's house.