Unexpected Gift(11)

I wish I could take it all back. All the horrible things I’ve said. All the pranks. All the yelling. All the times I pressed ignore on the screen when he called because I was pissed at him for some stupid reason. I want it all back. I’ll trade it all for this very moment to not happen.

“If you’ll follow me, sir, Nurse Grace will take you to your daughter.” The doctor spreads his arm out to lead the way.

Amelia’s father stands, wiping his eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay and pay my respects to Brandon. He was a good man to my little girl. I’m so sorry, Kim.”

“Oh, Jeff. I’m sorry, too.” My mom holds his hand, and my dad keeps a hold on hers as we follow the doctor down the long, wide hallway.

Everyone in the hospital goes about their day like the worst news of my life didn’t just happen. Nurses smile and laugh. Other patients lay in bed, alive. The lights are so bright, it makes me wonder if they do that intentionally, so when people die, they think they are going to heaven.

After walking for what seems like miles, the doctor stops outside a room, causing a domino effect. We all stop in our tracks, knowing whatever lays beyond that door will change all of our lives forever.

This time, it is me who cannot breathe.





Chapter Five





Caden





“I think we should take a minute,” I say as I step back, placing my back against the opposite wall.

“Why? I want to go in there now,” Molly snaps at me with pure hatred in her eyes. I know her anger isn’t toward me, but to have it aimed at me? I hate it. I never thought I’d miss our bickering, but I’d give anything for that right now, instead of seeing my best friend hooked up to machines.

Everyone stares at me, including the doctor. He understands. Of course, he does. They have no idea what they are about to walk into. I see it every day, but I’ve never had anyone I knew on the other side.

“Because what you’re about to see will be shocking. You’ll see him breathing, but it is because of a machine he is hooked up to. He has wires, tubes, needles, and drugs keeping his body stable. He will look like him. Physically, he is the person we love as Brandon, but mentally? That person is gone and everyone here, me included, needs to prepare themselves.”

Emotion wracks my voice at the thought of seeing him like that. “I’m going to tell you right now. I’m not ready. I can’t go in there yet.” The lights burn my eyes, drying up the tears.

“What do you mean that’s not Brandon? My son is there! How dare you say that, Caden.” Kim smacks my arm with some heat, leaving a sting behind. She meant to hurt me.

There is no point in explaining myself. The emotions are too high for anyone to understand what I mean. “You’re right, Kim. I’m sorry.”

Kim grabs the door handle with her red nails. The knob doesn’t turn. We wait and wait, but she hangs her head, sending her blonde hair over her shoulders. “I can’t do it. I can’t see him like that. Oh, god. You’re right, Caden. My baby needs me, and I can’t go in.” She bawls, hiding her mascara-stained face in her hands.

Everyone is still, afraid to breathe or make any movement. I know I don’t want to because the reality will set in that much quicker. If I wait to go through those doors, then my life won’t change all that much because I’ll have memories of Brandon and Amelia being alive and the uncertainty of their death still in question.

“Forget this. I want to see my brother,” Molly shoves her way past the doctor and pushes the door open, sucking in the last shreds of oblivion before the reality that hides behind the door crashes in front of us.

I watch, one by one, as each person that loves Brandon falls apart. His mother wails in hysteria, screaming at the top of her lungs. Todd holds onto his wife as she cries the most painful cry I’ve ever heard. It is like hearing a soul rip in half. That is what it sounds like, anyway.

Molly runs to the side of the bed, and from where I stand in the doorway, tears fall like rain on the bed sheets, causing wet dots to spread around Brandon’s limp hand. She pushes his dirty blonde hair back and away from his closed eyes. “Brandon,” her voice is permeated with pain. “Brandon, can you hear me?”

No, he can't.

“You can, right? Your beautiful brain works, doesn’t it? You can hear me,” Molly whispers.

I walk around to the other side of the bed, staring at the body that used to be my best friend. He has a tube down his throat, and his chest rises and falls with every puff of the machine that breathes for him.

The doctor clears his throat, knocking on the door. “There is never a good time to ask—”

I hold up my hand to stop him from going any further. “I know what you’re about to ask, and you’ve picked a hell of a time. Get out.”

“But—”

“I said get out!” My throat bleeds from the force I put in my voice, but it gains the attention of everyone in the room.

“We don’t have—”

“Much time? Don’t you think I know that since I’m a doctor? Get the fuck out!” I shout again. The guy can’t take a damn hint.

He doesn’t say anything as the door clicks shut, vanishing from our sight.

Molly tucks a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear, her cheeks red from those salty tears that keep spilling over the curves of her face. “What does he mean? What did that mean, Caden?”