Page 71 of A Night To Remember

Charlie collapsed to the floor after she hung up. She hadn’t even told him she loved him and she was doomed to lose him anyway.

The family was waiting together in the lobby of the critical care unit. Charlie went immediately to Moira’s side and hugged her tightly.

“Charlie, I’m so glad you and Kristy could make it,” Moira said, smiling through the tears glistening in her eyes.

“How did it happen?” Charlie asked.

“He was just leaving our house actually. He stopped by after working late at the office. Jake left our house around seven because he said he was going to go pick Kristy up for the weekend. Apparently midway between our place and yours he was blindsided by a drunk driver. Why do people drink and drive? Now, I’m going to lose my baby.” She broke into noisy, heart-wrenching wails. Bill Fox came over and hugged Moira. His eyes were bloodshot as if he too had been crying.

The entire room was filled with a somber-looking crowd. The entire Fox clan was there, kids included. Steve was there, and a few other people Charlie didn’t know. The family who had been laughing and joking only a week before was now shattered with grief.

“What’s she doing here?” Helen asked, charging toward them, red eyes shooting daggers at Charlie.

“I called her here, Helen, so don’t you dare start anything, missy,” Moira warned.

“Oh, I’ll start something with her alright. After what she did she has a lot of nerve to show her face right now.” Helen advanced on Charlie as if she wanted to hit her. Fortunately, Jason was close by to grab his wife before anything happened.

“I’m sorry, Charlie. She’s a little distraught. Emotions are running high right now,” Jason explained apologetically. He turned to his wife. “Helen, let’s go get some coffee,” Jason suggested. Helen glared at Charlie one last time before allowing her husband to lead her away.

“We’re really sorry about that, Charlie. She didn’t really mean it. We love Helen but sometimes she thinks without speaking,” Bill apologized.

“It’s okay. Can we see Jake?” Charlie asked anxiously.

“The doctor is allowing only one person at a time to see him. We’ve already seen him. Carl is in the room right now. He should be out any minute. You can go next. We’ll keep an eye on Kristy for you,” Bill said.

Charlie took a seat with Kristy in her lap. She cradled her daughter close to her. Silent tears coursed down her face. She hadn’t felt like this since the night Paul died, but only now, the feeling was ten times worse because she was finally able to admit to herself she loved Jake and now it was too late.

If she could turn back time, she would have said yes when Jake proposed. Even if she knew she only had a short time to be with him, he would have at least died knowing how she felt about him.

Carl came out to the lobby. He was wiping a tear from his eyes. “Whoever’s next, can go in,” he said taking a seat next to his wife.

Charlie looked over to Moira and Bill for reassurance. Moira nodded. Charlie took a deep breath and stood up with Kristy in her arms. Kristy looked up with a glazed look in her blue eyes Charlie attributed to sleepiness. “Don’t cry, Mommy. The man said everything would okay,” Kristy whispered.

Charlie looked at her daughter oddly. “What man, Kristy?”

“The man in the blue shirt.”

Charlie looked around. There was no man in the lobby wearing a blue shirt. Obviously Kristy was delirious from lack of sleep. “I hope everything will be okay, honey.” Charlie leaned over to give Kristy a kiss on the cheek. She handed Kristy to her grandpa who directed her to Jake’s room.

Charlie wasn’t prepared for the sight she saw. Jake lay on the bed, broken and bruised. He had a bandage wrapped around his head, and he had bruises and cuts all over his exposed skin. He was connected to several machines and he looked so pale. Charlie walked over to his bedside.

She began to cry softly. Her Jake, her beautiful perfect Jake lay in the hospital bed so helpless. “Jake, if you can hear me, this is Charlie.” Charlie stole a nervous glance at the EKG machine, which was steadily beeping away—for now.

“Jake, I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry. I lied to you, Jake. I lied about still being in love with my husband. I mean, I’ll always love him but not the way I love you. I love you, Jake. Don’t you die on me!”

She got angry. “Don’t you dare leave me and Kristy. She needs you. I need you.” Jake lay there silently. “Did you hear me, Jake? Wake up! Wake up you son of a bitch and live! Live, because if you don’t, I’ll die too!” Charlie broke into body shaking sobs. How could God be so cruel? Jake didn’t deserve it. “It should be me, God!” Charlie shouted heavenward.

Just then a nurse walked in. “Ma’am, you’re making way too much noise in here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Please. I’ll be quiet,” Charlie begged, not wanting to leave Jake’s side.

Just then Charlie heard a sound she’d only ever heard on television and movies. She turned to the EKG machine in time to see it flatline.

Chapter Nineteen

Jake trudged toward the light and its warmth. It seemed to beckon him forward. He thought he heard someone talking to him from a distance, but he was probably imagining things. Jake was nearly there when a tall, dark figure blocked his path. “I can’t let you go in there,” the man said with a shake of his head.

“Aren’t I supposed to go there? I feel like I’m being called there. Please move out of my way.” When Jake made a move to walk around him, the stranger also moved.

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