Page 124 of Saving the Halfback

They sped off, lights and sirens going like mad, tearing down the driveway just as fast as Ethan had.

The four of us stood there in complete shock. What had just happened?

44

Bailey

Iwasn’t going to write a note, I had no one to write to. No one that would care if I was missing. No one that would suffer in my absence. No one that needed an explanation. Or so I thought. After last night, I realized I needed to tell you that this has nothing to do with you, that you didn’t cause this, that you couldn’t stop this, no matter what. This is just how it was bound to happen. I had planned to see it through for so long now.

When you told me you had changed because of me, because of that day at the park when you saw me on the bridge, what you didn’t know is that you saved me then. You didn’t know that I was there, ready to jump in. To take my own life. It would easily look like an accident. I looked up from that bridge, and I saw you, walking in the park. You were so beautiful, and I stepped away from the bridge because I thought… maybe I could have one more day. One more day of looking into your eyes, even if you ignored me and turned away. I just wanted one more day. One more memory.

Then you started football, and I had to see where this was going. I had to see what you were doing. You were changing somany things in such a short span of time. I knew I couldn’t go past my birthday, though. My deadline was fast approaching.

It was because of you I decided to change. Do you remember that game we played when we were kids? Twenty-four hours. If you had twenty-four hours before the world ended, how would you spend it?

I didn’t run and hide in a warehouse. I decided to do it the Bailey way.

I had burgers with a guy I’ve known to be like a brother to me from our favorite burger joint, and he taught me how to change the brakes on a car.

I had milkshakes with my best friend, and we spilled our secrets, that even through the isolation and distance, we had managed some connection. We found a way to be there for one another.

I watched my friends…no…my family hang out at the pitts, and I thought that was the icing on the cake. I saw how much Nolan, Lachlan, and Ethan loved you, and I knew you would be good. The four of you would be strong and hold together.

When I was ready to die alone, you called. And then I spent my last night holding you in my arms, and I thought this…this was exactly how I wanted to spend my last twenty-four hours. I guess the world doesn’t always end in a zombie apocalypse after all, at least mine didn’t.

Thank you. Because if I hadn’t seen you walk through the park that day, I would have died alone. I would have given my last breath, feeling lost.

Promise me to stay together, never let anything tear us apart again.

Pinky promise.

I readthe note over and over again. I had nothing else to do. I handed the note to Lachlan, who then handed it to Ethan, and then to Nolan. We all shivered, sitting in the waiting room in our wet clothes. The nurse wouldn’t tell us what was happening or give us an update. Nothing. So, we sat and waited and refused to leave until we knew. Apparently, there was a grey area with regards to whether Chase was a minor or not.

Watching Ethan start to shake from the cold, I did the only thing I had the strength to do. I pulled my phone out, pressed a few buttons, put it up to my ear…and cried. My mom’s voice answered, and I just lost it. Was he really gone?

Mom and Dad were at the hospital within minutes. Mom came straight to me and held me as I broke down for what felt like the tenth time that morning. Dad went straight to the nurse. “He is my son. I want to know what is happening.”

“Mr. McCormick, I know Mr. Jacobs is not, in fact, your son. Don’t you play that with me.” The nurse shook her head. “But I will ask his doctor for an update.”

A doctor came out not long after and asked Dad to come back with him. That just put me on edge even more.

“Do you guys want to go home, get changed?” Mom asked us. “We can let you know if there are any changes.”

Ethan, Lachlan, Nolan, and I looked around at one another before shaking our heads. “No.” Lachlan was the only one of us to use words. “I’m not leaving without him.”

It was another hour before Dad came out. We all jumped to our feet.

“He’s okay,” Dad said. “He’s awake, and they’re running a few more tests before he can leave.” Then he looked to Mom. “They are trying to convince him to stay for the day, but he wants to leave. He’ll be coming home with us.”

“Has someone called his father?” she asked.

Dad looked solemn. “No. He…doesn’t wish to be contacted. Chase is going to be here for a while, and you four can’t go back there.”

Mom turned to us. “Let’s go home and let you get dressed in dry clothes. If you all would like to come to the hospital, we will bring you back.” We all agreed, except Ethan; he had some spare clothes in his backpack he changed into and promised not to leave.

Dad drove the truck and dropped the others off at their homes while I went in the car with Mom. I remembered Mom talking to me, but everything was passing in a daze. I got dressed in sweats and a shirt, whatever I could get my hands on first. Before leaving, I threw a hoodie on. When I grabbed my ball cap, I began crying again.

“Bailey, he’s okay. He’s alive,” my mom said. “We are going to see him. He’s alive, Bailey.”

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