Page 46 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jay
When I return to the room, I’m not quite sure what I’ve walked in on. Kate and Casey both have tears streaming down their faces and both look incredibly sad.
“The doctor will be here in a minute,” I tell them.
Kate nods and offers me a small smile. She then steps closer to Casey’s bedside and kisses her forehead. “I love you, Casey. Please…take care of yourself.”
Casey closes her eyes and more tears stream down her cheeks. I still have no idea what the hell’s going on…but that almost sounded like a goodbye. I look questioningly at Kate and she just shakes her head and hastily leaves the room. I look back at Casey; her eyes are still closed, and her face is still wet with tears. Not knowing what else to do, I turn and follow Kate out.
Kate stops by the nurses’ station on the way out and asks them to bring Casey some water. She’s quiet on the ride home. I left my bike in the hospital parking garage, choosing to worry about it later, so I could drive Kate back to her apartment in her car. I don’t want to push her to talk about what happened between her and Casey; I know she’ll talk when she’s ready, but I’m really confused as to why she isn’t elated her friend is awake and seemingly well.
We get to her apartment and—unfortunately—Decker’s waiting outside the apartment when we arrive, so Kate has the pleasure of explaining Casey’s situation to him. The guy is absolutely wrecked. It’s obvious that his love for Casey goes way beyond friendship. He just caves in on himself. I’ve never seen anyone look more destroyed than Decker does in this moment.
It’s hard seeing the two of them look so defeated, and I finally get a sense of the strain Casey’s health has put on Kate. I learn that this isn’t even the first time this has happened. I can’t imagine Kate living in regular fear that one day she may wake up or come home and Casey might be unconscious…or worse. It takes a special person to take on that kind of responsibility, and Kate is definitely special. I’m not sure I could live like that. I’m not sure I could stand the constant anxiety.
Kate completely breaks down while telling Decker Casey’s story. She lets me hold her, and, again, I find myself feeling selfishly grateful. That little allowance makes me feel like I’m doing something right in the middle of all this wrong. It’s the first time all evening I haven’t felt utterly useless. My Sunshine, the light of my life, is breaking. And I’m powerless to stop it. It’s the most helpless feeling I’ve ever had. And that’s saying something.
After a while, a dejected Decker heads off to the hospital with a spare key to the apartment in case Casey’s mom needs a place to sleep, and Kate and I are left alone. I hate that she had to tell Decker about Casey’s heart condition. It should have been Casey. She shouldn’t have kept it from him. For him to have found out like that from someone he barely knows is just wrong. If it were Kate keeping something like that from me…I just don’t know what I’d do.
Kate and I sit silently on the couch. She’s looking more alert than she has all night, but she’s still absent. Her mind is still running on all cylinders.
Her hands are curled up on her lap, and I gently place one of mine on top and squeeze. “You okay?”
She looks up at me, her eyes tired and sad. “I don’t really think I want to be here,” she says, timidly looking around the apartment as if she’s waiting for something to jump out at her. “Can we go to your place?”
I don’t want to take her back to my place, but I can tell she’s desperate to be anywhere but here. I nod in agreement and stand, pulling her up with me. I wrap her in my arms and hold on tight. “I’m so sorry about all this, Sunshine.”
She sniffles against my chest and wraps her arms around my back, holding me like she’ll never let go. Deep sobs make her small body shudder, and I kiss the top of her head.
“Shh…it’s okay, baby,” I soothe, running my fingers through her hair. She seems to like it when I do that.
She sniffs and takes a step back, frowning at the tearstains on my shirt. “I’m so sorry,” she says. Her apology is unnecessary. I’d do anything for her, a few tears on my shirt don’t bother me one bit.
“It’ll dry,” I tell her with a small smile.
“I’m just going to grab some clothes.”
I nod and watch as she walks off. She’s so tough and independent. If anyone can go through what she’s gone through today and make it out on top, Kate can. She’s the strongest person I know. I smile at her when she returns to the living room, and she blushes. Pink looks good on her cheeks.
“Do you mind if we swing by the hospital on the way…so I can grab my bike? If you’re not okay to drive…or if you don’t want to go back there, I understand. I can get Tom or Johnny to pick it up for me.” I know I’m babbling, but I don’t want her to feel any pressure. My bike can stay in hospital parking for a week, I don’t care.
“I don’t mind. I’m okay to drive.” She smiles a genuine smile, and I relax.
“Let’s go then,” I say, taking the small pink duffel bag from her hand and tossing it over my shoulder. The sight makes Kate giggle. I roll my eyes playfully and take her hand, pulling her out the door.
