Page 107 of Free to Breathe
“Three under the age of one children have been dropped off. Sweet baby Jesus, do I have a new appreciation for the mothers of this world.”
Dropping the box right next to where Em had just dropped off in a nap, she jumps up yelling, “I’m up! What’s happening? Where’s Corinna?”
“How the hell am I supposed to know, girl? I just got here.” He shakes his head at her.
“Jesus, when did it get so cold in here?” Em asks the room at large.
We all groan.
Suddenly, the alarm goes off on my phone, and a stillness permeates the room.
7:50 AM: Charlie should be there with a brown box. Have him play the video in his email after you open it. Love, Corinna PS - You have something to read.
“Charlie, open that box.” I snap a picture of the entry and then hand it directly to him.
“Email?” he asks, confused as he tears into the box. “I don’t have any…” I hear a discrete ping. “Well, I guess I do have a new email.” Then he starts to laugh. “What the hell do we have here?” He pulls out a bright magenta square and shakes it out.
It’s a fleece blanket with “I Love You” stitched on the edge. My eyes fill with hot tears. Judging from the number of hands reaching up to wipe beneath their eyes, I’m not the only one. “Charlie, shove the box over. Pull up her email,” I say roughly.
There are enough blankets for everyone in the room, plus a few extra, as if she knows there will be others coming by later. Soon, people who were complaining a few moments earlier about being cold are wrapped in the warmth Corinna provided.
And then I hear her voice.
“Hey, y’all.” My head whips around so fast because it’s like she just stepped in the room.
I know you have to be freezing by now. Every hospital I’ve ever been to has been like this. I get the reason why, but I figured none of you all dressed warmly despite my warnings. I’m hoping the blankets come in handy.
Think of them like a hug.
That’s your assignment for the next hour. Give everyone in the room a hug from me.
Okay?
I love you all.
And then she’s gone.
I don’t hesitate a second.
I clasp the shoulder of the person closest to me and pull them in for a hug. It just so happens to be Keene. “That’s from Cori, man,” I manage to choke out. Before I can pull away, Keene’s arm hooks over my shoulder.
“She’s everything to us too, Colby. You’re not alone in this room,” he murmurs. “You just can’t be alone as a member of this family.” Pulling back, Keene meets my eyes for a second before he nods and moves over to Ali. Picking her up, he twirls her around and kisses her soundly. Before I can smile at the spectacle, I’m pulled into an embrace by Holly, then Em, then Jason.
I nab Cassidy and Phil in a three-way hug. Charlie and I meet as we’re crossing around the room, him to Cassidy and me to Caleb. Finally, I’m back in my chair with her blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and I pull out the journal. Opening it to where I left the bear bookmark, I start reading.
Hello, my love.
I need you to calm down.
I snort out loud. Good luck there, Cori.
No, seriously. Everyone’s going to take their cue from you. They probably suspect I’ve told you more than I’ve told them (which between us, I have, but shhh…).
Close your eyes.
Don’t keep reading. Shut them, Hunt. For at least a full minute.
She knows me too well. I shake my head, but do as she asks.
