Page 82 of Honest With You

Vacant eyes. Unseeing.

My Ava. The girl who was always full of emotion. Her eyes, which had previously betrayed her every feeling and thought, were now staring at me blankly. It’s as if she was seeing through me instead of at me.

My mom and I were on our way back from the airport when we got the call from Uncle Luke. Ava had been rushed to the hospital after some bleeding and abdominal cramping.

By the time we got here, it was too late.

We lost the baby.

Everything had been such a blur since we touched down in San Diego that I hadn’t been able to properly mourn the loss.

I had rushed to Ava’s side, but was told she didn’t want to see me. It took me and my mom two days before Ava finally caved and let me see her.

I drop her limp hand, trying to make sense of this person sitting in front of me.

Then, she does something that causes me to rear back.

She claps.

I narrow my eyes at her, trying to see a flicker of something... anything.

Nothing.

"Congratulations, Jesse."

Mouth agape, I'm lost without a map to guide me through this ride she's taking us both on.

"What in the-"

She's raising a hand to ask–tell me, to stop talking when her gaze flickers over my shoulder.

I shut my eyes for a moment, fighting against the fear, rage and grief coursing through my veins.

"You said I could have time with her."

Stephen's flat tone brooks no argument.

"Time's up."

I grit my teeth so hard, I swear I crack a molar.

Whatever. Who needs teeth when my world is crashing down around me.

I lost my child, and it looks like I'm about to lose the love of my fucking life. Again.

"What did you mean by that, Ava?" My voice is hoarse, cracking at the drop of her name.

She stares at me for a moment before grabbing the end of her blanket as she lays back down.

"You broke what was unbreakable."

It's a whisper before she folds into herself, shutting her eyes.

It felt like a door slamming in my face.

The words I had said to her before come flooding back, piercing me at every angle.

You are unbreakable, Ava. You are the strongest person I have ever met. Out of all the things I adore about you, that is what I admire the most. Your strength. Your tenacity. You are unbreakable.

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