Page 90 of Love You From Afar

“Good afternoon,” she greets, offering me a fake smile. “How can I help you?”

I don’t wait a second before responding, cutting straight to the chase.

“I’m here to see a patient, Everett Thompson,” I clarify. “Can you tell me what floor he’s on?”

“We can only release that information to the patient’s family. Are you—”

I do not have time for this procedural shit.

“Yes,” I lie, thinking of the first bullshit excuse that comes to mind. “He’s my brother-in-law.”

She stares back at me, narrowing her eyes in question. I hold her stare, not backing down as I glare daggers at her as if to say,“You do not want to fuck with me right now.”

“Okay,” she blows out a breath before nodding her head. “Give me one minute. I just need to check the system. Can you give me his name again?”

My shoulders relax as I release the heavy breath I was holding in.

“Yes,” I exhale. “Everett… Everett Thompson.”

My world.

“Thank you,” she smiles, her eyes focused on the computer screen as her fingers click against the keyboard. It feels like an hour passes before she finally looks up, meeting my anxious eyes.

“It looks like he was recently released from the ER and moved to a room.”

That’s a good sign, right?

“He’s on the fourth floor, room 405. The elevator bank is right over there,” she adds, pointing her finger down the hall that leads to a set of steel elevators.

“Thank you so much.” I muster a half smile before turning my back, my legs trembling as I run down the hall.

I feel like I’m suffocating the entire ride up to the fourth floor. I have no idea what I’m about to walk into. I’ve tried to prepare myself for the worst, but that only makes me want to die. It makes me want to throw up the acid churning in my stomach. I feel like a thousand bricks are weighing on my chest as my anxiety gets the best of me.

What if he doesn't remember me? What if he’s paralyzed? What if he can never talk again? What if he never calls me angel again? What if I’ll never have another chance to run my hands through his beautiful hair as he kisses me? What if the cabin was the last time? What if he doesn't make it?

I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head as I try to block out the noise. In the back of my mind, I’m transported to a sky full of stars. A million floating orbs, twinkling amongst the onyx sky, just for us. Everett’s arms are wrapped tightly around my waist as he peppers soft kisses along my neck.

“My angel,” he whispers in my ear as he gently sucks my earlobe into his mouth.

A whimper catches in my throat and tears slip down my cheeks as the elevator dings, letting me know I’ve arrived on the fourth floor. I wipe my damp cheeks with the back of my hand as I step into the busy hall. The sounds of beeping medical equipment and soft chatter fill the sterile air as people in scrubs swoosh past me. I turn my gaze, my eyes narrowing in on the rooms lining each side of the hall. I force one foot in front of the other as I search for room 405.

Suddenly, I feel like I’m in one of those haunted houses where the walls slowly close in on you. I’ve never understood claustrophobia until now. I have to remind myself to breathe as I search the numbers on the wall. When I reach room 400, reality hits me that I’m roughly five steps away from him. I swallow down the lump in my throat as I reach for something to steady my balance. My fingertips brush against the drywall as I let my feet lead me to him.

I follow the small plates hanging beside each door through blurred vision.

Room 401

Deep breath.

Room 402

You’re almost there.

Room 403

He’s going to be okay.

Room 404

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