Forgive for Joy's Sake (Part 4)

We rode silently for about ten minutes before I finally found my voice and asked. “What happened?”

“Mel and Jackson were on their way to meet me for dinner. Mel says she was taking a nap in the car, so she couldn’t say for sure what happened. According to the cops, it appears someone side swiped them and they ran off the road down an embankment. Mel was found unconscious inside the car and Jackson was found dead outside the car. His mom went to the morgue this morning. She wanted to see him for herself. The cops are looking for the other driver who fled the scene. Unfortunately, there seems to be no witnesses to the accident.”

“Was the baby in the car?” I asked.

 “No, thankfully she was with a babysitter. Your father has since picked her up while we deal with things.”

“This is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say. So, what is going on with Mel?” I braced myself for the worse. He glanced over briefly then turned back to the road. “The air bag deployed and probably saved her life. She did manage to hit her head on the passenger side window.  The doctors did a CT Scan and found a tumor they said needed to be removed immediately. Says if they hadn’t found it that Mel would most likely be dead within a few months.”

I was speechless. It appears that the accident was a blessing in disguise for Mel at least.  We road in silence the rest of the way to the hospital. I was trying to reconcile my feelings but couldn’t seem to grasp all that had happened. Wasn’t I supposed to be crying over Jackson? Why did I feel so numb? I looked down at my hands and they were shaking. I clasped them together on my lap. A few minutes later, we pulled into a parking space at the hospital.

“I’m not sure I’ll know what to say to her,” I told Wes as he shut off the engine. “I don’t know if I can give her whatever it is she is looking for me to give.” I looked over at him to see his reaction. I wanted to say I would be there for her no matter what, but I wasn’t sure I could. It had been over a year since I’d seen or talked to her and this is not how I’d imagined how us running into each other would be.

“I think you just being here will be a comfort to her. Don’t fret about it. We all have to get through this one moment at a time.” He smiled sadly at me and I nodded my head and took a deep breath.

The next few minutes were a blur as we entered the hospital, picked up our visitor passes, and headed to Mel’s room. I stopped at the door. I could see my mom at Mel’s bedside holding her hand. Mel had always been vibrant and happy, now she looked almost, well, broken is the best word I could think of to describe her. Her swollen, pink eyes looked like they had shed so many tears that they couldn’t squeeze out any more. She held on to my mother’s hand as if she was seeking whatever comfort she could get. Mom looked up and saw me in the doorway and smiled an encouraging smile. I returned it with a wry one. She waved me in with her free hand. 

The movement caught Mel’s attention and she looked up at my mother than followed her gaze to me. I was wrong about her eyes, they had more tears, a lot more, and they burst right at the moment they met mine. 

I felt Wes hand on the small of my back, urging me to step into the room. I slowly entered and walked over to Mel’s bedside. Not knowing what to say to my broken ex-best friend, I simply picked up her other hand and squeezed it gently. She cried harder. I looked over at Mom and she nodded toward Mel. I knew what she wanted me to do, but I didn’t know if I was ready to do it. Mom lifted her eyebrows and nodded again at Mel. My lips clinched together in momentary defiance, before Mel’s wailing pierced my broken heart, and I leaned over and took her in my arms and hugged her.

She cried on my shoulder for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, she gathered herself enough to whispered in my ear, “I’m so sorry.” I couldn’t find my voice to respond so I patted her back. Finally, she pulled away and took the tissue my mother had waiting for her. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose. “I’m sorry everyone. I didn’t mean to break down like that.”

Mom patted her shoulder. “Honey, you don’t need to apologize. We all understand.” 

I still couldn’t bring myself to speak so I nodded when Mel looked up at me.

 A nurse stepped into the room and said, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’m going to have to ask everyone to leave in about ten minutes. Mel here is going to need to rest before her early morning operation tomorrow. I’m sure you understand.”

It was all I could do not to sigh my relief. I was here, but I was feeling uncomfortable. I was so glad Mom had been here. My relief was short lived. Mel looked at me and said. “I know I shouldn’t ask, but will you be here for my operation?”

“Uh…” The word barely came out my mouth. I looked over at my Mom, then Wes, for a little help.

“Of course she will,” Mom answered on my behalf, and I almost let out an expletive.

That is what I get for not speaking for myself. “Sure,” I confirmed with an awkward smile.

Mel looked over at him and asked, “Wes, kiss Joi for me please?”

I must have looked confused, because my mother explained. “Mel named her daughter Joy with an i instead of a y.”

It was too much. “Excuse me, I need to find a restroom. I’ll see you in the morning.” Anger had found its way into my gut and had pushed my voice out my mouth. I reached down and squeezed her hand, then turned on my heels and rushed out the room.

I heard Mel say, “Is she alright?” Really? I thought as I rushed down the hall.

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