AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh, thank God,” Stephanie says, putting her hand up to her chest dramatically. I can feel his radiance from here, his confidence. I scream his name after the ref drops the puck and Elijah steals it with ease. I still don’t quite understand hockey, but watching him play makes me understand, maybe even love the sport.
About halfway through, I realize I have two missed calls and a voicemail from a random California number. I put my phone to my ear and listen.
Hello, I’m trying to get in contact with Taylor Cromwell. This is Dr. Patel from San Jose Medical Hospital. This call is in regard to your mother, Hana Cromwell. Please give us a call back at this number as soon as possible.
My heart sinks to my stomach as I rush out of the crowd and call the number back. I don’t let myself contemplate the reasons she’s in the hospital yet, not until I know more.
I call the number back as soon as I can, waiting impatiently as the number dials.
“You’ve reached San Jose Medical Hospital; how can I direct your call?”
“My—my mom, Hana, Hana Cromwell, I got a call that she was there.”
“One moment, please.”
I’m put on hold until I hear it dialing again. The phone picks up. “Hello?” a man’s voice answers.
“Dr. Patel? This is Taylor, Hana’s daughter. I’m calling back from the voicemail you left. Is everything okay?”
“Ah, yes, miss Taylor. you were listed as her emergency contact. Does this sound right to you?”
“Yes,” I say, my heartbeat picking up.
“Hana Cromwell is currently in the hospital for what we believe was a suicide attempt. I’m so sorry to tell you this over the phone. If you could come here as soon as you’re available, we can get the proper treatment completed through insurance.”
I collapse against the wall. My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to explode. “Suicide?” I ask as tears stream from my eyes. People pass by me, watching as I struggle to catch my breath. I knew things weren’t great but… suicide? Oh, my fucking god.
“That’s been our assessment, yes. When do you think you can be here?”
“I—I have to fly there. I’m in Minnesota, I—I can try to be there by morning.”
“Okay. We’ll call you with any updates. Room 713, ICU. Thank you.” He hangs up. My head spins as I stumble upwards and run past the crowd into the parking lot. I take out Elijah’s keys, driving as fast as I can home to pack my things. I find a ticket from St. Paul to San Jose that leaves in three hours and pay with Dad’s credit card, knowing he will be pissed. I don’t have time to explain anything to anyone. Not when Mom is dying in a hospital all alone a thousand miles away from family.
I’m not even thinking as I shove clothes into a duffle bag and write a note for Dad to take care of King while I’m away. The world is blurry as tears relentlessly soar down my cheeks, one after another. I take my glasses off and wipe them as I go, shoving shoes, books, my laptop, my chargers, everything I own into a few bags.
I lug them down the stairs and call for a car. I’m thankful Dad and Jessica are at tonight’s game. I don’t have to say any sappy goodbyes, explain when I’ll be back, nothing. All I know is that I’m about to tear Elijah’s fucking heart out of his chest, but I also can’t drag him into this. Not after the light I saw in his eyes tonight. Not after the way he daydreams of playing for the NHL. I can’t be his downfall; I can’t be his reason for not living his dream. And I know if he breaks up with me because of this, I will never come fucking close to finding someone like him. I would never deserve to.
The car pulls up and they help me move my bags to the trunk. I manage to say thank you to them without sobbing as I sit in the back seat of the car.
I’m still wearing Elijah’s jersey as the car pulls out of Dad’s driveway. I wipe my tears with shaky hands, not yet ready to face the uncertainty of tomorrow.
* * *
