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“Son?” Dad prods, his tone anxious. I pull my eyes back to his worried gaze.
“Sore,” I croak. “Everything hurts.”
“Mark, can you get someone?” Mom immediately chimes in. “A nurse or a doctor… I don’t care who, just them know he’s awake. It’s been a while since they’ve given him pain meds. They’re probably starting to wear off.”
“Yeah,” he exhales, flashing her a soft smile before looking back down at me. “I love you, son,” he whispers before pulling his hand from mine. He turns his back, leaving the room in a hurry.
Emotional silence fills the room as Mom brushes her thumb against my cheek, her lips trembling as she stares down at me. She looks like she’s trying so hard to hold it together, like she might break any second now.
“Mom, what happened?” I rasp.
She inhales a shaky breath before pulling a chair next to the bed. She takes a seat beside me as she reaches for my hand. I wrap my fingers around her palm, tightening my grip to let her know that it’s okay.I’m okay.
“What is the last thing you remember?” She asks. “Just so I know where to start.”
I close my eyes, pinching my brows together as I try to rack my memory. I see my hand clenched around the steering wheel as snowflakes melt against the windshield. I see tall, towering pine trees lining the open road. I hear Grouplove flowing through the speakers, playing my favorite song.I feel happy. For the first time in a long time, I’m happy. And then it all goes black.
I peel my eyes back open, meeting her emerald gaze.
“Driving,” I rasp. “I was driving home from Denver.”
“Good,” she exhales, nodding her head. “That means your memory is good.”
If people keep talking to me like I’m not right in front of them, I am going to lose my damn mind.
“Why would my memory not be good?” I prod, feeling frustrated. “Talk to me, Mom. Please, stop beating around the bush. I can’t put the pieces together if you don’t tell me.”
“You were in a car accident, Everett,” she rushes out, like if she doesn't say it now, she’ll never be able to. “You were hit by another driver. They tried to slow down at the stop sign, but their tires drifted on black ice. They lost control of their vehicle and crashed directly into the driver’s side of your truck. Directly into you…” Her voice trails off as pained sobs leave her chest.
Holy shit.
“Hey,” I whisper, brushing a thumb over the back of her hand, “I’m okay. I’m right here, and I’m okay.”
“I just…” she rasps, shaking her head. “My biggest fear has always been losing one of my children. And for a second, I really thought I had lost you, Ev. I thought I was going to be one of those mothers who experiences the unbearable pain of burying a child.” She pauses to catch her breath. “I… God, I couldn't do it. I can’t bear the thought of losing one of my babies.”
She places a shaky hand over her mouth to stifle her pained whimpers. Her shoulders quake with silent cries as tears spill down her cheeks.She looks as broken as I feel.
“Come here,” I whisper, guiding her head to my chest. A sharp pain shoots to my ribs when she rests her cheek beneath my collarbone, but I block out the pain. Because this woman is more important than temporary pain. She’s been there for me through every high and every low. And right now, I need to be there for her.
“I’m okay, Mom,” I rasp as my hand cradles the back of her head. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here,” I repeat, holding her tightly against me, letting her feel the heavy beat of my heart as proof that I’m alive. I may feel like complete shit, but I’m alive. I hold her to me while she empties her emotions against my beating chest, her tears staining the thin material of my hospital gown.
I think about the accident, and how it all happened so fast. Thankfully, this was the first time I’ve ever been in a serious wreck, and it’s not all how I imagined it would feel. I always thought a car accident would feel like it was happening in slow motion, terrifying and agonizing as you await your fate. I imagined watching my life flash before my eyes as I see everyone that I’ve ever loved. I pictured shooting pains and horrified screams on impact. Maybe this is what some people experience, but for me, it was the exact opposite.
All I remember is driving until I wasn't… until I woke up in this hospital. I remember listening to our favorite song as I think about sky-blue eyes, wavy chestnut hair, and soft lips against mine. I remember counting down the minutes until I had her in my arms again. Like my guardian angel, all I can remember isher.
Shewas the last thing to consume my thoughts before it all went black. Deep down, I feel like she’s the reason I’m still here, my reason for everything. It’s almost as if I can recall her telling me that I’m going to get through this, begging me to stay because she just got me back. I know it’s just my mind playing tricks on me, but I can hear her telling me she loves me, repeating those three words like a prayer.
Skylar. Skylar. Skylar.
Her name flashes through my mind, pulsing along with the frantic beat of my heart.
My everything. My angel. The stars to my night sky.
Where is she? Does she know? Did she make it home?Thank God she wasn't in the truck with me.
I want her.I need her.I need her more than any pain medication.
Someone bring her to me.I just got her back.
