I walk down the long hallway alone while nurses stare at me with grief in their eyes. Do they know something they aren’t telling me? I don’t want to face all those people in the waiting room but that’s where this hallway ends I can’t escape them now. Rounding the bend my heart is beating faster than a race horse.
Mrs. Basso is the first to embrace me whispering in my ear how sorry she is and they will do whatever I need. I nod in the shoulder of the woman I consider my mother. She holds me tight and I don’t think she is ever going to let me go and relief washes over me. The people in this room love me, love all of us and that is why they are here to support us in any way we need them.
Mr. Basso pats me on the shoulder in his silent way telling me the same as his wife. All the other family members hug me and reassure me my dad will be ok, that he is a fighter. I know they can’t guarantee my dad will survive but what are they supposed to say.
Bryan and Colt are sitting with Mackenna next to the Edwards, Kenna lets everyone touch me before she steps in. She puts her arm around my shoulders and I think she is going to lead me to the vacant chair next to her but she turns at the last minute and releases me into Gabe. The feeling of his welcoming arms eases my shoulders letting them collapse while he holds me steady. He sits down in a chair encircling his arms around me on his lap. His hand keeps my head firmly placed in the crocked of his neck. He doesn’t assure me everything will be ok or that my dad will pull threw. He doesn’t say my dad is a fighter. He just assures me he will be here for me regardless of what happens. That he will get me through this nightmare to the other side with or without my dad. Those words mean so much to me and the fact that they came from Gabe means even more.
Gabe and I stay like that for an hour. No one interrupts us. No one comes by us. I hear conversations being carried on around us but I don’t want to leave my security in his arms. Gabe doesn’t seem very interested in letting me go either.
“Do you want me to get you something to eat or drink?” He whispers softly to me.
“No but if you want something I can get up.” I go to get up from his lap suddenly feeling awkward. I haven’t had a real conversation with him for over two years.
“No, I don’t need anything.” He pulls me back down intertwining his hands with mine. “I know this isn’t the right time, but I am enjoying the hell out of this.”
I start cracking up laughing and the room looks over at me but I can’t control myself. I don’t know why it isn’t as though what he said was funny. Maybe it is the tension in the room or the fear of something happening to my dad but it feels so good to laugh.
“You’re making me look like a schmuck.” He bites his lip to keep the smile at bay.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what is wrong with me” I put my head back in his neck trying to conceal my laugh.
“Madeline.” I know the cold voice that states it; I don’t need to lift my head in acknowledgement so I don’t.
“Sorry Mrs. Jennings. I made a careless joke making her laugh. I meant no disrespect.” Gabe speaks for me since I refuse to look up at the woman who shouldn’t be here.
“Please keep it down and Jesus Madeline sit in your own chair.” She hisses before turning away.
I get up to crawl in the chair besides Gabe but he holds me firm. “Don’t even think about it.”
I must have dozed off because by the time the doctor comes out it is only Gabe, Jack, Lindsey, my mom and Kenna there. I stood holding Kenna’s hand with Gabe’s hands resting on my shoulders from behind. Jack holds Lindsey close to him while my mom stands to the side.
“He’s out of surgery but it is still touch and go for a while. We will know more in the morning. He is in the ICU, let him recover for tonight and come back in the morning.” He instructs.
I don’t feel right leaving but everyone guarantees me it is for the best. I reluctantly leave to spend the night at Jack’s. I take the guest room and Gabe goes home for the night. I think my mom thought I would spend the night at her house but I have no reason to be with her. She probably went back to the bar after she left the hospital anyway.
Jack tells me Gabe is in town visiting his family when they got the call but he is supposed to be leaving to go back to Florida in two days. I ache thinking of him leaving me again but I wouldn’t hold him from his dreams. Jack discloses to me later that evening that Gabe and a couple buddies bought a house on the beach and are in the process of flipping it to use the extra money to start a real estate company. I know Gabe wants to be his own boss and I am not surprised he is already attaining it.
The next morning Gabe is already at Jack’s to pick me up for the hospital. Kenna wanted to stay in town but I told her to go back with Bryan and Colt and I would call them with any changes. Although classes haven’t started yet, they all have jobs and I don’t want them to lose them on account of me. She grudgingly left saying she has a couple days off at the end of the week and she will come down.
Gabe and I follow Jack and Lindsey to the hospital. They won’t let Gabe into the ICU since he isn’t family, Lindsey is only allowed since we told them she is Jack’s wife. The nurses say not much has changed in my dad’s condition but to be patient it can take some time.
I go from the waiting room to my dad’s the whole day. I told Gabe to go ahead and leave but he insists this is where he should be. The last time I went out to check on him he is on his cell phone. His back is turned to me looking out the window so I stand silent waiting for him to be done.
“It’s not that big of a deal, only a couple days.” He is angrily talking to someone. I assume his buddies in Florida.
“That is nothing, come on, this is ridiculous.” He puts his hands through his hair leaning against the wall.
“Listen, get your ass up and stop thinking about yourself for once.” His voice is escalating and I don’t want him to make a scene with the other visitors in the waiting room so I tap him on the shoulder. His eyes dart to mine and they shift from narrow and mad to sympathetic and apologetic instantly telling me who his talking to. I put my hand out for him to give me the phone and he does.
“Hello Trent.” I say.
“I’m sorry Maddy, I just got word about your dad. I wish I could be there but they won’t let me out of practice.” He rambles on.
“That’s ok Trent.” I don’t cry even though I am on the brink. Gabe looks at me in disbelief that I am letting him get away with not coming.
“You know I would if I could Mad. Its senior year and all. You understand right?” He asks.
“Yeah I understand.” I say and Gabe turns around throwing his hands up in the air.
“I love you Maddy. Call me if you need me ok? I’ll keep my phone by me.” I can tell he already wants to cut the phone call short.
“Ok, bye Trent.” I say.
“Bye Maddy. Can you give me back to Gabe now?” He asks.
“Sure” I hand the phone over to Gabe. I am so frustrated with him I feel the tears welling up in my eyes desperate to find a release but I push them back. I will not cry over Trent Basso again.
Gabe takes the phone and walks over in the corner of the room whispering. Although I can’t hear his words I see the pent up fury he in unleashing on Trent. Then he points like Trent is right in front of him resembling a father scolding their child and hangs up the phone throwing it into one of the chairs.
I hurry back to my dad’s room before Gabe sees my reaction to Trent not coming. He needs to cool down and I need to push my tears away. My dad holds priority right now not Trent. When I get back to the room Jack is smiling and looking hopeful. Lindsey had gone down to the cafeteria to get them something to drink.