"This is all your fault, director's pet. This is a play. I'm not falling in love with you, and I would never ever go out with you, Jack Garrison."
Jack and Shayna can't get through a rehearsal without fighting.
Cheerleader Shayna loathes perfect Ja...
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There was over an hour before the bonfire. Not wanting to go back to Uncle Anton's apartment or my house, I drove to the hospital to catch the tail end of visiting hours.
The nurse at the front desk had me sign in and informed me that my little sister was asleep. Instead of waking her, I made my way to Mom's room.
The door sign read Sarah Anne Garrison. Mary had doodled some flowers on the sign the last time she'd visited before all the awfulness. My mother sat up in bed arguing with Jeopardy on her little TV.
I tapped my fingers on the doorframe. "Hi, Mom."
"Jack," her face lit up. "Come in, my boy."
The smell of cleaning chemicals and something strong like bleach stung my nose as I walked into the room. Someone had brought her flowers and a newspaper that lay in her lap.
"I wasn't sure you were going to come to visit again," she said. "I'm glad you did."
"Mom..." the word choked in my throat.
She was so thin. Her blonde hair, now streaked with gray, had started to grow back a month ago and almost reached her ears. She'd tied a bright blue headband around her head to cover one of the larger scars from surgery.
"If I was going to live longer, I swear there'd be divorce papers," she said. "Anton told me everything. I'm so so sorry."
I didn't know what to say, so I reached out and wrapped my strong hand around her frail fingers. She squeezed it back. She might have been gaunt and exhausted, but she was still here.
"Mom..." I tried to find the words. "I tried to stop him. I didn't want them to take the girls away. Mommy... I was so frightened."
"I know," she said softly. "I know. Nobody blames you, Jack. You did a good thing. You saved Mary's life. I know this isn't what you wanted. You're in high school. You should be young and carefree."
She started coughing. I reached for the pitcher of water and handed her a glass. She gave me a grateful smile and drank.
"I love you," she said. "More than anything in the world, Jack. You and your sisters are bright lights. Help them. Be there for them. I'm not asking you to give up your future, just to be there as a friend. Anton can help you. I hoped things would be different, but I know you are a strong boy, even if you don't feel like it."
Blinking back tears, I took a deep breath. Mom had always thought it was okay for me to cry. She would wipe the tears and say I was brave.
"I love you, Mom," I said. "More than anything. I love you."
That's when the first tear fell. Mom just smiled and patted my hand. She loved me. I knew that. She was also proud of me.
"We've known I was dying a good long while," she said. "It's all going to be all right. I do wish I could see your production, though. Anton said it's going to be amazing. He texted me that you were a phenomenal actor, Jack. If you wanted to, you could forgo football and sports and go to school for acting. Do what makes you happy, Jack."
