Don't Let It Break Your Heart

26: Sign of the Times

Johannah sat at the edge of the bed, tears seemed vague these days, even though it had only been a few weeks since the incident, she remained a strong and courageous mother to her son, who was for the most part just hanging on. 

          "Jay, would you like some coffee love, I was thinking of going to the cafe down by the entrance." Anne's voice seemed to be as if she was speaking into a tunnel, distant and unfamiliar, to Johannah at least. But maybe it was because she had been so focused on the well-being of her son. And Harry, who had been in the room next door to the two. 

     "Jay?" Her voice was more clear to the woman's ears, for now, but her eyes never left Louis. Instead of looking at her friend, she simply reached for Louis's hand, which was stilled as he lay in a coma, the news they were given wasn't laying well on their conscience. 

The two hadn't slept well in probably almost a week, and neither mentioned the happenings of that particular day, in fact, they more or less avoiding the topic altogether. "I'll be back, okay?" Her voice sounded of disappointment But she understood, Harry was in the same aspect and Anne wanted to do anything just to get her mind off of the obvious. 

Sighing, she slowly made her way back to room 94, the light tone and gentleness of Harry's face gave her a bit of a daydream and suddenly she felt like her Harry was 16 again. This felt so different to her so heartbreaking and worst of all it was times like this where she had to sit back and wait. Killing time seemed to be the hardest thing to do, but Anne managed. 

Now that reality sank in, she thought back to Robin, her true love. He had been there for her up until he had passed away, and even turning the time he was ill he still managed to put a smile on her face. "It's just a sign of the times." He would say, and the words made her melt. 

Robin was quite strong and had good morals in life. He had a reason for everything that happened to go wrong in life, however this time she couldn't know the reasoning for this. Her son and her son in love both ended up in an accident, a messy head-on collision, and it was within the blink of an eye. To think, just a few weeks ago, they were going to celebrate their anniversary in Jamaica. 

            "I'll take up that offer now." Johannah's voice grasped Anne's attention from her in-depth thoughts and as soon as she turned to meet her, the tears could be seen. "I don't want him to leave me, Jay, he's my baby, I love him so much."She sobs into her own hands. 

It was as if Johannah experienced this behavior before, as her arms wrap around her distraught friend, and she consoled her as Anne cried. Maybe she knew what felt right to her, it was perhaps when she was saddened that she wanted this kind of comfort and she believed what you give shall be received in return. 

    "Don't worry Anne, it's alright sweets." Her voice, although timid she smiled, able to remain secure, guarding her emotions like a childhood diary. It was easier to suppress how she felt when helping someone else.  "He's only resting, I keep telling myself that about Louis, maybe it's just to put my mind at ease about Louis. 

Johannah sighs as she and Anne let go of the hug, her tears that were once there now fading as they stain her cheeks. "Coffee?" She smiled, getting her purse from the floor, the thought of germs for some reason not even entering her mind. Anne nods simply, soon wiping her eyes and she reaches for her purse as well, she was used to paying for herself although today Johannah planned on paying for it. "Anne, please, let me get your snack and drink." She laughs, setting the purse back on the counter where it once was. 

In time, they arrived at the cafe which served the best pretzels around, in Anne's humble opinion as well as the best pumpkin spice latte's. She sighs, as she sat down her eyes followed Johannah as she made it to the line. 

~.~

Louis was little by little coming to, his toes wriggled at the end of the bed. His eyes barely fluttered open, and his surroundings at first prevailed quite blurry he glanced around and sighs deeply, unaware of what had happened.  And as fate would have it, the man who had caused the whole nightmare of it all, now stood in the doorway. 

"Louis... you're ... you're okay." His voice was a mix of interest but also emotion, one Louis hadn't really heard before. "You are okay, aren't you?" His eyebrow rose and then fell back down just as quickly. "I-I don't know if you know what happened but.." His eyes shift to the flowers in his hands, they were empathy, and meant as a get well soon,  but how do you give as such when said individual did the crime?

"Do you mind?" He says placing the flowers on the counter, and soon pulled a chair to sit beside Louis. He became silent realizing that Louis hadn't bothered to even try moving from where he laid against the hospital bed. "I came to apologize, to both you and Harry." 

His demeanor seemed solace, however, he already gave Louis shallow vibes. Even before the accident, Louis knew Nick to be a shallow person who invited people over that he knew would be trouble makers.

      "I would rather wait on me mum, thanks mate, And I don't know if I'm willing to accept your apology just yet." His eyes soon glanced to the doorway although he hadn't moved from his bed, he could see his mum in the hallway talking to the doctor who was holding a clipboard. His eyes welled in tears as she walked into the room and soon felt her wrap her arms around his torso. Even though the circumstances seemed scary, Johannah made him feel safe, and he didn't know what he would do without her, she was his everything. As was Harry.

"Mum... where- where's Harry?" He sniffles through the never-ending tears, he slowly wipes them with his forearm and noticed as her expression changed to hesitancy. Maybe it was best he didn't know everything. "He's just resting, my love. He'll be okay I promise."

Nick's posture slumped, which made the atmosphere even more awkward if that was even possible.  This couldn't be happening, his eyes brimmed in more tears. "Can I go see him? I just want to hold his hand, that's all." He smiled through what was the endless amounts of tears, almost like the clouds on a rainy day. 

She sighs, giving in and soon helping her son in a wheelchair to go into Harry's room, when Anne caught sight of the two, she nearly tripped over her own feet to greet them. Louis knew almost right away things weren't well with Harry. He was still in a comatose state, and he was bruised and banged all up. His heart ached to hear the London boy's voice again. He would give anything to look into his emerald green eyes just once more. Hang in there Harry, just a little longer. Louis thought to himself, as he held his hand in his own.

  

If you made it this far, you are truly the greatest legend ~J