Say You'll Stay

Fatal News

"Olivia!!" 

Nina called out as she came into the house. Olivia was sitting on the couch where she's been for the last forty minutes. The police called Nina and asked her to come before they had even finished taking her statement. She went over everything she knew, and they handed her tissues as she struggled with her agony. The paramedics are upstairs handling the body. Nina rushes forward.

"Nina?" Olivia stares, watching the fear blur her eyes. Her heart breaks even more knowing she's about to tear her world apart.

"Something happen with the boys??" Oliva shook her head. Nina's eyes latch to Liv's as the realization starts to settle in.

"N-no!" She sinks next to Olivia as she pulls her into her arms.

"Oh Lord," Nina cries as they cling to each other. Olivia leans back as Nina wipes her eyes.

"I don't....I don't know how to tell you this". Far worse than you can imagine.

"Tell me what?"

"He....he....he hung himself" Olivia's chest heaves as she says the words aloud.

"No, no, no, no" Nina repeats.

"Why? How? No! He would never! You're lying!"

"He did"

Nina's eyes fill with confusion. "No. You're wrong!" she stands pacing the floor moving her feet around.

"Not Jadyn. He loves you. He loves those boys more than anything. I don't believe you. He wouldn't do this!" It's hard for me to believe too.

"I wish I was lying. I wish this was a bad dream, but it's not. He.... he...." Olivia's breath comes in small bursts as she struggles to inhale. This was too much.

"I found him h-h-hanging f-from the bathroom beam!" She screams and sobs hysterically.

"I'm not lying ok! I'm.... I'm...."

The officer besides Olivia grips her shoulders instructing her to inhale and exhale slowly. In through her nose. Out through the mouth. She repeats the process until she's not on the verge of a panic attack. Nina cries with Olivia, letting out her own sounds of devastation. They clutch each other and mourn the loss of a man they both love. Twenty minutes later, just as Nina and Olivia have settled together and calmed into quiet weeping, paramedics appear by the staircase. A black bag lies on the gurney, holding the man she planned to grow old with, father of her boys, and all the hopes of the life she imagined. No more dinners. No more kisses. No more laughs can be shared between them. He chose not to and really wish she knew why. They have an beautiful home, stable jobs, healthy and smart kids. She didn't understand. She keeps waiting for Jadyn to walk down the steps and tell her it's all going to be alright. She stands, glaring at the blackness that fills her view. The emptiness drains parts of her that were once so full. It takes over the hope she once had, making it black and horrific. They wheel him out as she crumples to the floor. Nina rushes over to her, enveloping Olivia her in the arms, holding on.

"I'm so sorry Liv,"

"I'm sorry too" Olivia releases her and knows what she has to do next.

"I have to go get the boys"

"Oh, Lord" Nina gasps, covering her mouth.

"Do they know?"

"No, they sense something's wrong and it's about their father. I have to go get them. They're probably terrified."

She manages to pull herself up as the last police officer lingers by the back door. He walks over as she squeezes her arms around her stomach.

"Here's my card, Mrs. Lawrence. If you need anything, please give me a call."