Falling for the Grinch ✔️

Seventeen | Stocking

Holly

I never thought my life would flash in an instant. It's such a scary, nerve-wracking feeling when you're miles away from your family and you're no help at all. That's exactly how I felt in that bedroom with Rhett... helpless. Even if we did have a wonderful night together. God, it was such a great night. One I can't stop thinking about.

But... I have to.

It's been two days since that phone call. Two days since my Mom was admitted to the hospital, and two days since I've heard from him. He tried reaching out, texting me all day and all night to check on her, but I never responded.

And I feel horrible about it.

We most certainly did not think Mom was this sick.

Dad's frantic voice has been playing in my head on repeat. I can't get the sounds of the ambulance out of my brain or the cries coming from my own mouth. Rhett had nearly tumbled off the bed to get to me, rubbing my back and trying to do everything in his power to help... but it wasn't enough.

I should have been there with them.

Not in another city, miles away, doing whatever this thing is between us. I know it's more than just a silly Christmas bet. I can feel it deep down in my heart.

Dad had filled me in a little bit on what happened that morning as soon as Rhett drove me to the hospital. I didn't even speak another word to him once his truck was barely in park as I jumped out of the passenger seat and made a run for it.

"Your Mother was unconscious on the kitchen floor when I found her," He mumbled into my ear by the waiting room, holding me tightly against his chest. "She was so frightened, Holly. I've never seen her like that before. She didn't understand what was happening and... that's when I knew she had a stroke."

A tear slipped from my eyes as he continued, pulling back slightly to look down at me. "Her speech was very slurred. No words were able to come out, but your Mother tried so hard."

Once we got off the phone the ambulance took the two of them to St. Peter's Health Hospital. They ran some tests and confirmed she had two mini-strokes. When her Doctor came in and told us the news we both started crying. The road to recovery from a stroke is different for everyone. As a nurse, I knew what the outcome would look like. Her walking may not be the same and with therapy, her speech might take some time to become normal again.

Rehab is also an option to help her walk with a cane, and it was a no-brainer. The process would still take a while, but whatever my Mother needs we would make it happen. If I need to take some time off work and be with my parents then so be it.

They are my life.

When I feel someone softly touch my arm, I gradually drift my eyes open, awakening from the uncomfortable curled-up position as my knees are pressed into my chin. My Dad mouths something to me, but when I see Rhett in the corner of my eye, leaning against the door with his ankles crossed and hands in the front pockets of his jeans my heart skipped a beat.

He's here.

Mom is still asleep in the hospital bed. She had been out for a couple of hours before I dozed off on my own. I look back at my Dad who offers me a small smile and a nod in the direction of his neighbor. He's been trying to talk me into leaving and getting some rest, but I refused. I can't leave her right now. I can't be gone again. I just need to be here when she wakes up.