Trouble in Paradise.

32. Bury

Chapter 32: Bury.

"It's been two weeks, mom." I say, staring at Zachary as his chest rises and falls. He is connected to tubes and wires. He's been like this since he got here. When the ambulance brought him to the hospital, two weeks ago he was almost dead. The doctor told me he had overdosed on pain medication. But luckily he got there in time.

That's what saved him.

"I know it looks like there's no hope, but at least he's alive. Have you eaten today?" My mother asks me over the phone.

I stare out the window, looking at the night sky.

"I haven't." I reveal.

"Valarie, it's almost midnight. You have a baby inside you." My mother says, concerned.

"I know, I just. I can't eat, not when he's dying." I say, sobbing. "You gotta help me, mom. I can't do this anymore. I can't. I'm watching the man I love die. I can't possibly eat when he might never get the chance to eat again." I tell her.

"I'm coming there right now. And I'm bringing you some food. Just stay there." She says before she hangs up.

I place the phone in my purse and I drag my seat closer to Zachary's bed. I hold his hand, squeezing it.

"Please wake up. We need you. I can't do this alone." I sob, kissing his hand as my tears touch his fingers.

The machines start going off and Zachary's chest starts palpitating and my eyes widen. He starts foaming at the mouth and my heart literally stops.

"Nurse!!!." I scream in fear. Running out of his hospital room I get to the help desk and I tell them what's going on. A doctor and two nurses follow me back to his room. When they see his condition, they beckon me to wait outside. I refuse, obviously. They get a defibrillator and start jerking Zachary back to life. I start crying at the sight of his body being tossed around like he's not in there. I willingly leave the room. I can't watch that.

An hour later, I'm eating the gumbo my mother made for me. I haven't been to Zachary's hospital room since I left. I can't see him like that. I just can't do it.

"Honey, do you want to come stay with your dad and I? You haven't left this hospital since Zachary got admitted. You're wearing the same clothes you were when you found him." My mother says, touching my back.

"If I leave, I don't think I can come back here and see him like that. I can't do it, mum." I say, wiping my eyes.

"It'll be fine. He'll wake up. I'm sure of it. He's a fighter. He'll get through this." My mother says, holding my hand.

"And if he doesn't? I can't raise our child alone." I tell her.

"He will." She says, waving that thought off.

"Fine. I'll leave with you. But I'll be back here first thing in the morning." I tell her and she nods.

***

"How's he?" Courtney asks me, playing with the hands of her sweater.

"How does he look?" I ask her.

"Not great." She says and I nod.

"There you go." I whisper.

"Did you know he was depressed?" Courtney asks and I shake my head.

"I didn't even see him sad. He was never sad when he was around me. I don't think he was suicidal." I tell her, fixing Zachary's hair.

"Everyone's worried about him...like everyone from High School. They're holding an event in his honor." She says and I stare at her.

"In his honor? He's not dead." I tell her.