Wishing on Dandelions

Chapter 6

Adam made another note saying to meet him at his car after school. I must have died. Great, just when my life was starting to look good. The last bell seems to take forever to ring. I hurry to his car and soon he's there.

"Get in," he murmured.

I get in the car, making sure no one saw the door opening by the air since apparently no one can see me.

Before I know, the tears start streaming down my face and I'm cussing myself out. I do not cry. Crying is weakness. Adam says nothing and just stares at me. My tears stop and now I'm mad that he hasn't told me anything. "What happened to me?"

"Do you remember the crash?"

"Ya, but I'm fine, I still made it to school. How come nobody can see me? Is this an act? Am I being pranked," my words come out so fast I have to wonder how he can understand them.

"Jolene, you're in a coma in the hospital."

"Holy...what?!!!!"

"I wouldn't lie about this. The doctors are saying there's a very little chance of you surviving. Your mom's been at the hospital ever since."

"What do you mean? She's there, as in she cares?"

"Yes, why wouldn't she care? You're her daughter."

"Adam, my mom is a crack addict and a gold digger who hasn't paid attention to me since I was born." Why the hell did I just say that?

"What? Jolene, I'm so sorry. But I bet she is there."

"So you don't know?"

"No, I don't, but I think you should go see."

"Do you think you can take me?"

"Ya, sure. Why am I the only one who can see you?"

"I have the slightest idea."

We start driving to the hospital and emerge into silence.

****

My face is covered in purple and black bruises, they changed me into a hospital gown but I still see the bloody clothes from the accident on me, the me that only exists to Adam. A nurse comes in with my mom. "Miss, she has 2 broken ribs, a broken leg and arm, a concussion and internal bleeding."

My mom starts sobbing, I think it's all for show though, she never cared before, why would she care now?

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but there's only a ten percent chance of her surviving."

10 percent? I'm going to die, I've never been lucky and the odds are never in my favor. At least I won't hurt anybody. No one would care if I died. But I don't want to die, I still have so much to experience. The nurse leaves and my mom crouches next to the bed and whispers in my ear, "I'm so sorry baby, I will get clean, I will stop having boyfriends, just please come back to me. I love you and I'm sorry I've done a horrible job at showing it," she grabs ahold of my hand, "please Jolene, I need you," she starts sobbing uncontrollably.

I leave confused and dazed at what just happened.