Father's Song

1 • W I D O W E D • 1

4/28/2023 (Friday)
• FLASHBACK •

'Only in my worst nightmares can this happen.' Katelin thought.

'None of this is real.'

She pinched herself.

'I'm awake.'

'This is real.'

"Are..." She could hardly breathe. "Are you sure it's him?"

"The paramedics found his wallet with his ID inside the car." The nurse told her. "We can take you to see him if you'd like. But I have to warn you - it's not a pleasant sight. If you change your mind, that's okay."

"I want to see my husband,"

She looked at Katelin pitifully, and told her she could show her to his room in the ICU.

'I don't believe he's gone until I see it.'

She hesitated when they reached his room.

"Take all the time you need. Somebody might come in here in a few minutes to check up."

Katelin didn't watch the nurse walk away. She knew that what was behind the curtain would be one of two things.

One - a man that she had never seen before in her life.
Two - her husband. Henry Jones. Disheveled and mangled from a drunk driver's wrongdoing.

She walked in and pulled the curtain aside.

Number two.

Her hand flew to her mouth. She didn't know if she was going to throw up, or pass out. Or both.

His neck was in a brace, and IVs poked out from his hands and arms. His face was bruised and cut up, and he was so still.

So scarily still.

She walked up to him slowly, as if he was going to jump out at her if she made any sudden movements.

And she wished he would.

She touched his hand, and wrapped a finger around his. Machines beeped, as they were the only things keeping him alive. Machines. Life support.

He was too badly hurt to fix.

"Oh, Henry..." Katelin whispered. "You didn't deserve this."

"Mrs. Jones?"

She jumped a little.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." The man said. "I'm the surgeon that worked on your husband. We did absolutely everything we could, but the damage was too extensive. I am so sorry for your loss."

She looked back at her husband. Her breathing now felt less constricted, but somehow, it hurt even more.

"I will be nearby if you have any questions. Please don't hesitate to ask." He walked out of the room, sensing her discomfort.

She kneeled down by his bed and squeezed his hand. "How am I going to tell Abby this?" She asked. "How am I going to tell our beautiful baby girl that while she was at school, her father got into a car accident and died?"

She didn't understand why she was not crying. She felt... numb.

"I know this isn't your fault. I know it's not." She said. "But you're still gone. And it hasn't really sunk in yet that tonight you won't come to bed after getting Abby her glass of water. You won't kiss me on the neck three times before you pull me close and tell me "sweet dreams" and say how much you love me."