I've Loved and I've Lost

Chapter 70

Danica POV

I sigh heavily as I roll out of bed, my body aching from spending almost forty hours at work yesterday. The door knocks again, harder this time and I'm so grateful that Liylah is at a sleepover. "I'm coming, I'm coming," I get to the door and open it to see a teary eyed "Jackson? What—" 

Before I can finish asking my question his body collides with mine, his arms around my waist and his head in the crook of my neck as he begins sobbing. I freeze for a second before wrapping my arms around him. I hold the back of his head gently as he sobs harder, his body shaking from the strength of his cries. I pull away and place my hands on his reddened face, looking at his glossy eyes and tear stained cheeks. 

I let go of his face and move away, locking the door before turning back to him. "I have a drawer of large t-shirts and shorts, go change and have a shower while I make you some food okay?" He nods and heads to my room, closing the door behind him. I run my hands over my head, the exhaustion completely leaving as I begin bustling around my kitchen looking for something that isn't chicken strips to feed him. 

As I look in the fridge I pull out my phone and dial Callie. I listen to the dial tone as I pull out some soup I'd made yesterday to help Liylah get over the last bit of her cold. "Hello?" I ask in to the phone, the dial having ceased as I close the fridge. 

"Hey Dani," Her voice sound exhausted. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion as I place a pot on the stove, pouring the soup in and turning on the burner. 

"Are you okay?" 

"No. But what's up?" 

"No what's wrong?" I urge as I grab a spoon and stir the soup. I walk over to the toaster and grab two pieces of bread and pop them into the toaster as I wait for Callie to answer. 

"Jackson was a resident on my case and he made a mistake and one of the screws we put in a woman's back shredded her left ventricle," My hand covers my mouth at the thought of the pain that woman must have been in. "It's my fault. Sure Jackson made the mistake but I should've been paying more attention. She has a son and her husband tore me a new one," 

"Wait, Jackson made the mistake?" I question as I switch off the oven, spooning the soup into a bowl before running over and buttering the toast. 

"Yeah," 

"So, that's why he's so upset," 

"What? Wait is he at your house?" I look toward my still closed bedroom door, lowering my voice as I speak into the phone. 

"Yeah, he showed up crying," I hear her sigh into the phone. "I've got him but are you okay?" 

"I'll be fine," 

"I love you," 

"I love you too," My phone beeps as she hangs up and I place it on the counter before setting Jackson's soup and toast on the island. I walk over to the door, knocking gently against it to avoid startling him. 

"Yeah?" 

"You almost done?" I question through the wooden divider. I jump slightly as he opens it, standing in front of me. "Soup's on the counter," 

"Thanks," I move out of the way and watch as he sits down at the island and begins eating. "It's really good," 

"Thanks," I smile as I walk into the kitchen, leaning on the counter as I look at him. "Want some tea?" He shakes his head and simply stares into his bowl of soup. 

"Is uh, is Liylah here cause I don't want to intr—"

"She's at a sleepover. You're good," I stop him from rambling. He nods before continuing to eat. He continues to eat in silence as I grab a carton of juice, pouring some into a glass and sipping it. My eyes flit over to Jackson every few seconds. I place my glass in the sink and reach over for his bowl. He hands it to me and I place it in the sink and begin watching the dishes.