Hope I Never Lose You

eight

After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and took out my phone. There was a text from Tree waiting for me. How she already knew, I had no idea. She just told me she'd cleared my calendar until further notice and to take care of myself. Swallowing, I called my Mom. I didn't think I could handle more than one phone call, and Mom would be able to pass the news on for me.

"Hi my darling, how are you?" Mom asked when she answered. "I haven't heard from you in a while, is everything okay?"

"No." I sniffed. "Mom, I'm...I'm at the hospital."

"Are you okay?" Mom's voice rose in panic and I realized she'd jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"I'm fine, it's not me." I quickly told her. God, I wish it was me. I'd swap places with him in a heartbeat. "It's...Travis." I closed my eyes. "He had an accident. A car crash. And he's..." My voice broke. "He's in a coma."

"Oh, oh my god." Mom whispered. "Honey, I am so sorry. Do you need me to come out there?"

"I..." I wanted to tell her no, but I did need her. I really, really needed her. "Yes."

"Okay honey, I can probably get a flight out tomorrow or the day after. I'll let you know. I'll be there as soon as I can." Mom assured me.

"Thank you." I whispered.

"You take care of yourself Taylor sweetheart, you know Travis. He'll be okay." Mom told me. "I'll be there as soon as I can, you just stay strong okay honey?"

"Okay." I sniffed as more tears dripped down my cheeks.

I stayed on the phone with Mom for a while until I couldn't talk anymore, and then she went to get a flight. Then I just sat in the waiting room, crying silently. I couldn't stop. I was terrified of what might happen now. What if Travis didn't wake up?

Donna and Jason came out an hour later, eyes redder than earlier. They looked exhausted, and only stayed to tell me that they were going home. I understood and just nodded, hugging them tightly before they left. Travis' doctor had come out with them and took me up to Travis' room. He left me at the door as I placed my hand on the handle, working up the nerve to go in. Then I pushed down, slipping into the room and closing the door behind me.

Travis was lying on a half propped up bed, eyes closed, breathing steadily. There was a cast on his left arm and a bulge under his hospital gown; the bandages over his ribs I assumed. There were cleaned cuts and bruises settling in all over his face and arms, and he was hooked up to a machine that beeped steadily along with his heart. 

I pressed a hand to my mouth, silent tears dripping down my cheeks as I slowly approached the bed. The way he was lying there motionless scared me so much. 

His wedding ring sat on the tiny table next to his bed. He'd broken his left hand, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that they'd had to take it off, but it broke my heart to see it just lying there. Sucking in a breath, I reached over and took it, sliding it into my pocket. Then I took up Travis' right hand in both of mine, pressing my lips to his fingers.

"Hi baby." I whispered. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, I promise I'll make sure you get better." Squeezing his hand, I fell into the chair next to his bed. "I love you." I breathed.

Hours passed, and I didn't move except to use the bathroom once. I stayed sitting next to him, holding his hand, watching as he breathed. I couldn't stand the thought of leaving the room, of going home for the night, and I refused to budge every time a nurse came to check up on him. They weren't supposed to let visitors stay, but no one tried to tell me that more than once. They knew I wasn't going anywhere, and the second nurse just nodded and left, coming back five minutes later. She dragged a small mattress into the room along with a pillow and a blanket, pushed it against the wall, told me to get some rest, and left us alone. I watched as the door closed behind her and then turned back to Travis.