There's No Such Thing as Second Chances

She's alive

I woke up with the worst pounding headache of my life and half regretted drinking as much as I did.

I tried to get up, and out of bed, but the smallest movement felt like someone was drilling a hole into my brain.

I made my way to the mini bar and grabbed a bottle of water, downing it all in a few gulps and decided the best course of action would be to get dressed and go down to the restaurant for some breakfast.

I needed coffee and was hoping some food in my stomach would do me some good and give me the energy I needed to get through the day.

Finding my clothes, I got dressed hastily and grabbed my phone to check if I had any messages only to realize I didn't plug it in the night before.

"Shit" I shook my head and found my charger, plugging the phone back in.

I considered waiting around until it turned back on but decided to check everything when I got back. Right now, I needed some substance. I wasn't feeling sick to my stomach but did feel like a massive bag of shit.

Food was the answer and the quicker I got to it, the better I'd feel.

I pressed the elevator button and propped myself up against the wall for support. I wasn't over the feeling of self loathing and loss and my legs were barely keeping me up.

A few minutes later I was being seated in a booth and tried to avoid eye contact with anyone and everyone.

I didn't want to do small talk and there were plenty of single and aged people sitting around looking for a chance to have a conversation with their breakfast.

I ordered a coffee before the waitress could introduce herself and she gave me a knowing nod before she took off to grab what I so desperately needed.

When she came back I reached out to grab the cup before she could sit it down and ordered my breakfast with the fewest words I could muster.

Everything hurt and I needed a clear moment to think.

I didn't know what I was going to do now. I needed to go back home and face the music with Helena. I didn't want to be with her, or anyone for that matter, but I had a son on the way and needed to put him first.

I believed I loved her once and wondered if I could fall in love with her again.

But did I really love her? Or was it just feelings of being inadequate around Charlie and finding someone who adored me.

I sighed out loud and pushed my cup to the edge of the table hoping the waitress would see it and bring me a refill.

I closed my eyes and tried to drown out the noise when something caught my attention.

"She was found off the shore miles from where the ferry exploded....it was a miracle she was alive....some hunter found her and nursed her to health....charlie something"

My eyes shot open and I searched the room for the source of the conversation seeing the two men talking sitting at a table a few metres away from me.

Not wasting any time I got up and walked over to them eager to hear what they had to say.

"Hi. Sorry to bug you guys but I was here with the search party looking for a family member. I overheard you guys saying they found someone yesterday. Do you know who it was?" I saw their startled expressions turn into excitement as they were eager to share the news with someone who clearly was not in the know.

"Yes. There was a young female that was found by someone in the woods miles from the explosion. Some famous writer, Charlie something. I don't remember her name. It's all over the news, have you not seen all the coverage"

"No. My phone died" I shook my head in disbelief and tried to control my emotions.  I didn't want to get excited just to get let down. What if it wasn't her? What if it was  mistaken identity. "Is there a picture of the survivor?" I asked hoping they would say yes.

When the man nodded his head and pulled out his phone, my body almost gave out.

There, looking skinnier and more fragile, was a picture of a smiling Charlie being reunited with her mother.

"Are you ok?" One of the men asked looking worried.

I could imagine how I looked. I was vibrating from head to toe and my whole body felt alive.

"That's my wife" I half screamed and took off barely remembering to pay my bill.

I dropped a couple of twenties and ran back to my room.

She was found well and alive.

I was going to get her back.  Everything was going to be ok. I just knew it.