Drawing the Line

Chapter 21

Joel was still comforting Cameron and trying to explain to him that forcing someone to be with you wouldn't work out well. He seemed to understand but was still very emotional.

*Ring ring*

"Hello?"

He listened intently to a female nurse on the other line tell him how Rylie's mother had flatlined and passed away. They had tried calling her, but she wasn't picking up. He thanked them and hung up.

"Is everything okay?" Cameron asked with a raised eyebrow. It was the middle of the night, so it was odd for Joel to get a call this late. Especially one that made him look so anxious.

"Oh...yeah. My boss just called and said a report I was working on was pushed up, so they need it first thing in the morning now. But I'm only half done."

Cameron got up and pulled on his arm.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go! I'll be okay, I don't want to get you fired!"

"Thanks Cam, stay as long as you need," he smiled as he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He jumped into his car and drove as quickly as he could through the streets. The hospital couldn't reach Rylie, but he didn't have to think to know where she was.

Not checking to see if he parked properly, he fished out his phone to dial her number and dashed towards her house.

"Rylie, are you here?! Rylie!"

He had his phone to his ear, but no one was picking up. He stopped for a moment and listened. He heard buzzing in the distance. He followed it to an open window on the side of the house. He peered in and saw Rylie crouched in the bathtub hugging her legs to her chest.

"Rylie! Are you okay? I need to tell you something important. Can you let me in?"

Silence.

"Please Rylie..."

"The back door is unlocked," she mumbled.

After he let himself in, he rushed to the bathroom and found she hadn't moved. He got into the bathtub with her and sat in the same position facing her.

"I was sitting by my phone when they called me. I didn't want to pick it up because I was scared of what they'd tell me..."

Without thinking, Joel reached out to grasp her hands.

"I know you are, but you can't keep running away."

"I know, I'm just...I don't want to do it alone..."

"Don't worry, I'm here."

She finally looked up and peered into Joel's eyes. She nodded and he helped her up. She washed her face and freshened up before she was driven back to the hospital.

They turned the corner of the hallway and Rylie stopped in her tracks. The door to her mother's room was within view and she was having trouble moving forward. Joel squeezed her shoulders lightly and guided her towards it.

When they reached the doorway, she could see nurses changing the bedsheets of an unoccupied bed. One of them noticed her and shook her head. She explained her mother's body was currently in the morgue awaiting instructions on where to transport the body. Rylie thanked her and waited for them to leave.

Her lips trembled at first but within a few seconds, tears started to roll down her face. She turned towards Joel subconsciously and leaned on his chest. He rested his hand on her head and let her cry.

After a few minutes, he placed his palm on her chin to cup her face.

"Look at me Rylie."

Still in his embrace, she looked up to meet his eyes.