V O I D

Chapter 10.

Lin stood next to her mother’s bed, holding her hand and looking down at her.

“I’m sorry, mom,” Lin said softly.

A single tear rolled down her cheek. Kath entered the room quietly and walked up to Lin. Without saying a word, she took Lin’s other hand in hers. Lin squeezed her hand a little tighter and more tears began to fall. The pair stood in silence until the heart rate monitor became a straight line and the nurse called time of death on Lin’s mother.

“Time of death, 9:47 pm,” the nurse said as they marked it down in her chart.

Lin let go of the grasp that she had on Kath’s hand and walked slowly out of the room. As she left the room, she turned down the hallway and leaned up against the wall. She took a deep breath in and let out a sob, dropping her head into her hands. She felt her body begin to collapse underneath her as she slid down the wall, sitting on the floor with her knees pulled tight to her chest. Lin continued to sob into her hands that were covering her face.

Kath appeared in the doorway of the hospital room and looked down the hall to see Lin sitting on the floor, head in her hands, knees to her chest. She slowly made her way over to the brunette and placed her hand gently on her shoulder.

Lin looked up at Kath and without words, the brunette put her hand out for her to take it. Lin took the offer and stood up. The pair made their way out to Kath’s car. Kath opened the door for Lin and gestured for her to get in. Lin slid into the the seat of the car. Kath closed the door and made her way to the driver seat.

The pair remained in silence on the drive from the hospital to the house. Lin leaned her head on the cold glass of the window, watching the world go by as they drove.

As they entered the house, Kath helped Lin up the stairs and into her bedroom. The taller brunette sat down on the bed and looked down at the floor.

“Hey, I’m going to go talk to Charlotte for a second,” Kath explained. “Do you need anything?” she asked.

Lin looked up at Kath and shook her head.

“Hey, Charlotte, Lin’s going to stay here tonight,” Kath explained, as she made her way into the living room.

“How is she?” Charlotte asked, sympathetically.

“Not great. I didn’t want her to have to be alone tonight. Sarah can’t be back until tomorrow,” Kath explained.

“That’s fine, Kath, where is she?” Charlotte asked.

“My room.”

“Can I?” Charlotte asked as she stood up and headed for the stairs.

Kath nodded as she watched Charlotte make her way up the stairs.

Charlotte knocked softly on the door that was partially open. There was no answer and she slowly opened the door to see Lin standing in front of the mirror, looking back at her reflection.

“Hey, Harper ,” Charlotte spoke softly as she entered the room.

Lin turned around and gave her a half smile.

“Hey, I’m sorry, Linette,” Charlotte started.

“You called me Linette,” she finally spoke.

“I have my moments of being sentimental,” Charlotte winked. “I’d ask how you are, but I can imagine that’s a stupid question.”

“I’m okay,” Lin stated. “Actually, I’m not, Charlotte. I’m not okay.” Lin shook her head at the brunette.

Charlotte walked up to Lin and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay to not be okay, Lin.”