The Miracle of a Teenage Romance

Chapter 24

   Jake sees Caden just moping around the house all depressed, so he tries to cheer him up. "Hey, little brother, do you want to go to the arcade and play some Galaga?"

   Caden shakes his head. "No. I'm just going to stay here. I don't really feel like going out today."

   "Well, we could watch a movie."

   "No, I'm not really in the mood."

   "Well, what are you in the mood for?"

   "Nothing really. I just want to sit right here and finish eating my dinner."

   "Then what?"

   "Then I don't know. Maybe go back to bed."

   Jake shakes his head. "No. You can't just sit around here all day and waste your life away sleeping. You have to get up and get out into the real world."

   "No. I...I can't."

   "Why not?"

   "Because then I'll have to accept reality! And I don't wanna do that!" Caden snaps, tears streaming down his face.

   Jake softly places his hand on Caden's shoulder. "Caden,—" he says sympathetically, "—it's been two years. You have to move on."

   Caden sobs. "I...I can't move on. I loved her more than anything, and now...she's...she's gone."

***

   Caden shoots forward in his seat. "Lilly!" He glances in front of him to realize it was only just a dream, and Lilly is still in a coma. He gently caresses the top of her head, his eyes welling up with tears. Breathing a sigh of relief, he whispers, "I thought I lost you for a second there, Princess."

A few minutes later, Jake knocks on the door, startling Caden. "I figured you would be here," he says, wrapping his arms around Caden.

Caden shrugs. "Where else would I be?"

"I don't know. Work?"

"Her mom and dad are at work. So's Mike. I wasn't going to leave her all alone."

"I understand. How is she?" he asks, taking a seat beside Caden.

Caden wipes away a tear. "Honestly, I don't know. The doctors say that she may never wake up.... But I don't believe that."

Jake hugs him tight. "I'm sorry, little brother."

Caden pulls away. "For what? She...she's going to be okay."

Jake speaks sympathetically. "Caden, I'm sorry to tell you this, but...most likely she won't be okay. I mean you just said that she may never wake up."

Caden pushes his brother away. "Stop it, Jake! She will be okay. She just needs time!"

"Caden, she's been like this for a month now. I'm sorry, but her chances of waking up are slim to none."

"No! She will wake up! I told you she just needs time!"

"Caden, you're not understanding what I'm saying. Once someone has been in a coma for a month, the likelihood of them waking up is extremely low. I'm sorry." He tries to hug him, but Caden jerks away.