Music to My Ears

Chapter 18 Strong for Both of Us

My leg bounced up and down in the front seat of Mr. Smith's car. For the first time I wasn't seeing him wearing his usual suit. Now he was wearing a pair of simple blue jeans and a white t-shirt, along with a forest green jacket. I kept my eyes out the window as we drove out on the highway, the sky still dark and building lights in the distance glowing like stars.

"What happened?" I asked dryly.

"I got a call from the hospital. Since you don't have any other family, they called me. They informed me that after she left work, she was attacked in the parking lot. She would have been killed if someone leaving as well didn't see. Unfortunately, the man ran off before they could catch him."

"Oh my god..." I whispered, salty tears threatening my eyes. I rested my elbow on the door, my fist up to my chapped lips. "H-how is she?"

"She has three broken ribs, broken leg, and a concussion. The head injury is the worst. They...they're afraid there could be some bleeding in the brain." He forced the words out. He must have known that this was no time for sugar coating anything. This was the real deal.

This was the awful, painful reality.

"Okay." I breathed out, keeping my eyes out the window. Mr. Smith sighed, and I could see him push back his yellow hair in the corner of my eyes.

"It will be okay, Rebel. The doctors are doing their best." He reassured gently. It was the softest I had ever heard him.

"T-thank you Mr.Smith."

"You can call me Erwin, I don't mind." He told me. I simply relied with a weak nod.

After what felt like hours driving to the hospital, we made it there. I felt like a lost and ghostly child as we walked in. So helpless, and no one else could see me. I was hovering to the recipients desk with Erwin. I felt so weak and lost, the temptation to hold Erwin's big and strong hand kicked in, but I pushed it away. A doctor came to assist us. He was young and quiet handsome, but it wasn't something I could focus on.

"Are you Amy's husband?" The youthful doctor asked Erwin.

"Oh, no." He shook his head. "I'm...a family friend. But this is her daughter, Rebel."

"How is my mom? Is she okay? How's her head?"

"Thankfully, there was no bleeding in the brain." He explained, glancing at his clipboard, like he wanted to be sure. "But unfortunately, she did slip into a coma. We don't know when she'll wake up."

Numbness was injected into my mouth, feeling like it was impossible to speak to anyone. It took too much strength to simply ask: "Can I see her?"

The doctor nodded, and lead us to her room. He pulled back her curtain, and I didn't recognize the women laying in that bed. Her body was badly bruised with purple and red discoloration, and fresh white bandages were wrapped around her head. Her straight light brown hair stuck out from the gauss tied around her head. Her left leg was held high as it was plastered in a cast, and a breathing mask was placed on her white lips. IV's and tube's were hooked up to her, the soft beeping of her life line soon became white noise to me. I slowly stepped over to her, jerky breaths coursing in and out of my nose.

"We don't know how long she'll last. The man who attacked her did some serious damage and she lost a lot of blood. I'm so sorry, Rebel. We will try everything we can to keep her alive." The doctor promised.

"Mama." I softly cried, slowly falling to my knees beside her and tenderly took her hand. "I'm here, don't worry. Things will get better. You just rest. I'll be strong for the both of us. I'll be strong so you can get better. Please, just don't leave me. I can't lose you too..." I began to break down, tears swelling in my eyes; burning them with its salty waters.

I let out a cry and rested my forehead on her hand. My chest heaved with my sobs. I felt a hand on my back , who I could only assume was Erwin's, and my cries spilled out more. It was all the tears I held back for the last year and a half. The tears I let everyone else cry for me, so I was the one to comfort them. Because I wanted to be strong and not let my dad seem me cry up in heaven. Now I feel like I'll never stop crying.

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I slumped on the chair across from my mom's bed, my hands buried in the pockets of my open black zip up hoodie. Morning had grown over the night, and Erwin had left to get me some breakfast. I told him I wasn't hungy, but he insisted and went to get me something anyway. A knock came from the thick door, Levi cautiously walking in.

"Rebel?" He gently called for me when our eyes met. Before I knew it I was at my feet, and wrapped my arms around his neck. He hesitated, before slowly putting his arms at my waist.

"I'm so glad you came." I said, pulling away from him. "I missed you so much."

"I know." He nodded, his eyes traveling over to my mother. His eyes snapped open for a moment, a trace of an emotion I could not read flickered over the silver orbs. "How is she? Anything change?"

"No, she's been the same since five this morning." I explained, watching my mom as well over the small head bored at her feet.

"How are you doing?" He asked.

"I've been better." I chuckled for some reason. I don't know why I laughed, it wasn't necessary. But under all of his extreme stress, it couldn't be helped. "...She would have liked it that you came. She really likes you."

Levi's stoic face didn't flinch a smile or even hint an ounce of comfort. His emotions were hard as stone, confusing me. "Hey, are you okay?"

Levi replied by taking my hand after a beat, and leading me out to the hallway. He closed mom's room door, and faced me with his eyes that lined up perfectly with mine; especially since we both wore our converses.

"Levi?" I quired, tilting my head to the side.

"Rebel." He began, his voice dominant with a deadpan tone. "...I think we should break up."

My heart shattered to a million pieces, the broken parts starting to surface my throat. "Y....you what?"

"I'm sorrry. I just don't think this is going to work out." He said bluntly.

"....My mother is in a fucking coma, and now you think this is the best time to do this?" I hissed.

"I know, but I just think we-"

"Oh, save your goddamn breath on why you think we should break up, I don't want to hear it." My voice began to escalate into yelling.

"Rebel-" Levi tried to interupped, but I beat him to it.

"I think you're right, we should break up. If you have the fucking balls to dump me at a time like this, then we really shouldn't be a couple.  Good call, you dickwad!" I boomed.

"Rebel." He repeated once more, his voice surprisingly compassionate and gentle. I felt like I was breathing fire with my fist clenched at the sides. "I...I'm sorry."

"Just go." I threw my hand towards the doors down the hall. "Get the hell out. Now." My voice cracked at the last words. Levi's eyes were the softest I had ever seen them laid on me, just confusing me more. I had to look away. It hurt too much. But I didn't want to deal with him or his pity. I heard his footsteps leave me be, and my sight forced me to watch him leave. Erwin just opened the door holding a cup of coffee and a small paper bag and Levi nearly ran into him. Erwin almost tripped over him, but Levi didn't stop for a second, just keeping his head down and hands dug into his red jacket. The tall man gazed at me down the hall as he walked towards me. He didn't need to ask to know what had just happened.

"Rebel...?"

"I want to go home." I said dryly. "...Can you take me home?"

"Um, yeah, sure." Erwin nodded, and lead me out to his car.