why i need you

chapter 3

Scottie

People say that your life flashes before your eyes and you feel no pain when you die. My life didn't flash before my eyes, and I have a ragging headache. I'm guessing I'm not dead but I remember the accident. More importantly I'm wondering why I'm sitting in a movie theater. I take a look around and it reminds me of a 20s opera house. I look up at the tall ceilings that have some of the most beautiful carvings. I take a look around and see balconies with tall red velvet curtains off to the side. Being married to an architect you start to find yourself noticing these kinds of things.

"Wants some popcorn?" I snap my head to my right and see the most beautiful pair of blue eyes I have ever seen. Something about her seems so familiar but I can't figure out why.  In her hands she has the biggest bucket of popcorn. She takes a fist full off popcorn and shove it into her mouth in a very unlady like manner. Something my daughter Lily would do.

"Who are you?" I asked looking amazed by how much she can stuff in her mouth. She doesn't even care that she is making a mess. I can't help but start to laugh. She turns and looks at me wiping her face with the back of her hand.

" That doesn't matter right now Scottie. We don't have much time so I'm not going to sugar coat anything for you. Right now you are on life support. Your stable but in a week the doctors are going to ask your husband if he thinks its best that they take you off. It's not your time to go but if you don't fight for your life and family then you will die. I'm here to give you...let's just call it motivation shall we? Now let's get this movie started before I run out of popcorn."She just turns in her seat to face the screen.

The screen starts to flicker and the black and white countdown begins. My hands start to shake, tears start to fall. All I could think about is my family. I never got to say goodbye. I start to think about everything I will miss. Graduations. Weddings. Grandchildren. Watching Sammie and Brodan start their families. I feel the girl grab my hand. She gives me a reassuring smile " I will try my hardest to make sure you get to be there for those memories". As she points to the screen  "Present Day" flashes across.

I feel like I'm being sucked into the screen. I'm not longer sitting in a theater but standing in a hospital room starting at my body. The door opens. There is only one person who can make my heart feel like its beating out of control and feel like its stopped at the same time and smile like an idiot. None other than Vincent DeLuca walks in. That man cannot shower or shave for weeks and still make my legs go weak. I take one look at his face and my smile falls. His face is pale and eyes are glassy. His hair is its beautiful dark mess like usual.

Vincent slowly walks to my bedside and pulls up a chair. I watch as he rubs his hands down his thighs' and scratch the back of his head. I start to get nervous has my eye flicker to his jaw and see the little vain popping. That is the trifecta. When the palm wiping, head scratching, and vain popping happens it only means one thing Vincent DeLuca is pissed! Shit! I forgot today he was going to propose is Veronica. That explains the suit and why he looks so dapper. I start to feel tears fall. I know why he is pissed, he thinks this is all on purpose to ruin his day. Another "ploy" to try and get him back in my life. I can feel my heart start to break for the thousand time. I have loved Vincent since I was five. He's the only man I have ever loved or will ever love. He leans forward and grabs my hand. I can feel tingles on my right hand and then a spark when he brings it to his lips and kisses in. His foot starts to tap and I know its about to begin. I can only hope that none of the kids walk in.

"How could you do this?" He whisper yells. His face is getting red. I sit on the edge of the bed and start to sob. He used to love me.  I hear him sniffle, I look up to see him crying. I have never seen him cry. The closes I ever seen him cry was a single tear when Lily was born.

"How could you not tell me? I know it's been hard between us. I made a promise to you a long time ago on the playground that I will always be there for you. I never break a promise. You knew for a year and a half! Why not tell me? Don't you think I should know that you are sick?" He turns and looks at the door. I don't notice the kids, Sammie, and Bro walk in.

They walk in with their heads down like they just got caught with their hands in a cookie jar. The boys take a seat on the bench next to the window. Grant has Lily in his lap sleeping. Poor girl must be exhausted and confused. Sammie and Bro are leaned against the wall. Bro has his arms crossed and glaring daggers at Vincent.  Sammie has her eyes on Vincent holding my hand. Her eyes start to water.

Looking up I can see how puffy and red his eyes have gotten. He takes a look around the room and asks to no one in particular " Did you all know?". Everyone looks at each other and nod their heads yes. "What does Lily know?"

"She just knows mom is sick. Mom didn't want to tell her anything until she got everything figured out." Max pipes up

"What about me? Didn't she think that I had a right to know my children were going to lose their mother?"

This time it was Jaxson "A right to know? Seriously? You lost all rights when you cheated on mom with her best friend! You just proved tonight that we aren't important enough for you to answer your damn phone!"

"That's enough! Your mother is right there! she would be ashamed of you both. Bro will you drive the kids home. Mehhhhh! Don't try to interrupt. It's been a long day. Go home eat, shower and get some rest. Leave your phone on I will call if anything changes. I will pick your guys up at 10 to bring you back here." Sammie starts to walk towards the boys and kisses them each on the head. She wipes Lily's hair out of her face and kisses her forehead.

Everyone heads out of the room. It's now just Vincent and Sammie. Not good! Last time those two were in a room unsupervised Vincent ended up in the ER.

"Sammie what's going on?

"She didn't want to tell you. At least not now."

"Why? I could help her! She didn't have to do this alone."

"She isn't alone. Why would she tell you? Veronica would twist it around that she is finding another excuse to have you around. She didn't want you to think that. Do you remember the day you came home and asked Scottie for a divorce?"

"How could I forget? She picked a fight with me right when I walked in to give her a kiss. That night I asked her for a divorce. What does that have to do with anything?"

" You didn't notice that your bags were packed. She was going to take you the cabin to tell you. She picked a fight because her suspicions were confirmed of your cheating when Veronica came over."

"What!"

I felt the same pull that I had earlier. Seconds later I find myself back in my seat in the theater. I start to feel my chest tighten. This time I don't bother to try and hold back the tears.  I remember that day. I relive it every morning I wake up and he isn't next to me.

BEEP. BEEP.BEPP

I look up at the screen. Vincent is out of his chair and Sammie is on my other side. They are both crying when the door slams open and a medical team come rushing in. The screen turns black.