When Ms. Smiles Met Mr. Frown | Slow Updates

Introducing: The Worst of Times

Chapter 26 – Introducing The Worst of Times

As I was driving to the hospital, I got a call from Shaine. I answered it and put my phone on speaker.

"Hey Hope!" Shaine greeted.

"Hey Shaine, what's up?" I asked with a less cheerful tone compared to hers.

"I'm going to look at cakes; do you want to come with me?" Oh God, what should I say? When I approached a red light, I stopped and leaned back in my seat.

"I'm... kind of busy right now Shaine, I'm so sorry. I really want to be there though." I say slowly, feeling bad.

"Oh..." I can hear the disappointment dripping from her voice. "Why, what's up?"

"Jesse called me about his mom. She's... not doing very good." I told her.

"Oh, I understand. Please, take your time."

"Thank you so much for understanding. I'll make it up to you, I promise." I said and she sighed.

"You better. I hope he's okay." She says and I can almost see the smile on her face. I chuckled softly.

"I'll make sure he's okay. And of course, I'll make it up to you. How does tomorrow sound?"

"Yeah sure. I gotta go now, my ride's here. See you!" She said, hanging up. The light turned green and I continued driving. I hope he's okay.

Five minutes later, I got another phone call and this time it's from Madi.

"Madi?"

"Hey Hope, Shaine told me to call you. What's up? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah... I... no actually, I'm really worried." I parked the car beside a restaurant and sighed. "Jesse's mom is in critical condition and I'm rushing to the hospital to be there for him. And Shaine called me earlier because she wanted to look for cakes with me. I... feel like I'm failing her. I-"

"Hope, calm down. Don't worry, I spoke with her earlier. She said that she's totally okay with it and she isn't mad or disappointed or anything. Actually, she sounded worried for you. As for Angeline, she's a strong woman. She'll make it. Poor Jesse though, he has so much to worry about and then... this happened."

"Yeah." I feel like crying. "When I talked to him earlier, he sounded so broken, I've never heard him break down like that before."

"Hope, you're a great friend. He'll be so happy to see you there. But please drive safe. If something were to happen to you can you imagine what he'll do? Not only him but me, you're your brother, and... just everyone. Stay safe okay."

When I reached the hospital, I parked my car and headed to the emergency. As I entered the ER, I felt my phone vibrating.

"Hello?" I answered. "Jesse, I'm here. Where are you?" I asked with worry. I comforted him as I tried to look for where he was. There were people everywhere, some were pacing, some were sobbing and some were sitting with blank faces. Doctors and nurses were rushing around, trying to get to every patient.

When I turned the corner, I found Jesse and Jessica sitting on the floor, both teary-eyed.

"Jesse!" I ran to him. When I was beside them, I hugged them tightly.

"Hope!" Jessica exclaimed. "Mom's in the operating room and-" Like Jesse, she was sobbing hysterically with her face all red and wet with tears. I took out my handkerchief from my bag and sat next to Jessica.

"Hey Jessica, it's okay. Your mum's going to be okay." I comforted as I wiped the tears from her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around me and I hugged back tightly. Keeping Jessica in my arms, I turned to Jesse.