While You Where Sleeping

Chapter 8

The doctor's words echo in my brain. 

"He's most likely not going to wake up."

How could this happen? Why did this happen? His next words finally break me.

"I think it's time you start saying your goodbyes."

"No." I mutter. I look to my right and see Nancy and Rylan's parents in one long group hug of tears. To my left, a pale, weak looking, "sleeping" Rylan. The doctor says something that I didn't understand. Something about 'no brain waves'. I don't know what any of it means but in simple terms. Rylan's most likely going to die. We shouldn't get our hopes up. Start preparing ourselves for life without him.

I still can't even imagine it. No Rylan in my life. Is that even possible? Can I live at all without him? Not likely.

I kind of wish I knew if he could hear us. If he could hear the news that he's going to die. That has to be terrifying. Those words. 

The Tanningers stand up and walk out sobbing onto each other. That leaves me and Rylan. The "Dangerous Duo". I walk to his side and take his hand in mine. It feels warm and soft. A feeling never experienced before.

"He told me to say 'goodbye'." I tell him. "But I'm not giving up on you. I'll wait for you. As long as it takes."

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I again drive out into the woods and find Eric he's sitting on his ATV. This has become our regular meeting place I guess. He notices the tear stains on my face.

"How is he?" Eric asks. I'm already heading towards him, waiting for him to open his arms. He does and I gladly enter them.

"They don't think he's going to wake up." I say through the tears that have made their debut. The tears turn into sobs before long. He strokes my hair and rocks me slightly.

"Shhhhhh. It's okay Sunny. It's okay."

"It's not okay. He's gonna die Eric! He's gonna die."

"I'm here. Cry it out. I'm here." He whispers. By now I'm practically on his lap like a baby. He doesn't mind so I don't pull away. The sobs keep coming. On and on until I've no tears left to cry.

"Thank you so much." I tell him looking into his eyes. Those beautiful green eyes.

"Anytime." He responds. He makes a move a kisses my forehead.

"What was that for?" I ask, placing my fingers where his lips touched. He hesitates.

"Because I love you." He says " I love you, Blondie."