Unforgivable

Chapter 4

My life turns upside down after learning Matt had been rushed to the hospital that night. My eyes turned red after staying by his bed for hours, his heavy hand clutched in mine. Somehow, he managed to take a rough fall, which led him to surgery and multiple doses of medications.

His breaths come in short puffs along with the beeps of his cardiac monitor. I jump slightly as I feel his grip tighten around my fingers. 

“Hi,” he whispers, his voice raspy, “you didn’t have to come.”

I smile, letting his hand fall from mine, and brushed through his soft brown hair.

“I was so worried,” I reply, my voice breaking as I feel tears brimming over my eyes, “you scared me to death.”

The corners of his lips crept into a slight grin, but soon retreated back into a hard, meaningless expression. His eyes meet mine, and I can almost feel the pink color rushing to my cheeks. 

“Did they tell you?” As he spoke, his eyes continued to follow mine, searching desperately for my response.

“What do you mean? What’s wrong?”

Our eye contact broke, and he turned his head to face the empty door frame. I sat, letting my fingers entwine with his, and waited for his answer.

“I can’t feel my legs,” he spoke, smiling through the droplet that fell from the corner of his eyes, “I’m paralyzed.”

The pad of my thumb quickly brushed away his tears, and I turned my face in the attempt not to cry, which didn’t work. I buried my face into his chest, the hospital gown fabric became soaked in my sadness. 

Matt and I sit together in vigil, mourning for possibly, the use of his legs. No tears, just silence; it seems to calm our stress. His eyes slowly close, and moments later, he is asleep.  I press my lips to his cheek, and wiggle my hand from his. 

“Goodnight,” I whisper, walking until I’m standing in the doorway, “I love you.”