Unforgivable

Chapter 16

I walked down to the bus stop, sitting on the cold metal. I should’ve taken Booker’s car, but I figured that would be rude, even though he offered it. I pull my phone out of my pocket and Booker’s name flashes across my screen.

Are you okay?

I quickly reply with a yeah, and stuff it back into my jeans. The bus pulls up by the curb, and I step in. A lady with frosty white smiles at me as I slide into the seat next to her and peer out the window.

“Funny,” she mumbles to herself, “you remind me of someone.” 

I had my face turned towards the window, but I could still see her reflection; a feeble hand resting on her temple as she tried to remember.

“Oh!” she gasped, raising her finger off of her head, “my grand daughter. You’re very beautiful. She had green eyes, just like you.”

I turned towards her, smiling. I recognize her as the lady who lives a few houses past mine.

“T-thanks,” I stutter, gazing at the floor of the bus.

“Where are you headed?” she asked, wrinkles forming around her upturned lips.

“Hospital,” I replied.

“My husband just got out,” she mumbled, her smile turning into a frown, “he’s fine now, but it really made me realize how important love is. You never know when they’ll leave.”

“Right,” I agreed, smiling.

As the bus pulled up in front of the hospital, I stood up and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I waved goodbye, and stepped out, watching as the vehicle pulled away. I walked down the familiar hallway, pausing outside of Matt’s door.  

“Rhea?” his voice called from within the room

I pushed the door open, and gasped because this time he wasn’t confined to his hospital bed. Instead he sat upright in a wheelchair; a smile was plastered over his face.

“It’ll take time to get used to it, but it’s okay,” he spoke, running his finger over one of the wheels.

I smiled at him, stepping closer to lean down and hug him.

“My mom is coming in a few minutes to take me home,” he spoke.

“Are you excited?”

“For what?”

“To be able to go back home, go back to school, see friends. You know.”

“Yeah, of course,” he mumbled.

“What’s wrong?” I tiled his chin up with my thumb.

“It’s just this. Everything, the wheelchair, the hospital. It’s horrible.”

“I know,” I sighed, stroking his hair back, “I would take away all of it, if I could.”

He rolled past me once his eyes hit the clock. 2:21.

“My mom’s here,” he started, “I would love it if you could come over.”

“Yeah, sure, if that’s okay with her.”

Matt laughed, and I followed him down the hall. His mom stood by the front desk, clothed in the latest designer pieces and carried an expensive purse in hand.

“Matt, baby,” she cried, stretching her arms out wide to hug her son.

“Mom, I’m alright,” he laughed, pushing her off.

“Are you ready?”

“Yeah, and oh,” he spoke, our eyes meeting, “can Rhea come over?”

“O-oh,” she replied, surprised, “of course.”