The Essence Of Love

All Men Lie

BEEEEEEEEEEEP

The blaring sound of the heart monitor flat lining rings out as Amira squeezes the shit out of my hand. After the third try they called Rome's time of death 2:11 am. A nurse slowly opens the door.

"Mrs. Edwards, I'm so sor--"

"Can I see him?" Amira interrupts her, surprisingly calm. I guess it's the shock.

"Yes ma'am". She says without making eye contact.

She doesn't let go of my hand as we walk into the room.

"Im so sorry Mrs.Edwards. We did everything we could." Doctor Meyers explains what happened and the nurses give us their condolences.

After the room was empty she climbs in the small bed and sobs into his lifeless body. This is definitely too much right now. I slowly back out of the room and bump into doctor Thorp.

"Oh, there you are Mrs.Reese, I'm so sorry for your loss, but umm—would you like to visit your husband now?"

"Please." I reply quietly as he led me a few rooms down and I walk in.

He closes the door behind him and I slowly walk up to Rico's side. He has multiple IV's in and bandages on his arms ,the annoying heart monitor beeping  every few seconds. I'm so glad I decided not to go to medical school because that sound is irritating as hell. I bend over and plant a kiss on his cheek and he stirs in his sleep. How do I tell him that his brother just died while he's in such terrible condition himself?

I sit in the chair next to the bed and began to think about my life and everything that was going on around me. I don't even know what to do with myself at this point. We still have mommy's funeral to plan and now this, and the fact that it's basically my fault is eating me up. I pray that Rico and Amira can forgive me. I sigh heavily with my hands on my face and begin to cry.

"Sup lil lady?" Rico mumbles lowly.

I wipe my tears and jump to his side as he stares at me with low eyes.

"Hi handsome." I whisper as I peck him on the lips repeatedly. He gives me a half smile.

"Lay with me?" He asks and I looked over the small bed.

"I don't think th--"

"I know my brother is gone, I heard Mira screaming all the way down here ,so just lay with me please ,I need you."

His straight face and watery eyes pull at my heartstrings and I cuddle up next to him. He wraps his good arm around me and takes a deep breath as a single tear falls onto his hospital gown.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and Erick's name is on the screen. I look up at Rico but his eyes are closed. I slide the icon to accept.

"Yes?" I scoff. 

"Yo where you been at E? Me and pops tryna plan this damn funeral and you just went ghost on us." He questions.

"Erick a lot is going on , and I told y'all that we should just cremate her but y'all wanna drag it out so yall can plan it!" I hang up on him aggravated.

"Feisty ass." Rico mumbles as he squeezes my thigh.

"So do you want me to go get you some stuff from the house, your gonna be here for a--"

"Nahh , I want you to stay right here." 

"Are you mad at me?" I ask.

"Why would-- ahhh shit! My fucking side!." he groans out in pain.