Operation: Break Up

Part 11- Shattered

I checked the time...it was 11:34 in the morning. I was currently sitting in the waiting room of Good Sheppard in Longtown. My leg was shaking and I was clutching a grande cup of coffee from the Starbucks down the hall. I sipped and sipped, trying to buy time while the doctors were finding out what exactly was wrong with my dad. My phone keeps buzzing but I don’t look at the messages; I ignore them completely as if they never existed. No way am I taking the chance of being made fun of for that “performance” I put on. They better be happy with themselves- especially Scarlet. I take another swig of my coffee, realizing it’s gotten cold with time. Damn you plastic coffee cup, I thought, you’re supposed to keep my coffee warm at the least.

My mom rushes from the ER doors, her eyes bloodshot from crying so much. I wonder if she knows what exactly is wrong with my father. I’ve been here for an hour and do not know a thing. “Blynn…” she says, stopping in her tracks. “Come quick.”

I throw my cold coffee in the trash can and get up from my spot. Dr. Hawkins strolls up behind her, his footsteps silent against the cold white tiled floor. As soon as I get over to where they’re standing, I look down and I checked the time.

11:40 A.M.

“Ms. Jacobs. I must inform you that we are currently moving your father to ICU. We have his results...we know what is the matter and we will look after him carefully.”

“Wha-wh-wha-what’s wrong with him?” I can feel the words scratching it’s way up my throat. I know I didn’t want to hear the news, but I had to know what was wrong.

“He was hit from the drivers side of the car. He hit his head...your father is in a coma.”

As soon as the words left Dr. Hawkins's mouth, I wish he could take them back. That I wouldn’t be standing here. That my ears wouldn’t be ringing from the pain and anger boiling up inside of my head. I could feel my face getting hotter by the second, as I slowly sank to the ground and rubbed my eyes with the edge of my palms. My phone started ringing. I didn’t even bother...I just cradled myself because I felt as if I was going to be the only person there for me.

“What floor is ICU on?” I can barely hear my mom ask the doctor.

“The same as the cafeteria… floor 3.”

“Thank you.” She tells him, and I can hear Dr. Hawkins walk away.

“Come, Blynn. We have to go upstairs now.” I look up at my mother from the ground. I see her soft hand extended out for me. I grab it and get up; holding my mothers hand all the way to the elevator. So maybe I wasn’t exactly on my own, but I wasn’t about to throw myself into the arms of my mother. I needed to be somewhat independent about the situation. Besides, I hadn’t even mentioned the school “assembly” to her yet. Maybe later on tonight if we aren’t setting up camp in the ICU waiting room.

***

My phone started ringing for the 50th time since I left school. I finally decided to look and see who it was; Addi was calling me. I cautiously swiped my screen and put the phone up to my ear. “Hello?” I answered.

“Blynn? Where are you? I went to go find you from the auditorium earlier but you were gone. Are you okay?”

“I’m at the hospital.” I said quietly.

“What?! Is everything okay?!” She was freaking out- it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

“I’m okay. My dad was in a wreck earlier. I found out as soon as I walked out of the auditorium...we just found out what was wrong with him…”

“What’s wrong?”

“He’s in a coma, Addi. He isn’t waking up.” I could feel the anchor fall onto my chest again, making it harder to breath. The tears were welling up in my eyes again. How much crying is possible in one day for a human being?