Invisible

Chapter 7

Matt was in tears when we reached the hospital. Every time I tried to comfort him he’d push me away. I felt terrible. The nurse led Matt to his mom’s and sister’s room while Mom and I waited in the sitting room. About five minutes later he came out to get me. He told me Addison wanted to see me, so I followed him to the room.

“Hey, Addison,” I said gently. She turned to look at me then smiled.

“Hi,” she choked out. When I saw her face I almost cried. She had stitches in her left cheek, a bandage on her nose and her eyes were bruised. Addison’s eyes were trained on Matt, who was holding both his mom's hands, who was in a coma, and praying. A tear trickled down my face and I hugged Addison.

“I’m so, so sorry, Addison. If I hadn’t invited you to stay at my house this would never had happened.”

“It’s not your fault, Kathryn,” Matt said, coming up behind me. “Things happen. This is just one of them.”

“Yeah, Kathryn,” Addison said, even weaker than before. “Besides, it was the other driver’s fault. He ran us off the road and put us in the ditch. He was probably texting or something.”

“Shhh, Addison, you’ll wear yourself out,” Matt said quietly. “Go to sleep.”

He took my arm and led me out of the room after Addison had shut her eyes. “How’s your mom?” I asked him when we were out of earshot.

“Not the best. She's in a coma. She won't respond to anything. I doubt she’ll make it.” He was back in tears.

“Matt, don’t say that. You have to stay positive at times like this.”

“How can I? My mom and sister are on the verge of dying and my dad left us when we were seven. If my mom dies, I’ll go to a foster home for sure. I don’t want to leave you Kathryn. I want to stay with my sister and my mom and you.”

“I know Matt, and I want to be with you and Addison and your mom, too. I don’t want you to go to a foster home either, and if you do, I don’t know how I’ll get on in life. I’ve already lost someone close to me; I don’t want to lose another.” Despite his tears, he still smiled at me.

“I have to confess something, Kathryn.” He said boldly. “Ever since I met you, Kathryn, I’ve loved you. I understand if you don’t feel the same, but I needed to get that out.”

“Matt,” I whispered, “I do.  I do feel the same. I have since you stood up and introduced yourself instead of letting Addison do it. I love you, Matthew Greene.”

Once again, Mom chose the perfect time to come around the corner and make everything awkward, but I didn't care. We hugged, and he kissed my cheek right in front of Mom. All she did was walk past us and in the room to see Addison and Mrs. Greene.

It's sad how Matt and I are together only because his mom's in a coma and she's on the edge of death, I thought.

                                                                                       • • •

We left the hospital after Addison woke up and we could say goodbye. I told her that if her mom woke up before we were back just to say that we were here and we wish her to get well soon.

"Matt," Mom said, "I don't mean to be rude, but you don't really have a place to stay right now, do you?"

He shook his head, "No, ma'am. I'll stay at a friends house."

"You're welcome to stay with us, if you like." Matt smiled, amd I blushed.

"Sure, that would be great."

We drove Matt home to get his clothes and essentials, then we drove back home. I ran downstairs to clean up the guest room and make up the bed, then I showed him down and helped him unpack. It was awkward at first, having my best friend's brother, and technically my boyfriend stay at my house for who knew how long.

"There you go," I said when we were finished unpacking. "Your bathroom is down the hall to the left, and all the windows are unlatched in case of a fire." I turned to leave, but he caught my arm and pulled me close.

"Kathryn, I just wanted to say thanks. For letting me stay here, for everything." Then he kissed me. He pulled me closer, and I wrapped my arms around him. We held eachother until Mom called us up for dinner. We reluctantly let go, but we held hands all the way up to the dining room. When we entered, we had to let go because I didn't want Mom to get the wrong idea.

We ate in silence, though Mom tried to get a conversation going, but each time she asked Matt and I a question like, "How's school?", we'd only give her a single worded answer.

Finally dinner was over. Matt and I got up to leave, but Mom caught our attention by bringing out some cupcakes. Instantly I laughed, remembering the first time she had made those, the first day Matt and Addison had come over. We each grabbed one, then another, knowing that they were too good to just have one.

I went to the family room and turned on the TV. I jumped when Matt slid down on the couch next to me, because I didn't know he had followed me in. I giggled, then rested my head on his shoulder.

"You're sure your dad won't mind me staying here?" he asked me quietly.

"No problem. He's out of town on business right now, and he won't be back for a couple of months. If he decides to come back early, then we'll just explain to him that your mom and sister are in the hospital and that you're gay." We both laughed and finished our cupcakes while watching 'Hawaii five o'.

I dozed off once or twice on Matt's shoulder, but he didn't care. At eleven thirty, he picked me up and carrried me to my bedroom and placed me on my bed and kissed me goodnight, and he only left after I'd fallen asleep.