Lost in Reality

Insincere Death.

Paige's POV

It had been a year and four months since the accident. The July 4th weekend was coming up fast. Calvin and I had moved into a small apartment right across from Boston University, our college. We were happy. No Robert Ergott, no Mason, no one to interrupt our peace. Or so we thought. 

Calvin came downstairs from the bathroom, he was staring at his phone screen, a look of worry scribbled across his face. I tiptoed over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. His posture faltered at my touch and he let out a quiet sigh. I giggled silently.

"What's the matter, Cal?" I asked him, he placed his hands on my arms, twisting his body around so he was facing me.

"It's Mason. He texted me." His voice was low, my expression turned dark.

"You haven't talked to him, in what? A whole year?" I asked Calvin, he nodded sincerely. "What's it about?" I inquired, I peered over his phone to read the text,

Hey, Calvin. It's me Mason. I, uh, um...it's dad, he's in the hospital, he passed out on the floor this morning, he's in the emergency room, the doctors said his, liver is messed up or something.

"Oh." I said, Calvin nodded.

"That, along with 37 missed calls." He said. He stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Well? Let's go then." I said, pulling on a t-shirt. Calvin shrugged and grabbed his car keys from the counter.

"We could stop for breakfast or something." He suggested. I shook my head.

"Cal, I know you don't wanna see him. But, he's your dad." I reasoned, pushing a piece of toast into his mouth.

"Ugh, fine." He mumbled, the bread muffling his words. I grabbed his hand as we locked our apartment door and started down the stairs to the garage.

We climbed into Calvin's used three series BMW. After the accident, his mother let us have the car because she had bought a new one for herself.

We drove out to the hospital, but Calvin seemed to be stalling. He stopped when the light had just turned yellow. He stopped for more than 15 seconds at a stop sign and he kept telling other people to go when we had the right of way.

When we finally reached the hospital Mason was standing outside smoking a cigarette. Calvin frowned and barely acknowledged his brother. I glanced at Mason, taking the time to 'accidentally' flick the cigarette out of his mouth.

Mason scowled at us. "Believe me, I ain't happy to see y'all either." Another car pulled up into the parking lot. A girl with bouncing blond hair skipped over to us. She wrapped her arms around Mason's neck and smashed her lips against his. Calvin and I averted our eyes from the gross PDA and continued into the building.

We asked for Robert Ergott at the front desk...

"He's in room 884, but he's resting, so please do not disturb him." Calvin and I nodded and walked into the hallway. We walked hand in hand to room 884 until we saw Robert's smug face through the window. He was lying on his bed talking to some girl with dark red hair.

She looked like she was around her late 30s. Calvin looked at me, his expression asking if he really had to go in. I pushed him inside and followed him close behind.

Robert looked up from the girl and spotted us.

"Hey! Calvin! Georgie, this is my son, Calvin. Calvin, my girlfriend Georgie." Robert said, his voice was raspy and his breath smelled like fish.

The girl, Georgie, looked over at us and smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. It was a pity smile. She flipped her red hair over her shoulder.

I gave her a very large sarcastic grin when I saw her eyeing Calvin. Calvin grasped my hand tighter.