The Ride of My Life (an Ansel Elgort story)

Chapter 52

Ansel's POV

I'm waiting in the waiting room. Lucy is in her mom's room with Brandon.

I am still shocked. I'm trying to be strong for Lucy but the truth is I don't know how to. How do you comfort someone that may lose the person that is the reason they're alive?

Someone walks into the room and I look up.

"Ansel."

"Mr. Taylor, hi." I say standing up.

"Where is everyone?" He sounds sad. I'm guessing Brandon has kept him up to date.

"Brandon and Lucy went back to the room."

Almost perfectly timed, Lucy and Brandon walk back into the waiting room. Lucy sees her dad and immediately hugs him. Brandon does the same.

Lucy takes her dad back to the room while Brandon and I sit down.

"This sucks." I say, trying to create a conversation. I don't know what to say, I'm kind of walking on eggshells.

"Tell me about it. It's crazy how 24 hours ago, everything was perfectly normal." He sighs.

"I'm sorry that this happened. You all shouldn't have to go through this."

"Don't be sorry. Shit happens. But between you and me, if my mom doesn't make it, I don't know if I'll make it. I'll have to be strong for the whole family and I don't know if I can do that. And I would have to be the one to tell Daniel. I don't think I can do that either."

"I hate to look at the worst scenario, but you don't have to be strong. You need to have time to grieve. You can't just pretend like you're tough all the time."

I don't know where this heart-to-heart is going, but I'm glad it's happening. I'm happy to know I can provide some sort of help, even if it is just listening.

Lucy's POV

My dad and I get to the room my mom is in and his face sinks when he sees her. He rushes over to the chair by the bed and holds her motionless hand. He's looking at her, and has a sad face on.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say.

"Come on, Debbie. You can get through this. I believe in you." He says, kissing her hand.

The doctor said my mom may be able to hear us but there's no way for her to reply.

I look at the machines in the room. What do all the lines and buttons mean? I hadn't noticed it until now but there is a steady beeping coming from one of the machines.

I suddenly get the feeling that I might actually faint. How is any of this happening?

I want to be here but I can't take any more of it right now. I just need to get away from this hospital.

"Dad, I think I'm going to go home and get some rest. Do you need anything?"

"No, sweetie. I'm okay. I'll see you later." He gives me a sad smile and I leave the room. If he cries, I know there will be nothing stopping me from crying.

I get back to the waiting room and see that Brandon and Ansel are talking. They stop when they see me.

"Hey, I need to go home and do some things. I'll come back later though." I say to Brandon. Ansel stands up and walks over next to me. "You should go talk to Dad." I tell Brandon.

When we get to the car, I can't help but burst into tears. I've been holding them in but I can't any longer.

Ansel doesn't start the car, he just puts his arm around me and rubs his hand up and down my arm.

"Ansel, I can't do this. I need my mom. I know we didn't have the best relationship but she is my mom. I don't even know the last time I told her I loved her. I regret not being close with her so much."

"I don't know what to say. I want to tell you that everything is going to go back to normal here in a few days, but honestly after today I'm not so sure about that. I just want you to know that I love you more than anyone in this world and I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."