Unexpectedly, Mutually Yours

Chapter 6

"So, how's the wife?" one of Jackson's teammates asked as they stretched before going out on the field.

"Mollie is great. She's graduating Magna Cum Laude from Columbia in a few days... I'm flying out to see her ceremony. And she's got the cutest little baby bump... I can't get enough of the way she looks and moves... and the baby has started kicking..."

The other man's eyes were kind and happy. "You've got a good thing going, Burke."

He knew it was true.

Unfortunately, fate had some cruel plans for him. The following day when he was in the car heading to practice, a car veered into his lane, forcing him off the road, truck flipping. Oh no... please don't let this be the end. He silently pleaded. His last thought was of Mollie and their unborn child... he was going unconscious, he knew that. In football, there were always injuries... and he recognized the signs.

He made a point, however- of repeating Mollie's name, and the words; Gotta fight. Gotta survive. Over and over until he passed out, body aching.

-

Mollie was expecting the call to be Jackson since she knew he should be getting to practice... or was probably already there.

In a cheery voice, she said, "Hi, darling- what's up?"

But from the noises in the background, and the unfamiliar voice over the phone, something in the pit of her stomach formed a cold hardball of dread and just stayed there until the bomb was dropped.

"Mrs. Mollie Burke?"

"Y-yes... that's me. What's wrong?"

"I can't tell you how sorry I am to tell you this... but there was an accident..."

Oh my- he's dead... stop it, Mollie... he's not. He can't be. He still has to meet his son or daughter...

"Is he-? He isn't- dead is he?" tears were already pouring out of her eyes and she could feel her breathing getting erratic.

"No, Mrs. Burke... your husband is alive... but his shoulder is messed up, he has a few broken ribs, cuts, scrapes, bruises, and his hip bone also took a beating... he's unconscious and we're taking him to the hospital."

"Which hospital?" she said, desperately.

"Mercy General... how long will it take you to get here?"

"A few hours... I'm in New York... grad school..." she blubbered.

"Get here as soon as you can. Is there anyone nearby I can call to be there until you arrive?"

"His parents. Their numbers are in the phone... but I can tell you..."

"It's ok. No need. You just get here ASAP. He's in good hands, Mrs. Burke."

Although Mollie didn't doubt it, it was hollow comfort for the situation being what it was.

And the next thing Mollie knew, her bag was packed, and she was on a plane to Texas. To her utter horror, Madison was there at the airport waiting. She wore a worn pair of jeans and a white sweater which looked far more demure than Mollie knew her sister was.

Madison hugged Mollie to her in a gesture which would and should have been comforting, but wasn't due to their strained relationship, and due to the fact that they hadn't talked in probably six months... Mollie was wearing yoga pants and an oversized Columbia sweatshirt with worn tennis shoes. She knew her long brown hair, which she usually put blonde highlights in was messy-coming out of her half-hearted attempt at a bun. She hadn't dyed her hair since she found out about the baby...