Stay

“Joe that could be important.” I said immediately regretting leaving his lips. “Answer it.”

He sighed, and reached in his pocket. “I don’t know the number.” He answered it, “Hello. Yes, this is Joe. Who is this?”

Joe’s face went white moments later. Like he had seen a ghost. He looked like he was going to pass out. “Joe are you okay? Who is it?”

Joe:

“Wait what?” I said, to the women on the phone. Her words swirling around in my head. I could not make sense of it.

“I’m sorry. This must be hard for you, but you need to come in. You are the only relatives he listed.”

“Um…okay. We will leave right away.”

Taylor was looking at me with concern in her eyes. She had pulled me over to a chair, and sat me down. I was grateful, I felt like I was going to faint.

“Thank you, we will see you soon.” The woman said.

I hung up the phone, and looked at Taylor. I felt like I was going to throw up. I did not know what to say. I could not comprehend it.

“Joe, we are leaving?” Taylor finally asked.

I shook my head yes. Taylor grabbed my hand, and we headed outside. She did not push me to answer, or explain. We got in the limo, which was already outside, and we sat in silence. I starred at my phone.

Taylor hugged me, and said “Joe please tell me what is wrong. I want to help.”

I opened my mouth but no words came out. How can I explain it? “We have to go back home.” I finally said.

She looked sad. I knew she did not want to leave. She wanted to come here originally more than I did. “Why? What happened?”

I struggled to say the words; because once I say them, I have to believe they are true. “My dad…he is in a coma.”

She gasped, “Oh Joe. I am so sorry. Of course we will pack up and leave immediately.” She cared for my dad too. I knew she did.

I hugged her. “Thank you for understanding.”

“He will be okay. He is a strong man.” She said not breaking the hug. We sat there holding each other, as the limo drove us back to the cabin.

 ------

“Right this way.” A nurse said as she led us down a million hallways. I was scared to see my dad like this. I wanted to curl up in a ball, and shut the world out. Thankfully, Taylor was at my side. Clutching my hand, to keep me steady. Keep me going. I know she was disappointed on cutting the trip short. She liked my dad though, and wanted him to be okay. Not just for my sake, but for her own.

We arrived at the room, and the nurse pulled a clipboard of a hook on the door. “This is his room." She looked over at Taylor. "Oh, and Only family.” 

“But-” I began to protest.

“It is fine Joe. Go see your dad.” She let go of my hand. She sat down on the chairs, across the hall. She smiled, “Go Joe.”

I reluctantly turned, and followed the nurse into the room.

It was a basic hospital room, until I saw my dad laying there. Lifeless, and barely breathing. He was pale, and hooked up to a bunch of machines. I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but I held them back.

“So what caused this?” I asked the nurse.

“You did not know?” She asked confused. “Your father has been coming here for several months now.”

“What?” I said. I felt betrayed. My dad has been sick, and he never bothered to tell me.

She flipped open her clipboard. “He developed a tumor. It is fatal. We have been giving him medication, but nothing was helping. It is a rare tumor, which no medicine has cured yet. He came in the night before I called you, complaining that the pain was too much.” She pulled an envelope out of her pocket. “He said to give this to you. I am so sorry you did not know.”

I held the envelope in my hands, not sure of what to do first. Cry or read it. 

“I’ll leave you alone now.”

“Wait,” I said, “Can my girlfriend come in. She knew my dad well.”

She thought for a couple seconds. Probably not wanting to break the rules. Then shook her head yes.

“Thank you.” I mouthed, and then she turned and walked out the door.

I sat down couch across from the bed. Not being able to look up at him. I could not look at him, laying there lifeless. I just sat there with the envelope in my hands, and I felt the betrayl again. How could he not tell me? How did I not notice?