Invisible String

Chapter 6

"I like what I see too."

I look down at myself and am immediately embarrassed, I had forgotten I'm only wearing his baggy T-shirt.

"Oh God!" I scream in terror

"You look good in my clothes." He adds with a smirk on his face.

I run back into the room and change back into my clothes from the day before. I look in the mirror combing through my hair with my fingers and wiping off any smudges from mascara left from the night before. I walk back into the kitchen and act like nothing just happened.

"Good morning" I say

He smiles and pushes a plate towards me, it has pancakes, bacon and cheesy grits.

"Good morning, Elise." He says

"Thank you for the food.. you did not have to do this. You've already done so much."

"It's the least I could do. I want to make sure you're taken care of." He smiles

I blush and pull the plate towards me, it doesn't take me long to eat all of it. He joined me in eating an even larger portion on his own plate. He still manages to finish before me and asks me if I'd like more

"No thank you," I reply, "that was so good thought, thank you." I say again

He nods and takes my empty plate, he sets it in the sink and walks around to me.

"Do you want me to go to the hospital with you?" He asks

"No." I say almost too quick. "No, it's okay. I'm not even sure what to prepare myself for let alone someone else."

"I'm just one phone call away" he tells me as he grabs me hand, "anything you need, Im here."

I look at him with admiration, "thank you"

He helps me get into the car again, opening and closing my door for me. We arrive at the hospital and he walks me inside.

"Im so sorry you have to go through this." He says with pain in his voice

"It's okay, everything is going to be fine." I say more so trying to convince myself rather than him.

He looks at me with a face that's hard to read, but he just looks down and says "keep me updated please, If you need me to come back just call."

I nod and give him a kiss on the cheek. His lights gleam with joy and he fights back a smile.

"Thank you, I will"

He nods and walks out the door going back to his car.

I go check in at the front counter and sign the forms they hand me. 3 pages in and I have to sign my name and the date. Saturday.

Oh shit. Saturday.

"No" I say to myself. "No, oh no" I repeat.

I quickly rummage through my bag to find my phone. 2 missed calls from my boss.

I step away and call back.

"Elise?" She asks

"Im so sorry! Im at the hospital, I had a long night I completely forgot I was supposed to cover for-"

"Elise." She interrupts. "You've called out all week. You promise to switch shifts with someone and then no call no show? This is extremely unprofessional."

"Im sorry, it's just-"

"No excuses, Elise. Im sorry but we can't risk keeping you on the team."

"What? No! Please let me expl-"

"No. Im sorry, Elise. It's not up to me at this point. Rules are rules. You can come pick up your last paycheck next Friday."

"Please don't do this." I beg, tears streaming down my face

"Im sorry, goodbye, Elise."

She hangs up before I can beg her to hear me out.

I break down in tears knowing that my mother and I will never survive without me working.

What am I going to do?

A million different thoughts race in my head, I get interrupted by the nurse calling my name.

I look up and she motions for me to follow her.

I wipe my tears, I have to be strong for my mom. She can't know I just got fired. She can't know.

I follow the nurse down a long hall and we finally reach the door my mom is behind.

She knocks twice then opens the door.

My mom is leaning up and already looking at me.

"Oh, Elise." She says

"Mom!" I scream with joy, I run to her and hug her tightly. I never want to let her go.