Second Chance

Eighteen: Taylor's Resolve

She saw the doctor nod as if he had confirmed something and re-enter the surgery room. Much sooner than she expected, the same bed on which Jared had been pushed into the room was being propelled out. Machines she was familiar with were attached, and plastic tubes covered every inch of his exposed skin.

“What is it?” she asked. “Is he okay now?”

The answer would either break her like a glass or lift the huge boulder off her shoulder.

Mary’s lips parted, and Ciara waited for the fateful words to be spoken. Fear clouded her mind when nothing came out after a few seconds. It couldn’t be good news if she did not want to say it. Her eyes watered.

Her fault… It was her fault.

“He couldn’t make it.”

“Taylor? I thought you were out with -”

He waved her sentence away and stormed past her. Bessie popped the rest of her burger into her mouth and followed Taylor up the stairs. It was convenient for a fast food restaurant to be opened right next to the hospital if not slightly ironic.

“He got shot?”

“Yeah, Ciara should be with him.”

Taylor wrinkled his nose at the irritating scent. The few times he’d dialed Ciara’s number, he had gone straight to voice mail. This time, he decided to storm straight up to the reception and asked for Jared. Calling out a quick thanks, he rushed upstairs with Bessie.

The moment he entered the room, he stopped in his track. Ciara sat with her back to him. Her shoulders were shaking. Was she crying? Taylor took a step closer. Ciara didn’t show any sign of hearing him. He looked down. Jared looked peacefully asleep. Something clicked in his mind. His head snapped to the monitor next to him. On it, it showed a green horizontal line. Taylor dropped onto the stool next to Ciara.

He was too late…

“Ciara,” he began and patted her awkwardly on her back. He was never good at comforting people. “I heard about it. It’s… It’s not your fault.”

“Hell it isn’t!” Ciara cried, now facing him. “He took a bullet for me! Me! I should be the dead one! Not him!”

His heart broke at her red rimmed eyes. He longed to wipe the tears away from her face. He knew this was hard on her, but it must be said no matter what. It wasn’t her fault, and he would make sure she knew it.

“There’s something I need to tell you. I talked to him a while ago—a few days ago to be exact.”

Ciara wasn’t looking at him. She was silent, and he took that as his cue to continue.

Does he ever leave the hospital? Taylor thought to himself as he made his way through the tortuous corridors.

“You again?” he asked once Taylor managed to get him out of his mom’s room

They were in the exact position as last time. Taylor squinted against the bright sunlight streaming through the window. He decided to be straightforward.

“I think it’s time you tell her what’s wrong with you.”

Jared raised an eyebrow. “You thing something’s wrong with me?”

“Am I wrong, Mr. Anorexic?” Taylor dropped his voice.

It was true that he knew something was off about Jared, about his health. However, he had no proof. Jared could deny it and laugh at him for suggesting such an impossible notion without any proof. A few nurses walked past them. They shot Taylor a few curious gazes, but that was the most they did.