ed an area with streetlights and was able to hail a cab. By the time I got back to

ing my way to my room. I sat on the edge of the bed and examined my foot. It was sw

stairs. I opened my door and saw Mrs. Davis rushing d

I asked, hurry

, her voice breaking.

d. "What happen

y. "They were driving, and a truck swerved into their lane. He threw himsel

everything. I put my arms around her, trying t

id, my voice steady desp

Liam's surgery was over. He was in the recovery roo

bleeding. He's lucky to be alive. That girlfriend of his, though, she doesn't have

testament to his love, but

lready there, throwing herself onto Lia

did this for me

and and stroke her hair. "Anything for y

and yanked Brittany away from the b

ed innocence. Tears streamed down her face. "Mrs

rowl. He was trying to sit up, his face con

o had been standing silently by the door, final

oice cracking. "And if you can't accept her, th

ainst his own family. Mrs. Davis looked utterly de

s arm. "Let's go outside.

xic bubble. I spent the next hour calming his parents down, assur

tany. "He's asking for some quiet," the nurse said. She then looked at me. "He

k without a word. I walked

eyes closed. He opened them as I entered. He

asked, his voice devoid of wa

er asked m

u to take care o

down. "I know how," I replied softly, a

iing accident in college, flashed between us. I had been the one to nurse

I straightened his sheets, checked the time for his next dose of medica

fell qu

lly, his voice low and hard.

V drip I was checking. I

ered. "It's al

ned and brief. Brittany visited every day, a whirlwind of drama and incompetence. She would bring him food he

spilled the entire hot bowl onto my lap. The liquid seared my skin

e saw my face, the pain I was trying to hide. A flick

he said, his voice tight. "I

for you, Liam," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I'm here bec

ning. "What are you talk

n watching with a malicious gleam in her eyes, launc

sy! I'm so sorry! Did

his attention shifting to her

hed them, a bitter taste in my mouth. I quietly excused myself and went to the restroom to

. Liam was holding my phone. His f

It was open to a text message thread with my architect friend in London.

that I had gotten with Liam on our 18th birthday. His was a matching one on

for the first time, I smil

ty, that I was ready to erase him fro