chapter one
I sat
alone in the lobby, waiting for an answer. Waiting for a sign. Chills coming up
and down my back, knowing that I hated being at a place like this. Suddenly, the
door slowly opened. Out came a man in a white coat with a name tag saying,
“Dr. Malcolm.”
I stood up slowly. He
began walking closer to me. With his face trying to hide his depressed
expression, he said, “Arlene, I’m sorry but your mother and your sister
didn’t make it. We tried everything we could, but we lost the battle. I’m
sorry. As for your father, he is in critical condition. He has requested to see
you.”
As tears fell from my
eyes, Dr. Malcolm escorted me to my dad’s room. I tried my best to hold it in
and be strong for my father.
“Room 502” is what the
door said.
I slowly pushed open the
door when I saw a body lying still on the stiff hospital bed. Tubes sticking out
and an oxygen mask, I quietly walked to the bed. I sat in the seat next to the
bed and grabbed his right hand.
“Daddy, don’t leave
me, too” I said as I pulled his hand to my forehead while more tears fell form
my eyes.
His head turns slowly to
face me. He looked so helpless. How was I going to tell him he lost his wife and
youngest daughter? It was just too hard for me not to break down and cry, but I
held it in.
As he pulled down the
oxygen mask, he whispered, “How are the others? Are they O.K.?”
Tears ran down my face as
I told him the bad news. “Daddy, they tried everything they could.” I said
trying to control my shaky voice. You could automatically see his broken heart
being torn and tortured.
“I need water, Hun. Can
you get me a glass?” he said in a weak whisper.
I got up from my seat and
walked to the counter where a pitcher and a glass were displayed. As I poured
the water, I suddenly heard my father breathing very deeply and in such a fast
pace. I turned around as fast as I can and dropped the glass on the floor. I ran
to the bed to see my father struggling for his life. I didn’t want to let him
go, but I had no choice. I took his hand while more and more tears fell from my
eyes and said, “I love you, daddy. Always and forever.”
“I love you, Arlene. You
always made me proud. Never forget that.” He said in a much weaker voice.
BEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!
………..
As I kissed my father’s
hand, the doctor and his nurses ran through the door, trying to do their job. I
walked out of that room with nothing but fear in my heart. That night changed my
life forever. No mother-daughter conversations. No little sister to irritate me.
And now, no father to give me away at a wedding. Nothing but fear…