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  “You gotta get up, Jetta,” I told myself. “You’ve got to pull yourself together and get to Chase.”

  I managed to sit up and take a few deep breaths before dissolving into tears again. Bosco whined again, sounding more desperate and I fell onto my back. I felt as if the air had been knocked out of me.

  What the hell was I going to do? I couldn't even quit crying long enough to let Bosco inside! Feeling defeated, I stayed on the floor and just let myself cry.

  A knock on the door startled me. Figuring that it was just the mail man delivering more supplies I ignored it. The banging grew louder and I wondered why Bosco wasn’t barking at the mailman.

  “Just leave it on the front porch!” I shouted angrily.

  “Jetta?” a female voice called out.

  I raised my head up trying to place the voice.

  “Destiny?”

  “Yes, it's me! Let me in.”

  I managed to get to my hands and knees and crawl to the front door. I unlocked it and collapsed again. Destiny opened the door slowly. I think she was trying to avoid hitting me with it.

  “Jetta?” she asked.

  “Behind the door,” I cried.

  “Oh, Jetta.”

  “Chase…” I managed to say.

  “I know, I know, baby,” she said, tugging me to my feet.

  “Is he still alive?”

  She pulled me into a hug. “Yes, he's still alive, but they can't get him to wake up. You need to come home to see him.”

  “He can't die.” I sobbed into her shoulder.

  “He's not going to die,” she reassured me.

  Her voice betrayed her, because I instantly knew that she didn't believe what she had said.

  “Why are you here?” I asked, pulling away.

  “I knew you wouldn't be in good enough shape to drive yourself back home.”

  “What about Bosco?”

  “He's coming with us too, honey,” Destiny assured me. “Get what you need together. I'll try to get him in the car. Does he bite?”

  I laughed at the absurdity of her question. Bosco hadn't bit anything except a flea the whole time I've had him and I told her so.

  “You're sure?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Yes, damn it to hell, I'm sure, Destiny!” I snapped.

  “Okay.” She backed out the door with Bosco willingly following behind her.

  I changed into my jeans and favorite t-shirt. Next I shoved a few outfits into my suitcase and grabbed my purse, along with Bosco’s food and toys. When I finally got outside, Destiny still hadn't managed to get Bosco into the backseat. He was leading her on a game of chase around the front yard.

  I whistled once. “Bosco.”

  He ran up to me and followed me to Destiny's car.

  “Wait,” I said. “What about my car?”

  “I promise I'll bring you back, whenever you want. Just say the word.”

  I opened the back door for Bosco. “You’d better, or I'm stealing your car.” He jumped into the backseat, thumping his tail against the leather.

  For the first hour of the drive we were quiet. My mind raced in circles and always landed back on Chase. I imagined him in a coma and had to fight back the tears. I wanted to get my hands around the neck of the person responsible for him being there.

  “Who hit him?” I asked.

  “A middle-aged woman whose brakes went out. It wasn’t her fault.”

  “So I can't strangle her?” I asked.

  “No, you can. Though I don't think you should.”

  “It might make me feel better,” I added.

  “For the moment.”

  “You’re right.”

  I reached into my back pocket for my phone.

  “Damn it!” I swore.

  It was still on the kitchen counter.

  “What's wrong?” Destiny asked.

  “I forgot my damn phone!”

  “Need to use mine?” She picked it up from the console and offered it to me.

  “Thanks. I need to call Henry.”

  “He knows you're on your way. He's the one who suggested I should come and get you. Mama was really mad when Henry told her he'd called you. She started crying again and said you wouldn't be able to drive without getting yourself killed too.”

  “Thanks for coming to get me, Destiny. I know things haven’t been great between us for a long time.”

  Destiny reached over and patted my leg. “Not a problem. No matter what, we’ll always be sisters.”

  “So is she angry that I'm coming back?”

  “Who Mama?” Destiny asked.

  I nodded.

  “No.” Destiny shook her head. “She's worried about you. I wouldn't say she’s angry about it. She'll be glad to see you again. She even said Bosco can stay inside the house this time.”

  “Really?” I asked in disbelief.

  “Yep. She's afraid of ending up alone. When she found out that you’d left she cried and cried. She thought she'd never see you again before she died. Daddy's death has really opened her eyes.”

  “It sucks that it took something like that to do it.” I looked out the window so she wouldn’t see me blinking back the tears.

  “Sucks for all of us,” Destiny agreed.

  “Do you know how Ethel is doing?” I asked, referring to Chase's mom.

  “She's having a fit since he's her only child. Abby didn't go to school today either. When I swung by the hospital she said her Daddy was deciding whether or not to go become an angel.”

  Tears threatened to fall again. I pushed them away.

  “Chase, you can't be an angel yet,” I whispered and leaned my head against the car window. “You have to be my hero first.”

  I was grateful that Destiny was quiet for the rest of the drive. I wasn't sure whether she ran out of things to say or knew I wasn’t up to small talk.

  My heart thumped against my chest when we crossed the county line. I was so close to Chase, but at the same time he was worlds away. My pulse continued to race as we pulled into the hospital parking lot. Mama was waiting for us in the waiting room and she pulled me into a hug before I had time to say anything.

  “I'm so sorry, Jetta,” she cried.

  “I'm sorry too, Mama,” I said and pulled away. “I've got to go see him.”

  “Come on,” Mama said, taking my arm. “I’ll take you.”

  Destiny led the way to the elevator. Mama tried to start a conversation on the way up, but I couldn't bring myself to answer her. This was one time I knew I had to put my feelings first, and right now I didn't want to talk. I needed to see Chase. I bolted from the elevator then stopped when I realized I didn't know where I was going.

  “This way,” Destiny said.

  She must have felt my anxiety because she quickened her pace to a jog. The three of us were panting by the time we reached Chase's room. I paused for a minute to catch my breath before sticking my head inside.

  Chase’s mother, Ethel opened the door and waved me in. I studied her for a moment, fearing she was going to attempt to send me away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me. In that instant, I understood that out of all the people in the world, Ethel might be the one person who was hurting as much or more than I was. She’d carried Chase in her womb and raised him into a man. She’d tried to stand up for what he wanted and it had ruined her marriage. I began to cry again as I returned her embrace.

  “Thank you for coming,” Ethel said. “I know it would mean a lot to Chase.”

  I took her hand and grabbed Destiny's with my other as we walked close to the hospital bed. It wasn't as bad as I expected. Chase looked beat up, but it seemed that he was breathing on his own at least. I walked slowly to the edge of the bed and touched Chase's face.

  “Come back to me, Chase,” I whispered.

  Chapter 18: Chase

  The world was too bright and nothing made sense. Was this how being dead felt? It only took me a few seconds to arrive at the conclusion that I wasn't dead, because I knew
death couldn’t hurt this much. My temples pounded and I wondered if I was still hungover. No, that couldn't be right. I remembered driving to go see Jetta. Was I in a car accident? Maybe I am dead.

  “Chase?” Jetta's voice reached my ears from somewhere beyond the bright light.

  “Honey, are you awake?” My mother's voice joined in.

  I didn't answer them, because I wasn't sure it was real. I squeezed my eyes shut for a few seconds trying to protect them from the light. A hand touched my face and I leaned instinctively towards it. It was Jetta's hand or at least I thought it was. The hand was warm against my cool skin. I decided that it was definitely Jetta's hand. I would know her touch anywhere.

  I could feel my heart thumping against my chest as I tried to open my eyes again. It surprised me that something that was once so easy could now take so much effort. When I finally managed to open them again, the white light blinded me, but I refused to close my eyes again.

  “My baby! Chase!” I heard my mother squeal from across the room.

  Where was I? This was a hospital, right? I hoped so, because I couldn't think of one part of my body that wasn't hurting. I could make out shadowy figures moving around the room, but something still wasn't right.

  So many women seemed to be rejoicing. I focused on the hand that was now holding mine. I was surer than ever that it was Jetta's; even if she had yet to say anything else.

  “Jetta?” I managed to ask. My voice was hoarse and I could barely get the words out.

  “I'm right here, Chase,” she replied and I could tell she was crying.

  “Don't cry,” I said, reaching an arm blindly out to her.

  “I'm just so happy that you're okay.”

  She sobbed and leaned on my chest. Even her light weight against my body hurt. I’d believed I was never going to see her again the moment that car had crashed into me. Now here she was, sitting right next to me.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “I love you too,” she replied.

  I felt her lips brush against mine and then heard someone else enter the room. For a moment, the world was quiet and I expected to hear Abby's voice, but found myself disappointed that it was only the doctor.

  “Chase, it's good to see your eyes open,” a doctor said.

  I could hear the smile in his voice, though my vision still lacked definition.

  “Glad to have them open, doc.”

  I almost told him about my vision problem, but didn't want the others to worry. I knew it would cause my mother to start crying again.

  “Ladies, if you all would give me a few minutes,” the doctor said. “I'm going to give the young man here a quick examination and then I promise I'll give him back to you.”

  Jetta squeezed my hand and then moved away. At the last second, she turned back around and pulled me into a kiss. Her lips felt warm and supple against mine. I managed to touch her face gently and return her hungry kiss. Doubts and reality threatened to encroach on my happiness, but I shoved them aside for the moment. I had enough to deal with. I didn't have time to think about what it might mean for our friends and families if Jetta and I got back together. Jetta broke the kiss and left the room without another word.

  My mom gave me a quick hug before hurrying out of the room too. I wanted to ask her where Abby was. She left before I had a chance.

  “We're all here for you, Chase,” Destiny said.

  “Thanks,” I said and waited to hear the door shut.

  When the thud finally came, I sighed in relief. I wasn't sure if there was something physically wrong with my eyes and they already knew, or if it was some psychological problem with them.

  “Doc, what's wrong with my eyes?” I asked.

  “Nothing,” he replied, “as far as the tests are concerned. You have a broken arm and a concussion. Nothing that should affect your sight long term. The vision abnormalities may very well be a side affect of the concussion. We're going to keep you here for a few days. I think you'll be fine though I think it’s best to keep a watchful eye on your vision.”

  He finished looking me over and told me the ladies would rejoin me shortly.

  “Do you have to tell them about my eyes?” I asked.

  He hesitated. “No,” he finally said. “I don't have to tell them anything, Chase. I think you should be the one.”

  I had a few moments alone and the minutes seemed like hours. I had so much I wanted to say to Jetta and I didn't care who was around to hear it. Sure, I wouldn't be able to look into her eyes when I spoke to her, but that didn't matter. I knew what she looked like. Her image had been carved into my mind many years ago.

  I heard the door open and small footsteps running across the room.

  “Daddy!” Abby shouted. “Daddy, you're awake!”

  I grinned back at her. “Hey Abby!”

  “Did you decide not to be an angel?” she asked while climbing onto the hospital bed with me.

  I laughed out loud. “What do you mean?”

  “Grandma said you were talking to other angels and deciding if you were ready to become one or not.” She giggled as if she realized the idea was ridiculous.

  “Nah, I'm nowhere near ready for that. Too many things I want to do here before I get my angel wings.”

  “That's what I told her.”

  It was Abby who first mentioned my eye problem.

  “Daddy, why aren't you looking at me?” she asked.

  “I am, sweetheart,” I lied.

  “No, Daddy, you're not.”

  “Your daddy isn't done being hurt yet,” my mother told her. “He needs a little bit more time to get all better.”

  I felt Abby's weight disappear from the bed as my mother lifted her off.

  “I don't want to leave, Grandma,” Abby whined.

  “We need to go grab some dinner and let your father get a little rest. Sleep will make him better.”

  I heard footsteps as most of the women left the room. Jetta’s mother stopped at the door.

  “Chase, you listen to me now. You’d better not break Jetta’s heart again because I'm a lot scarier than any car accident.”

  She left the room without giving me a chance to answer.

  Chapter 19: Jetta

  My heart skipped a beat once we were alone in the room. I had asked for them to give us privacy and now I wasn't sure what to say. Just hours ago, I’d been in a crumpled heap on the floor crying and praying that Chase would live, that he would wake up and now here I was sitting in front of him.

  Some things were still uncertain, like his sight, though the doctor seemed optimistic about his condition. I opened my mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. Nothing seemed appropriate.

  I’d slept with him and left in the middle of the night, like some cheap one night stand. Yet he still had wanted to come find me to try to work things out. Guilt churned in my stomach when it occurred to me that if I hadn't left, Chase wouldn't have been in the accident.

  “Thank you for coming,” Chase said softly.

  “Of course, I had to come, Chase. Nothing would’ve kept me away. I’m so sorry.”

  “Don't be,” he replied. “I'm not mad at you. I expected you to leave.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you were hurting. You had just lost your father and I should’ve known better than to fall into bed with you while you were grieving.”

  “Yes, I was grieving. That doesn't change how I feel,” I said, taking his hand. “I've never stopped loving you, not for one day. Not even for one damn second. What happened when we were kids was bad. There's no denying that. We did what most people would do. We both took the easy way out, or at least what we thought would be the easy way. We made bad choices.”

  Chase chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”

  “I know, baby, I know,” I said, leaning in close to him.

  I rested my forehead against his and studied his blue eyes. After a few deep breaths, I found the courage to continue speaking.

  “Thin
gs are messed up. So freaking messed up right now. Your accident and our parents. I don't know what to make of them. My mother's lost her mind and I don't know what to do about her. Part of me believes I should just go back to the city and tell her to fuck off, but I can't. I can't go back to the city and stay. You're here. I'm not saying I'm perfect. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I want to try again. It's been six years since we've split up and I can't get you out of my heart. I don't want to. I know you've got no reason to give me another chance, to give us another chance, especially after the shit I pulled the other night, but I really want to try.”

  Tears were falling down my cheeks and it was becoming pretty hard to speak. I knew I had to keep going.

  “Chase, please, let's give it one more try,” I begged.

  Chase was quiet for a moment and I feared that he wasn't going to give me another chance. Hell, maybe the concussion had knocked some sense into him.

  “There’s nothing I want more,” he finally said.

  A sigh of relief escaped my lips and Chase laughed.

  “Did you honestly expect me to say no?” he asked.

  “Maybe…after everything that's happened.”

  “After everything that happened? That's the very reason I know we have to try again. I mean death seems to be everywhere. Your dad died and then I almost died. It’s a miracle I didn’t die if I remember the accident correctly. I think the odds were against me living at least. I couldn't imagine if I’d died without being able to tell you how much I love you. If I never got the chance to sit here with you and talk things through.”

  I brushed my lips against Chase's and he pulled me close to him with his good arm. His tongue darted between my lips and I held on for dear life. Our movements were slow and tender and I savored every second. When the kiss broke, I rested my head against his chest gently and took a deep breath. I knew there was still a lot to deal with, but at least I was back with Chase. As we sat there together in the silence it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

  “Do you still have my class ring with you?” he asked.