Bereft - Jennifer Foor Page 0,80

she spotted me in the doorway. “Mom.” She rushed toward me, throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

My eyes diverted to Grayson, who seemed to be awake, but groggy. “Hi,” he barely managed to say. “I’m sorry.”

I was at his side within seconds, taking his hand and gripping it. “Hi yourself. What happened?”

“He had a heart attack, Mom. The doctor just came in to talk to me. They said he had to get a stent put in. He just came back to the room about five minutes ago.”

I kept my eyes on Grayson. “How are you feeling?”

He was crying. “I thought I was going to die alone.”

I couldn’t keep the tears from falling down my face. “You’re too young to die on us. We still have a long life to live.”

I ran my hands over his thick hair, appreciating he didn’t try to turn away. “I had pressure last night, but thought it was something I ate.” He was struggling to talk. A nurse came in the room to administer drugs into his IV.

“I hear you had quite a scare today. Don’t worry, you’re in great hands.”

I waited until she finished to address Grayson again. “You should have called me. I would have taken you to the hospital.”

“I didn’t want to miss our date, Rachel.”

This tore me to pieces. It didn’t matter how much pain he was in. He wanted to see me; to start over, and nothing was going to keep him from it.

I raised his hand to my lips and kissed it. “You’re so stubborn. You could have died.”

“At least I’d die trying, babe.”

“Are you two okay for a minute? I just need to make a call to my work.”

Stephanie came up next to me to make sure we were listening.

“Sure. I’ve got him. Go ahead. We’ll be here when you return.”

Once she left the room I leaned forward and placed my lips on the side of Grayson’s head. “I’m here for our date. Sorry I was late.”

He managed to smile, even with an oxygen line sticking in his nostrils. “You look beautiful.”

I couldn’t say the same. I’d never seen him look so drained. “Try to stay calm. You need your rest.”

“Please don’t leave, Rachel. Don’t go yet.”

I squeezed his hand. “I’m not leaving. I’m staying right here until you can go home, and then I’ll be there with you. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I know you’re going to be okay.”

“You don’t have to stay with me. I know I’m not your responsibility.”

It wasn’t even an option for me. Being with Grayson was where I belonged. We’d no longer have an awkward transition. I had a reason to be close to him, to nurse him back to health. We could take it slow, and when the time came, we could have that second chance at happiness. “The next time I leave your side, it will be to move out of my apartment. I think it’s time I come home. It’s where I need to be.” Then I added. “It’s the only place I want to be.”

We were both a mess. “I love you, Rachel.”

“I love you too, Grayson. This time we’ll get it right. I promise.”

While he dozed off to sleep, I silently wept in the chair next to him. I’d almost lost him. Maybe God had intervened. I’d always believed everything happens for a reason. Whatever helped us find our way back to each other I was grateful. I vowed to never take our marriage from granted again. This time we’d do it right. We’d take care of each other. We’d communicate. We’d go to therapy. As long as I had him by my side, I knew we could make it.

It took me a while to get over the past, but once I did, there was no looking back.

Epilogue

I was sitting up in bed nervous about a meeting I’d have to attend with Chad. It had been close to a year since we were in the same room, and longer for when we called off our relationship. Sure, I’d had several video chats during monthly meetings, but other people were included. This however, would be completely different. At some point we’d be alone. I wasn’t a fool. I knew I’d feel something, even though Grayson and I had been happily back together for months. I was content and satisfied. This wasn’t the problem for me. The biggest hurdle was knowing Chad left with unresolved feelings. I suppose when