Chapter
13
While packing slowly, Mariah listened to music. She couldn't shake
the feeling of loss that she was feeling for Selwyn. She knew he had gone to a
better place, but...she still wanted him there with her. She felt selfish, but
she couldn't help it.
Mariah
stopped her packing and sighed. She sat down on a chair by the window and just
stared. It had been a two weeks since Selwyn died. She was supposed to be
discharged the week before, but the way she had been acting, the doctors
thought it was best for her to stay just in case. Mariah hadn't been the same
cheerful self that she usually was after Selwyn died. They began to worry about
her. No one could get through to her. Not even Brian.
Brian
had left 3 days after Selwyn died. He stayed an extra day to be with Mariah. He
tried to comfort her, but she failed to respond. After a while, he felt useless
and returned on tour not knowing what to do. When he left he promised that he'd
be back to visit in a month, but he didn't even know if Mariah heard him. They
talked occasionally on the phone. Brian tried the best he could in comforting
her.
Mariah
on the other hand had noticed nothing different with Brian. She just wanted
time for herself to grief.
Mariah
continued to stare at out the window looking at the beach in the distance,
oblivious to whatever was happening around her. Until she heard a familiar
voice.
"Hi
Mariah."
Mariah
turned her head to look at the door. Shock spread on her face. "Brian!"
Brian
smiled. "Well, glad you're surprised."
Mariah
ran over to him and gave him a big hug. "I can't believe you're here!
Wha--why? How? I don't get it! I thought you were busy and..." Mariah gave
him a confused look.
"Well,
the thing is," began Brian, "they cancelled the rest of our shows on
tour. Nick's mom hasn't been feeling to good lately and Nick said that he had
to go home. They figured that we couldn't finish the tour without Nick, so they
rescheduled those tour dates. We came back last night and voila! Here I
am!"
"Oh,"
replied Mariah, "poor Nick. Is he okay?"
"He
hasn't been himself lately, but he'll be okay. Him and his mom are tough,
they'll pull through."
"I
hope so." Mariah said with concern, even though she had not met the rest
of the guys yet, but she had heard so much, that she felt like she knew them
already.
"Thanks
for the concern, Mariah." replied Brian. He decided to change the subject.
He looked around the room and so her things half-packed. "Well, looks like
you're leaving today. I'm assuming your mom will be here soon?"
"Uh...no.
My mom couldn't come. She's still working." answered Mariah, looking a
little annoyed. "She said she was too busy to come back."
Brian
felt so bad. "So how are you getting home?"
"Oh,
I figured I'd just get a cab and head home."
"No
need for that now that I'm here. I'm going to take you home."
"Bri--"
"Not
a word from you. I'm taking you home and that's final."
Mariah
looked at Brian and marveled at his generosity and kindness. She began to wonder
how she ever lived without Brian, or someone like Brian, in her life.
Mariah
smiled and continued to pack. Brian picked up a teddy bear and made funny
voices to go with it. Mariah couldn't stop laughing. After an hour, they
finally finished packing.
"Well,
this is it," said Mariah, "I'm finally leaving this place. I hope for
good."
"You
and me both," replied Brian. He looked and Mariah with seriousness. Then
he cleared his throat, took hold of Mariah's hand, and said, "Come on,
let's get outta here."
Mariah
nodded, grateful that she had someone to share this moment with. A time where
she would be rid of the hospital. For good, she hoped.
When
they got down to the parking lot, Brian put down her things carefully, opened
the door, and said, "My lady, your chariot awaits."
Mariah
laughed and said, "Why thank you, kind sir." She got into the car,
while Brian put her things in the trunk. He then got in the car and started the
engine.
"Well,
what is your destination, my lady?"
"Well,
how about the beach. I'm dying to go there."
"Alright,
the beach it is then."
Brian started the engine and headed
towards the beach. He turned on the radio and began to sing with the song.
Mariah joined in. They laughed and joked all the way to the beach, leaving the
sad memories behind them.
***
