Josie stirs. She opens her eyes and smiles. Can she see me? Does that mean my time is getting closer to the end? Why isn’t there a rulebook or some manual for us to read so we know what to do? I watch her for a second, studying her features. Her forehead is pinched as if she was dreaming about something bad.
Jenna sleeps on Jimmy as much as the chairs will allow. They can’t be comfortable, yet they both look very peaceful. Every few seconds, Jimmy sighs and adjusts his arms, pulling Jenna closer. When Eden was born, Elle and I were so excited to have a baby around. Eden was the first child we babysat. The age difference meant we could really play with Eden while Jenna ran to the store or Jimmy had band practice. It didn’t matter though because we were always together and had plenty of opportunities to play with her when she was a baby.
It hits me that the next time everyone likely comes together is for the birth of a baby, unless of course, I can’t fight my way back to the living. It’ll probably be Noah’s because he’s going to end up marrying Dessie, and they’ll have children. Maybe it’s good that I won’t be around to witness the birth of his children because I don’t know how I’d take it. I guess I’ll always have my dreams unless those go away when I die.
Elle though, she’s going to make a good mom. She’s always been more caring than me, always wanting to bring in stray cats, saving bugs from an untimely death and volunteering wherever she can. I’m going to miss it though, the day she becomes a mom. Maybe I’ll be able to watch from wherever it is I’m going, and be there when my niece or nephew is
born.
And Quinn. He’d be the best uncle and dad too. He’d teach everyone how to play the guitar, piano and drums. Although for him to have children, he’d actually have to admit to having a girlfriend. All through high school, the girls would come around but they were never anything more than friends according to him. Maybe it’s because Elle and I always made fun of him when a girl would come over to study. It’s what little sisters do, right?
If I could cry, tears would be streaming down my cheeks right now. I’m not ready to die. Up until the accident I had my whole life ahead of me. My dream of reporting from the NFL sideline was happening, and even if it were only for one game, it was still my moment. And Kyle Zimmerman asked me out. I was excited for our dinner date, but when I looked into his eyes… he knew the truck was going to hit me but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He saw it coming, and so did I. I turned in time see the grill in front of my face. There was nothing stopping the collision.
Missing from the waiting room is my uncle Liam. I thought he would’ve been in to visit me, but he has yet to do so. I shouldn’t be sad about it, Jenna and Jimmy have visited, and Nick and Aubrey aren’t here. Liam’s my uncle and while we may not be related by blood, he’s been there for me since my father passed away. Even though I have Harrison, Liam is different. He’s the one connection I have to my dad when it came to our love of football.
I start to search the halls, thinking about him, hoping that if I do, I’ll somehow find where he is. There are so many voices saying my name, though. It’s hard to tell who is alive and who may be trying to get me to follow them toward the path of least resistance. That’s what I’m going to call it because I don’t want to go there. I feel like I’m back in school and my guidance counselor is talking to me about peer pressure. How it’s easy to fall into the trap of drugs and alcohol if someone you like is doing it as well. The speech fell on deaf ears. I grew up in Beaumont. Drinking at the water tower is a rite of passage, even one Harrison understood.
I find myself staring at the chapel. The door is slightly ajar, making the voice easier to hear. My name is said, and I step inside. The only light in the room comes from the various candles that are burning, and even with his back to me, I know it’s my uncle. He’s on his knees, praying, doing something I’ve never seen him do before. I slip into the pews behind him, knowing I shouldn’t eavesdrop, but I can’t help it. I want to see him. I’ve missed him and was so excited to tell him about the assignment, and I want the chance to tell him about the game.
“I let you down, my brother. I told you I’d protect your daughters and I feel like I’ve failed,” Liam says. “The girls… oh, how I wish you could see them. They’re beautiful and smart. They’re kind and humble. Peyton… she’s a special girl, Mason. I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you’re with her, tell her to fight. I have no doubt in my mind you miss her, but we love her and need her here. We’re not ready to let her go.”
“I don’t want to go either, Uncle Liam, but I don’t know how to stay and fight. No one is helping me. They keep calling my name and it’s like I’m being pulled to them.”
Liam sighs and takes a seat next to me. I lean into him, but can’t feel his presence. What I wouldn’t give to be held, by anyone, one more time. To feel the warmth of their body press against mine, to hear their heartbeat sound in my ear as I rest my cheek on their chest. Liam has always told me that if he likes you, he hugs you with one arm, and two means he loves you. From the day I met him, it’s always been two. His love for me has never wavered.
“Do you remember the first time we met?” I ask, knowing full well he can’t hear me. “You sat next to me at my father’s funeral and promised to watch football with me. Every weekend, for as long as I can remember, and you were home, we would make party food and invite whoever wanted to watch over to your house. Most of the time it was only us, and it was perfect. I have learned so much from you, not only where the game is concerned, but about life and my father. Hearing stories about you and him, growing up, it made me feel like I knew him better.”
“Oh Peyton,” Liam says, his voice shuddering. “You gotta pull through this, baby girl. Losing you will destroy everyone.” He bends over and continues to sob. I can’t comfort him the way Josie or Noah can. He would at least tell his dad that he’s encouraging me to fight and not giving up. It’s the others who are choosing to listen to the doctor, who I might add hasn’t come back to check on me.
Liam gets up and kneels at the altar again. “I’m not ready to say goodbye to her.”
I gasp and quickly cover my mouth as my father appears next to Liam. He’s kneeling down, with his arm draped across his back and his head resting on his shoulder. After a long beat, he turns, making eye contact with him. My father looks the same as he does in the picture I have on my bedside table, the one with his infectious smile.
“Daddy…” I whisper as I rush to him. He meets me half way and pulls me into his arms. I wish I could feel him. I wish we were both alive and able to hold each other. I have long forgotten what it feels like to be held by him.
“You’re so beautiful and grown up.”
I laugh, but it sounds more like a cry. “And you… you look like the man I remember.”
“That’s because I am. Call it a luxury.”
He sits us down, keeping his arm resting on my shoulder. He nods toward Liam. “He feels guilty.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s afraid to go see you, afraid that he’s let me down.”
“Has he?”
My father shakes his head. “Never. There was a time, back when we were teens, but I long forgave him. I don’t blame him for what he did, only wish he had confided in me before he had done it or kept in touch.”
“Things would’ve been different. You could’ve--”
“That accident was going to happen whether Liam was home or not. Thing is, he could’ve easily been in the truck with me. And then where would everyone be?”
His question gives me pause. It’s almost as if Liam leaving Josie has been the catalyst for our lives. Who knows what would have happened if he didn’t leave, where would he be right now? Or if he took Josie with him, would we have Harrison?
“Everything happens for a reason,” I mutter.