BLAKELY
I've been home for a couple of weeks, and I still feel like I haven't been able to sit down and take a breath. Deadlines are quickly approaching for final edits of pictures that have been piling up, but I can't manage to find a single second to get them done. I returned home to Savannah, and Bryce and Lexie had all of my stuff moved into a new house, definitely bigger than my apartment but still modest.
I take a deep breath attempting to find some composure as I focus back on my computer. Feeling unsuccessful, I pull it closed and walk over to the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee. Sleep isn't something I've been getting much of lately. I push the curtains out of the window and watch the kids next door walk around the back yard playing. They have two little girls, and I find myself watching them more than I'd like to admit. I'm not really sure if that is normal, but I find myself wondering, "what if." Their mother walks out on the back porch and calls them in since it's getting dark. I let go of the sheer curtains, and they fall back in front of the window.
Lexie comes strolling out of the bathroom, and I nearly jump out of my houseshoes.
"I totally forgot you were here." I laugh as she throws herself down dramatically on the couch.
"Let's watch Legally Blonde!" She practically yells as she picks up the remote.
"You have to scream it?" She smiles and leans back on the couch, shrugging her shoulders.
"Sorry, I really am trying to remember my inside voice." She whisper-screams, and we both end up giggling.
I have seen this movie a thousand times but still love it, and it's Lexie's favorite movie, so she just recites all the lines dramatically as we cram an unreasonable amount of popcorn in our mouths. My phone starts buzzing on the kitchen counter, and I make my way over to pick it up and see Hanna's name flashing across the screen.
"Hello?" I answer timidly, fully expecting her to scold me for not making arrangements to see her yet.
"Blake, I'm sorry to call you so late, but we need to talk." I glance at the clock.
"Hanna, It's only 9:30. What's up?"
"It's Judson. Well, we're at the hospital. Can you come?"
"Is he okay?" I ask.
"Well, we don't really know much, but it doesn't look good." I take a breath, trying to deflect the tears. "I'm on my way." I end the call and grab my purse. I glance at Lexie, giving her an apologetic look.
"Can you stay here? I'll be back. It's Judson."
"You know I'm fine here. Go, text me when you know something. Did they say what happened?"
"No, they didn't." I grab my keys and head out the door, trying to shut it carefully. The footsteps I take to my car feel like they are pounding into the ground, flawlessly in sync with my heart. Which I swear I can feel beating in my ears.
I swing into a spot at the emergency room and jump out of the car so quickly I'm not even sure if I put the car in park. The automatic doors open, and the sterile smell fills my nostrils. I scan the room quickly, trying to find Hanna. I walk to the desk and give the receptionist Judson's name, and she motions to an elevator advising that he is on the third floor in ICU.
The elevator door opens to Hanna and Jameson seated side by side in chairs near a wall phone.
She sees me and starts to stand. "Blake, I'm glad you came."
"What happened? What's going on!" I ask frantically as Jameson shoves his hands into his pockets. He looks extremely uncomfortable, rocking back onto his heels.
Hanna looks to Jameson and then to me, "You should tell her." Hanna whispers.
Is he dead? Did he die? I feel my heart sinking lower.
"Jameson, he's not, oh my God, no…" Jay shakes his head with tears in his eyes.
"No, he's okay, maybe. It's Ryan. I followed Judson down to the docks because he had been acting shady and ignoring all of my calls, and I found Ryan there." He takes a slow breath, trying to finish his sentence, "drowning him."
I can't find any words to say, so I just look at them both, stunned.
"So, how is he? Have you heard anything?"
Hanna grabs my hand and pulls me over to the seat near her. "No, we don't know anything. He had water in his lungs."
Jay turns and looks down at the ground. His leg is shaking uncontrollably up and down.