Heavy Hands (frerard)

Chapter 39

I woke up to an empty bed, staring up at the ceiling. I didn't like waking up alone, there was this emptiness in my heart that I never wanted to experience but this was my life now.

"Hey! Breakfast!" Josh called.

Josh moved in with Jamia and I last week. He was having trouble affording his rent and we invited him to take one of the extra bedrooms. Frank was still paying rent and the bills and although I had argued with him on it over the phone, he told me that we already have jobs and should be working to pay off tuition debt, not to try and keep a roof over our heads.

I got up, yawning as I rubbed my eyes. Josh loved to cook, which was a benefit to both Jamia and I because now we have someone to cook for us.

"Morning," Josh said with a bright smile as I came into the kitchen.

"Why are you such an early bird?" I asked. "Your perkiness is irritating."

"I've been told that," he said with a shrug.

He handed me the pancakes and eggs with the same cheery smile that never fades. Jamia joined us and we all ate at the counter.

"So, it's been a month since you and Frank broke up," Jamia said. "You ready to forgive him?"

"Maybe when Mikey wakes up," I mumbled. "I don't wanna talk about frank right now. This is a break and I'm supposed to not be thinking of him."

Jamia nodded and I cut up my Pancakes. For a moment I just thought about breakfasts in Paris with Frank but I quickly pushed the memory away.

"Do you have classes today, Gee?" Josh asked.

"No, it was canceled," I said. "Professor sent an email that he was sick so thankfully I'm free for today. I'm just gonna go visit my brother and then head to work."

"He still the same?" Jamia asked.

"Still in a coma," I mumbled. "Hasn't stirred yet."

"Well, I'll run by the corner store to get some flowers for him," Josh said. "I'm sure the ones by his bed need changing."

I nodded and we finished eating. I went back upstairs to take a quick shower before I got dressed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Josh was downstairs, smiling with a bouquet of bright yellow flowers.

"Got yellow this time, thought they'd be extra cheerful," he said.

"Thanks, you're the best," I said, giving him a hug.

I took the flowers and put on my shoes.

"Did Jamia head out already?" I asked.

"Yeah and I'm leaving too just after I grab a shower," he said.

"Alright, see you later after work," I said.

"I'm working a late shift too so I won't be making dinner," he said.

I nodded, hurrying downstairs. I drove to the hospital and went to Mikey's room. I changed the flowers in the vase before sitting next to him.

"Hey," I said quietly.

I held his hand as I sniffled, the guilt building up again. The guilt was slowly eating me away, I don't know what I would do if he didn't wake up. He had only just turned sixteen, far too young to go through any of this. He was just about to get his driver's license, he was so excited for it.

"I miss you, Mikey, please wake up," I whispered.

He didn't stir and I felt the hot tears running down my cheeks. I broke down sobbing, laying my head down on the bed next to him. I cried quietly, my whole body shaking as tears wracked my body.