THE SPACE BETWEEN

Chapter 16

Note from the author:  I won't be portraying Shannon in a positive light for a while and I apologize to those of you whom this will offend. This has no reflection on him as a person. He is my muse  and I create my interpretation of his character as I go along. I understand if you quit reading this story, but I'm so glad you invested your time up to this point. <3 <3 <3

Trigger Warning(s):  Explicit Language

(Shannon's POV)

I took Maggie outside and plopped down in the closest chair. Watching her sniff around the yard made me think of how she and Theo would have interacted. I lost control of the aching sobs that were lodged in my throat like a dam bursting wide open. Weeping wracked my body and I gasped for air.

Maggie came over and put her paw on my lap, looking up at me with sad eyes.

'No more baby Maggs.' I struggled to say.

She tucked her head against my side and stayed with me until my sobbing eased.

'But we still have you baby girl.' I put my arms around her neck and held her tight.

Eventually I found the strength to get up and go back inside. I grabbed a bottle of scotch and quickly downed a few shots, followed by the rest of the bottle until I could hardly stand. I made it as far as the couch before I collapsed.

****

My eyes opened and closed a couple times as I awoke. The first thing I was conscious of was how badly my head hurt. I pressed my hand against my temple and slowly began realizing that more was wrong than a headache. I was overwhelmed by a sense of dread—the kind you have when something's gone terribly wrong. I sat up slowly and struggled to get my wits about me. Trying to piece together what was going on made my chest tighten. The smell of alcohol oozing from my pores jogged my memory. Obviously, I'd passed out cold on the couch.

The harder I concentrated the less I was able to put two thoughts together. My brain felt like a void and the room started spinning. I bumped into walls as I rushed to the bathroom and nearly missed the toilet as I started puking. I rested my head on the seat and slowly everything made sense. Instantly I was sick again, and lost count of how many times I threw up afterward. I laid my head on the cool tile and wept.

I needed to pull myself together and get to the hospital. It was after 10 AM and Missi was probably wondering where I was. What seemed like a good way of masking my pain the night before now felt like a jackass move. Rarely had I correctly gauged the effect my indulgences might have until the light of day reared its head.

I leaned against the shower wall and let the water stream down my body. I had to get my shit together. I had to find the strength to face Missi, but I just wanted to run away and try to forget.

My phone rang while I was drying off and I drew back when I saw it was Jared. I was having a hard-enough time without having to talk to him, but it was just one more thing I needed to face today.

'Hey.' I said, choked by just the utterance of one word.

'Are you okay? You sound upset.'

'I was going to call you.'

'I can tell something's wrong by the tone of your voice.'

'We...ah...well...Missi lost the baby.' I said with tears brimming my eyes.

'Oh my God...what happened?!'

'Some freak thing with the umbilical cord. It wrapped around his neck.'