Page 60 of Shameless
And fast.
* * *
Visitinghours were long over by the time we arrived in San Antonio. Roger texted me which hospital they were at and her room number.
“What if they don’t let me see her tonight?” I cried as Blake parked.
“I’ll make sure you get to see her.”
On the way, I’d called my dad, who had received a call from Roger too. He and my mom were already on the road and should have beaten us by at least an hour and a half. True to his word, Blake got us to San Antonio in two hours, breaking a few laws in the process. I didn’t care. All I could think about was the possibility of not being able to say goodbye. I hated the thought that we would arrive too late and Aunt Deb would no longer be with us.
We rushed to the entrance, leaving Skye asleep in the cab, and searched for where to go. Finally, we found the correct wing. As we approached the room number, Roger was standing in the hall. His gaze met mine, and he gave me a tight smile.
“How is she?” I asked, trying to hold back my tears.
“She’s sleeping.”
“Can I see her?”
“Of course. Your mom and dad are in there now.”
No one stopped me as I stepped into the room. Maybe that was because when someone was dying, they let you say your last goodbyes, despite the time. Would this be our goodbye? Would the woman who I had spent countless hours watching rom-coms with really be dying? Would we not have Christmas morning spiced apple cider while watching the parade on TV?
Rushing into my father's arms, I absorbed the comfort he offered without a word. I peered into the bed where my aunt slept. She looked peaceful, and I still couldn’t believe she might be leaving us. I wished more than anything that I could make her better.
“Sir,” Blake greeted my father as I stepped over to my mom and hugged her. It hit me this was the first time Blake was meeting my parents, and it hurt my heart even more that it was under these circumstances.
“Mom, Dad, this is Blake, my boyfriend—”
“Blake?” We all looked at Aunt Deb. Her eyes were open, and she stared at my boyfriend.
“Hey, Debs.” He moved toward her and picked up her hand.
Her gaze turned to me and she gave me a small smile. I realized her lips had a bluish tint to them. “Hey, honey.”
I fought back the stinging in my eyes and the tightness in my throat as I grabbed her hand. “Hey, Aunt Deb.”
Blake’s mom came into the room as my parents stepped into the hallway. “Hey, Deb.”
“You’re all here,” Aunt Deb whispered. “This can’t be good.”
“Just came to say hi, is all,” Aimee lied. “Heard you weren’t feeling well.”
“I’ve been better.” Aunt Deb coughed, her lungs wheezing, and she moaned as though it hurt. She gasped for air, her hand clenching in mine.
“It’s okay,” I said. “You don’t need to speak.”
She turned her head to me, a tear sliding down her cheek as though she knew this was goodbye.
Blake came over to my side and placed a hand on my shoulder as I continued to fight my own tears. I was trying my hardest not to let my aunt see me fall apart because I didn’t want her to be in any more pain than she already was.
Her eyes moved up to Blake’s and she wheezed as she spoke. “Please take care of her.”
“I will,” he promised.
“I’ve always known you were a good kid,” she said. “Make her happy.”
“I plan to.” He set his hand on top of mine, which was still holding hers.
