GRABBING ONTO THE bed, I listened to Jessie talking about Lauren. The hospital in College Station had transferred Lauren to Brackenridge once they diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis. Lauren’s condition had only gotten worse.
Coma? Shaking my head, I whispered, “No.”
Sniffling, Jessie placed her hands on my arms and forced me to look at her. “Colt, the bacterial meningitis is . . . it’s not good. They can’t control the fever and her temperature is so . . . it’s so high and her body could put itself in a coma, so I need you to prepare for . . .”
Taking a step away, I shook my head as I felt my entire body start shaking. “No. No, she’s not leaving me. She is not leaving me.” Turning back to look at the love of my life, I whispered, “Lauren would never leave me.” Glancing back to Jessie, my heart dropped.
Tears streamed down Jessie’s face as the door opened and my mother walked in. Jessie turned and whispered, “Ellie—”
Giving me a weak smile, my mother moved closer to me. “Colt, honey let’s step outside for some fresh air.”
Shaking my head, I stood firm. I was not leaving Lauren. “She’s not . . . she’s going to be okay. She wouldn’t leave me, Mom. She knows how much I love her and need her.” Turning to Lauren, I walked up to her and took her hand again. Kissing the back of it, I felt my tears begin to fall freely. “Please, baby. Please don’t do this to me. Lauren, I beg you!”
Jessie quickly left the room as I buried my face down into Lauren’s neck. Her skin felt so hot. So incredibly hot. “Lauren, please wake up. Don’t leave me, sweetheart. I’m nothing without you, Lauren. Please wake up.”
A woman began talking. “Sir, we need to put the icepacks on her stat.”
Strong hands took a hold of my shoulders and pulled me away from Lauren. No. I can’t leave her. Turning, I saw my father. “Dad, no I can’t leave her. She needs to know I’m here. She needs to know I won’t leave her side.”
“Colt, you need to get some food and some sleep.”
Pushing him away, my father stumbled against a chair. “I’m not leaving her!” I shouted as my mother jumped. Covering her mouth, she began crying.
“Gunner,” she whispered as my father took another step toward me. “Colt. Listen to me, son, I know how much you want to be here, but you need something to eat.”