Love Never Fails Page 7

  Shaking her head, Monica doesn’t believe what Jake is saying. There’s no way this can happen. How could this happen to such a little innocent six month old baby? Kids should never have to experience such tragedies. They should laugh, giggle, play, and jump every day. But Eric wasn’t doing that today. Today he has doctors trying to save his life. Today everything is falling apart for the Harrises. When reality finally sank in for Monica, she asks Jake about Kelly.

  “Kelly?”

  “Yes Kelly. Where is she? How is she doing?”

  Jake swallows the lump in his throat. “She didn’t make it. She passed away five minutes after they brought her in here. They tried using the shocking machine, but they couldn’t save her.” Jake’s voice cracked with every word.

  The room starts spinning faster. She’s feeling sicker. Monica didn’t want to believe anything that was happening or what she was hearing. This has to be a dream she thought. This can’t really be happening. Is this a terrible joke? Who pulls pranks like this? But if this was a prank, who’s doing it? She tells herself to wake up, wake up. But she realizes she’s already awake. Still in shocked, she continues to shake her head. Kelly is gone. No she can’t be. Kelly and Monica have been best friends since high school. They did everything together. How can she be gone? What is going on Monica thought looking around questioning the situation. Why is this happening? If Kelly didn’t make it, does that mean Eric won’t either? She’s trying to catch her breath, but it’s so difficult. This can’t happen to him also. He is just six months old, he has so much more to learn and experience in life. She curls her feet against her chest, buries her head between her knees and cries uncontrollably. Her family sits there watching her, and lets’ her cry it out. Ella wraps her arms around her daddy, squeezing tight, quietly crying in his arm. Monica finally stops crying, but sits in the same position while she waits for the doctor. Lauren taps her on the shoulder. Monica lifts her head, eyes puffy and red.

  “Dear, we’re going to go get some coffee. Did you want me to bring you back something?”

  Monica shakes her head no. She couldn’t get herself to say anything. She felt helpless and numb, and her eyes start to tear up again. Lips quivering, she buries her head back between her knees.

  Sitting in the chair by her daughter, she tries to comfort her by rubbing her gently on the back. “Dear you need something in your system. You will need all the energy you can get. Not eating or not drinking will not help the situation. Why don’t I get you a bottle of water and a bag of chips?”

  Monica clears her throat, and finds that last energy inside her to open her mouth, but remains to keep her head down. “Just water.”

  Heartbroken for her daughter, she kindly whispers in her eye. “Ok dear.”

  Jake’s parents, Lauren, and Ella heads to the cafeteria. Jake is lost for words. He doesn’t know what to say to Monica to ease her pain. He knows no matter what he says, the pain will never dissipate. He just grabs her hand, and squeezes it, showing he is there to support her. They sit there in silence, broken. Moments later, the family returns, and Lauren opens the water bottle, hands it to Monica, and demands her to drink. Monica does as she’s told, and finishes the whole bottle. She really needed that. She has had nothing in her system all day, and with her constantly throwing up, she was just dry heaving.

  As Jake throws her bottle away, the neurosurgeon enters the waiting room. Deciding to remain standing, he tucks his hands inside his pockets. The family takes a deep breath, and listens. The neurosurgeon starts using words like intracranial, hematomas, and subdural. These are words they are not familiar with, and when the doctor senses they are lost, he explains it to them in so they can understand.

  “Since the car was flipping so much, making his head bounce around, it caused him to have brain trauma. It’s like shaken baby syndrome. His brain was bleeding, which we managed to stop, and he is in stable condition. However, we had to put him in an induced coma to help alleviate the pain and swelling. And since he is still a baby, we did not want him to go into shock because if he starts crying, it will make his blood pressure and heart rate to go up”

  “That’s good new right doctor? I mean that the bleeding stopped?” Jake asks.

  “Yes that part is good news, but during the surgery, he lost a lot of blood. So we will need to do a blood transfusion as soon as we find his blood type.”

  Monica recoils her head back not understanding. “Blood type?”

  “He is O negative. Though they can give blood to any other blood types, they can only receive blood from O negative. And since only a small percentage of Americans have O negative, there is a limited amount of donors. So, there is little supply, making it hard for us to do our job right.”

  Ella looks at her mom and starts crying again.

  The doctor continues, “We are putting saline in his IVs, which is an alternative solution. But saline can only be used temporarily. We need to find a donor with the same blood type fast. We have contacted other hospitals, hoping they might have some, but no luck.”

  “Can we see him now?” Monica asks.

  “Yes you all can go in there. He is in room seven.” Dr. Wade leads them to the room.

  After following him to Eric’s room, they thank him, and he leaves. Seeing him lay there motionless is the worst feeling a family member can ever experience. They want to take the feel of pain away from him, but they can’t. He is in very great pain, and knowing that made them even feel more helpless. When a kid has a cold or gets hurt, the parents’ wishes they can take that away from their child. Anything to make sure the kid is not hurt, nor sad, nor mad or any other bad emotions. With the tubes, and IVs in his body, and the beeping noises, Ella couldn’t bear to stay in the room. She couldn’t stand seeing her brother that way. She looks at her mom, then at her dad. Running out into the hallway, her cries get louder. Lauren tries to comfort her, and leads her back to the waiting room. As Monica grabs one of Eric’s hands, Jake grabs the other; Jake asks his parents if they can have a moment alone. His parents join Ella and Lauren in the waiting room.

  Besides the beeping of the machines, the room is quiet with inarticulate agony. They couldn’t look at each other, feeling guilty that it’s their fault he is laying there motionless. The nurse walks in to check on his heart monitor, oxygen levels, and IVs, and then looks at Monica and Jake.

  “My name is Jenny. We just changed shifts, and I will be his nurse. If you need anything, please call for me with that button over there.” And she points at a button with a red nurse symbol on it.

  “Well mom and dad, I’ll let you guys be.”

  Monica tries to forces a smile, but she’s too weak. The nurse walks out. As she closes the door, Jake finally looks up at Monica and grabs her other hand.

  “I need you.”

  Monica starts to cry, and lays her head down onto Eric’s bed. And before Jake can finish what he wants to say, he too starts crying. They both lay their heads by him, crying for him, wanting him to be ok, to get over this tragic moment.

  8

  Monica’s alarm buzzes; she turns it off and walks to her bathroom like she’s a rusted metal robot. She is not a morning person, and dreads having to wake up so early. Why did summer have to end? She loves waking up whenever she feels like it. She turns on the shower and forces herself to get in. After showering she slips into her turquoise jersey-shirt dress, fixes her damp hair into a fish-boned braid, and puts light make-up just enough to accentuate her natural beauty. She matches her dress with black and turquoise cowgirl boots. She sways left to right double checking in the mirror. Satisfied with the turn out, she skips down the stairs, and says hello to her parents. Her mom cooked omelets for breakfast, and they eat together.

  “Sweetheart you don’t think your dress is too short?” John really hates it when Monica wears anything short. He convinces his daughter to change her clothes.

  “No daddy. It’s just a couple of inches above my knee. Believe me there’s probably other girls at scho
ol who’s shorter.” Monica lectures her dad, while playing with her food.

  “Dear, please quit playing with your food, and eat.” Lauren bids.

  Monica gives her parents kisses, and gets in her car. As she’s driving off her driveway, she pats her car. Monica had to work a whole summer with her dad in order for her parents to buy her a car she wanted. She heads to Kelly’s house. Monica has always been the most popular girl in school. When Kelly moved to Baytown from Los Angeles, Monica befriended her even though her family doesn’t have money. Monica’s family is very wealthy, but she isn’t a snob like the other rich kids. With Kelly being friends with Monica, she became popular also. Kelly barely had things to wear so Monica always bought extra clothes so Kelly can borrow them. They always have the cutest outfits where girls go buy their outfits, and wear it the next day, hoping they too look cute. Both girls are friendly to every student in the school. Every girl wants to be friends with them and every guy wants to date them. Monica stands five feet six inches; petite body frame with full natural C cup breast, thin waist, and a curvy butt. She has tan, smooth, flawless skin; brunette hair; sky blue eyes with full, long, curly lashes; two dimples on each side of her full luscious lips, and when she smiles, her pearly whites gleam. Her best friend Kelly is a natural blonde with baby blue eyes. She looks like Monica’s twin, but has blonde hair and is two inches taller. Monica is above her peers academically and is already taking college course while in high school. She plans to work with her father after graduating college. Her father John started his oil business when Monica was just a little baby. He has built an empire, and prays one day Monica can take over the family business.

  She pulls up to Kelly’s house, honks on the horn, and looks in the mirror to make sure her hair and make-up looks just right. Staring at Kelly’s house, Monica honks again, waits for a little bit, then honks again. When Kelly doesn’t respond to the horn, Monica knocks on the door to see what the holdup is, and Kelly’s mom answers the door. She has been divorced three times and is on her fourth marriage.

  “Hi Mrs. Thomas. Is Kelly ready?”

  “Good morning Monica.” Mrs. Thomas looks towards Kelly’s bedroom door, “Who knows, but you can check. She’s in her room.”

  Instead of knocking on the door, Monica just enters. “Are you not ready?”

  “Which skirt looks better? This one or this one?”

  “I like that one.” Monica points at the distressed denim mini skirt.

  Meagan changes into the mini skirt, looks in the mirror one more time, and tells Monica she is ready to go.

  On the way to school, some jerk cuts them off. Piss the fuck off, Monica slams on her horns yelling and cursing at him. When they get to school, Monica’s boyfriend Clint and Kelly’s boyfriend Josh waits for them in the parking lot. Though they’ve spent practically every day together during summer time, they chit chat like they haven’t seen each other in ages. When the bell rings, Clint gives Monica a kiss and everybody heads to their classes. As Monica is walking to her class, someone bumps into her. Before she can curse him out, she gets blown away by his good looks. He’s about six feet five inches tall, medium muscular built, with light brown wavy hair, and bright blue eyes. He dresses like a preppy cowboy with his toned arms exploding from his white t-shirt, and his blue worn distressed denim Levi’s jeans gives prominence to his behind. She likes a guy who can finish an outfit with Converse shoes.

  Licking his lips, he apologizes. “I’m so sorry.” He smiles and all she can notice is his luminous teeth.

  “Oh it’s ok. I’m sorry too.” Monica blushes. “Hey. You’re the guy who cut me off earlier.”

  What Monica should have done was tell him how much of an idiot he was for cutting her off, but the mean words just won’t come out. He’s too cute for her to be cursing him out.

  “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. I was running late.”

  “You’re new here right? What school did you go to?”

  “I’m from Liberty. We just moved here during the summer.” They stare at each other smiling being flirtatious. “Well hey, as much as I want to be here talking to you, I’m kind of running late, and I still have to find my class.”

  Duh Monica, she thought. “Oh yeah. I’m going to be late too. What class are you looking for?”

  “Physics.”

  “Mrs. Good’s class?”

  “Yeah. You have her too?”

  “Follow me. I have her class first period.”

  Jake arches his brows accepting her invitation. This is perfect Jake thought. He can’t keep his eyes off her and now he wouldn’t have to. Following her to Mrs. Good’s class, he checks her out. She isn’t the normal blonde girls he talks to, but there’s something about her that piques his interest. When they arrive to their class, he opens the door for her. Such a gentleman. Monica sits while Mrs. Good introduces Jake to the class. Girls are going gaga over him. The teacher instructs him to find an empty seat. There are a couple of empty seats, but he chooses the one behind Monica. He taps his pencil on her desk as he makes his way to the seat behind her. Mrs. Good starts the lesson, but Monica can’t pay attention. She can feel him staring at her. Turning around she smiles, and he wiggles his eyebrows at her. When the teacher turns her back to the class, Jake passes her a note. They pass if back and forth.

  You’re hot

  Thank you

  Do you have a boyfriend?

  Yes

  I knew it. You’re too beautiful to be single

  Thanks again I guess

  You just made it harder for me

  Excuse me?

  You have a boyfriend. So now I have to work harder

  Work harder for what?

  To make you my girl

  What makes you think I want to be your girl?

  Oh believe me. You want to be my girl

  No thank you. I’m good

  Yeah you say that now, but watch you want me

  Cocky are we?

  No I just know you want me

  Is that so?

  Yup

  I want you because?

  Because I want you

  I bet you want every girl in this class?

  Nope. No one here suits me

  You are something else

  What’s your next class?

  Why?

  So I can walk with you

  I have my boyfriend to do that thank you very much

  Watch you’ll break up with him for me

  I’m done talking to you

  Why? Because I’m telling you the truth?

  Monica doesn’t write him back, and starts paying attention to what the teacher has to say. The bell rings, he follows her and sure enough Clint wraps his arm around his girl, and he walks Monica to class. Monica turns around and smirks at Jake. Kelly and Josh approach him, and introduce themselves.

  “Hey bro. You’re the new guy on our football team right? Our new running back?”

  “Yeah. I’m from.”

  “Liberty High.” Josh finishes Jake’s sentence. “Bro your team beat us by two touchdowns last year. And you made those two touchdowns. Bro your good.”

  “Thanks man.”

  Jake looks down the hallway and sees Clint kissing Monica. He knows he has to make them break up. He wants her for himself. One of the girls from Monica’s cheerleading team approaches him, and introduces herself. Jake flirts with her, wraps his arm around her waist and walks with her to class. During lunch time, girls come up to Jake cumbering him with questions, and he’s soaking up all the attention and tells the girls nice things he knows they want to hear. He is such a playboy. Josh offers him to sit with them, and he sits right next to Monica, while Clint is sitting on the other side.

  Licking his lips, “Hey.”

  Monica grabs Clint’s hand. “Hey.”

  “What are you doing after school?”

  Clint stands up, “Dude, what’s it to you?”

  Jake still sits by Monica, not removing his eyes from her. “I’m asking her
. Not you.”

  Monica begs Clint to calm his nerves and sit back down. He continues to stand and antagonizes Jake. Clint is six feet two inches and has the same body built as Jake. He is blonde haired blue eyes pretty boy. If Clint and Jake were to fight, Jake will most likely win. Josh steps in between them, and tells them to settle down. Josh is the captain of their football team. Guys look up to him. Clint threatens Jake if he sees him talking to Monica again, that’s his ass. Jake isn’t scared of him. Laughing, Jake winks at Clint to irritate him even more.

  The girls are insanely idolizing Jake. Monica doesn’t understand what Jake sees in her when he can have any other girl here. Is he trying to play some stupid game Monica thought? He knows she has a boyfriend, so why does he continue to get under Clint’s skin?

  The day went by pretty fast. During football practice, Clint and Jake keep tackling each other harder than normal and their teammates notice what they’re doing. When the cheerleaders get on the field to practice, Jake’s face lightens up. He did not know Monica was a cheerleader, and was surprised when he sees her in her short-shorts and tight tank top shirt. Blowing a kiss to Clint, she quickly glances towards Jake’s direction. Jake nods at her acknowledging he sees her, and she vamps her lashes at him when Clint isn’t looking. Other guys of course checks her out, in hopes she looks their way also.

  Monica is the captain, and teaches the girls the new cheers. As she demonstrates, the whole football team stops to stare. Every time they get water, the guys gawk at the cheerleaders. With August being the hottest month of the year, coaches are more concerned in making sure the players doesn’t get heat strokes. The coaches notice what the players are doing and yell for them to hurry and get back. Every time Monica takes a quick glimpse at Jake, his eyes are glued on her. How is he supposed to be practicing, if he can’t keep his eyes off her? Jake is intentionally getting Clint mad. But if Jake keeps watching Monica and doesn’t watch out, Clint will tackle him hard on his ass. You can sense the disappointment from the guys when it was time for the cheerleaders to leave.