Page 19 of Burn Falls

My mom rushed to my dad’s bedside and stroked his face, tears racing down her cheeks. “Miles? Miles, honey. We need you to wake up. Can you hear me? If you can, squeeze my hand, okay? Just squeeze my hand.Please!”

We all waited and watched as if some miracle would occur through our mother’s words, but nothing happened. Mom turned to me, her light-brown eyes blazing and pure hatred in her expression.

“You did this! You left your father, and something happened to him while you weren’t here. I should never have gone home. I trusted you!”

“Mom, it’s not Calla’s fault,” Alastair tried to reason with her.

“No? I’ve stayed with him every night.Shemade me leave, told meshe’dbe here, andsheleft.” More tears streamed down her face as she spat out the words in her Irish accent. “I’ll never forgive you for this, Calla. Never.”

“Mom, I’m so sorry. I’ll never forgive myself either.” I held my head in my hands and sobbed.

“I can’t believe Dad’s dying,” Betha sobbed. I stood and pulled her into my arms, and Alastair joined us. Then we dragged chairs to our father’s side. I reached over and held his hand. How could he be dying? What would I do without him?

The four of us sat by his bed for hours, waiting for any change before we made the most significant decision of our lives.

“I think I should call Dr. Young and make sure he agrees with the other doctor,” I finally stated.

“I thought they said they’d call when we made a decision?” Betha asked.

“Have we?” I countered. “I’d rather him tell us that he could do something before we decide to ...” I trailed off, not able to finish the thought.

My mother gave a slight nod, and I pulled my phone out of my purse and sent Draven a text.

I’m sorry about last night. Thank you for making sure I was home safe. I’m at the hospital now, and the doctors are telling us it’s time to remove the life support. There has to be something you can do to save him. I’m not ready to say goodbye.

Sometime later, I heard a throat clear, and Draven walked in. I exhaled deeply, so happy to see him. His gaze caught mine, sorrow flashing in his eyes.

“Dr. Young!” my mother cried. “Please do something.”

I watched as Draven moved to my father and evaluated him. Then he uttered the words I didn’t want him to say, “I really wish I could, but I’m sorry. There isn’t anything more we can do.”

A lump returned in my throat. “Are you sure he won’t ever wake up?”

“No, he won’t. He’s showing signs of brain death now.”

My mom’s wracking sobs filled the room. “Can I have a moment alone to say goodbye?”

Betha began sobbing, and Alastair held her tightly as we all left the room and Draven closed the door behind him.

“Thank you for coming,” I told Draven.

“I really am sorry,” he stated. He reached out and very briefly touched his fingers to mine as though he wanted to hold my hand causing me to want nothing more than to fling myself into his arms and feel his strong embrace as I sobbed.

“I know, and I know you did what you could.” He stepped a foot away, and I stared at the closed door, tears running down my cheek. “I left him. I left him and got drunk. I was drunk in a bar while my father was dying.”

Draven pulled me around the corner, and after making sure the hall was empty, he cupped my cheeks with his hands. His cold hands felt good against my hot skin. “Don’t do that, Calla. Your father has been dying since he arrived. I told you last night that it wouldn’t matter if you were here or not, and that’s the fucking truth.”

“He was stable,” I cried, looking up into his eyes.

“He’s in a coma with failing organs. He’s never going to wake up.”

I didn’t want to believe him, but a part of me knew he was right. “My mother blames me.”

“I’ll talk to her and explain it wasn’t your fault.” I nodded, and Draven looked up as though he heard something. “Come on. Time for you to say goodbye.”

We rounded the corner, and my mom opened the door, tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t say anything while my siblings and I went back into the room. Draven didn’t follow us. Instead, he started to speak to my mother like he said he would.

I dropped to my knees at my father’s bedside and held his hand. “I love you, Daddy. I’ll miss you so much, so, so, much. And we’ll find who did this to you and they’ll pay.”