• CARING

    I look up at the door as HE walks in. He did this to her, he broke my baby girl’s heart and now she lies here, clinging to life with what little strength she has left. I stand and move around to the other side of the bed, forging a barrier between my daughter and her ... murderer.

    “What do you want?” I snarl, my hand curling into a tight fist, ready to strike.

    “I wanted to try and explain how deeply sorry I am,” he answered but I ignored his sincerity.

    “She’s here because of you, because you hurt her!” I growl, trying to keep the ensuing argument quiet as not to alert the hospital staff.

    “Yes and I accept that... Aaron I tried to help her, from the very beginning... She fell too far too fast, I couldn’t keep up,” he pauses. “I know that’s a pathetic excuse but ... there was nothing anyone could do. She didn’t want help; she didn’t want to let people in. I found out by accident and I tried to help her but ... I couldn’t.”

    “You gave up on her! Just like everyone else!” I cried.

    “I wish that was true ... she gave up on herself, Aaron, I’m sorry but ... it’s the truth.”

    “How can you say that?! You loved her!”

    He reaches into his pocket and I tense, ready to pounce if need be. He retracts his hand, grasping a folded up piece of paper. He looks to me, tears in his clear blue eyes. He unfolds it and shows it to me.

    It’s a drawing of a heart with the words, in flowing scripture, “You asked if I cared, I said yes, so here I am, caring.”

    “I drew it for her, for if she wakes up... If she does, please, show it to her,” he murmurs before he hands it to me. “She drew me a million pictures, I thought it was about time to return the favour.”

    I look down at it, wiping the tears from my eyes before they fall and smudge this beautiful art. “I’ll show her...”

    He looks down, sniffing before he shakes his head to move the hair from his face. “Just tell her I love her... Please?”

    I meet his gaze. “I will.”

    I then watch as he smiles slightly, turns on his heel and leaves. Yes, he loved my daughter.