While packing slowly, Mariah listened to music.
She couldn't shake the feeling of loss that she was feeling for Selwyn. She
knew he had gone to a better place, but...she still wanted him there with her.
She felt selfish, but she couldn't help it.
Mariah stopped her packing and sighed. She sat down on a chair by
the window and just stared. It had been a two weeks since Selwyn died. She was
supposed to be discharged the week before, but the way she had been acting, the
doctors thought it was best for her to stay just in case. Mariah hadn't been
the same cheerful self that she usually was after Selwyn died. They began to
worry about her. No one could get through to her. Not even Brian.
Brian had left 3 days after Selwyn died. He stayed an extra day to
be with Mariah. He tried to comfort her, but she failed to respond. After a
while, he felt useless and returned on tour not knowing what to do. When he
left he promised that he'd be back to visit in a month, but he didn't even know
if Mariah heard him. They talked occasionally on the phone. Brian tried the
best he could in comforting her.
Mariah on the other hand had noticed nothing different with Brian.
She just wanted time for herself to grief.
Mariah continued to stare at out the window looking at the beach
in the distance, oblivious to whatever was happening around her. Until she
heard a familiar voice.
"Hi Mariah."
Mariah turned her head to look at the door. Shock spread on her
face. "Brian!"
Brian smiled. "Well, glad you're surprised."
Mariah ran over to him and gave him a big hug. "I can't
believe you're here! Wha--why? How? I don't get it! I thought you were busy
and..." Mariah gave him a confused look.
"Well, the thing is," began Brian, "they cancelled
the rest of our shows on tour. Nick's mom hasn't been feeling to good lately
and Nick said that he had to go home. They figured that we couldn't finish the
tour without Nick, so they rescheduled those tour dates. We came back last
night and voila! Here I am!"
"Oh," replied Mariah, "poor Nick. Is he okay?"
"He hasn't been himself lately, but he'll be okay. Him and
his mom are tough, they'll pull through."
"I hope so." Mariah said with concern, even though she
had not met the rest of the guys yet, but she had heard so much, that she felt
like she knew them already.
"Thanks for the concern, Mariah." replied Brian. He
decided to change the subject. He looked around the room and so her things
half-packed. "Well, looks like you're leaving today. I'm assuming your mom
will be here soon?"
"Uh...no. My mom couldn't come. She's still working."
answered Mariah, looking a little annoyed. "She said she was too busy to
come back."
Brian felt so bad. "So how are you getting home?"
"Oh, I figured I'd just get a cab and head home."
"No need for that now that I'm here. I'm going to take you
home."
"Bri--"
"Not a word from you. I'm taking you home and that's
final."
Mariah looked at Brian and marveled at his generosity and
kindness. She began to wonder how she ever lived without Brian, or someone like
Brian, in her life.
Mariah smiled and continued to pack. Brian picked up a teddy bear
and made funny voices to go with it. Mariah couldn't stop laughing. After an
hour, they finally finished packing.
"Well, this is it," said Mariah, "I'm finally
leaving this place. I hope for good."
"You and me both," replied Brian. He looked and Mariah
with seriousness. Then he cleared his throat, took hold of Mariah's hand, and
said, "Come on, let's get outta here."
Mariah nodded, grateful that she had someone to share this moment
with. A time where she would be rid of the hospital. For good, she hoped.
When they got down to the parking lot, Brian put down her things
carefully, opened the door, and said, "My lady, your chariot awaits."
Mariah laughed and said, "Why thank you, kind sir." She
got into the car, while Brian put her things in the trunk. He then got in the
car and started the engine.
"Well, what is your destination, my lady?"
"Well, how about the beach. I'm dying to go there."
"Alright, the beach it is then."
Brian started the engine and headed towards the beach. He turned
on the radio and began to sing with the song. Mariah joined in. They laughed
and joked all the way to the beach, leaving the sad memories behind them.