Chapter 9: Spring Break Part V



Adam had shown up about half an hour after Paul and I came. Adam hugged mom and apologized for not being here sooner. Then he came over to me, I looked at him and he knew that I wanted to cry. He enveloped me into a hug, just holding me and calming me down. Adam and Paul were the only ones, apart from my parents to calm me down after I went through an emotional problem. Adam and I broke off the embrace so that Adam could comfort mom and Paul comforted me. 30 minutes later, the doctor came out, "Mrs. Copeland, I just want to inform you that the bullet came out and that your husband is lucky that the bullet didn't hit any major organs. However, I'm terribly sorry to say that he has internal bleeding that was caused from the shot. Right now, we have him stabilized and he's in recovery. I have to want you, he's heavily on medication."

"Would it be possible that my family and I can see him?" mom asked.

"Sure, but it can only be one at a time," replied the doctor.

"Mom, why don't you go in first?" Adam asked.

"Ok, I'll go in first. I'll be back soon," mom responded as she left.

I stayed in Paul's arms, not knowing whether to cry or to be angry at the world. "I'm going to get some food. Anyone want anything?" Adam asked.

I shook my head as Paul responded," Just get her something, whether she wants or not. As for me, just get me a water." Adam nodded and left.

Paul stroked my back and sang a song to me. It was his way of calming me down. Not many people knew that he could sing. He has the most amazing voice. He sang a song that he thought matched what I was: A Fallen Angel.

There's a candle burning in the world tonight

For another child who vanished out of sight

And a heart broken, another prayer in vain

There's a million tears that fill the sea of pain

Sometimes I stare out my window

My thoughts all adrift into space

Sometimes I wonder if there's a better place

(Tell me) where do fallen angels go?

I don't know

Where do fallen angels go?

They keep falling.

Now the times is frightening

Can't ignore the facts

There's so many people just slippin' through the cracks

So many ashes scattered

So many tears run dry

Sometimes your heaven is hell and you don't know why

(So listen) where do fallen angels go?

I just don't know

Where do fallen angels go?

They keep falling, falling, falling.

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Somewhere out there

There's a shining light and I got to be with you tonight

And all we're nowhere

We still pay the price

Yeah, the devil seems to get his way in downtown paradise

Where do fallen angels go?

I just don't know

Where do fallen angels go?

They keep falling, falling, falling.

Where do fallen angels go?

I just don't know

Where do fallen angels go?

They keep falling, falling, falling.



I looked at Paul and whispered, "Thank you."

"You're more than welcome, baby girl, you're more than welcome," he replied. Adam had come back with food and drinks. I sat down next to Paul so that we could drink and eat. Adam had brought me a sandwich and cranberry juice, while he only brought water for himself and Paul. Paul had encouraged me to eat up. He didn't want me to lose my energy or anything. Mom had come out when I was half way finished with my sandwich.

"Adam, you can go in and talk with dad. He seems to be more awake now," mom replied as Adam was ready to leave. "Honey, how you feeling?'

"I'm ok. I just don't want daddy to die," I replied.

"I know. I don't want dad to die, either." I finished my sandwich and drink. Paul, mom and I just sat there in silence, not knowing what to say because we were afraid to say something to cause each other to cry. The time passed so slowly and it felt like forever. Half an hour later Adam had come out.

"Sam, dad's asking for you," replied Adam.

I nodded and looked at Paul. He encouraged me to go, I said, "Paul go with me, please."

"All right," Paul held my hand until we got to his room. He encouraged me to go on. I opened the door very slowly, afraid to see what dad looked like. I didn't want to go in there. I wanted to run, but I knew that dad wanted to see his little angel. I finally started to walk into the room until I saw dad.

Dad saw me walking in slowly, "Angel, you can come in. You're not going to hurt me any more than I'm already hurt, honey." I started to cry and ran into dad's open arms. I wanted to be strong in front of him, but I ended up crying like a baby. Dad just held me, calming me down. He sang to me as he held me in his arms.

I could stay awake to hear you breathing

Watch you smile while you are sleeping

When you're far away dreaming

I could open my life in this sweet surrender

I could stay lost in this moment forever

Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Don't want to close my eyes

I don't want to fall asleep

'Cause I'd miss you baby

And I don't want to miss a thing

'Cause even when I dream of you

The sweetest dream will never do

I'd still miss you

And I don't want to miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating

And I'm wondering what you're dreaming

Wondering if it's me you're seeing

Then I kiss your eyes

And thank God we're together

I just want to stay with you in this moment forever

Forever and ever

Don't want to close my eyes

I don't want to fall asleep

'Cause I'd miss you baby

And I don't want to miss a thing

'Cause even when I dream of you

The sweetest dream will never do

I'd still miss you

And I don't want to miss a thing

I don't want to miss one smile

I don't want to miss one kiss

I just want to be with you

Right here with you, just like this

I just want to hold you close

Feel your heart so close to mine

And just stay here in this moment

For all the rest of time

Don't want to close my eyes

I don't want to fall asleep

'Cause I'd miss you baby

And I don't want to miss a thing

'Cause even when I dream of you

The sweetest dream will never do

I'd still miss you

And I don't want to miss a thing

Don't want to close my eyes

I don't want to fall asleep

I don't want to miss a thing

Right after he sang that, I stayed in his arms. I didn't even pay attention to the noise around me. All of a sudden I felt someone pulling me away from my father and asking me to leave the room. "What's going on? What's happening to me father?" I asked.

"Honey, I'm sorry but you're going to have to leave the room so that we can work on your father," replied the nurse.

"No, I want to see my dad! Let me go! I want to see my dad! DDDAAAADDDDDYYYY! I WANT MY DDDAAADDDDDYYY!" I screamed. Paul was still in the hallway waiting for me. He held onto me. I distantly heard mom and Adam come running towards us. I continued to struggle against Paul's hold, I was still screaming, "DDDDDAAAAAADDDDDYYYYYYY!!!!" Adam and mom were wondering what's going on. They tried talking to the nurses, but couldn't find out what was wrong. They heard doctors calling out orders to get dad breathing again. Everyone that was there just stood and watched and wondered what was going on. Paul took me outside to calm me down especially since I was screaming and everything. Paul never let got of me, no matter how hard I fought him. Adam and mom stayed in the hallway waiting to hear from the doctor.





~ Author's note: 'Fallen Angels' and 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' are from Aerosmith. I don't own them. ~