Chapter 9

30 minutes later, I came back home and took a shower…when I walked back into the living room…my cell-phone was sitting on the damn postcard…and it was ringing again…

Stephanie's name as plain as daylight…I flipped my phone open and didn't even say anything…she could hear the TV on…and she said, "Please…Lori…don't hang up…"

I said, "Stephanie…what ever it is you've just got to tell me…well damn it…hurry up and say it…I can't stand not knowing any longer."

Stephanie's voice quivered a little and said, "He needs you." I ran my hand through my hair and said, "Don't tell me…no please…do not do this to me Steph…I don't need to know…I don't…FUCK! Who needs me?"

Steph said, "Mark needs you Lori…"

I sat at my kitchen table and plopped my head in my hand and said, "What the hell happened Steph…I just talked to him last night?"

Steph said, "Mark was in a car accident tonight…a drunk driver hit him going at least 120 in a corvette. Mark really didn't sustain any injuries…but he's got some brain swelling, a super severe concussion…and he slipped into a coma…"

I said, "Oh Jesus…Stephanie…"

Step said, "Listen…the doctor said him being in a coma is the best thing for him right now…it will give him time for everything to heal up properly…and also that once he's fully healed inside and out…he should wake up…"

I said, "What if he doesn't wake up? What if he never wakes up again?"

Steph said, "We'll deal with that if and when it comes to that…but Mark needs you right now…you know since Glenn and Sara died, you two have been each others comfort zones…you've literally talked in the phone every day and night for the last 2 years…when ever I see Mark he's on the phone with you…and when I'd come to visit you…you were constantly on the phone with him…you need each other…and right now…he needs you."

I said, "Okay…but you get to call and tell you're dad I won't be coming back until things with Mark are better…"

Steph said, "Dad knows already…he knows you'd never just not show up for Mark…"

I said, "Yea…Where are you guys?"

She said, "Chicago…I'll have one of the boys pick you up from the airport and bring you over to the hospital."

I said, "Okay…I'll be there as soon as I can…Steph stay with Mark, until I can get to him…please." She said, "No problem…"

We hung up and I started flying around the apt, getting things in order…and called to have a friend of mine take care of my cat while I was gone…and then I was gone…Flying to Chicago…to be with Mark…God please watch over him until I can get to him…

Please.

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I know I haven't updated in a while, and I apologize…I'm going through a small crisis at work right now and it's got my head all out of whack when it comes to remembering to post chapters here for all of you…Thank you for your patience…I appreciate it!

-Maxine-