Chapter Six
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Miss Parker was released from the hospital the next morning, but instead of going home she went straight to Broots house. She knew he kept his spare key under the doormat and let herself in.
The house seemed empty. "Debbie?" she called out. She should be really worried, her father never came home last night and she shouldn't be in school already.
"Debbie are you there?" Miss Parker yelled a second time. Soon she heard footsteps running down the stairs.
"Miss Parker?" Debbie's voice was fragile as she spoke and she had a confused look on her face. "Where's daddy?"
Miss Parker gave her a troubled look. How was she going to say it? How do you tell a little girl her father is in a coma, maybe never to wake up again…
"Come with me Debbie," she started; she walked into the living room and sat down in the sofa. Debbie did the same.
"I had a car accident last night, and I… I called your father and Sydney. I woke up at the hospital, and I heard your father and Syd had been through an accident themselves…" Miss Parker paused for a while.
"Sydney is…" she cut herself off, realizing Debbie didn't give a damn about what happened to Sydney. Miss Parker was just trying to get some time. Debbie deserved to know the truth, she was eleven, she could handle this…
"Your father has slipped into a coma, but don't worry, he will fight, he will wake up again, for you."
Debbie stared at Miss Parker. She didn't know what to say. Her father was in a coma? She had a feeling it wasn't as positive as the older woman tried to make it sound, what if he didn't wake up again? Debbie was well aware of what a coma could do to people, she had read about it in school…
"I'm so sorry Deb," Miss Parker whispered.
Debbie shook her head, trying to deny it. "What am I going to do without daddy?" she finally whispered.
Miss Parker heard so much pain in her voice. She struggled to hold back her tears.
There was a long silence. Miss Parker had no idea of how to handle things like this.
It was Debbie who spoke first. "Miss Parker?" she asked. "Can I stay with you?"
Miss Parker made a small gasp. She had known that was what the kid had wanted. But hearing her say it was still a shock.
"Of course," she said. She remembered the older Debbie's words. "Of course you can," she repeated, "As long as you want."
Debbie moved closer to her, hugging her. Miss Parker was so taken aback by her action; she didn't know what to do. When Debbie didn't let go, she finally put her arms around her, trying to comfort the sad girl. The tears she had tried to hold back slipped through her closed eyelids as she heard Debbie snivel softly.
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One week later, Debbie was settled in Miss Parker's house. Debbie didn't want her mother to know anything, and Miss Parker had agreed. They had been at the hospital visiting Broots every day, but there weren't any changes in his condition. Debbie was handling it surprisingly well, but Miss Parker knew she was afraid and sad.
Sydney was released from the hospital but wasn't back at the Centre yet, he had to rest at least another week.
It was late and Miss Parker had said goodnight to Debbie. She was sitting in her sofa, staring at the fireplace blankly. He hadn't called her, he hadn't contacted Sydney either. Miss Parker hated to admit it, but she missed him, his late phone calls… She thought of her future. She couldn't believe Jarod would marry Zoë. Miss Parker sighed miserably, she had lost him forever. If he only called one more time, she wouldn't be so mean to him, god if he only…
Her thoughts were cut off by a shrill signal from her cell phone. Miss Parker felt her heart jump. Could it be…
"Jarod?" she said into the phone.
There was a silence.
"What happened to the 'what'?" the voice sounded shockingly cold as he spoke.
Miss Parker didn't answer.
"Tell me Sydney is okay."
"He is okay… he just needs to rest another week… he will be fine…" Miss Parker muttered. He only called her because he couldn't reach Sydney. He only cared for Sydney…
"I'm fine too Jarod…" Miss Parker said, immediately regretting it.
"Listen Miss Parker, I couldn't care less, have a good life," Jarod said without any kind of emotion in his voice.
"Wait," Miss Parker stopped him from hanging up. She couldn't lose him like this… she just couldn't bear loosing him again…
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TBC.
AN/ Soooo, should she tell him how she feels about him? Will he ignore his hurt ego and forgive her? What do you think:)
