Cory sat on an empty couch on the hospital's waiting room, what he had just heard his wife said was the one thing he would never thought she would say. He had heard about it numerous times for his students but never passed through his mind that he himself would become a case.
-Cory… - Topanga said
-Just leave OK?
-We need to talk about this…
-Not now.
Meanwhile, in Riley's room, Maya just sat on a chair beside her best friend's bed. The brunette sounds asleep while monitors beeped with her heartbeat, oxygen levels, and so on. The blond held her hand while tears ran down her face.
-I'm sorry love… but your dad… he needed to know… all I can promise you… is that I'll be with you… I won't leave you…
Maya was exhausted, it had been too much for one day, silently, she laid on a sofa that was in front of the bed and closed her eyes. A peaceful sleep came to her, she didn't know how long did she sleep, but the voice of her best friend woke her up.
-Ma… Maya…
-Love, finally, don't move.
The blond girl went to her friend and held her hand.
-How are you feeling?
-w… what happened? Why am I in a hospital?
-It's a long story… but now just rest…
A week has passed, Riley was sent home, a home where everything had radically changed. Cory moved temporarily to Shawn's cabin, Augie was sent with Cory's parents, only Riley and Topanga were living in what once was a happy place. Although living was more a basic concept than anything else, mother and daughter rarely spoke with each other, mostly because upon learning about what was going to happen to her and what had happened to her parents she became silent, retracted, only Lucas and Maya were able to get a few words out of her.
-Riles… you need to talk to Topanga… you need to
Usually, Riley always looked at people with kindness, love and a smile as bright as the sun, but the sole mention of her mother made her give her best friend a look that could have frozen in fear even the hardest of criminals.
-for what?
Lucas knelt in front of her.
-Look, Riley, I know this is very hard, but you should listen to her and
-NO! I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO HER! LOOK WHAT SHE DID! I used to love to see my dad as my teacher at school and then at the table every night…to see my mom and my little brother… all that is gone… because of her…
-Haven't you stopped and take the time to think that she might had a reason to do it?
-A reason… A REASON!?... Lucas get out of my room.
-Riley…
-GET OUT!
The teenager walked out slowly, the minute the door closed tears began to inundate the brunette's cheeks which turned into sobs seconds later. The moment she fell to her knees Maya was quick to hug her.
-Love…
-my family is broken Maya… broken…
-Riles… you'll get through this… I will be at your side. I promise
At school, Riley was still far away from the A+ student she used to be, yet she was no longer sent to detention nor was she seeing Richard who had transferred out of Abigail Adams after Lucas warned him of a potential call to the police after the incident at the park. It was one of those days that, after class, Cory asked Riley to stay behind.
-what…?
-I'm glad you no longer are rebellious… but your grades are not improving either…
-Dad… please come back home…
The man closed his eyes.
-I can't… not until I have my mind clear and my ideas in order…
Riley broke in tears
-Please… I want my family back as it was…
The man hugged her.
-Baby… I wish I could tell you that it could happen but I can't…
For several minutes the only sound coming out of the history classroom were the sobs of one Riley Matthews which held to her father as if her life depended on it. That evening Shawn and Cory sat to talk, the later served drinks for both of them.
-So, what are you going to do about all this? - Shawn
Cory drank before answering.
-I… I don't know… I mean… I thought… this was forever… that the fact that we loved each other since high school meant that…
Shawn passed his hand over the shoulder of his best friend.
-Man, you need to make a decision, not just for you and Topanga but for Riley and Augie.
Cory drank and got up.
-You're right, they don't deserve this either… the problem is… the decision I make will hurt them anyhow… what would you do if you were me?
-Honestly? I think you know the answer to that. - Shawn said
Cory helped himself to another drink and walked to the window glaring at the stars in the sky.
-I loved you Topanga… why did you have to do this? And worst of all… to break the heart of our princess…
The following day Cory went to his parent's house, Augie was at school so the adults were able to sit in the living room. Alan spoke.
-I can see you had a rough night.
-I was trying to reach a decision Dad… it's not healthy for everyone to keep this going any longer than it has.
Amy sat beside him and hugged him.
-I know how much you love Topanga and I know this was not an easy decision, no matter what you decided to do, you can count on our support. - the woman said
Cory glared at her for several moments.
-Thank you, mom… and yes, I made my decision… I just hope that Riley can understand it…
And it was the brunette precisely who, woken by her grumbling stomach, walked to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich and get something to drink. It was long since she had eaten what could be considered a real meal since Topanga, being almost everyone absent, had decided to stop cooking and mostly bring stuff from the restaurant. That was the only thing Riley was grateful, she could always find ham, steak, cheese, pasta, and with what be able to feed herself when her hunger was bothering enough to make her walk out of her room. But that night, as she walked in, the giggles she heard she thought came from the tv, but her eye caught the side of the screen and she realized it was off, what she saw made her drop the glass she had in her hand, the millions of pieces of glass flying in all directions…
To be continued…