Not Goodbye
The entirety of Bethesda Naval Hospital; staff and patients alike, stood in shocked silence listening to the emergency news update. "… the confirmed sinking of three submarines; the Delaware, McAlister and Stingray went down somewhere in the Indian Ocean. We'll have more as the story develops."
"I'm sorry Jim, Mandy, I … I have to, have to go…" A young nurse swayed and turned from the group she had been speaking with. Her eyes searched for an exit and bolted from the room.
"Nurse Preston, where are you going?!" One of the doctors she had been speaking with called after her as Shelly fled from the room, down the hallway and collapsed against a wall. She didn't notice as Mandy followed and sat next to her against the wall, "Michelle? Who was it? You're brother… boyfriend… dad?" The older woman reached out and squeezed Shelly's hand, "It's okay to talk about it."
Shelly heaved a great sob and choked out, "I didn't even say goodbye to him. He can't be gone because I didn't say goodbye, he can't leave me if I don't say goodbye! He said he would see me soon…" Her head shook furiously and she repeated, "He can't be gone."