Chapter 3
Nobody could reply to nick. All of us just stood in shock studying Bri's face. Every movement she made seemed painful. She looked sick and weak and could barley hold herself against the wall. Her body was just limply sitting on the ground. Her face was beat red from all the crying. That was the only sign of life in her.
We all knew how much Joe liked Bri, but gosh nobody expected this. They always seemed like one of the couples that were just really good friends. You know the ones that are awkward and seem like they need to brake up. That was Joe and Bri but they didn't look so awkward. Nobody ever expected this.
I walked over to nick grabbing him and dragging him out of the waiting room into the cold dark hall way. His eyes were lite up with fear, and you could tell he knew something was very wrong.
"I just got a call from Car to get down her immediately. Where's Joe?"
I stood for a while trying to collect my thoughts so I could tell Nick.
"Well, after you left to pick up Taylor,Joe, Bri, Car, and Iwere going to go out to eat because Bri had some 'Big News'," I could her my own voice cracking and shaking I coughed a little fake cough just to clear my throat. My voice was getting very weak and I didn't know how long it would be before I broke down,"Um well, before we left Bri went to try and wake up Joe, but he didn't wake up."
"What do you mean he didn't wake up."
"I mean he didn't wake up!" anger was taking over my sadness, and Nick could tell.
"Kev, take a breathe, just tell me what happened."
"OK, well we called the ambulance and they rushed to get Joe. They took him here,and well." I couldn't find it in my heart to tell Nick that his brother had a blood clot.
"Well Kev go on."
"Well they found a.....a.....a....blood clot in his brain," I tried to say it as fast as I could to get it over with
"You mean like Bobby," Nick said in a very shaky voice.
A voice came from behind.
"Yes like Bobby." It was Bri she had finally gathered up enough strength to get up. Her face had some color, and Car was playing with her hair trying to put it up in a bun.
I could see the tears swelling up in Nick's eyes. His faced turned bleach white, and he was having trouble breathing. He tried to say something but couldn't get it out.
"What did you say?"
No reply.
"Nick, what did you say?" My voice showed my impatience.
"I said why!!!" Nick screamed and all the doctors turned around and stared.
Bri ran over grabbing Nick hiding her face in his chest and balling. Nick was rubbing her back and whispering something in her ear. She giggled, one of the sweetest sounds I heard all day.
"Nick listen there is something I need to tell you and Taylor." her voice was clear, but you could feel all the fear and sadness she was holding in.
"Do you want me to tell him."
"No Car, I need to."
"Listen Nick I heard Kev tell you there was some big news."
"Yea that may be an understatement," I piped in.
"Well Joe last night he um.......well.......he proposed to me."
Nick's jaw dropped almost hitting the floor.
"I....I....O my gosh."
"That seems to be everyone's reaction," Bri chuckled.
"I need some fresh air, you guys wanna come," Car blurted in to cut the tension. She always has a way with that, knowing what to say and exactly at the right time. It just adds to the reasons I love her.
"Yeah I think we all should," Taylor blurted in.
Taylor was a petite brunette, about the same size as Bri, but with a much younger face. She always wore jeans and a tank top, with this hoodie that nick bought her from Vegas that said 'Go Big Or Go Home'. She had the sweetist personality, and a smile that could be seen for miles. Nick and her had been dating for three years, and they were basically inseparable.
As we were walking outside Car ran up behind me, and jumped on my back. She grabbed onto me, holding tight, and whispered in my ear "I love you." That was the first time in seven years she had told me that, and I felt she truly ment it. She made my heart melt right into her hands. I felt so vulnerable, but it felt good. For the first time ever I felt like she tottaly relied on me. We were both going through a hard time, but in some way I was happy about it. Not because Joe was hurt, but rather I realized just how much I love Car, and if she wasn't here I don't know what I would do.
My thoughts of love and happiness were interrupted by a very familiar voice.
"You coming love birds," Nick said in a very obnoxious way while fingers laced with Taylor's.
Bri walked alone in quietness. her head down, watching every step her feet took. Tears still rolling down her tiny face, falling off the tip of her nose. Her hands in the pockets on her dress, messing around with something in one of them.
"Bri, what are you playing with,"Car asked.
"O, nothing,"Bri said, obviously lying.
Bri could never lie. That was her only flaw. She had everything else going for her, she was cute, smart, sweet, funny, caring, playful, and very talented, but not sneaky at all.
It was dark outside, and Bri sat down on a bench. The light hitting her from the hospital sign. Her hand still in her pocket, her head down, and her legs crossed.
Car jumped off my back, and ran over to Bri. Her eyes filled with happiness as she reached into Bri's pocket.
"Let me see what it is."
Suddenly her eyes filled with sorrow and sadness. She pulled her hand out of Bri's pocket.
"Can I see it?"
Bri nodded her head, but couldn't say anything. The tears reapeared as she pulled out a small shiny object. i couldn't see it, but I knew what it was. It was the ring Joe proposed to her with.
"God that's a small rock," said Car,"You would think these boys could do better."
Bri broke down into laughter turning and holding Car in her arms.
"God I love you Car."
It was a cold night. Who knew it could be cold in Alabama. I walked over to the bench and sat down as close as I could to everyone else to soak up the body heat. Car got up from her spot and sat in my lap. Her bright green eyes met mine, and I felt like I could see right to her heart. It said I love you Kev. She rested her light petite body on me, and wound her legs around mine. Taylor had her head on Nick's chest, and her legs sprawled out along the bench. Bri just sat alone. It was weird, Bri and Joe had always been together. I had never seen her alone without Joe. She looked so small, and weak without her head on Joe's chest or her hand in her favorite resting place, his back pocket. She looked at all of us, and tears started to swell up again.
All of a sudden there was a voice out in the distance. We all turned to face a gigantic hospital, with a huge sign reading "St. Mercy Hospital Of Alabama," and a small elderly lady walking out in a bright white nurses uniform.
"Which one of you is Carlie," she asked in a very high-pitched, but meek voice.
"Me," answred Bri and Car at the same time.
They looked at each other and bursted out laughing.
"I think she wants me Car,"Bri chuckled.
"Well are you Joe's fiance," asked the nurse.
A big smile grew across Bri's face and her eyes twinkled. She reached into her pocket grasping the ring.
"Yes, that is me."
"Well, Joe is able to have visitors, he is not awake, but he might be able to hear you."
"OK, thank you."
"Bri, you want me to go with you?"
"No, Car I have to do this on my own"
Her small body glided over the ground. She didn't even pick up her feet as she walked away. Her head was up as she moved, but her hand moved up her face to wipe away the tears, but then trying to cover it up with fixing her hair. I wanted to run up and grab her in my arms, but I understood. She needed to do this.
"I hope she will be fine," said Taylor.
"Trust me, she needs to do this," said Nick while rubbing her cheek.
