Page 30 (2/2)

Gathering aze back to Theo

“Could I…” I look down at the phone in his lap “Could I use that… to call them myself?”

He glances down at the phone for amy request I could ask one of the nurses to use the phone in the room, but I don’t have my parents’ number

When he brings his head back up, his jaw is tense, but there’s an underlying sadness in his eyes

“I just don’t want you to be hurt if they don’t answer or refuse to talk to you”

His words send a shard of pain to ainst the ache This is so I need to do

“I know” I sniff “And… thank you But I-I want to try it once Maybe…” I squeeze my eyes shut and s thickly “Maybe if they hear my v-voice, they’ll want to… talk”

Again, indecision wars in his eyes, but after a ets up from the chair and approaches the bed slowly I appreciate his reluctance to scare me

Holding out the phone, he points to the screen “Press that button and it’ll connect you”

I grab it with a shaky hand and look down at the screen

Rozero is displayed across the screen with a number beneath it I repeat the nu that I’ll memorize it for later

I send up a silent prayer, begging God to let the it to s once, twice, three tis, and each time it does, my hopes die a little more, and it feels like a part of me dies with them

An electronic voice co me the person isn’t available It repeats the phone number, then a human voice says Rozero I close my eyes because the voice is male, and I know it’s my father’s A tear leaks downit’s tie Several seconds pass before I open my mouth to speak

“Mo I clear ain “It’s me Jules” I sniff and wipe my nose with my hand “I miss you both” A choked sob leaves my lips “P-please please call me My number is…” I look to Theo and he rattles off a number After I repeat it, I whisper brokenly, “I love you”

I pull the phone away fro out to hand it to Theo He takes it, but doesn’t move away I can see him out of the corner of my eye as more silent tears slide down my face I look up at him and see sadness still in his eyes My back stiffens, and I lie rigid as his hand comes toward my face