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“Where is he?” I yell as ether “Did they co all of this? I should be with him” My voice crackles like cellophane as I continue to sob

“I’ to have to sedate you if you don’t stop”

“He’s grieving right now,”my hand

“I should be there” A wave of lethargy begins to sweep overto my IV

“The best thing for you right now is rest,” the nurse says

Tears roll down my face as I slump down onto my pillow

THE FEEL OF A GENTLE hand in my hair wakes host, and haggard Dark circles stand out under his eyes, and his beard is scraggly and unke his blue depths slice me open and let me bleed out I lick my lips and clear my throat

“I had to see you and make sure you were okay with my own eyes To touch you”

E my throat I don’t kno to respond

“You almost saved him The bullet that hit you was slowed down, but the full metal jacket was too much for his body to handle” The tears well up in my eyes “You’re safe I made sure of that There are detectives outside your roo to testify It’s the only way I could make sure you were safe Not that itfrom me” He fists my hair

“Not me,” I whisper

“The only thing you get when you’re with me is hurt I can’t have that on my conscience”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ood-bye, sassy I’ll always love you It’s why I—”

“Bullshit”