Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield went in first, then it was my turn. I pushed through the door and froze in my tracks.
Poppy lay in a bed in the middle of the room. Machines were hooked up all around her. My heart cracked. She looked so broken lying there, so quiet.
No laughter or smiles on her face.
I walked forward and sat down on the chair beside her bed. Taking hold of her hand, I brought it to my lips and pressed down a kiss.
I couldn’t stand the silence. So I began to tell Poppy about the first time I’d kissed her. I told her about every kiss I could remember since we were eight—how they felt, how she made me feel—knowing that if she could hear me, she’d love every word of what I had to say.
Reliving every single kiss that she held so dear.
All nine hundred and two that we’d achieved so far.
And the ninety-eight we’d still collect.
When she woke up.
Because she would.
We had a vow to fulfill.
Rune
One week later
“Hey Rune.”
I looked up from the paper I was writing to see Jorie at the door to Poppy’s room. Judson, Deacon and Ruby were standing behind her in the hallway. I flicked my chin in their direction and they all walked in.
Poppy was still in her bed, still in her coma. After a few days, the doctors had said the worst of her infection had passed, and other visitors had been allowed in.
My Poppy had done it. Just as she’d promised, she’d fought to keep the infection from taking her down. I knew she would. She’d held my hand when she’d made that promise. She’d met my eyes.
It was as good as done.
The doctors were planning on bringing her slowly out of her coma over the next few days. They were going to gradually lessen the dosage of anesthetic, beginning later tonight. And I couldn’t wait. This week had felt like an eternity without her, everything felt wrong and out of place. So much had changed in my world by her being gone, yet by contrast, nothing on the outside really had.
The only real development was that the entire school now knew that Poppy didn’t have much time left. From what I’d heard they were all predictably shocked; everyone was sad. We had been at school with most of these people since kindergarten. Although they didn’t know Poppy like our small group of friends did, it had still rocked the town. People from her church had gathered to pray for her. To show their love. I knew if Poppy knew about it, it would warm her heart.
The doctors weren’t sure how strong she would be when she woke up. They were reluctant to estimate how long she had left, but her doctor told us this infection had severely weakened her. He told us we had to be prepared: when she finally woke up, we could be facing only weeks.
As much as that blow hurt, as much as it tore my heart from my chest, I tried to take joy in the small victories. I would have weeks to help fulfill Poppy’s final wishes. I would have the time I needed to truly say goodbye, to hear her laugh, see her smile and kiss her soft lips.
Jorie and Ruby entered the room first, going to the opposite side of the bed to where I sat to squeeze Poppy’s hand.
Deacon and Judson stopped bedside me, laying their hands on my shoulder in support. The minute word had spread about Poppy, my friends had cut school to come see me. As soon as I’d laid eyes on them rushing through the hallway, I knew that everyone knew. I knew that they knew. They’d been by my side ever since.
They were upset that Poppy and I hadn’t said a thing to any of them except for Jorie. But in the end they understood why Poppy didn’t want a fuss. I think they loved her even more for that. They saw her true strength.
Over the past week, when I hadn’t been in school, it was my friends who had brought my assignments from my teachers. They had looked out for me, as I had done for Poppy. Deacon and Judson said they were determined I didn’t flunk out when we’d all reached our senior year together. It was the furthest thing from my mind, but I appreciated their concern.
In fact, this week showed me how much they meant to me. Even though Poppy was my entire life, I realized that I had love elsewhere. I had friends who would walk through fire for me. My mamma also came every day. As did my pappa. He didn’t seem to care that I mostly ignored him. He didn’t seem to care if we sat in silence. I thought he only cared that he was here, that he was beside me.
I wasn’t sure what to do with that yet.
Jorie looked up, catching my eye. “How is she today?”