With This Heart(96)

Please don’t judge my actions. I tried to take the noble path, not the path that would make me the happiest.

I gave Beck up the only way I knew how: cold turkey.

It was the last day he had before he was supposed to head back to MIT and get everything situated for the semester. I knew his father had booked a ticket for him, but he still insisted he was going to let it go to waste.

I wasn’t going to let that happen.

It was early morning in the hospital. The nurse had opened my blinds so that I could see the playground outside. There were children running around, sliding down the slide, and chasing one another. Their carefree playing distracted me for a few minutes, but the hospital’s windows blocked out their laughter so that I was left with a silent movie of sorts. When I heard a tap on the door, I quickly closed my journal, shielding it in my two hands on my lap.

My mother hopped up from her seat and gave me a nod. She knew to stay outside in case I needed any help. She’d told me the night before that it should be Beck’s decision whether he stays or goes, but she respected my choice. I gave her a wistful smile before she opened the door and let Beck inside.

He smiled wide and strolled into the room, filling my life with his presence.

“             You’ll be happy to know that I’ve now been a vegetarian for four days!” He turned in a circle as if showing off his makeover.

I couldn’t bring myself to laugh, but I mustered a smile. “That’s awesome, Beck. Has it been hard?”

I didn’t see the harm in attempting to have one last normal conversation before my life became post-Beck.

“             Impossible. But I’m starting to like tofu, so that’s good. And peanut butter has become a staple in most of my meals,” he answered, coming to sit next to me on the bed. He was so warm and full of life, whereas I’d become ten shades paler since coming into the hospital. I wanted to soak up his heat.

I didn’t trust my vocal cords, so I just nodded and pressed my lips together.

He was more than happy to lead the conversation. “I brought some books and I thought we could go outside if you’re feeling up for it? The nurse said if I brought your wheelchair it would be okay. You just have to wear a mask and we can’t stay out too long.” He seemed so excited about his plan that I almost agreed. But then I thought about what he’d said. I had to wear a mask. A mask to prevent me from catching anything. My heart couldn’t handle anymore obstacles thrown at it. I was a shell of existence. I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t breathe fresh air. And for that reason, my fingers tightened around the journal and I resolved to stick with the plan.

“             Um, actually, let’s stay here. I’m feeling tired,” I lied, feeling my hands start to shake around my journal.

His brow dipped forward in concern, the dimples disappearing as his mouth turned into a frown.

“             What’s up, Abby?” he asked, scooting back an inch so that he could turn completely toward me. His hazel eyes weren’t going to let me off easy, so I looked down at the journal.

“             You have to go to Boston,” I whispered.

I could feel his body stiffen on the bed. His hand clasped into a tight ball. “This again? Seriously, Abby?”

He was so angry, angrier than I’d seen him at the bar in Marfa. All because I was doing the one thing that needed to be done.

“             Beck-” I started to push the journal toward him and he bristled away from it.

“             Don’t do this, Abby,” he argued with his jaw clenched tightly. “I mean it. Don’t do this to us. I’ve told you every day this week that I don’t want to leave you.” His eyes held fire and I was completely helpless against them.

I shook my head, trying to speak past the emotion lodged in my throat.

“             I don’t care. It’s already done. I’m not letting you stay. I’m breaking up with you.” My voice held conviction I hadn’t known existed. I sounded stubborn and confident in my decision.

“             Abby, please,” he begged, and my stomach clenched into a fist of pain and regret.

“             I don’t want you to stay. I have to focus on my health and you have to go to school,” I answered with a dead tone. It was the truth muddled with lies. I’d been a burden to people my entire life. Beck deserved more.