Messages

Monday June 17, 4:30 p.m. 

“Hey, it’s Alanah, leave a message and I just might call you back.”

*beep*

“Hey, it’s Ethan, I was at the store and I couldn’t remember if you liked the sweetened or unsweetened green tea more. I know you’ve told me a thousand times, but I just can’t remember. The bottles look identical so really, if you think about it, it’s not my fault. I can already hear you sighing and shaking your head when you hear that. It’s funny that I can remember your favorite color, green, and your childhood hamster’s name, Molly, but I can’t remember what tea you like. What’s that stuff you told me to take for my memory? See I can’t even remember that! I’m rambling so I’m just going to get one of each. Love you.”

Tuesday June 18, 11:42 a.m.

“Hey, it’s Alanah, leave a message and I just might call you back.”

*beep*

“Hey, it’s me again, I know I just called you yesterday, but I was just thinking about that little Thai place we ate at when we first started dating. We had only been dating for a few months and we were wandering around looking for a place for dinner when we saw that restaurant with the elephant on the sign. I never told you this, but that was the first time I ever had Thai food. I wasn’t a very adventurous eater before I met you and I was embarrassed to tell you that. I don’t know why, maybe I thought you wouldn’t think I was cool or something. Anyway, just a random thought. Love you.”

Thursday June 20, 1:28 p.m.

“Hey, it’s Alanah, leave a message and I just might call you back.”

*beep*

“Sorry I haven’t called lately, it’s been a rough couple of days. I ran into your sister after I left that last message and it was a little awkward. It’s strange because we don’t seem to know what to do without you around. I don’t think we ever really hung out much without you or some other family there. It’s almost like we didn’t have to get to know each other because you were there to bridge the gap. She said she was doing good, getting by just like all of us are. Thought you’d like to know. Love you.”

Saturday June 22, 9:55 p.m.

“Hey, it’s Alanah, leave a message and I just might call you back.”

*beep*

“Hey Al, I know I said I’d call everyday, but work has been crazy and I’ve been feeling exhausted. I’m just not feeling great lately, but don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I just miss you a lot and I’m glad I finally get to see you tomorrow. These weeks without you have been so much harder than I thought they would be. I knew you being gone would be tough, but not like this. You always say I’m the strongest person you know, so yeah, I’ll make it through. Love you, see you soon.”

Sunday morning Ethan woke up early and drove to pick up a bouquet of flowers and two coffees from Alanah’s favorite cafe. He secured the coffees in the cup holders and then drove twenty minutes south on familiar streets through familiar neighborhoods, making memorized turns one after another, until his car came to a rest. He tucked the bouquet under his arm and walked with a coffee in each hand until he got to her hospital room. For a minute he just stood and stared at her laying in the hospital bed. All the tubes and wires in and around her always made him feel uneasy. Her nurse smiled when she saw him and took the flowers from him and left to find a vase. He put one of the coffees down on a tray next to her bed and held her hand. It looked like she was just sleeping and he wanted so badly to shake her and yell her name and beg and plead for her to wake up, but he knew it wouldn’t work. It had been three weeks since the car accident put her in the coma. According to the doctors it was basically a waiting game now to see if she would wake up or not. The nurse came back in and put the flowers next to the coffee and smiled at him again as she left the room. He squeezed Alanah’s hand and felt the tears well in his eyes.

“Hey Al,” he said shakily, “did you get my messages?”

Monday June 3rd, 5:15 p.m.

“Hi, you’ve reached Ethan, if you’d like me to call you back please leave a message.”

*beep*

“Hey Ethan, it’s me, I know we were gonna have dinner and watch that movie tonight, but Brittany’s boyfriend broke up with her, again, so I need to make sure she’s alright. I’m sorry, but I promise to make it up to you. Seeing her go through this makes me realize how lucky I am to have you. You make me happier than I’ve ever been and I love you so much. See you tomorrow!”

2020