Heartbreak Station

I was mesmerized by what I saw. Never in my entire life had my heart missed a beat, and the sight before me made my heart just stop responding whatsoever. I just couldn't believe my eyes.

"Sir?"a nurse asked worriedly as she touched my shoulder gently.

I took her hand away from me as I made my way towards the bed. I sat Abby down on he chair next to the bed and fell to my knees. Tears quickly gathered around my eyes as a hoarse sob escaped my throat.

"Becky,"I murmured. I reached out for her hand and couldn't help but flinch at how lifeless it was. I rubbed her palm with my thumb, hoping that it would somehow warm her back up to life.

"Sir?"the nurse asked quietly again.

I grunted, not wanting to tear my eyes away from Becky.

"The child...,"she began softly. "She's awake."

I did not need to take my eyes away from Becky, for a small hand reached out and took a hold of the same hand I was holding onto for dear ife.

"Mommy,"Abby called out softly.

She looked at me and I at her. I was beyond shocked at how calm she was taking the situation. Her eyes reflected no sorrow or sadness, just a steady, calm, and patient look.

"Mommy's gonna be alright daddy,"Abby whispered into my ear. "She always is. She's a very strong mommy."

I toar my eyes away from Becky again to look at Abby. What a spitting image of her mother, I thought. I smiled at her. "Yes, I know she is."

I pulled her to me and kissed her forehead. Her small arms encircled my shoulders as she held me.

"We just have to wait until Mommy hears us calling out to her."

* * * * * * * * * *

"And then, I petted the horsey and it nudged me, Mommy. And you know what I did? I petted it again. And then, the nice man let me feed him. It was nice, Mommy. You should've been there. You would've loved it, I know you would have."

I awoke to Abby 's voice. I quickly opened my eyes and she was missing from my lap, for she had fallen asleep there. I looked at the bed and sure enough, there was Abby, perched on the bed, talking to Becky.

I sat up straight and looked at them. Becky was still not responding to us, yet there was Abby, chatting away as if Becky were talking right back.

"... and then Mommy, and then, I got to ride the horsey, and at first, I thought I was going to fall down, but it was funny Mommy, because I didn't fall down. Isn't that funny Mommy? I pretended I was you, Mommy, brave and unafraid. And it worked because I didn't fall down."

I couldn't help but smile. She was so much like her mom, always talkative no matter what. I wiped away the tears that had gathered around my eyes and went to sit with Abby.

"Why don't you tell Mommy how brave you were as you waited for me to pick you up?"I suggested gently.

She nodded and smiled at me. "Yes Mommy, that's right. After we came back from the fieldtrip, I waited just like you told me to wait. And I did, and then Daddy came to pick me up. And then, he took me to eat donuts and I had fun, Mommy. You should've been there though, I'm sure Daddy would have bought you a donut too, because your always nice and he would have liked you and yes Mommy. It's impossible to say no to you Mommy." She giggled.

The door knocked and the same nurse walked in.

"It's almost midnight, and the halls have to be real quiet now,"she held up a finger, signalling for us to be quiet. She smiled at us.

Abby smiled back and nodded.

I was about to say something when Abby put her forefinger up to my mouth.

"Shh, you have to be quiet now daddy. People are sleeping."

I smiled and nodded. "Ok,"I said, only to be shushed by both the nurse and Abby.

* * * * * * * * * *

I woke up the next morning feeling tired. And to my surprise, Abby wasn't where I had put her to sleep ast night. Instead, there she was, perched up on Becky's bed again, talking to her. But what surprised me more was the fact that Becky was actually talking back.

"I did brush my teeth last night Mommy,"Abby argued back.

"No you didn't,"Becky teased her. "Your lying again huh." She tickled her under her neck and Abby laughed.

"Stop it Mommy, we're going to wake Daddy up."

They both looked at me and I couldn't help but smile. "I'm awake,"I anoounced.

Abby got off the bed and walked to me. "Look, Daddy's awake now. Go say hi, Daddy."

She grabbed my arm and tried tugging me.

I got up and walked over to the bed, never faltering my gaze from Becky. We locked eyes as I stood before her.

"Hi,"I said quietly, smiling at her. I shoved my hands into my pockets, nervously looking at her.

She smiled back. "Hi."