Chapter 6

Istand in Shorty's doorway watching her chest rise and fall. Her breathing is the only indicator that she is still alive even though her heart is broken. The doctors won't discharge Shorty since her mental state has been impacted along with her physical injuries.

"How long have you been standing there?" I turn to see Tia walking down the hall with Sophie in her arms and the diaper bag over her shoulder.

When Tia called me yesterday letting me know that Shorty asked about me, I rushed to get my ass over to the hospital ASAP.

"Not long."

That's not true. I've been in between sitting and standing for over an hour too chicken shit to make my presence known.

I move away from the door and drop onto one of the seats near Shorty's room. Tia walks over to me and sits in the chair beside mine. She bounces Sophie on her knee while Sophie sticks her little fist in her mouth and garbles with a smile. After all the death and pain we've been through these past few weeks, Sophie is the only light in the darkness.

Sophie lets out a happy laugh when she sees me. She wiggles her hands out for me and I take her in my arms without hesitation. She smells like Shorty. I snuggle Sophie against my chest.

"How's my sweet girl?" I bounce her up and down on my leg. She lets out a high-pitched giggle, making me laugh and smile in response.

"You know, she doesn't push you away on purpose." Tia says out of the blue.

"Well, it definitely feels like it," I sadly admit.

"I get it." Tia slowly nods.

"But?" I raise a single eyebrow waiting for her to continue.

"She doesn't know how to let people in, especially those that will do anything for her. She would never ask you or anyone else to risk everything for her. Sadie always put others before herself, even if that means she loses in the end."

I don't respond but listen intently at her words that were meant to comfort me.

Tia sighs. "You have to understand Donnie, that her life hasn't been easy. But besides all the shit she's been through, you were her little savior back then…"

"Yeah, right. I was no savior." I interrupt.

"Yes, you were." She softly chuckles. "Sadie used to tell me how much…how did she put it? Oh, yeah. She said that you were her sunshine to her storm."

A small smile spreads across my face. I remember Shorty calling me her little Funshine Care Bear.

"See?" Tia wiggles her sparkly nail at me. "You were her little savior; whether you want to believe it or not. Saving someone doesn't have to be swooping her up and whisking her away. You saved her in other important ways."

Tia rises from the chair, and takes Sophie from my arms into hers. "You gave her a safe place to go to, even if it was just for a little while. I don't think you will ever know what that small reprieve brought Shorty back to life."

I nod in appreciation for her comforting words as she walks away.

After Tia takes Sophie back home, I decide to go against Shorty's wishes and enter her room. I can't stand not being close to her. Not holding her. Not helping her feel safe. Not able to tell her how much I love her. She's my heart. My world. My reason for living.

My heart jackhammers against my chest when I stare at the girl I want to give everything to, even if it means sacrificing everything I've worked hard for my future. Shorty is curled up on her side with her blanket pulled up tightly against her chest as if it's her lifeline.

I look over my shoulder to make sure the nurse isn't watching and quietly shut the door. I hover over her for what seems like hours. Taking in her natural beauty. How her soft, loose curls frame her heart-shaped face. Her rosy lips are half parted, asking to be kissed.

Not being able to stay away from her any longer, I kick off my shoes and crawl in bed with her. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close to my chest. Her breathing picks up but slowly relaxes when she hears my voice.

"Please don't ask me to leave. Ask me to do anything else, but not that," I whisper with my face buried in her neck. "Please, Shorty, let me be here for you."

I pull her in tighter and kiss her hair. She surprises me by grabbing my forearms and squeezing tight, silently begging me not to leave her. I sigh in relief when she speaks.

"Please don't go." It's barely a whisper.

"Never, baby. Never."

Kissing the side of her face, I sing "My Girl" to my girl.