Good Morning, Arizona! Kaleb Richardson (essential books to read TXT) 📖

burst into tears. Heather, me, Dr. Samuel, and even some nurses in the room. The rest teared up. Her story made Derrick’s passing even more unbearable. Incredibly saddening.

…

I was told I have to stay in the hospital for 2 days. That’s nothing. I had another good cry when Cindy woke up and I had to tell her what happened to Derrick. Cindy and I talked to each other as we were alone in the room tonight. Cindy has the strength to walk so she had walked over to me and spoke with me while hugging me.

“Hey Cindy, I’m sorry.”

“For what, Heather?”

“All of this. It’s all my fault. Including Derrick.”

Cindy slapped me.

“What the fuck Cindy?”

“That’s for you being such a dumb bitch. None of this is your fault. Stop your guilt. We both loved Derrick. This is no one’s fault but whatever or whomever is watching over us. That took the life of innocent Derrick. That’s who or what to blame. Not you. Please Heather, quit talking out of your ass.”

“But—”

“But nothing Heather. But nothing. You’re an amazing girl. You’re so smart and gorgeous both inside and out. Please don’t blame this on yourself. He loved you. He knows you did nothing wrong. He knows if it was in your control, he would still be here. He’s smiling on us. He loves us. He loves you. I love you too. He’s always with us.”

Cindy pointed out her bracelet. I looked at mine. We enjoyed a hug and cry together. I was blessed to have both Cindy and Derrick. I just wish I had Derrick longer than I did. Especially after learning his story, I wish I could’ve helped lead him to a happy life. I would’ve given him his first real home.

“Heather. Before we go to bed, I gotta tell you something.”

“Yes?”

“Well. It’s about earlier today. When we kissed. I, uh. I felt something special. It felt like I’ve never felt before. I’ve never thought of myself as, y’know, bi. But I’ve always felt some kinda way around you. I started to think in the car—before everything happened—if me sleeping with so many guys, is me trying to hide the fact that… I feel attracted to you.”

“Cindy. I feel the same way. I’ve thought about it too. Maybe me being so damn mean to you was me trying to hide my feelings for you. Maybe I was… jealous. Jealous that so many other people were getting your attention. When I wanted it the whole time. I feel the same.”

Cindy leaned in for another kiss. I didn’t resist. It was only a peck because of the tubes in our noses. It made it kind of awkward actually, but we giggled and laughed it off.

Cindy and I pretty much did the same thing the next two days: Just talked to each other; shared our stories about our lives and started to form a closer bond. We also cried, laughed, cried, smiled… cried. I fell asleep happy however, knowing that this was my last night in the hospital. I woke up to my dad in the room. Cindy was already awake, and Dr. Samuel was talking to her.

“She’s awake doc. Heather, Dr. Samuel called me in. She says she has something to tell us, but we waited until you were up.”

“Oh. Okay, what is it, doctor?”

“Well, Heather.” She started. “When we get emergency patients, we check everything. Make sure there’s no underlying conditions that could make things worse for you. Make sure there’s no bone fractures or punctured lungs, things like that. We also, uh. We also do one more test, on our woman patients. We did x-rays and we took your urine sample from that night. This test came back positive. Heather, you’re pregnant.”

“I’m… what! But I’m a virgin!”

I started to cry. Yes, I’m a virgin. But nothing happened until… the party. I cried harder. Dad looked absolutely pissed. I think he was shaking. But I couldn’t see him through the salty water building in my eyes. I think I saw Cindy start to cry as well.

“We are aware of what has happened to you. Your father had told us when he came the night of the crash. Mr. Hendricks here was super worried and upset because he knows everything you’ve been through. Which is obviously understandable. You’ve been through a lot in these last couple months. We are deeply sorry about all of this.”

“Are you able to find out who the father of this child is?” My dad asked in his shaky voice. In my mind I knew it could only be between two. We all know who those two are.

“Sorry, Mr. Hendricks. We can’t determine that at this stage.”

Dad walked closer to me and gave me a hug. “I love you.” He held me tight. He then walked over to Cindy and hugged her. “Thank you for taking care of and being there for my daughter.” I heard him say to her. He walked out of the room. I don’t know where he went. I was a mess.

“Hey doc.”

“Yes, Heather?”

I grew nervous but I knew it was a question that needed to be asked.

“Do you know, uh. Where… the closest clinic is?”

“Honey. It’s legal but it’s almost impossible here. You’ll have to go to California.”

Tomorrow will be another day.

12

I had to walk out of the hospital room. I made sure Heather and Cindy knew I loved them. But I’ve played enough games. I have had enough. Tate or Louis or Jordy or whatever the fuck his name is now. And his dumb ass son. And those M’s. They’re evil. All of them. This whole town is. And soon this evil will no longer plague this world.

When I left the hospital, I went straight to Harry’s place. Not his office. His office is dead to