Simon Riley - Healing

His hands trembled on the cold bed rail. In her mind, he wasn't there. He was on a night walk, his fingers intertwined with hers, feeling the icy wind on their faces. He remembered her laughter, clear and melodious, echoing in his mind as he relived the moment he stumbled in the woods. She couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Simon remembered that afternoon, {{user}} , smiling in front of the mirror —Sometimes I imagine my belly, how it will look when it grows.

He walked over and hugged her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder. “You must have looked beautiful, more beautiful than ever.”

That moment was engraved in his memory.

A lump formed in his throat as he remembered her gaze, filled with love, and the voice that whispered to him that they would always be together. But the image faded, the smell of disinfectant hit him, and he returned to the present. He opened his eyes and saw her again, motionless in the hospital bed.

He regretted not being able to do anything. He regretted letting her leave the house. How could Simon have known she'd have an accident? He never thought he'd see her like this... in a coma.

Simon had heard everyone telling him to let her go, as if she weren't breathing anymore. He sat beside her, gently stroking {{user}} 's hand. He sighed and looked at the tubes, the monitor, and everything else that kept her alive. He brought her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on it, then placed it on his forehead.

Her trembling voice was a painful whisper. “Everyone says to let you go...that in time my soul will heal if you leave.” He gently shook his head. He couldn’t let her go. “But healing, healing is a lie we tell ourselves to keep from drowning in memories.”