ILY

ILY To a New Beginning

Jethro's daily activities changed drastically after Topaz's accident. Every day before school, he would go to the hospital first to see Topaz. She was usually sleeping during his first few visits, but as the days passed, she was used to his usual visiting hours, where she would be up and obviously waiting for him every time Jethro arrived.

He would go to the hospital after school too. Most of the time, Jethro would help Topaz with homework or the new lessons that they had at school. He would update her with the latest things happening around campus. Well, at least the ones he was aware of.

It felt right being there every day with Topaz. Suddenly, Jethro earned a friend, a special friend. He somehow felt that someone was interested in his company. Someone was looking forward to his stories at the end of the day. Although Clyde was more than willing to listen, Jethro knew that he was too busy with content creation. He would hole up for hours, even days, in his room coming up with new videos for his followers. That was how Clyde was earning money. And besides, the age gap was too obvious. Talking to Clyde felt like talking to an older brother.

Unlike talking with Topaz. Talking with Topaz felt like talking to someone who gets him. She would laugh and genuinely show her reactions to his stories with pure enthusiasm. It really felt that Topaz was interested in whatever he was saying.

It was Friday that day and, just like the last Friday that he was in the hospital, Jethro would sleep over and have a movie night with Topaz. It was like they were giving Mrs. Layton a night for herself, to rest or to just be herself.

That night, they were watching "I Am Sam."

Jethro really enjoyed the fact that Topaz was actually liking the movies that he had on his laptop. If she did not like it, she was very good at pretending that she did.

Jethro was sitting close to the headboard of Topaz's bed while her head was on his lap. They did not talk while they watched. It was as if they were both trying really hard to focus on the movie.

But of course, Jethro was feeling even more. He could hear her breathing regularly, as if she was already used to this position with him. Actually, Jethro felt comfortable too. It was as if their bodies were fit for each other. It was as if it was meant to be this close to her.

Jethro was also well aware of the times during the movie when Topaz was crying, or trying hard not to. He did not tease her about it. He cried too when he first saw the movie.

It somehow felt that they were some old couple who were already used to each other's quirks. Well, it felt like that for Jethro.

Jethro was certain that Topaz was already sleeping. The movie was so close to being over, but just as he met Topaz, she fell asleep close to the end. Maybe because of the pain meds, or because she was tired of trying to stay active during the day. Or maybe she was just like that. She would fall asleep minutes before the conclusion of the movie.

He gently laid her head on her pillow so she could sleep more comfortably.

Jethro gently got out of bed and sat on the chair close to Topaz's bed. He wanted to sleep beside her. But somehow, he wanted to stay on the good side of Mrs. Layton. He knew that she wouldn't say anything even if he slept on Topaz's bed. She insisted that he did. According to her, she felt safe. That, somehow, made the nightmares go away.

But Jethro managed to come up with an alternative.

He would sit on a chair close to Topaz's bed and would rest his head beside her to sleep. He would hold her hand all throughout the night just to ensure her that he was not going anywhere. That he was just inches away from her.

Just like tonight. He was holding her hand as she slept. But this time, his mind was wide awake. He did not want to sleep just yet.

He just sat there to watch her sleep. Memorize every inch of her face while she lay there, vulnerable, so naive, and trusting to someone like him.

It's not that he was a bad person. But he was not a good son at first. Well, he felt that he was still not the son that his parents deserved but he was way better now.

Thanks to Clyde. He had really been a good influence on him. He was a young father to him, a mentor, a brother.

Topaz didn't have that in her life. It was just her and her mom. And yet here she was, fighting, staying positive despite the accident that happened to her.

If Jethro was in her shoes, he would be devastated. He could not imagine living in a wheelchair. His hopes would have been long gone the minute he knew that there was no hope for him to walk again.

But the situation is different.

He was hoping that Topaz would not lose hope. Jethro sincerely prayed that she had the courage in her to get through this challenge. He wanted her to believe that walking was still possible for her.

Jethro did not want to look too far ahead. But to be honest, he had already asked himself several times if he could imagine a life with Topaz even if she did not manage to walk again.

He tried not to think about that again. It was unfair to her. He should not be here with her trying to make her feel special if he was uncertain if he had the courage to stay with her in spite and despite the possibilities in the future.

Jethro was never like that.

He looked at Topaz again, now his head on the bed and his eyes starting to feel heavy.

Jethro fell asleep after a few minutes, still holding Topaz's hand.

Topaz's eyes opened and endearingly looked at Jethro's face, who was now sleeping soundly.

She tightened her grip on his hand and closed his eyes while smiling as she went back to sleep.