Undying Love

PROM

At the ER, Kathy was taken into a trauma room immediately. The nurse got her out of the damp clothes and into a gown. She covered her in warm blankets. The doctor came in to examine her.

“I understand that you are pregnant. Do you know how far along you are?”

Kathy mumbled, “Two months.”

“Ok, I’m going to order an ultrasound, but meanwhile, let’s give a listen.” He listened to her heart and lungs. “Ok, someone will be here soon for the ultrasound.”

“Thank you,” Charlene said.

Kathy looked at her and said, “I’m so sorry, Char. I tried to save him.” She started crying.

“Kathy, no one blames you. The guys told me how hard you tried.” They held each other and cried. “We would have lost you and the baby too.”

A little bit later a technician came for her. “Can she come with me?” Kathy asked for Char.

“Sure.”

Charlene followed them. Kathy got situated on the exam table. “The doctor ordered an internal ultrasound.”

Charlene asked, “Kathy, do you want me to step out?”

“No, please stay, you’re the aunt. I need family with me.”

She smiled and said, “Ok.”

The technician began the ultrasound. Kathy squirmed when he started pushing around. Suddenly, a tiny blip on the screen was seen. It was the baby's heartbeat. He drew an outline on the screen and said, “There’s your baby.”

Charlene held Kathy’s hand, and they both started to cry. “My brother helped make that,” she said.

The technician took some measurements and completed the ultrasound. “I’m going to take you back now. The doctor will give you more information.”

Back in the trauma room, Kathy curled into a ball and cried. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Charlene went and sat by her. “I know sweetie, I can't either. He was my baby brother. My parents traveled so much it felt like I raised him. He was quickly going down a very dark path with drugs until he met you. Then something in him woke up. You became his world, and I watched him become yours. My parents could never understand that, mostly my mother. I think she was jealous of your relationship.”

“Char, I never got to tell him about the baby.”

The doctor came in. “Ok, so the ultrasound shows you at ten weeks. You’re going to need to find an OB/gyn to manage your pregnancy. Your body temp is back to normal, and the baby is fine, so I’ll be releasing you. The nurse will give you a list of doctors in the area.”

Charlene and Jeff drove Kathy home. She grabbed her bag of clothes and went inside. Kathy knew she and her mom had a lot to talk about.

Kathy walked in the door. “Mom?”

“Where’s Matt? What’s wrong?”

Kathy started crying, “Mom, Matt’s gone.”

“What do you mean gone?”

“We were at the dock with our friends. Matt got up and went to help me up when he slipped and went into the river.” She cried harder. “Mom, I tried to save him, but an ice jam let loose and water came rushing.”

“Oh come here sweetheart.”

“Mom….”

“What?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Oh sweetheart, I know. I’m glad you told me. I found the test in your bathroom.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, I’ll always be here for you. Go get some rest. I'll check on you later.”

Kathy went to her room and cried. She was curled up in a ball when her mom checked on her. She sat with Kathy until she fell asleep. She remembered how she felt the day Kathy's dad was killed in the line of duty. Her heart hurt for her daughter.

After three days, there was no sign of Matt’s body. Kathy was devastated and refused to get out of bed. Her prom dress hung on her closet door. She just stared at it. She didn’t know how to go on without Matt. And now she was going to be raising his baby alone.

Her mom checked on her and tried to get her to eat. “I'm not hungry.”

“You have to eat something for the baby's sake.”

“Mom, I'm scared.”

“Why sweetheart?”

“I'm scared that I won't get through this.”

“Kathy, you have to. Your baby...Matt's baby, needs you to.”

“Why was he taken from us?”

“I wish I had an answer.”

The entire school heard about the tragedy. Friends would come by her house to show their support and offer sympathy. Kathy would pacify them with attempts to be strong. She truly appreciated their efforts.

A week later, Matt’s family held a memorial service for him. Kathy was banned from attending. She was hurt, but she didn’t need them to mourn him.

Prom was the next day. Kathy didn’t care. No Matt, no prom. Some of the guys came to visit her. Scott went to her room and sat with her. “How are you doing?”

“I'm not. I miss him so much Scott.”

“Me too.” He held her as she started to cry.

“What am I supposed to do without him?”

“We're here for you. We'll get through this,” he said. “So, be ready by 6 o’clock tomorrow.”

She looked at him with a furrowed brow. “For what?”

“Prom.”

“Scott, I’m not going.”

“Matt was so proud that you guys made prom king and queen. You can’t not show up. You have to go for him.” Kathy started to cry again. Scott held her. “So, be ready tomorrow. We will be here to pick you up.”

“We?”

“All the guys, me, Billy, Dave, and Rob.”

“You guys are crazy.” She conceded, “Fine, I’ll go.”

They left to get their tuxedos. Kathy was touched by their gesture. She knew they were grieving too, especially Scott.

Her mom had put Matt’s jacket on the chair in her room. She got out of bed and went over to it. His smell was still on it. She closed her eyes and held her belly. She softly said, “I’m so sorry you won’t get to hold your baby.” She wrapped her arms around herself. She could feel something in the inside pocket. She took it out. It was a small box. She slowly opened it. Inside there was a beautiful diamond engagement ring staring back at her. “Oh,” she gasped and started to cry. She took it out of the box and put it on. The fit was perfect. She couldn’t believe he was going to propose to her that night. Seemed they both had surprises for each other. She pulled out a necklace from her jewelry box and put the ring on it. The ring hung down between her breasts. “By my heart always.”

It was almost six, and Kathy was finishing getting dressed. Right on time, the guys showed up at her door. Each wore a single white rose boutonnière.

Scott was holding a beautiful white rose bouquet and corsage. “Matt told us he was going to get you white roses, so in his honor, we did.”

“You guys are too much, thank you.” She started to tear up. She hugged Scott after he pinned the corsage on her.

“He was right,” Scott said. “You look gorgeous in that dress.”

Kathy’s mom took a bunch of pictures before they left. Billy opened the door to the limousine. Their dates were waiting inside for them.

They arrived at the prom, and Scott gave her his arm as they entered. “You alright?” he asked. She nodded as she clenched his arm. Billy, Rob, and Dave walked behind them. Their dates were behind them.

As they entered the hall, the room became silent. Their class president was on the stage and introduced Kathy, “Please welcome your prom queen.”

Kathy started to cry. Scott helped her take the stage next to him. He placed her crown upon her head. She looked around. There was a memorial table set up for Matt. His crown was there with a picture of the two of them. Kathy couldn’t believe how supportive they were. Even the cheerleaders showed support.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks. “Um.” She cleared her throat. “I really, um, I really don’t know what to say. I wasn’t planning on coming tonight without my King,” she choked out. “But, thank you all for your outpouring of sympathy and support.” Tears were flowing down her face. Most of the girls were getting teary-eyed. Scott held her. “I’m still not sure how to get through this, but I know he’s still with me, and that’s what keeps me going. Thank you.”

The roar of applauds filled the room. Scott helped Kathy get down from the stage. Music started playing. It was a slow song in honor of Matt.

Scott took her hand and led her to the dance floor. “May I have this dance with you?” he asked. She took his hand. They danced the entire song. Scott held her close as she cried on his shoulder. “Go ahead and cry, I'm here for you.”

“You guys have been so amazing to me. I know it's hard for you, he was your best friend. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

Another song was played, and Billy cut in, then Dave, and then Rob. She was moved by their gestures. The classmates stood silently and watched. No one dared to enter the dance floor with them.

After the song ended, she hugged the guys. “Thank you. Matt would be honored that you did this.”

She went over to the memorial table. She was touched by all the memorabilia. She had forgotten about some of the things in the pictures. She smiled. She pulled a chair over to the table and sat. It was almost comforting. She watched as the prom went on. It dawned on her that tonight was to be the night she was going to tell him about the baby. She got sad. People were coming up to her all night with sincere condolences and kind words about Matt and her.

After the prom ended, Scott took her home in the limousine. He walked her to the door. “I’ve been his best friend since elementary school. I knew him better than anyone. You're the love of his life.”

She hugged him. “Thank you, Scott. I know you’re grieving too, but yet you did this for me, for Matt.”

“He would have wanted us to.” He smiled. “Go inside, I’ll see you soon.” She gave him a hug and went inside.