“Excuse me sir.” A young lady said as she knelt down next to Matt. “Are you alright?” She asked as she rested her hand on his shoulder.

 

“She’s gone.” Matt said between sobs as he looked up at her. “She’s really gone.”

 

“Sir, I really don’t think you’re supposed to be in here.” She said softly as she stood up.

 

Matt looked over at the empty bed for a moment before turning his attention back to the young nurse. “I was too late….what happened? She was supposed to have one more day.”

 

The nurse followed Matt’s gave over to the empty bed. “It all happened so quickly.” She replied as she looked back to him.

 

“Where is Tammy? Why didn’t she call me? She was supposed to call me….”

 

“Oh, you must be Matt.” The young nurse said as she smiled at him. “Tammy said you would be stopping by. She tried to call you but when she went to Kylies chart to get your phone number it was gone. She was able to get your home number from your medical records…she left several messages.” She added as she reached her hands into the pocket of her smock. “She asked me to give this to you.” She said as she handed Matt a sealed envelope. “I’ll give you a few moments alone. I’ll be at the nurses’ station if you need anything.” She said politely before walking towards the door.

 

Matt studied the envelope in his hands and had doubts about opening it. What good would it do? She was gone…nothing Tammy had written on this piece of paper was going to change that.

 

He sighed deeply as he flipped the envelope over and carefully tore it open. He pulled out the folded piece of paper and opened it slowly. He wiped the tears from his eyes as he started to read the letter.

 

Dear Matt,

 

I have been trying every day to call you. I have left messages at your house hoping that you would call from the road and check your machine.

 

The morning after you left I came in to check on Kylie as usual. I checked the readings from the machine and I was amazed at what I was seeing. It wasn’t much, but there was definitely a change. I went through a series of tests and she was responding to them. I spent most of the morning with her, hoping she would come around. I turned on the ipod as you had asked and read her a couple of chapters from the book you were reading her. I was beginning to give up hope and decided to finish my rounds….and that’s when it happened. She called your name. It was very faint and weak but I heard it…she remembered you. It was only a couple of hours later when she opened her eyes.

 

Matt dropped the letter to the floor and sat there for a moment allowing all of it to sink in. “She’s alive.” He said to himself. “I can’t believe it, she’s actually awake…” He said with a chuckle as he picked up the letter and stood up. He rushed out of the room and over to the nurses station.

 

“Excuse me.” He said to the young lady as he approached the desk. “Where is she? Is she still here?”

 

“I’m sorry sir. She had been released.” The young nurse replied. “I thought Tammy explained all of that in her letter.”

 

It was that moment that Matt realized he hadn’t finished reading what Tammy had written. He scanned the remainder of the letter and smiled when he saw that she had given him Kylies last known address. He folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket.

 

“Thank you.” He said with a smile to the nurse and then raced to the elevator.

 

Matt was relieved when he saw a cab parked in front of the hospital. He climbed into the back seat and gave the driver Kylie’s address. He stared out the window watching the world go by as he thought about what he was going to say to her.

 

About two hours later…

 

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you to be back so soon.” Zacky said as Matt walked through the front door. “I came over to check on Bella.”

 

“Thanks.” Matt said before walking into his room and slamming the door behind him.

 

“Matt, are you alright.” Zacky said as he knocked on the bedroom door. “Matt.” He said softly as he slowly pushed open the door. “Did something happen?” he asked as he walked over to the bed and sat down next to Matt.

 

“She’s gone Zacky.” Matt said as he looked over at him. “I’ve lost her forever.”

 

“Oh, Matt. I’m so sorry.” Zacky said as he put his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “When did it happen? Is there going to be a memorial service? Why didn’t they call?”

 

“Zacky, she’s not dead.” Matt said as he sat up and looked over at Zacky. “She came out of the coma and she was released yesterday. Tammy gave me her last known address and I went over there…hoping to find her.”

 

“And…” Zacky butted in impatiently.

 

“Some elderly couple lives there now. They said they have lived there for almost five months now.” Matt explained. “I went to the post office to see if they had a forwarding address, but came up empty.” Matt paused for a moment as sighed deeply as he leaned back onto his pillow. “I was crushed when I thought she was dead and then I was so excited when I thought I was finally going to be able to hear her voice and look into her eyes. When she wasn’t there, it was like loosing her all over again. I have to find her Zacky, no matter what it takes…I need to find her.”