Everyday for the next week was pretty much the same. Matt would get up early and head over to the hospital to sit with Kylie. He continued to play music for her and would sit and talk to her for hours about absolutely anything. He couldn’t really explain it, but he was starting to have really strong feelings for her. He has been drawn to her from the beginning and had started visiting because he felt bad for her and didn’t want her to be alone. Somewhere along the line his intentions changed. He wanted to be there for Kylie but at the same time he needed to be there for himself just as much, if not more. Thoughts of her consumed him.

 

There hasn’t really been much change in Kylie’s condition. However, she has remained stable all week without a single episode. Today; however, was going to be different than all of those other days. Today was the day that Matt was going to have to say goodbye to her.

 

Matt sighed deeply as he pushed open the door to Kylie’s room and walked inside.

 

“Good morning.” Tammy said cheerfully as he approached.

 

“Good morning Tammy.” Matt replied as he flashed her a smile. “How’s our girl?”

 

“I wish I could tell you otherwise, but there hasn’t been any change.” Tammy said as she picked up a Styrofoam coffee cup off of the nightstand and handed it to Matt.

 

Matt thanked her as he took the cup and walked around to the other side of the bed. He moved the chair a little closer to her before sitting down. He looked over at her lying there so peaceful and so beautiful.

 

“I’ll give you some time alone.” Tammy said before turning to walk towards the door.

 

“Tammy.” Matt called to her.

 

“Yes.” She replied as she turned back to look at him.

 

“How much time does she have left?” Matt questioned hesitantly.

 

“Six days.” Tammy replied after a brief pause before continuing towards the door.

 

Matt looked over at Kylie and gently brushed her hair from her face. “We’re running out of time.” He said to her softly as he caressed her cheek. “I know you can hear me, Kylie.” He said as he placed his hand on top of hers. “I need you to fight this, harder than you have been…harder than you have fought for anything before. I need you to come back. I need you to know that you are not alone, you’ll never be alone again…that I promise you. Even when I’m not here with you, you are in my thoughts and my dreams.” Matt placed Kylie’s hand in between his own and squeezed gently as he continued to talk to her. “I know you don’t know me Kylie and honestly I would totally understand if you think I’m a little crazy for even being here…everyone else does. They just don’t understand how I’m so crazy over a girl I don’t even know. To tell you the truth, I can’t even begin to explain it. I don’t know why I am so drawn to you but I am and I have no intention on fighting it. Our paths crossed for a reason and I can’t believe for a single second that it is all supposed to end here…in this hospital room.” Matt leaned forward and rested his head on his arm as tears started to run down his cheek. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you Kylie, never having a chance to really know you. I lay awake at night thinking about you. About what it would be like to see you smile, the color of your eyes, the sound of your voice…”

 

Matt stopped mid thought and sat up quickly looking up at Kylie’s face and then back to her hand. He was sure he felt something, it was a very weak but he was sure he had felt her squeeze his hand. He was quiet and perfectly still for a moment as he watched her hand, waiting to see it move. He softly caressed her hand, trying to get a reaction. “Come on Kylie, do it again.” He said encouraging.

 

“Matt?” Tammy questioned as she approached him.

 

“Tammy!” He exclaimed as he jumped to his feet, still holding onto Kylie’s hand. “She squeezed my hand. It was only for a second and it was weak, but I felt it. I know I did.”

 

Tammy gave him a questioning look and walked over to the machine bolted to the wall. “Hmmm…” She said as she examined the readings from the machine. “I’m sorry Matt but there hasn’t been even the slightest change in her brain activity.”

 

“But I felt it.” He replied. “Don’t you believe me?”

 

“Oh, honey.” Tammy said soothingly as she walked over to him. “I believe you wanted to feel it.” She said as she put her hand on his shoulder. “I want her to come out of this just as much as you do, but I think it’s about time that we both started to accept reality. She’s not getting any better and time is running out.”

 

“But she has been stable for more than a week now.” Matt replied. “That’s an improvement, right?”

 

“Yeah, but I’m afraid it’s not enough.” Tammy said as her eyes filled with tears. “She spent five months here like this before she starting having those episodes. When the doctors do an evaluation to determine if a patients condition is approving, they look at the entire time they were here…not just the last week…I’m sorry Matt.”

 

Matt simply stood there watching Kylie. He didn’t know what to say. He knew Tammy was right, but he still didn’t want to admit it.

 

“Tammy, I need a favor.” He said after a moment as he turned to face her.

 

“Anything.” She replied with a smile.

 

“I have to go out of town for a few days. We have shows lined up for the next five nights along the west coast.” Matt paused for a moment as he looked back at Kylie and pulled a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket. “This is my cell number; will you call me if there is any change…anything at all?”

 

“Of course I will.” Tammy said as she took the piece of paper from his hand. “I’ll put it right here in her chart.” She added as she pulled Kylie’s medical chart out of the holder at the end of the bed. She opened up the folder and slid the piece of paper underneath a paper clip before replacing it.

 

“There’s one more thing.” Matt said when she turned her attention back to him. “If I’m not back…you know…when it’s time…” He paused for a moment and took a deep breath as he looked over at Kylie. “I need you to call me and then do everything you can to stall them. I don’t want her to be alone.”

 

“You have my word.” She replied. “I’m going to go back to the nurses’ station and give you a chance to say goodbye.” She added as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

 

As Tammy started to walk towards the door, Matt walked back over to stand next to Kylies’ bed.

 

“Matt.” Tammy said as she stopped halfway across the room and turned back to look at him. “No matter what happens, I want you to know that everything you have done for Kylie this past week has been amazing. In my twenty years as a nurse, I have never met anyone like you...I will never forget you.” She gave him a quick smile and then continued towards the door.

 

Matt took Kylies hand into his and sat next to her on the edge of the bed. He sat there in silence for a few minutes as he watched her. “I wish I didn’t have to leave.” He said as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. “I want you to know that I will be thinking about you and praying for you to get better every minute that I’m away. I’m not giving up on you Kylie.” He stood up and placed her hand back at her side, giving it one last gentle squeeze. He brushed her hair away from her face and rested his hand on her cheek. He leaned forward until his lips brushed softly against hers. “Come back to me Kylie.” He whispered softly.

 

Matt stood up and sighed deeply before walking towards the door. After only a few steps he stopped and wanted to look back at her, one more time. Fighting the urge, knowing that it would only make it harder for him to leave, he continued across the room and out the door.

 

If Matt had given in and looked back, things may have been different. If he had turned back and noticed the single tear escaping the corner of Kylie’s eye he may have realized how much of an influence his presence has made on her.