V. EASY | LUCKY | FREE: The Atomic Clock (Prologue)
Jul 26, 2020 16:29:19 GMT -6
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Post by Lissie Hope on Jul 26, 2020 16:29:19 GMT -6
2019|DECEMBER
There’s nothing you’re incapable of, Lissie. You’ve proven it, despite everyone who’s ever stood in your way. You won the briefcase. You won the World Championship. Whenever you’re in doubt, and you don’t think you can leap that hurdle, tattoo these words in your mind.
Keep fighting.
Lissie Hope buries herself in the comfort of a hoodie, peering out the window of the CTA BlueLine as the neverending cityscape of Chicago zooms by. It’s a beautiful city, one she hopes she’ll one day explore, but for now, she rubs her boarding pass to Houston in her sweaty palms. Her anxious knees shake, her heels tapping the aluminum below. At a busy stop, dozens of natives climb onboard, the walls closing in. She felt trapped.
I’ll be there soon Addy.
Can you pick me up at the airport? I land around 10:30 tonight.
Yeh girl for sure
Your moms here too, she is happy your comin home.
To keep her mind preoccupied, absent of the emotional torture of Robbie fighting for life, Lissie had been competing in the GCWA Warriors of the Ring tournament. It served several purposes: one, it got her the hell out of the cold hospital. Two, it kept her fresh in the ring as she awaited Chaos. And three, it was an attainable achievement, despite not having much to be proud about lately.
Call me if anything changes.
The train ride was long and congested, but as people filtered out of the cab, she was relieved when she could feel her lungs expanding, as if she was breathing fresh air again. When she stepped off the train and into the O'Hare Airport terminal, she felt her phone buzzing. Closing her eyes, she prepared for the worst when she saw Adelaide’s name on the screen.
It took everything to press “accept”, and she couldn’t say a word when she heard Adelaide crying on the other end.
"Lissie,: she managed to choke out. Lissie’s knees buckled as she dropped her carry-on luggage to the floor and braced herself. She slithered down to her bottom. "Lissie," she repeated. "Ya there?"
"Yes," she replied, nodding her head, burying her face in her hands.
"He’s awake, Lissie," Addy said. It took a moment to process.
"What??"
"Robbie," she clarified. "Robbie’s awake."
I don’t ever want you to settle, Lissie. I need to know that the lights will never be too bright for you; that you’ll never turtle up and bury your head in the sand.
Only one person can ever stand in your way of achieving those big moments you were born for; you. Don’t allow it.
Only one person can ever stand in your way of achieving those big moments you were born for; you. Don’t allow it.
Keep dreaming.
The plane landed on the tarmac at half-past-ten.
Adelaide wanted to pick her up at the airport, but Lissie asked her to stay at Robbie's bedside. She wanted Robbie to see a familiar face as he recovered, because if Lissie had learned anything this past month, it's that those precious moments were fleeting.
Lissie's Uber arrived at the hospital entrance at five-after-eleven.
She stopped at the gift shop and quickly scanned the inventory. Balloons, bears, floral arrangements, and overpriced chocolate - none of the selection spoke to her. At the cashier’s side was a vase of blooming red roses. She picked one that had just began to blossom, symbolic of this regeneration.
The transaction processed at eleven-after.
She felt a sharp pain shoot into her heart.
Lissie arrived at the nurse’s desk and was told to wait. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adelaide get off the elevator. She waved, and Addy turned to Robbie’s doctor who followed her out. They walked straight to Lissie, and as they approached, Addy’s cheeks were flushed red.
“Miss Hope,” he began. “Robert’s vitals had stabilized to the point where we felt comfortable beginning the process of recovery. He regained consciousness, was alert, and was responding to verbal commands. Adelaide and your mother were speaking to him, and we were very satisfied with how things were progressing.”
“That’s fantastic! Can I see him?”
“Miss Hope.”
“Lissie, please.”
“Lissie…” a pause. “There were complications. Please sit.”
Lissie stood.
“Unfortunately, an undetected blood clot formed in his brain, and before we had a chance to determine a course of action, it ruptured.”
“I don’t understand. You said he was fine.”
“At 11:11 this evening, Robert died, Lissie, from an intracerebral hemmorhage. I’m so sorry.”
Addy’s eyes burst into tears as she wrapped her arms around Lissie’s neck. Lissie felt nothing at all.
My heart will always beat for you, Lissie. - Robbie Hope
