I zipped the garment bag closed, humming under my breath, with no idea that this was the last ordinary evening of my life.
***
The following day started normally.
I texted Terry, and he told me he was going to leave town in the afternoon. He’d had the suit fitted and wanted some last-minute alterations. But he was still going to meet me at the school gym that evening.
I kept myself busy with prom preparations for the rest of the day.
The following day started normally.
***
My mother dropped me off at school that evening. My father was struggling with a backlog, according to my mother.
“Terry better have you home by midnight, no later,” my mother said.
“He will, thanks.”
***
The prom was packed, and everyone looked good.
The last time I checked, Terry had left town long ago, but he still hadn’t made it to school and wasn’t responding to my texts or calls.
My mother dropped me off.
***
My phone rang just after nine that night.
I saw Linda’s name on the screen and smiled, expecting her to tell me Terry was running late.
I moved to a quieter spot in the gym and answered. Instead, I heard her crying.
She was crying so hard that I could barely understand her.
“Chloe, honey, Terry’s in the hospital,” she sobbed. “There was…” She stopped for a moment, taking a shaky breath. “There was a car accident.”
I saw Linda’s name on the screen.
I remember thinking that the pause before the words sounded strange.
“The hospital?! I’m coming right now!”
I quickly booked a ride to the local hospital.
In the cab, I called my parents.
“Sweetheart, what happened?” my mother asked when she heard me crying.
“Terry! An accident!”
I quickly booked a ride to the local hospital.
“He’s at the hospital? Do you want us to come over?” my mother asked.
“No, his mom is there. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
***
That night, I sat outside the ICU with Terry’s mom.
The doctors eventually said he was stable but still in a coma.
“Do you want us to come over?”
***
His mom and I sat beside his bed until sunrise.
I held his hand, begging him to wake up. I whispered every stupid inside joke we’d ever shared.
I was still wearing the dress we’d chosen together.
***
Weeks passed before my boyfriend squeezed my fingers back.
Against all predictions, he survived and woke up!
I whispered every stupid inside joke we’d ever shared.
The doctors called it a miracle.
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