“Hailey, Hailey, honey, are you okay?” I hear a far away voice ask. My eyelids are so heavy; I can’t open my eyes. So I say one word: Sam.

“No, no, honey, it’s mom and dad,” I hear the voice again. I identify it as my mother’s.

“Mom?” I ask, and open my eyes.

“Hailey! Dr. Steve, she’s awake!”

A doctor rushes in and says, “Hailey, good to have you with us.”

There’s something in their eyes as I look around the room. “Where’s Sam?” I ask.

They exchange glances. “Hailey,” The doctor says softly, “Sam’s… dead.”

I try to sit up, but something stops me. “Sam?! SAM ?!” I scream and my mother lays a hand on my shoulder.

“You were in a terrible car accident, sweet heart. You need your rest.”

“No,” I try to scream, but I’m hoarse. “Can I see Sam?”

The doctor doesn’t answer.

“The funeral will be held on Wednesday.” I hear voices in the hallway.

“Mom, what day’s today?”

“Sunday. Why?”

I close my eyes.

Wednesday
I pull on my pea coat and head to the car.
One Final Good-bye.