Jake
The soft glow of the hospital room lights barely touched the shadows under Laura's eyes, but she was awake, sitting up in bed with her hair cascading over her shoulders like a silk curtain. She looked fragile, yet so stubbornly resilient, and I couldn't help but feel my chest tighten with love, and relief, that she was okay.
I sat at the edge of her bed, her hand in mine, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and sighed softly when I saw Mom displayed on the screen.
"Who is it?" Laura asked, her voice still a little hoarse from sleep.
"It's my mom," I said, running a hand through my hair. "She's been asking about you non-stop. And May… well, she's been on my neck. I can barely breathe without her tiny voice ringing in my head, asking for her mom.