“What’s wrong?” Taylor asked, immediately concerned.
“Auntie Jessi died,” Rose told him quietly.
“Oh – what?” he gasped. “Are you sure?”
Rita gave a loud sob and then stepped over to Taylor, who held her in his arms while she cried into his shoulder.
“Uncle Ike called,” Rose said unhappily. “He said there had been an earthquake in LA.”
“I heard that,” Taylor nodded, gulping. “What else did he say?”
“Umm…” she frowned uncertainly. “Morgan’s arm is broken and Auntie Zoe has a… a…”
“She has a concussion,” Rita sniffed. “Alex’s back is broken. Oh Taylor.”
Taylor just didn’t know what to say. The tears started pricking at his eyes.
“Why… why did it take so long for them to tell us? The earthquake happened two days ago.”
“Power was down. The hospitals are packed.”
At these last words, Rita burst into another downpour of tears. Taylor held her tighter.
**********
A couple of the tour dates were cancelled for the Four Amigos, so they could attend the funeral. Alex was unable to attend, but that was the furthest thought from his mind. The ten-year-old boy was panicked about not being able to feel his legs, and already very upset about the fact that Jess was dead and couldn’t be here for him now, like she always had been in the past.
Austin was distraught. He had barely said a word these last couple of days, not even to his injured son. He stared bleakly at the coffin while others gave the eulogy. Kelsey sent many anxious looks in his direction.
“I’m afraid he’s not taking this very well at all,” she whispered to Zac.
“I didn’t take it very well when Cassie died either,” he pointed out.
However, the following day, Zac approached Austin on the matter of Alex.
“He needs you right now, Austin. You can’t just leave him alone in that hospital, day after day.”
“You lecture me about my kids?” Austin shouted. “Hey, I know that when Cassie died, you didn’t pay any attention to your own kid.”
“Yeah? And it was the stupidest mistake I ever made in my entire life! I missed out on so much because of my… my self-absorption. We’ve been taking care of Emily, and we’ve been doing what we can for Alex, which isn’t much because they’re only letting immediate family in to see him. Which means you, Emily and Marie. Which means Marie has been doing all the comforting,” Zac sighed. “Austin, he just lost his mother and the use of his legs. Are you going to take away his father too?”
“Just shut up and go away Zac,” Austin muttered. “I loved Jess.”
“I loved Jess too. And I loved Cassie. Hope was little. She doesn’t remember her mother, and she doesn’t remember a time where I didn’t want to be with her. Jess is dead. Alex isn’t. You’ve lost Jess, Austin, that’s bad enough. I don’t want you to lose your son too.”
Austin stared at him. He lasted about two seconds before the tears started pouring down his face again.
“Please listen to me, Austin,” Zac begged. “I know what you’re going through.”
“I… don’t know… what I’m… going to do… without her,” he sobbed.
“I understand, dude. I really do. I’m – we’re going to help you in every way we can, but I know that no one is going to replace Jess, ever. And nothing will ever fill up that hole you have inside you. But you can’t let it consume you, Austin. I did, and it took years before I was myself again. Please, go see Alex. He really needs you now. Maybe more than he’s ever needed anyone before.”
Austin nodded through his tears.