Two

While I was waiting on the roadside.

Even Braxton had a mishap of his own.

As soon as I got word, I had him taken to the emergency room. Braxton, the main character, was in a terrible vehicle crash. I needed to be by his side right away since I couldn't bear the thought of anything bad happening to him.

Braxton's parents were already waiting for me when I got to the hospital. I could see they were sad and worried, and that several of them had been sobbing.

You can hear people asking, "Where is Braxton?" With a quiver in my voice, I asked.

The mother of Braxton reached out and touched my shoulder.

Artemesia, I'm so sorry to tell you this, but Braxton's condition is really serious. We don't know if he's going to make it despite the physicians' best efforts to stabilize him.

I could sense her disappointment at the news. I was hoping to catch up with Braxton, to hug him and tell him how much she appreciated him. Braxton's dad refused her request to visit his son after she sought to see him. I'm sorry, Artemesia, but we have to ask guests to wait for the time being; it's at the physicians' request. We can't take any chances with Braxton's health.

I was irritated and felt helpless. She couldn't bear the notion of not being able to see Braxton, even though I knew his parents were only trying to protect him. I begged them, her eyes filling with tears.

I really need to talk to him. Intensely, I adore him.

However, Braxton's parents did not waver. We apologize, Artemesia, but at this time we simply cannot admit visitors. Please know that we only want what's best for Jack.

The world seemed to be crumbling around her. While waiting, her thoughts kept going back to Braxtons and what could possibly happen to him. She yearned to comfort him and reassure him that things would work out. But she was helpless; all she could do was wait outside and cross her fingers.

I was anxious as she knocked on Braxton's door. After dating for six months, she felt an overwhelming sense of devotion to him. She should have known something was awry when Braxton's dad answered the door.

"Hello, Mr. Bentley," Does Braxton live here? I asked, keeping my tone even as I asked.

Mr. Bentley seemed quite serious. I must speak with you, Ms. Vena. I invite you in.

As she entered the living room behind Mr. Bentley, my stomach dropped. Something terrible had happened, and her thoughts raced with the horrors that may have occurred.

It is with great regret that I inform you, Ms. Vena, that Braxton was involved in a life-threatening accident late yesterday night. Mr. Bentley stated with some nervousness in his voice, "He had a brain injury and has lost all of his memories.

The ground seemed to give way from under her. What she was hearing boggled her mind. What do you mean he has no recollection of anything? Her voice was barely above a whisper as she questioned, "He doesn't remember me?"

Mr. Bentley gave a mournful shake of his head. "I'm sorry to say no. The doctors aren't sure if he'll recover the ability to recall past events. That's why I have to warn you to keep your distance from him, Ms. Vena. He shouldn't be in the company of folks he can't place. More harm than good might come from that to him.

To me, it was like a hit to the stomach. She couldn't fathom a world in which she was cut off from seeing Braxton, from holding him, from telling him how much she loved him. But I love him, I murmured, my voice cracking. There's no way I can avoid him indefinitely.

Softly saying, "I know this is hard, Ms. Vena," his mother acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. For Braxton's sake, please refrain from interacting with him. Please give him some space to heal. Perhaps his recollections will return, and life will go back to normal.

She left Braxton's house with tears flowing down her cheeks, and I could feel them. Not being able to look at him, touch him, and tell him she loved him was too much for her to handle. However, she realized it was Mr. Bentley's request that she do what was best for Braxton.

Braxton's heart was hammering as I waited outside her hospital room. For days, she had tried to visit Braxton, but his parents had refused to let her in. While she appreciated their concern for Braxton's well-being, she couldn't face the idea of being separated from him for an extended period of time.

Ms. Vena, please, you need to understand," Braxton's mother murmured, laying her hand on Lena's shoulder. Braxton is in critical condition. We can't afford to make him upset or worsen his health in any way.

However, I told her, "I love him," as tears rolled down her cheeks. I have to talk to him. I have to know he’s safe.

'I know you love him, Ms. Vena, but you need to think about what's best for Braxton,' Braxton's father remarked to Ms. Vena in a severe tone. "Right now, that means making sure he stays quiet and composed. We can't do anything that might make him angry.

The increasing panic in her breast gave me pause. I couldn't fathom a world in which I was cut off from seeing Braxton, from holding his hand, from telling him how much I loved him. "Please, just let me see him for a few minutes," she begged. I swear I won't intentionally make him mad.

Nonetheless, Braxton's parents were unyielding and repelled me. We regret that we cannot accommodate you at this time, Ms. Vena. We're just trying to make the greatest decision for Braxton, and we appreciate your understanding.

The world seemed to be crumbling around her. What to do or who to ask for help from, she was at a loss. Her mind was preoccupied with Braxton; she couldn't stop thinking about how much she cherished and required his presence. I sat down on a bench close by, her tears streaming down her face.

A doctor came up to her while I sat there worrying about what might happen. Softly he replied, "Ms. Vena, I understand that you've been trying to see Braxtons." I wish we could let you in, but unfortunately it's not possible at this time. Braxton is in a very delicate state right now, and we can't afford to upset him in any way.

I was overcome with a feeling of hopelessness. What to do or who to ask for help from, she was at a loss. She couldn't stop thinking about Jack and how much she missed him and loved him. However, it looked like everyone was working against her, isolating her from the one person she cared about most.

My half-sister Monica and I have always shared a secret crush on the same guy. What I didn't expect was for her mother to sit her down and tell her that she had to put aside her own emotions to help her younger sister.

"Artemesia, you know that you and Rachel both have feelings for Braxton," her mother replied in a kind but serious tone. "Unfortunately, I think I'll have to ask you to leave him in favor of Monica."

It was as if the floor had dropped out from under her. What she was hearing boggled her mind. "Mom, what do you mean?" I don't see why I should give up on Braxtom.

For as long as I can remember, Monica has been the more emotional child," she added, sounding almost desperate, her mother's tone betraying her. I just think she deserves a chance at happiness with Braxton after everything she's been through in her life. Put aside your personal emotions and do what's best for your sister.

I could sense the swelling tide of rage and frustration within her. She doesn't understand why her mom is asking her to do this. to give up her own joy to make someone else happy? "But I love Braxton, Mom," she remarked, her voice cracking with emotion. I can't let him go that easily. "That's not right.

Muttering, "I know it's not fair, Artemesia," her voice shook slightly, herself. "But life can be unfair at times. Those we love most require sacrifices from us at times. And now, I'm asking you to give something up for the sake of your sister.

I was at a loss for words. Everything she had believed to be true was suddenly brought into question, and she felt as if the world had been flipped upside down. How could she possibly give up on Braxton so quickly? How likely was it that she would sacrifice her own happiness for her sister's?

Was this, as she sat there, buried in her own thoughts and feelings, the essence of love? Putting someone else's joy ahead of your own? And if so, did she have the ability to pull it off?

It hasn't lifted the sadness from me.

It's perhaps the disinterest that bothers me the most.

The fact that, for the first time, I want to be truly in love with someone without knowing how it's breaking me immediately from the beginning of attempting to be in love deeply, is something I despise.

Overthinkers have a hard time falling in love. Especially if your crush or admirer is reliable. It's good for your mental health to keep your thoughts to yourself rather than risk offending him by sharing them.

Simply said, he disagrees with your point of view. I want someone to tell me that it is difficult since he is continuously telling me that I am thinking negatively. Overthinkers are difficult to adore because it's impossible to decipher their mind. No matter what you say, they are still worried about you, and you have no idea how to comfort them.

I have no idea if I am in love or even if I am in love at all. Or am I just faking it to see if I can fall in love? Have I made this up? Simply for the experience of it? Just pretend until you make it, right? But what if this pretense leads to actual deceit?

And how come I couldn't patch myself up? I always seem to come out on the losing end. My loneliness is constant. Is that even a requirement? Is it true that I need a significant other to enjoy life and avoid feelings of isolation?

Since then, I've been having an internal war. No one has tried to peer behind it, so my eyes are now just streaming with dry emotion rather than tears. You keep insisting that you're unique, yet all the other males have said the same thing. I keep pleading for a sign, but each time I ignore the warning.

I'm feeling a great deal of melancholy as I sit here and stare out the window. The truth is that I care deeply about him, but I also recognize the importance of giving him space.

Choosing between the two is challenging. We've been through so much together; it's hard to imagine life without him. But the truth is that he requires me to give up something important to me. For his own well-being, he requests that I withdraw temporarily.

Even though I know this is the correct action to do, it does not make taking it any less difficult. The notion of being separated from him physically hurts my heart. But I also see the selfless nature of this sacrifice. It's a way for me to express my concern for his happiness and well-being, and to let him know how much he means to me.

And so I shall act. I'm going to put some space between us and hope he'll initiate contact. I will wait patiently, believing that our love is strong enough to weather this separation. Our love will be tested, but I know it will emerge stronger on the other side.