The Coma (Part 29)

A knock came at the door and Lydia jumped off realizing how long she had been laying there. Sam’s voice came from the other end, asking something, she couldn’t understand it completely. She ran to the sink and fixed her hair and makeup, rubbing the tears off her eyes and straightening her dress.

“Lydia!” His voice came in more clearly this time and she quickly walked over to the door and opened it. Sam was standing next to the door, looking worried. A handful of people around the restaurant were staring over at her, apparently he had been yelling loud enough for all of them to hear.

“Lydia, are you okay?” He asked frantically, as she looked around trying to regain her composure. Her face flushed as everyone kept staring at her, pointing and whispering words to whoever was sitting with them. She felt like she was in high school all over again, as the new girl.

“Lydia?” Sam asked again after she hadn’t answered. She shook her head and looked up at him, his worried eyes searching her face frantically.

“Sorry. Yeah I’m fine.” Lydia responded, clearing her throat.

“Honey, do you want to go home?” She smiled at him and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug.

“No, I’m fine.” They stood hugging until they realized their food was being set on their table and walked over to eat.

They sat and ate their food, talking and laughing throughout the meal. And Sam didn’t ask what had happened in the bathroom, he didn’t want to spoil the mood. Finally they left the restaurant and got back into the car.

“It’s about seven now, anything you’d like to do for the next three hours?” Sam asked, smiling at Lydia as they sat in the unmoving car. She smiled back and nodded.

“I think we should go back to your place, sit on the couch, and watch a movie alone.” She smiled widely and Sam started the car.

“That’s a good idea.” They drove a couple blocks before coming to a stop outside of Sam’s place. They walked into the house and Sam put some popcorn in the microwave as Lydia looked through his collection of movies to pick which one she wanted to watch.

Sam had a large collection of movies, and it took her awhile to sort out which ones she knew she wouldn’t watch and the few that she might. A stack was placed beside the shelf that she hadn’t noticed before, blank tapes with weird names taped onto them.

“What are these?” She asked, talking loudly so Sam could hear her from the kitchen.

“What are what?” He shouted back, the popping in the microwave growing louder as she heard him walking in.

“These.” She pointed at the pile of movies when he had walked into the room.

“Oh those; don’t mind those.” He walked quickly out of the room as if afraid of something.

“If you’re my boyfriend…” She yelled in after him, “then shouldn’t you tell me everything?” There was a long silence in which the popping of the microwave slowly ceased and Sam was heard walking around the kitchen. He obviously wasn’t going to answer her.

Curiosity getting the best of her, she grabbed the first tape and shoved it into the VCR, scared of what may be on it. The television blinked on and Joey’s face stared in front of her. His eyes wide and the corners of his mouth were turned upwards into a smile. He laughed loudly and turned around. Lydia could tell he didn’t know there was a camera there. She hunched back against her arms and watched.

Joey ran over to her, screaming loudly. She remembered this moment; this was when she had first told him that she was pregnant. Lydia noticed someone in the background that she didn’t remember being there: brown hair with blonde highlights. She knew who it was right away, Enphinious. He grabbed her hands and wrapped them around his neck as the video flashed off and soon another image popped up.

This one was older, the camera was obviously faltering as there were many splits in this screen. It was Joey again, he was crying. Lydia was lying in a hospital bed with Enphinious standing over her. His hands were forced down on her stomach as Joey sat in the corner crying. The camera flashed on and off and the video cracked more. I remember that day, Lydia thought to herself, but I don’t remember Him being there. We were alone. That was when I found out about the miscarriage, why would he be there? I don’t get it.

“I told you to ignore those!” Sam’s voice came in from behind her. She jumped up and quickly turned to face him. Her finger prodding into his chest as an angry look over came her face.

“Why did you not tell me about these? Were you spying on us? Is that why you’re trying to get close to me? You’ve been spying on us for years! What was the point of me even telling you about Joey if you already knew? Why did you even ask? You insufferable, ignorant, little dick!” She screamed loudly and stormed out of the room.

“Lydia, it’s not like that!” He shouted after her, dropping the giant bowl of popcorn to the floor and letting it spill across the carpet. He ran after her as he heard the front door slam.

“Sam, don’t you dare follow me!” Lydia shouted as she walked towards the car. She wanted to drive away, but she wasn’t sure if she was brave enough. Maybe she should just keep walking, but wouldn’t he follow her then? She sighed in anger and turned to walk down the block instead of trying to drive the car again.

“Lydia let me explain!” He shouted and began running towards her, not caring about her threat.

“No! You had your chance to explain when I asked what the fucking tapes were! Stay away from me!” She sped up, her slow walk now turning to a run as she raced over the sidewalk. She heard Sam behind her, chasing her, but she wasn’t going to let him catch her.

“Lydia, please!” His shout came from closer than she had expected and she glanced over her shoulder realizing he was right on her tail, merely three or four feet away.

“Won’t you please give up?” She screamed, stopping and turning to face him, though not wanting to look at him.

“No. Lydia you mean too much to me. I won’t let this go without an explanation. Please let me?” He asked between loud heaves as he tried to catch his breath. Lydia breathed in deeply as well; she hadn’t realized how far she had run and how much her legs and lungs hurt until now.

“Fine, you can explain.” She said quietly.