Gone.

The realization growing heavy at my feet snakes up my body to my throat. My ribs tighten like a vice around my heart.

“He left...” I breathe, making it real, making it reality.

A muffled static like Sondra covers the phone with her hand crackles through the receiver, drawing a wince from me.

“She doesn’t know,” Sondra whispers.

“Know what?” I hiss.

“Win, Richard had an accident. He fell down the stairs at the beach house early this morning. Preston is taking an Uber to the hospital now. Aleck probably just didn’t want to wake you.”

“Oh, my god! Sondra, why didn’t you say that?”

“I’m sorry, honey. Aleck called Preston so early and we just assumed you knew. When I called, I wasn’t expecting you to be asleep. Then I thought maybe you two were together, and you were resting in the hospital... I don’t know. I thought he would have woken you.”

“Well, he didn’t.” The words leave a bitter taste on my tongue. “Is Richard okay?”

“I don’t think so.” Sondra’s frown is clear in her tone.

The room started to spin, causing me to plop onto Aleck’s bed. He’s gone. He left without telling me, without waking me. Richard…

“Shit…” A realization hits me. “Midge! She’s probably a wreck.”

“I’m sure, but she has her boys. Listen, Preston is leaving now—”

“He talked to Aleck?”

“Yeah…” There’s an undeniable hesitancy in her tone. “Aleck called before he left the resort. We didn’t want to bombard him with questions regarding you. I should have called you right away, babe. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

It’s not fine…

The air grows thick, too thick to bring enough into my lungs, making me lightheaded. Taking weak, shallow breaths, I squeeze my eyes shut. He’s gone. He left without me. He called Preston…

Empty.

“He’ll call, Winter. I’m sure of it. We all had a long day and night. He’s probably trying to be thoughtful by letting you sleep. When Preston leaves, I’ll have my bags packed into my car, then I’m coming over. Stay calm, sweetie. Maybe call to let him know you’re aware of the situation…”

“Yeah, okay.” The words are leaving my lips, but my brain is left behind in a haze of uncertainty about us and sadness for his family. “I’ll call him. I’m sure he’s just dealing with everything. Just… come over when you can.”

“Okay, honey. See you soon.”

Sondra hangs up the phone, leaving me alone.

Empty.

The hollowness of this once lively suite becomes louder and louder by the second. With a shaky hand, I scroll through my recent calls and hit Aleck’s name. I pad barefoot back to my bed, feeling sicker with every unanswered ring, then his voicemail.

Empty.

The robotic prompt tells me to leave a message like a beacon, guiding me to a conclusion I don’t want to admit to myself. But somehow I know. I knew last night.

“Aleck… Sondra just told me what happened.” Swiping my hand over my face, not completely sure what to say. “I’m so sorry…” My voice now a whisper. “What can I do? I’ll bring food, or coffee, or whatever you guys need. I want to help in any way I can. If you want me to, of course…” I draw a deep breath into my lungs as tears well in my eyes. “Okay… Call me… Just call me.”