Chapter 33
She gave him a small smile.“Thank you,Jeff.The only thing I need from you is to know you’re taking care of Aaron tonight.I need to know he’s okay.”
He slid his arm around my shoulders,pulling me close.“Yes,ma’am.I will.Don’t worry.”
I didn’t care about our fight or that he might want to stop being my friend.I couldn’t sort it all out in my mind.All I wanted to do was lay my head on him and feel his warmth around me.Turning toward him,I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his shoulder.He snaked his arms around me,holding me tight while I breathed him in
Suddenly I realized he smelled of his regular body wash again,and strangely,the scent comforted me.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,”I whispered,pulling away from his hug and wishing I didn’t have to.I looked at Pamela and saw she was asleep.“Tell her I love her,okay?”
Grandma nodded and squeezed my hand.
I walked toward Grandpa and he turned when he saw me.“This is Dr.Madrid.He works with the organ donation team.Did your grandma tell you about that?”
I nodded,unable to say anything.Grandpa’s face looked puffy and I could tell he was completely drained,but he was taking care of what needed to be done.
“Are you heading out?”
“Grandma said she’ll call me tomorrow…well,I guess I mean later today.”
“Good.”He wrapped me in a bear hug.“We’re going to be okay,Aaron.We’ll get through this together.”
I choked back a sob and hugged him hard before pulling back,feeling somewhat lost about what to do next.Her death hadn’t even been on my radar.I thought she’d been healing well.
“I’m sorry for your loss,sir,”Jeff said to my grandpa before grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the elevator.I looked at our joined hands and back up at him,but he just kept walking
By the time we reached his truck,I was too tired and drained to think about why he hadn’t let go of my hand.He held my door open and I climbed inside,staring out the windshield.
Jeff slid into the passenger side and started the truck.“Seatbelt,”he reminded me.
I sat frozen.I’d heard his words,but I couldn’t sort them out in my head.All I could see was my mom in that hospital bed.Dead.I felt like I was drowning.
He reached around me,pulling the seatbelt across my lap and chest,and clicking it in place.I tried to say“thanks,”but the word wouldn’t form,so I lost myself in my own head.
I wondered if my father knew.Probably not yet.Would he even care?
When we reached Jeff’s house,I climbed out,following him inside,up the stairs and into his room.My movements felt robotic.Foreign.As if moving my own limbs was too much and someone was moving them for me.
I sank onto the mattress and leaned back,my feet still on the floor.I was aware of Jeff talking,but I wasn’t sure what he said.He pulled me to a sitting position,then tugged off my shirt before he removed my shoes and helped me slide out of my pants.For a moment,I felt foolish letting him undress me,but exhaustion overwhelmed me and I rolled onto my side,facing away.I welcomed the shelter sleep would bring.
The bed dipped as Jeff climbed in beside me.“I’m really sorry,Aaron.”
I tried to shrug,but I wasn’t sure if I really did.He scootched close to me.He slid an arm under my head and draped the other over my waist until we were spooning tightly.I closed my eyes and sleep came.Jeff whispered something to me,but I was already gone.It was all too much.The worst day of my life had finally come to an end.
The room was quiet when I woke up the next day,and for the briefest moment,I forgot my mom had died.I stretched and opened my eyes,and it all came rushing back.Tears sprang to my eyes and I swiped at them,furious.
I was mad now.Still sad,but angry.How could my mom be gone?After all she had gone through,it seemed so unfair.Hate surged through me,directed at only one person:my father.He did this.Her death was his fault.The authorities would know that,right?I was supposed to meet with the detective and the prosecutor this week,but that might change now.
I rolled over and noticed I was alone.A quick glance at my phone told me it was almost noon.Shit!I had to get over to the hotel to meet with my grandparents and Pamela.
Jeff walked in as I was getting ready to head into the bathroom to take a shower.He seemed surprised to see me awake.
“You need anything?”
“Just a shower and a ride to the hotel.”
“Sure.No problem.Mom fixed pancakes earlier.I’ll heat you up some,okay?”
“No,thanks.I’m not hungry,”I told him,irritation rising for some reason.
Jeff remained silent for a moment.“Okay,but you know my mom isn’t going to let you out of here without eating something.”
“Shit,Jeff,I’m eighteen.I don’t need you or your mom babysitting me.”I didn’t look him in the eye,but I felt him watching.“What?”I barked.
“Nothing.Just let me know when you’re ready.”
It pissed me off that he was going to drive me,but I wasn’t really sure why.Logically,I knew he was only being helpful and kind.Unfortunately,I was just pissed at the entire world.“Fine.”I pushed past him toward the bathroom.