Chapter 34

Jeff was right about his mom.She was adamant I eat something,so I finally grabbed a pancake and a sausage link,rolled them up together and took a bite.Honestly,it tasted like sawdust,but I didn’t care.I grabbed a soda before we left.

Silence filled the truck as he pulled out of the neighborhood toward the highway.I chewed quickly and chugged my soda,staring out the window.

“I called the theater and told them what happened.You just need to call Robert when you decide you’re ready to go back to work.I also took off a few days.”

“Why?”I turned to look at him.

He flinched,like what I said hurt him.“Why wouldn’tI?”

I shrugged.“I don’t know why you do anything,Jeff.I’m not your keeper.I can’t read your mind.”

His sharp intake of breath was his only response,and that pushed me to the edge.Not that I could explain why.Deciding that ignoring him was best for now,I scrolled through my phone.I had several texts I hadn’t answered.A couple from Jon asking how it went with Jeff.Might as well answer it now.

Me:Didn’t get to talk to him.My mom died last night.

Jon:Shit man!Sorry!U ok?

Me:No.But I will be.Meeting grandparents in a few minutes.

Jon:K.Let me know if u need anything.

Me:K.

We arrived at the hotel and Jeff parked instead of dropping me at the door.

“What are you doing?”I asked.

His eyes widened in surprise.“You don’t want me to come in?”

“No,”I said flatly.“I’ll get a ride to your house from one of my grandparents.”

He paled.“Okay,Aaron.If that’s what you want.”

I turned to open the door and he placed his hand on my upper arm.“Let me know if you need anything,Aaron.Anything.”His voice was rough.Strained.I knew I was hurting him,but I needed to be away from him.I didn’t really know why,and at the moment,I didn’t care.So I nodded and climbed out of the car.I went inside without looking back.

The whole day sucked.Everything about it.Grandma cried.Pamela cried.Grandpa cried.I didn’t,but I fought the tears all day.Nothing went well.Food tasted like crap.I missed my mom so much,it hurt.She had always been there for me.

Every time I remembered how I had almost not seen her the day before,I wanted to vomit.My mom had been in the hospital,beaten to a bloody pulp,and I’d been caught up in my drama with Jeff.What kind of son did that?I hated myself so much,I shook.

My grandparents made arrangements for the memorial service.They’d decided not to have a funeral because she was being cremated.Her ashes would be scattered at a later date with just immediate family.School was starting back in two days,so they left a voicemail with the attendance department for me,telling them I would be out for a day or two.

A day or two…is that how long it takes to get over the death of your mother?

Pamela stayed in bed almost the entire day,getting up to eat dinner only when our grandpa ordered her to do so.She hugged her pillow,just as she used to do when she was younger,and sat at the edge of the bed,nibbling her chicken nuggets.

I sat next to her,taking a bite of my cheeseburger.We remained silent as we ate,while our grandparents watched the news.They looked exhausted.

“Will you stay with us tonight?”

Pamela’s question broke through my thoughts.She looked so sad,yet I saw a flash of hope in her eyes.Her life was going to change so much more than mine.I was graduating.I was going to college,whether locally or away,I wasn’t sure yet.She was going to live with our grandparents permanently,leaving behind her friends for good.If she wanted me to stay the night,I would.“Yes.”

Her grateful smile warmed me,and I smiled back.The day had been extremely hard for me.The weight of my grandparents’despair was almost stifling.I finished my cheeseburger and threw away the trash.

“Grandma and Grandpa!Guess what?Aaron’s going to spend the night!”Pamela was happy for the first time since before Mom’s death,so I pasted on another smile.

“That’s great.We can have the staff send up a roll-away bed for you,”my grandpa told me.

Pamela’s face fell.“No,this bed is big enough.He can stay here.”

I shrugged.“She’s right.No big deal.”

“That’s fine.Don’t forget to let Jeff know you won’t be back tonight.”

Jeff.I had been able to push thoughts of him out of my mind throughout most of the day,but now,irritation slithered down my spine.I sighed and pulled out my phone to text him.The last thing I wanted to do was talk to him.

I saw he’d texted several times throughout the day.

You doing ok?Need me to run anything by?

How’s Pamela doing?

Please talk to me,Aaron.Please.

I sighed and stared at the phone.I didn’t know what to say.It all seemed so trivial.My feelings were all over the place.Anger,sadness,loneliness,and even despair.Possibly losing my best friend at the time I needed him the most was almost too much to bear.

I texted…

Staying at hotel tonight.

And quickly hit SEND.Within seconds Jeff texted back.

Need me to run some clothes by?Phone charger?

Shit.I didneed my charger.Maybe I could have my grandpa run me over.One glance at him told me that was not a good idea.He was crying again and Grandma was whispering to him.Dammit.I hated asking Jeff,but I needed my charger.Then I remembered my sister had the same type of phone.