Page 38 of Might as Well

Part of me wants to call Zane, but that’s silly. He likely won’t answer. I also don’t want to call and have someone else answerto give me dreaded news. But maybe…maybe he’ll actually answer. What kind of fresh hell have I entered now?

Before I make it to my car, I lose my footing. Of fucking course. The one time in the last twenty years that winter decides to actually show up in North Carolina. A sheen of ice covers my sidewalk. Unable to steady myself, I fall and scream as I land awkwardly on my wrist.

“Violet! Damn it!” Graham’s voice softens as he kneels next to me. “Are you okay?”

With a shake of my head, I reply, “Hurt my wrist.” A sob rips through me. “Zane’s bus crashed. What if he’s gone, Graham?”

“I’m sure he’s fine.” Graham’s words are sweet as he helps me stand. He carefully leads me to his car, orders me to wait, and then returns from inside the house with a pair of slippers for me and his car keys.

“I can’t lose you both,” I half-whisper, half-cry as Graham puts the slippers on my feet.

He sighs as he stands and wraps me in a hug. “You won’t lose either of us; I promise.”

As we ride to the hospital, the only thing I can think about is how Graham will easily make promises he can’t keep and Zane refused to do so. I’m not sure which I prefer.

A ringing wakes me up and I groggily answer my phone.

“Hello?”

“Violet?”

I sit upright at the sound of the female voice. “Mrs. Landry?”

“Call me Ellen, please. I just landed in Raleigh. What’s your address, sweetie?”

The gravity of his mom being in North Carolina after what happened sucker punches me.

“He’s not okay?” I whisper, afraid of the answer.

“He’s fine, Violet.” Why I don’t believe his own mother is beyond me. “I’m here foryou.”

“Me?” I squeak.

“Yes, you. Zane’s told me a little about your family and I figured you saw the news. I want to give you some company while we wait for Zane to come home. There’s no need to worry. Now, what is your address?”

I give her what she needs and she promises to see me in a few. Graham pokes his head into my bedroom.

“How are you feeling?”

I shrug. We got home super late from the hospital; I apparently fractured my wrist and some of the cuts on my feet needed attention.

“Zane’s mom is on her way.” When his eyes widen, I add, “Apparently to provide me support until he gets home.”

“So he is okay?”

“I guess.” His mom didn’t explain what that meant. And until I can see Zane with my own eyes, the big, black ball of anxiety will rest in my belly.

“Is it okay if I head out?”

He’s asking? I’m so confused by this.

“Carrie’s freaking out a little about me enlisting and I want to see her.”

Carrie. That must be his girlfriend’s name. It warms my heart that he’s concerned about me, but even more so that he’s apparently a better man to his girlfriend than he’s been a brother.

“I’ll be okay. Thanks.”

Mrs. Landry arrives within five minutes of Graham leaving. She gathers me into a hug immediately.

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