Page 117 of Absorbed

“Thank you,” he said, searching her eyes, “for saving my life.”

“I… I didn’t,” Stacey mumbled, surprised. “Mark did…”

“I know. But, you did, too. And Melissa.”

Stacey nodded.

Two of his fingers twitched against Stacey’s palm and her heart leapt. “Your fingers!” She gripped his hand tighter.

“They do that. The doctors say itmightbe a good sign.” Jessie sighed, rolling his eyes, then looked at Stacey again. “Where’s Mark?”

“I don’t know. He quit. None of us has seen or heard from him for more than two weeks.”

“Tell Mark to come here.”

“But…we don’t…”

“Please, Stace…” Jessie seemed weak and tired. “I need to see him.”

“Okaaayyy.” Stacey wasn’t sure how, but didn’t want to argue with Jessie in his fragile state.

“Promise me.” His fingers twitched again in Stacey’s hand.

She looked into Jessie’s crystal blue eyes. “I will. I promise.”

“Don’t worry, Stace. I’m a fucking warrior, just like that coyote. This won’t stop me.”

Stacey thought of the animal that had stood so proudly in front of them, and nodded. “You are a fucking warrior. Nothing can keep you down.” She squeezed his hand.

“Get Melissa?”

“Sure.” She squeezed Jessie’s hand one last time. Without thinking, she leaned down and kissed his cheek. She tasted the salt from his tears on her lips as she looked one last time into his eyes. Then she let go of his hand and stepped into the hall.

“Melissa,” Stacey said, leaving the door open behind her. “Jessie wants to talk to you.”

Melissa had calmed and wiped her cheeks. She let go of Desiree’s hand and crossed the hall into Jessie’s room, closing the door behind her with a gentle click.

Stacey turned to Chad and Tiffany. ”Do you have any idea how we might be able to get ahold of Mark?”

“His number was at The Plunge,” Tiffany said. “But when I tried calling, no one picked up, and there wasn’t a machine.”

“Do you think we could find his address in the phone book?” Stacey asked.

Tiffany shook her head. “They’re unlisted.”

“He took me by his house once,” Chad said. “It’s near the golf course. I don’t totally remember how to get there, but we could drive around until we find it.”

“Jessie really wants to talk to him.” Stacey gestured over her shoulder. “He made me promise to ask Mark to come visit.”

Chad nodded, pulling his keys from his pocket. “Desiree can take my car, and I could go look for Mark with you.”

Stacey looked at Desiree. “Do you mind?”

Desiree shook her head. “Not at all. I can take Melissa and Tiffany home.”

Tiffany nodded. “When you find Mark, tell him to call me, too.”

Chad handed Desiree the keys. “If Jessie’s still awake, tell him we went to find Mark for him, okay?”

---