Page 61 of Love and Memories

“I love that you can figure anything out. You don’t give up or start over when things get tough. You’re dedicated and determined. I want to be like that.”

“You are. Look at everything you’ve done in the last two months.”

The investigator hadn’t found much on Bella in his search. The man said it was as if she fell off the grid for five years. Without more of her memories, they might all be at a standstill.

“I’ve barely kept my head on straight, but I’m starting to feel better about… everything.”

The phone in Travis’s pocket rang, and he pulled it out. His blood ran cold when he saw the name on the screen. It was a call that always seemed to pull up the old frustrations.

“Travis, are you going to answer it?” Bella asked.

Travis pressed the button and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hello.”

“Hey. It’s Mom.”

It was her usual greeting. Her calls were so few and far between that she assumed he’d lost her number since the last time they talked.

“I know. How are you?”

He glanced at Bella. The last thing he wanted was to have this conversation in front of her, but he’d have to climb over half a dozen joists to put distance between them.

Bella stood and disappeared back into the bedroom, taking all traces of happiness with her.

“Not so good. Your dad is having knee replacement surgery tomorrow. Greg and Vanessa were supposed to fly in today to help me take care of your dad, but they’ve decided to extend their vacation in Jamaica a few days.”

A ball of white-hot anger burned deep in Travis’s chest. Greg and Vanessa had a history of making selfish decisions. This latest stunt shouldn’t be a surprise. “And you need my help now,” Travis finished.

“Could you be here tomorrow by midday? He should be released around that time, and I’ll need help getting him home.”

Travis pinched the bridge of his nose and counted backward from ten to one before responding. He hadn’t heard from his mother in almost a year, and she hadn’t even asked how he was doing before asking him to fly halfway across the country on short notice.

“I’ll have to see if I can get a flight, but I have to be back by Thursday for my shift at the fire station.”

“Can’t you get someone to cover for you?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, there aren’t a bunch of paramedics in this small town. I’ll come help you for a few days, but you’d better see if Greg can tear himself away from the Caribbean before then.”

A huff bristled through the line, and he waited through the seconds of silence. She could take or leave his offer, but Travis wouldn’t jeopardize his job. Not for her or his dad.

“Fine. I’ll see what he can do.”

They ended the call with no more words than were necessary, and Travis shoved his phone back into his pocket. No, “Hi, how are you?” No, “Sorry I didn’t tell you about your dad’s upcomingsurgery.” No, “Please,” or “Thank you.” Not even an offer to pick him up at the airport.

Travis moved back to the place where he’d been working and picked up the jig. For once, he wished he was using a hammer instead of an electric drill. Smashing out some of his frustrations sounded like a good idea.

“Everything okay?” Bella asked.

He hadn’t even heard her step out of the bedroom. “Fine.”

He shouldn’t look up at her. She’d see the scowl he couldn’t hide.

When the seconds stretched out in silence and she didn’t leave, he stopped with his hand gripping the drill. “I have to go to Seattle for a few days.”

“Oh.” The sound was almost a whisper in the quiet cabin.

“My dad is having knee replacement surgery, and Mom needs help.”

Travis finally looked up at her, and there it was–the understanding in her eyes. She bit her lips between her teeth as her brow pinched together.

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