Page 27 of Unwanted

Strangers who could maybe start from scratch and try to be friends. Start fresh. Start something different, something new.

But just like my recovery, maybe we could do it.

One conversation at a time.

One foot in front of the other.

One moment at a time.

9

FRANKIE

Awake from his earlier nap, Lennox and I, along with Samuel and Clem, spend the rest of the day keeping the conversation lighthearted and each other entertained.

It’s nice and a lot different from yesterday’s mood. I know it’s only a Band-Aid fix for what is to become a permanent change, but even though it’s a new kind of normal, it’s nice to see Lennox smiling, even if only a little.

Since his concussion is no longer a cause for concern and the rest of the injuries he sustained are now healing bruises, there isn’t any real reason Lennox needs to stay in the hospital.

Doctor Keriakos has advised he’ll be around to discuss Lennox’s treatment plan and what to do once he’s back at home and ready to be on his own two feet.

There’s no doubt the adjustment to not hearing is going to take some time, and if I know my brother well enough, especially now that I know he hid years of abuse by his foster family, I’m certain he’s going to either pretend everything is okay and he’s coping, or he’ll retreat into himself and shut everyone out.

Unfortunately, neither option will lead to successful healing, and the idea of being anywhere else but here as he navigates and transitions through this sits heavy in my stomach.

I can’t just leave Lennox.

Not again.

“Frankie.” My name leaving the barista’s mouth pulls me back to the moment and I head over to the café counter and collect the tray of drinks I ordered for Lennox, Samuel, Clem, and myself.

“Thank you,” I murmur absentmindedly and turn to walk to the elevators that’ll take me back to Lennox’s room.

When the doors open I’m surprised to see Clem alone in the elevator, head down, fingers frantically dancing around her cell screen.

“Are you coming out or going back up?” I ask her.

She doesn’t raise her eyes off the screen. “I came down to give Lennox and Samuel some time alone.”

I look down at their drinks. “Should I give them these and come back down?”

The doors automatically try to shut, but Clem sticks her leg out to stop them, finally meandering out of the elevator. “I wouldn’t bother. Once they started with the long, pitiful glances at each other, I knew it was my cue to leave.”

She slips her phone into the pocket of her skinny-leg jeans and I pry for more information as we walk back to the cafeteria. “What do you mean long, pitiful glances?”

“You know, like the ones you and Arlo were giving one another earlier today,” she says flippantly.

My feet halt on their own accord. “Excuse me?”

She looks at me over her shoulder. “So, you’re both playing this game?”

“What game?”

“The one where you both pretend there’s nothing going on between you two.”

Gobsmacked, I hurry along to catch up to her, waiting till we’re seated so my brain can truly process what it is she’s trying to say.

We both take a seat. She reaches for her iced caramel latte, unwraps the straw, slips it in, and casually takes a sip.

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