Page 95 of Isolated
He shook his head and looked away.
“Why not?” I pressed. “Why are you being a grouch? You know, I thought you cared about me.”
“I do.” His voice was choked, straining. “But I don’t think I can handle losing another person I care about the way I lost Gertie and my Rachel.”
God, I wished I could find a way to get in touch with his daughter. He desperately needed her back in his life.
“You’re not going to lose me, Walter. I promise. Unless, of course, you keep shutting me out.”
He returned his attention to me, and the regret was etched into his features. “What kind of celebration do you want to have? Because I’m not a fan of balloons.”
My lips curved into a smile, tears filling my eyes. “There’s the guy I know and love.”
Walter seemed surprised by my words, and I realized what he was missing more than just company. Reaching my hand out, I curled my fingers around his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I love you, Walter. I love our friendship. And it’d break my heart not to have you in my life.”
His fingers twitched around mine. “I’m not going anywhere, Iris. I’m sorry for being a miserable grump. It just… I’m just?—”
“You’re scared. I know. It’s okay. But I promise I’m not just going to move on and forget you exist. I’m building a life here, and I’m glad that you’re in it.”
We sat together in silence for a few moments before he released my hand and held up the remainder of his sandwich. “This is a good one.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Tell me about this Landen guy, so I can decide if I want to give him a chance.”
I grinned at him.
Then I told him all about Landen, knowing deep down in my heart that Walter and I were going to be okay.
Four days later
“This doesn’t seem right. I’m worried, Landen.”
He reached across the center console and linked his fingers with mine. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
I didn’t know how he could say that, how he could be so confident. Not when I’d received the utterly disturbing news that I had this morning. News that had me utilizing my PTO days and taking off from work for the remainder of the week.
I hadn’t had an opportunity to resolve things at work with Steph and Kasey—they hadn’t even stayed in the building for lunch all week—because Landen and I were still trying to work out a plan of action when it came to them.
But even if I had some means of rectifying it, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on it now.
Because I finally had a sliver of insight into what was going on with my sister.
Having recognized how troubled I’d been by my sister’s unwillingness to answer my calls, Landen came up with another brilliant solution. It was simple, really. But since I’d been so caught up in my feelings over the situation, I hadn’t been able to think clearly.
“Call her at work.”
That was the suggestion he’d given me. And I realized just how foolish I’d been to not even consider it before.
Unfortunately, it was that advice that led to me being in a car with Landen and on our way to Grouse.
I’d called Eleni’s work number on Monday, but the call went to voicemail. I wasn’t sure if she had caller ID and knew it was me, or if she was simply that busy. But when I called again today, I decided to call the company’s main line instead of Eleni’s direct number. I figured I’d have someone transfer me to her, in case she saw my number and was continuing to avoid me.
But I received the shock of a lifetime when I got an employee of the same company on the phone and asked to be transferred to Eleni Gibson.
She no longer works here. Hasn’t been employed here for nearly three months now.
When I called Landen to tell him what I’d learned, he immediately suggested we take a trip back to my hometown. I agreed and was relieved to see him waiting for me as soon as I’d gotten home from work today.
