Page 51 of One Foggy Christmas
“Thanks.” I take a slow sip. Maybe if I concentrate enough, I can pretend it came from Starbucks.
“Is Annie still in with Sadie?”
“Yeah, I think she’s helping her shave or wax or something.”
Lindy leans back into her chair, staring straight ahead. “You were supposed to leave on your trip today.”
“I know.”
Christmas in Switzerland—see the flying Santa at No?l Montreux, ride on the Glacier Express, sleep in a chalet in Zermatt, visit the Christmas markets, and go skiing at Lake Oeschinen. A month-long trip of a lifetime that we were finally going on. It’s hard not to feel depressed about where we’re at instead.
“At least Sadie doesn’t remember her magical Swiss Christmas and therefore can’t feel bad about missing it.” A goofy smile covers her mouth.
Same old Lindy. Always looking on the bright side. I remember when my mom left, and Nolan and I moved in with Lindy’s family. I was eleven and didn’t see any good in my mother ditching me and my brother for her career. But Lindy kept saying how great it was because she’d always wanted older brothers. Her positivity eventually rubbed off on me in that situation. I hope it does the same here.
Lindy is hurting too. Sadie is the sister she never had, and right now, she doesn’t even know Lindy exists. But Lindy’s handling it with a smile, supporting me where she can, patiently waiting her turn to talk to Sadie.
She twists her blonde hair and drops it over one shoulder. “Where are Sadie’s parents?”
I look down the hall. “I think they went for a walk around the hospital to get some exercise.” At least, that’s what I heard Lynette suggest to Jay. They don’t typically keep me in the loop with their plans.
Tense is a good way to describe my relationship with the Bradleys. I don’t recommend meeting your in-laws for only the second time when your wife is in a coma. It adds another layer to the strain that was already there.
Perception is reality, and the Bradleys perceive me as the enemy who stole their daughter from them—a tough prejudice to overcome.
“Do you think Sadie will ever go skiing again?” Lindy’s question and tone are innocent enough, but a heaviness constricts my chest.
I’ll never forget watching Sadie get cut off on the slope and lose control. Her body flung through the air like a rag doll until she slammed head-first into a tree. My whole world flatlined at that moment. It was like my pulse stopped right alongside hers.
“Sorry.” Lindy studies my pained expression. “That was an insensitive question.”
“No, don’t worry about it. It wasn’t insensitive, just a little too soon.”
“I never think before I talk.”
I nudge her shoulder. “It’s one of the reasons I hang out with you. Your entertainment value is through the roof.”
“That sounds like you only hang out with me because you like watching me stick my foot in my mouth.”
I smile back at her. “You offer a little more value than that.”
“Har har.” She pushes my shoulder.
“Lindy, how kind of you to stop by the hospital again,” Lynette says as she sinks into the chair across from us. “It’s good to see you.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Bradley.”
“Lynette. We’ve been through enough to be on a first-name basis.”
“I just came to check on Nash.” Lindy scrunches her nose up to me. “Make sure he’s eating.”
“It’s good he has you.” Jay grunts as he sits.
“Well, now that you’re fed”—Lindy hops to her feet—“I better get going. Call me if anything exciting happens.” She waves at the Bradleys before taking off down the hall.
Without Lindy’s carefree personality here to ease the tension, silence ensues.
Lynette’s eyes drift to her husband like some kind of signal for him to start. He clears his throat, catching on to her hint.
