Page 32 of Waiting Forever
Silence fills the other end of the call. Mom’s blaming herself, I’m sure. I promised I’d keep my emotions tucked in around her and Dad.
“Go take care of Dad,” I say, my tone even. “We can talk later.”
Mom sniffles. “Good idea. I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“Bye, darling.”
“Bye.”
I turn and rest my back against the tree, my legs tucked and twisted awkwardly beneath me.
I thought leaving Dallas would help ease the weight of this, but even now I feel the pressure heavy on my shoulders and fear it will never go away. Maybe a party would be good for me, too.
15
Nathan
I USE THE hands-free option in the Hummer to call Kensington. I’m on my way to Ryland to see her for a last-minute lunch.
The phone rings through the speakers in the car. On the third ring, it cuts off like she rejected the call.
What the hell? Why?
I hit the speech-to-text option on the steering wheel and ask whether she’s free for lunch.
Her response is quick. The automated voice reads her text.“Thanks, but not hungry.”
I squeeze the steering wheel and call her again.
Rejected on the first ring this time.
I pound the button for speech-to-text.“You need to eat.”
Another quick response.“I’m not in the mood. Please don’t push it.”
I grip the wheel tighter.“What’s wrong?”I speak the text to my car.“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
I groan and reply,“Obviously not. I’m on my way to the campus. Be there in five. Meet me where I drop you off in the mornings.”
The car alerts me there’s a new text from her. I hit Read.“I’m already walking home.”
I swear, this woman tests my patience.“Stop and wait,”I send.“I’ll pick you up.”
“No need. Go back to work,”is her response.
Argh! I call her again and step on the gas.
She answers. “Nathan, please let it go.”
“Let what go? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh. Right,” she mumbles. “I...I talked to my mom, and I just miss her.”
They’re close, always have been, but I don’t think that’s it. “Kensi, please stay where you are and wait for me.”
