Page 31 of Fragile Touch (Fragile 1)
Maybe I am crazy for talking to them so much. She remembered when Cayden had asked her about that. When she answered “no,” it was honest. But nothing could replace having someone there who could listen and respond and rationalize. More than ever, she wished Amelia was just a phone call away. But after she died, Lillian hadn’t attempted to make any new friends. Over time, she got into the bad habit of not letting herself develop friendships with anyone.
Now she was regretting that decision.
That’s what I get for distancing myself from everyone. She started thinking about who she knew that she could get to know, and couldn’t think of anyone except Cayden and her clients.
Claire would love to be able to have me around all the time. Lillian laughed to herself a little. That would be a very one-sided friendship.
A thought hit her out of the blue, something that hadn’t occurred to her in a long time.
I should call Amelia’s parents. She and Amelia had been friends since they were young, and lived together for years. Lillian had essentially become a member of the family. After her death, she got much closer to Amelia’s parents and brother until they were all able to get back on their feet again.
She felt her heart wither and leap at the same time. It stung, the thought of talking to Amelia’s family again, because it felt like she was so close but out of reach.
I think it would help. Nothing’s going to change if you keep being scared, Lillian. She sat up and opened the contacts on her phone. Sure enough, there was the name: Frances and Tanner Waters. The closest people to parents she’d ever had. The people who had transformed her perception of family.
Lillian pressed the call button and listened to it ring. She couldn’t figure out why exactly she was calling. Perhaps there didn’t have to be a reason.
“Hello?”
It’s her. “Hey, Mom,” she said, trying to keep her voice strong. “It’s Lillian.”
Frances gasped and squealed. “Oh, Lillian! Honey, it’s been so long. Where have you been? Are you all right?”
A huge smile pulled up the corners of her mouth. “I’m fine. I’ve got a pretty successful business now. I work a lot. How are you?”
“We’re fine; you know us, simple and happy. Tanner’s just taken his car to get new tires. I’m about to leave for my dentist appointment, but I’ve got another minute to chat.”
“It’s okay, I can call some other time.”
She could hear Frances tsking her on the other end. “Don’t be silly; I want to hear your voice as long as I can. We’ve missed you. When can you come visit again?”
I wish I could come now, she thought. “I’ll try to work something out. I’m adding more clients to my schedule right now, so my days are pretty much full.”
“Do you still do the organizing thing?”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful. How is your health?”
Lillian tensed. “It’s okay. I’m doing my best.”
“Last time we talked, you weren’t doing so well.”
That was a long time ago, before I knew what this was. “It was a long road of tests and doctors, but we got it squared away. I’ve got it under control now.” That’s a lie.
“What was it, in the end?”
“A sickness called Crohn’s.” Saying the name out loud felt different, like her tongue had a hard time shaping the sound. “It means my GI tract gets inflamed and irritated, but mine isn’t the most severe. I have medicine that helps, and I’m really careful what I eat.”
“I see.” Lillian could picture Frances crossing her arms and thinking hard. She always did that when learning something new. “If you need anything, you call us. Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Good girl. I’ve got to run now, dear, but please call again. Oh, have you heard from Andrew lately?”
She got a small flashback of walking along old railroad tracks and eating ice cream with Amelia and her brother when they were younger. “I haven’t. It’s been about a year since we last spoke.”
“I’m going to scold him about that. He’s still working for that factory, and they just hired him a few days ago to go inspect another factory near your place.” Lillian heard the sound of rustling papers. “Are you still living in Hanniston?”
