Page 129 of From Nowhere

Lola’s too young.

Too traumatized.

Too everything.

I told Maren to be patient, but I’m the one showing a lack of patience.

“When the day comes that you overcome your fears from the accident, and Iknowthat day will come, then we will look into life changes for the both of us. But for now, I think it’s best to continue doing what we’re doing. And”—I raise a finger—“Maren suggested we look into using virtual reality gaming to help you. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

“Pfft.” Tia rolls her eyes. “Just what a ten-year-old needs—video games that take them away from reality.”

“Well, when her reality is—” I bite my tongue. We can’t do this in front of Lola.

I smile at Lola while digging my phone out of my pocket because it’s vibrating with a call. “It’s just something I will ask your therapist about,” I say, standing and heading toward the kitchen. The number isn’t familiar. “This is Ozzy.” I hold the phone to my ear.

“Hey, Ozzy. It’s Ira from work. Taylor gave me your number.”

“Oh. Okay. What’s up?” I can’t imagine why Ira is calling me.

“Did you hear about Maren? Taylor didn’t realize you and Maren were a thing. And maybe you’re not still a thing, but—”

“Ira!”

Silence.

“What about Maren?”

“Ozzy,” she says in a softer tone. “Maren’s plane went down.”

I take a step back. “Wh-what did you say?” My legs want to give out until the wall of floating shelves catches me with athud, followed by dishes shattering.

“Ozzy?”

“Where is she?” The words rip from my chest. This can’t be happening. Thiscan’thappen to me twice. No god is that cruel.

“Dad!” Lola yells my name as she, Tia, and Amos enter the kitchen. “What happened?”

“Search and rescue are on their way. That’s all I know. I’m sorry. We’re all praying for her. A lot of people are,” Ira says.

“Was it in the drop zone? Were there other aircraft involved? Did anyone—” My mouth can barely keep up with my thoughts and a million questions.

“Ozzy, what’s going on? Who are you talking to?” Tia asks.

“Lola, stay back. There’s glass everywhere,” Amos says with his hands on her shoulders.

“Ozzy, that’s all I know,” Ira says. “I heard about it from my friend who works at the base. She said she’ll let me know when she hears more.”

With my phone clutched in my hand, my arm flops to my side, glass scattered all around me and my bare feet.

“Don’t move, Oz. Let me grab a broom and shoes for you,” Amos says.

“Dad, what happened? Your eyes are red. Are you crying?” Lola’s words become as desperate as mine were with Ira.

“Lola, you’re going to get glass in your feet. Wait in the living room until we get this cleaned up, and then you can ask your dad whatever you want.” Tia ushers her out of the kitchen.

Amos returns from the garage with a broom and a dustpan. “Oz, did something bad happen?” he asks in a slow, steady voice while clearing a path with the broom to get to me.

I can’t fucking move.

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