Page 27 of Crash
“Um, I’m not exactly sure. I plan on helping Tessa with her recuperation.”
“That’s nice of you. You care deeply about her, don’t you?” Mom chimes in.
“Well, it’s kind of obvious after everyone points out something you only discovered within the last few days.” I shove my hands in my pockets and shrug.
“If this weekend was any indication of how much he likes her, I’d say he likes her a lot!” Courtney says, and wiggles her eyebrows. She never misses a moment to be comical, especially during tense moments. She’s funny, and I love her for always trying to lighten the mood.
“Well, son, if you or Tessa need anything, let us know. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you later.”
I give my dad a hug and kiss my mom on her cheek and they climb into their car to head home.
“I gotta go to the studio and get ready for the mean teens. I really hate to look at those faces. They all seem so sad.” Courtney’s eyes gloss over.
I’m sure it’s because she’s thinking about the tragedy that unfolded three days ago. A single tear trickles down her face, and she quickly swipes it away. “But, hey, Tessa is fine, so they will be in better spirits today,” she says.
I know she is saying it for the kids, but I think it’s more for herself. Taking her into my arms, I move her strawberry-blonde hair out of the way and zerbert my sister on her cheek.
“Eew, gross. Someone bring me the bleach. Who knows where your mouth has been. Oh, wait. I do know.” She shudders for effect and unlocks the door of her brand-new car.
“Oh, this is the first time I’ve seen your new whip. It’s nice.”
“Yeah, she’s nice. Dad got me a real good deal, too. My savings went down, but at least I don’t have to bum a ride from you or Tessa anymore.” She pauses, until she breaks down. “Austin? What if she didn’t make it? I can’t help but think about that every day. She and I always rode together to rehearsals and to the studio, but that day, we took separate cars so she could go to the meeting. My dreams are consumed with her screams and how I wasn’t there to help her. That’s my best fucking friend, and I’d be lost without her.”
I hold her until she’s able to pull herself together. “I’ve given you so much shit about y’alls newly formed, long-time-coming relationship, but you know I think you two are perfect for each other.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, like, she’s hot as fuck, and that’s not because she’s my best friend, and you’re all hot guy-ish. That’s what all our friends say. Oh, and let one of them other bitches talk about what they want to do to you, Tessa goes off…subtly, of course. A little classy, a little hood.”
“I had no clue.”
“Austin, she always asked if you were coming to pick me up, or if you were at work, or if you were still datingwhat’s her face. I would answer and ask why. She played it off: ‘Oh, just wondering’ and I would call bullshit. But I did tell her if you were there Friday, then she should ask you out. And she did more than that apparently.”
“My sister’s back,” I joke. “Okay, get out of here. I’m gonna go in and see what her parents need me to do.”
“Okay. See you later, Aussie.”
“Later, Courts.” I tap the top of her car, sending her on the way before walking into the hospital.
“ITHOUGHT YOU HAD LEFT, TOO,”Tessa says when I reenter.
I look around and I don’t see her parents. “Where’d your folks go?”
“Oh, Dad took Mom to go get something from the cafeteria. I told them they could go home, but Mom insisted on staying.” Her eyes flutter, indicating she’s ready to fall asleep.
I slide in beside her, carefully placing my arm around her shoulders. She takes the bait and adjusts herself, laying her head against me.
“When do you go back to work?”
“Um, I’m taking some time to be there for you.”
“You don’t have to do that. My parents are retired and active. I’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, but will they sneak you out of the house and take you to eat bad food at one in the morning? Or, hold you in their arms until you fall asleep? Or, carry you to the bathroom, wash you in the shower, dress you in a vintage rock t-shirt?”
“And you’d do all that?”
“I’d even sleep in the room with you to make sure you don’t have a want or need for anything.”
