Page 53 of Chasing Storm
Josh appears with two steaming cardboard cups. “I bought you both some tea,” he says. “JP is talking to his old school friend who works with Dr Rivers. We’ll have something for you soon.”
I nod and accept the cup he’s holding out, and so does Mum. She squeezes my hand and tries to gather her strength. “I’m glad you have them. They’re good boys.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
Time ticks away. JP’s friend comes to explain what he can about Dad’s case, and this time I make sure that Mum understands the procedure, asking the pertinent questions.
“It’s going to be hours,” I murmur. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”
She nods and curls up on the soft leather sofa. I know she won't sleep, but at least she will rest.
I lean my head against the soft stuffing of the armchair, glad this private hospital provides decent waiting rooms, and sigh. I want to think about Storm’s kiss and what it means, but I think I’m supposed to focus all of my thoughts on Dad. I can’t help it, though and place my fingers to my lips with a smile.
JP and Josh have gone home to get a change of clothes for me so I can stay here with my mum.
“Who’s the girl?” my mum asks suddenly into the silence.
“Hmm?” I lift my head to look at her.
“You’ve got that look.”
I snort. “What look?”
“Like a doe-eyed fool.”
“She is special.”
“Is she? You’re serious about her?” I hear the cautious tone and know it’s because of Emma.
“Yeah, we all are.”
She sits up, startled. “Oh?” Her curiosity almost makes her look like her usual self. “You know, your auntie Claire chose more than one.”
“Claire? She only has one husband.”
“Now. Not always. He died a long time ago.”
“Oh, that’s…” I gulp as mum gets a worried expression as we are reminded of dad.
“He’ll be fine. He’s strong.”
“I know. So, when do we get to meet her?”
I sigh. “It’s complicated.”
Mum gives me a knowing nod. “She doesn’t want to risk herself.”
I shake my head. “We have given her no reason to trust us, but we are trying to do everything we can to show her we’ve changed.”
“Good,” she says. “That’s good.” She curls up again, and this time, I think she does drop off eventually, so I close my eyes and try to do the same, dreaming of Storm’s lips on mine.
32
STORM
I've lost count of how many days I’ve been holed up in my flat, avoiding the rest of the world, including Cassidy. She came down with the spring flu after karaoke, and I didn’t even speak to her about any of this before. My emotional state was, well, in a word, raw. Being accosted on top of quitting my job, throwing myself at JP only to be rejected and having Josh serenade me in public has short-circuited my brain, and I needed a reset.
When my phone rings next to me, I glance at it and then answer, switching it to speaker, so I don’t have to lift my head off the pillow.
