Page 12 of Fractured Grief
“How would you feel if I moved in with you?” Lyric paused. “I know Ma wants you home, but wouldn’t you feel better at your own place?” he said in a rush. “I could move into your spare room and help you with everything you need. I’d like to help with this, and I wouldn’t get in the way or anything. I can also take you to appointments and play nurse and everything.”
It took a while for my brain to compute what he’d said. “You want to p-lay n-urse?”
A chuckle filled my ear. “That’s all you heard from what I said?”
“It was h-ard to hear m-much with how f-fast you w-were talking. Give me—” I sucked in a deep breath. “A sec,” I exhaled loudly. “To c-catch up, I’m e-e-xhausted.” I took a moment to think and prepare my voice and mind to continue speaking. “You w-want to m-ove in with me? Really? W-hy? What about K-kay? What’s g-going on, Lyric?”
A heavy sigh carried down the line. “I want to help you. I’ve seen you in that place and know how much you’ve been struggling. I know how much you miss your house and all your giant person customizations,” he snickered at the usual teasing point. “I can help. I even called your therapist, Indiana, to see what I’d need to do to help you.”
“W-wait, what? You c-called Indy! W-hat d-d-id you say?” I groaned, torn between feeling grateful and confused. Lyric was carefree, sporadic, and didn’t live his life on a schedule, but he’d already called Indy to be sure he could do this.
A warmth settled in me as I glanced at the walker Indy had gifted me after our last session. He’d been so excited to show me it had finally arrived and would fit my frame. His beaming smile made my heart beat rapidly in my chest, and butterflies came to life in my belly. Weird reactions like this had been happening more whenever I saw or thought of Indy.
It was particularly alarming when he knelt to adjust the walker to my height, and less-than-honorable thoughts came to mind, things I’d never considered. I had to close my eyes and breathe through the sensations to keep myself in check.
“Seb, you still there?” Lyric’s voice cut through my thoughts like ice water.
“Yes, I’m h-here,” I croaked out, trying to tune in to what he had said.
“You, okay?” Lyric asked cautiously.
“Yeah, fine.”
“Anyway, I had a serious conversation with Indy, and he went through similar things your OT will go through today, and I think I could help you if you let me.”
“What a-about Kay? This w-won’t b-be a short-term t-t-thing. What a-about w-work, r-rent, and everything?” His offer was kind and possibly the perfect solution to my current predicament, but had he really thought it all the way through? I was known as “gruff” on a typical day, and my mood and demeanor hadn’t improved since being shot.
“Trust me, Seb, I’ve thought of everything and got it all covered. I’ve already spoken to Kay, and he understands.I haven’t told Ma yet, but I sort of discussed it with Yaya by accident when Bodhi and I were baking. She thinks it might be good for both of us. Please let me do this for you.” The pleading note in his voice hurt my heart.
“W-hat about Ma? How d-do you think she’ll h-handle this?” I grunted, getting frustrated that my brain wouldn’t just catch up and let me speak properly.
“She’ll be okay. She knows you and knows you weren’t overly keen on moving back home. If you’re okay with it, I’ll come with Ma to the appointment today.”
“Let’s t-t-text. C-can’t talk.” Phone calls were hard for me right now.
“Okay, but straight to text, right? I want an answer.”
I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me, and hissedyesbefore hanging up.
Seb
Are you sure about this? You’ve seen my therapy sessions. Working with me won’t be easy. What if I lash out? What if I hurt you? Do you think you can handle me and everything I need help with?
I worried my lip as the three dots appeared.
Lyric
I know I can, and you’re my big brother. I WANT to do this for you.
Seb
Thank you, bro. I would love to recover at my own house with my own bed.
I couldn’t help but groan at the thought of getting to sleep in my comfy bed again.
Seb
This would help me out so much! How are you going to tell Ma?
