Page 5 of Tell Me Everything
Like a child about to be offered ice cream, she was clapping her hands. I understood her enthusiasm. Going to see the boy you've been in love with for months was much more exciting than hanging around the hospital. Even if it was to visit your “best friend”. Who was I trying to fool at this point? A gap had opened between us since my brother's death three years earlier. I'd lost my best friend and my older brother at the same time. The only difference was that one body lay six feet under, while the other stood next to me.
“Gotta go. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone!”
Boy, was that funny. Look at me laughing my ass off. God, when had I become so bitter?
“I don’t think you need to worry.”
She placed a quick kiss on my forehead before leaving the room. And I felt even more alone than before.
***
Alex
“Hey, Alex! It’s been a while.”
Alex was surprised to see Elena's mother in the candy aisle of the supermarket. He'd been used to seeing her as a child. After all, Maura was one of his own mother's childhood friends. About three years ago, she stopped coming. The last time he'd seen her was at Jennifer’s wedding, another of his mother's childhood friends.
“Hello, Mrs Fleureau.”
“Call me Maura. I've known you since you were born.”
In the past, he might have considered her a member ofhis family. That was years ago. He'd shut a lot of people out of his life since then. Not knowing what to say, Alex simply smiled at her. Hopefully, she wouldn't keep him too long. With a tournament this weekend, he couldn't afford to miss hiskickboxing training.
“You went to see Elena at the hospital, didn't you?”
He watched as people hurried to grab their products from the shelves before rushing to the checkouts. Alex didn't like wasting his time. Patience was a virtue he didn't always control. “I did.”
“Are you getting on well?”
Images from a few days earlier flashed through his mind. Elena had accepted his presence at the hospital just as she had accepted her broken leg. Needless to say, they didn't get along particularly well. “Not really. We hardly know each other.”
“According to your mother, you're very honest and direct. Is that true?”
This conversation was going to last forever.
“I guess so,” he replied on guard. “Why all the questions?”
“Can I ask you a favour?”
“It depends on the favour.”
Maura pondered, as if she saw in him the solution to all her problems. He had another bad feeling.
“Would you like to spend some time with Lena once in a while?”
For a moment, Alex wondered what was in it for him. He didn't feel like babysitting. Especially since the person in question didn't even want to see him again. Not that he was jumping at the idea of seeing her again either. Maura sensed his hesitation.
“Let's grab a coffee. My treat.”
Alex realized she wasn't going to let go of him and nodded reluctantly. It was better to go with the flow and listen to what she had to say if he wanted things to go as quickly as possible. Heheaded for the checkout and grabbed a pack of cigarettes.
Once they were in the café in front of the supermarket, Maura clicked her tongue. “You shouldn't be smoking at your age.”
Alex grew irritated. He didn't feel like being here to begin with, so he could do without unnecessary comments. Everyone knew it was unhealthy. He just couldn't find the motivation to stop. “Can you get to the point, please?”
Maura pursed her lips at his abrupt tone. If she had been aware of his reputation, she would’ve known that he wasn't appreciated by the older generations. Alex was trouble and not the type of guy you’d want your daughter to associate with. And trouble was an understatement. He didn't want people to see him that way—as worthless or a thug—but certain events had made that image stick to his skin.
“I'll get right to the point, then. I'd like you to spend some time with my daughter.”
