Page 96 of Cross My Heart
A few stitches,and many hours later, we pull back into the McDowell’s drive. Lanie maneuvers the long driveway like she has done it a thousand times before. She probably has. We haven’t talked much since arriving at the hospital, Lanie has seemed deep in thought, and I figure after tonight, she probably has a lot to sort through.
I always thought my mother was evil for leaving, but after experiencing Laurel tonight, I realize she likely did me a favor.
After putting the car in park, Lanie turns to me, “I’m going to help you in and get you settled, then I’m going to head back to Julia’s house.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask more hopeful than I should be, “I’m sure Sylvie would be fine to get up with the kids.” It’s too dark for me to read her face, but I already know the answer before she speaks.
“No, thank you. I’ll be fine, and Tate will be sad if you’re not here when he wakes up.” I sigh because she is right. “Jules and I will be back in the morning to help get everything ready. I-I’m going to need some time, Dex. I need to fix myself before I can know what I am capable of giving.”
I feel the sadness of her words deep in my chest. “Okay, Lanes. Just know, we are waiting for you whenever you are ready.”
I want to tell her how much I love her, but worry that she isn’t in the right headspace, so instead, I tell her a different truth. “I am so proud of you. You were so strong tonight. You never cease to amaze me, Lanie, but tonight I saw a strength I think you have had hidden away for a long time. I’m so incredibly proud of you.”
She chokes out a “Thank you,” followed by, “let’s get you inside.”
True to her word, Lanie gets me settled inside. As soon as she leaves, my spot on the couch is overcome with visitors. Every single adult in the house is crowded, perched, nestled, and squished-in all around me, asking for details. Once I have finally quenched their thirst for gossip, I send them to bed and lie awake for hours wondering where Lanie and I will land when the dust settles.
Lanie
Chapter 36
“Icannot, I repeat,cannotbelieve you got them all here behind my back, Jules,” I’m slightly hysterical, but when your best friend continually goes behind your back, I think slight hysterics are warranted.
Julia was also conspicuously asleep when I got home last night. She also just happened to have Charlie in bed with her so I couldn’t ram her room and start yelling. “And, by the way, using Charlie as a shield is low, even for you.”
“Hey, he is sick, I can’t help it if he needed some mommy snuggles that just happened to save me from your wrath for a few hours. Listen, I already told you, I’m not going to apologize, this is for your own good. Now, go get ready, we have to leave soon, Mom’s waiting for us.”
I roll my eyes at her but stomp past to get in the shower anyway. Shutting the bathroom door, I hear Julia’s phone going off like fireworks, and I know it’s that damn group text no one will tell me about. I’m really starting to hate them all.
* * *
Dex
MLM Recovery Plan
Dexter: How is she this morning? She hasn’t replied to any of my texts.
Trevor: Just how many have you sent this morning? Give her some space, dude.
Dexter: It doesn’t matter, I just need to know she is ok…last night was rough.
Preston: Just howroughwas it???
Cooper: Rough Rider
Ashton: Rough God Goes Riding?
Easton: Van Morrison? Nice.
Shepherd: Rough waters?
Cooper: Shep, you lose. That sucks.
Shepherd: I hear you do too, dude.
Dexter: Seriously, Preston, get these dickheads out of here. I need real help, real advice, not all this shit.
Preston: Now you know how we have felt for the last 9 months, dude.
