Page 25 of A New Year Baby

CHAPTER 15

When I get home to the airport in Minneapolis, Eve is there waiting to pick me up in her little Jeep. It’s the same Jeep our parents got her when we were younger, and I can’t believe the old thing still runs.

“Hey brother,” she says, getting out to give me a hug.

“Hey, kid,” I say, hugging her back.

She moves to the back of the vehicle to open up the trunk to receive my luggage, but I don’t have much, on account of being robbed. I only have the backpack on my shoulder.

“Where’s all your stuff?” she asks with confusion. “Did it get lost?”

“Nah. They took it all when they kidnapped me,” I inform her. “Please don’t tell everyone just yet… I don’t want to stress out Mom and Dad before the wedding.”

“Kidnapped, huh?” she asks with interest, shutting the trunk and getting back into the car. “Well, I am a novelist and always looking for a good story. So, we’ve got a few hours of driving to Snowflake Creek for you to tell me every last sordid detail about what happened to you. Spill.”

“Actually, Eve,” I say as I get into the passenger seat. “I wanted to ask you about Stella first. Do you know anything about what’s going on with her? Do you follow her on social media or anything?”

Eve turns to look at me with narrowed eyes. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I say quietly, gazing out the window. “These guys kept pointing guns at my head, and calling me an idiot. I guess it got me thinking about her.”

“That’s what it takes to get you thinking about her?” Eve asks me, with a raised eyebrow.

“No, of course not. I just tried my best for years to avoid thinking about her.”

Eve doesn’t respond, and keeps her eyes on the road.

“I don’t think I should get involved in this one, Jack. If you want to know about Stella, you ask her yourself.”

“I just really miss her, sis.”

“Then why did you leave?” she asks.

“I proposed to her, Evie. She didn’t seem too happy about that.”

“She had just lost her brother,” Eve says.

“I know, lots of people told me about that. But I wasn’t sure if that was true. I couldn’t verify it. And there were rumors all around town that Stella was dating someone else. I just thought she was crying because she preferred some other guy.”

“You believed rumors in town?” Eve asks me. “About Stella? Come on. Get a grip, Jack. Those rumors were started by all the girls who likedyouand wanted to split you two up for years. When would she even have time to date anyone else when she was always with you twenty-four seven?”

“While we were long distance,” I say, but even as it comes out of my mouth, it seems stupid now. I can’t believe how much I let Stella and my whole family down.

“The truth is that you weren’t ready for the responsibility of being a husband and a father,” Eve says. “You were looking for any excuse to run off to Africa and be a hero to other people. I know you dreamed about Doctors Without Borders since you were young. You couldn’t let go of that boyhood dream, and step into adulthood. At the first sign of resistance, something being a little bit difficult, you just ran.”

“Evie, I helped a lot of people over there. They really needed help.”

“And who helped Stella?” Evie asks bitterly. “You’re lucky she’s such an amazing woman that she didn’t even need your help.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask her.

“You’ll see,” she says. “Now tell me about your kidnapping, brother. And all your adventures in Africa. Did your kidnappers let you go once they found out how annoying you were?”

“Ha ha,” I tell her glumly. “No, they loved me and wanted to keep me forever and ever.”

“Really weird kidnappers,” Eve comments.

I smile to myself. Despite her harshness and her clever banter, I know she loves me. And I’m really happy to be finally heading home.

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