Page 13 of Painting Her Fate

He clears his throat, “He’s alive. They transported him via helicopter to a hospital in Buffalo and have him sedated. You know I don’t know much about all this mumbo jumbo the doctors are saying, but I do know he would want you here.”

Tamara glances at me, sympathy lining her words, “I’ll have her on the next flight. Don’t worry Mack, everything will be fine, Dan is tough and will pull through this.” She is on her mobile a second later looking at flights to New York.

“How did this happen?” My mind is still in a fog trying to keep the monster from busting down that door. Dad is always so careful. “Please tell me he’s alive, Mack.Please.”

“He’s still here,” he says as the sound of a lighter flicking to life sounds then he blows out a frustrated huff, “I need a damn cigarette break.”

He’s alive – what if I do not make it in time?

“Is he stable?” Tamara asks as she scrolls vigorously through her mobile.

“From what I gathered, but he isn’t out of the woods yet, just told me they’re making as comfortable as possible and needed to give his body time to heal. I’m sorry, I wish I had better news.” He sighs and I can picture him pinching the bridge of his nose as he usually does when he’s irritated.

I say the first thing that comes to my mind, not knowing if it will do any good, “he will pull through this.” Not one to allow myself to cry much anymore, I tamped down the emotions and tried thinking positive thoughts. I reassure him I will be there soon and to inform my grandparents of my arrival.

Tamara heads down the corridor to the office, then comes back with the printed information of my flight. She booked the last first-class seat leaving in a couple of hours; Time enough to shower and throw the necessities in my shoulder bag. No need for major luggage when I have everything else at my flat just outside of the city.

Tamara reassured me everything would be fine and not to stress, that she will take care of dealing with my appointments, interviews, and meetings. We can do just about everything via video chat or reschedule them for a later date. My trusty assistant is always going above and beyond.

Once boarded and in my seat, I popped in my earbuds to check a new romance audiobook or two whilst I sketched. The first one is about a sexy hunk who could not find housing anywhere and ends up bunking with his best friend’s sister. A good distraction from my tormented thoughts. The second one happened to be a new rock star romance. I think I’ll skip that one for now- too many thoughts of a certain someone come to mind. I close my eyes and allow the narrators to take me away to another place. Sweet, sweet escape.

My flight landed around eight o’clock in the evening New York time. Mack was there to pick me up, take me to get a few food items at the market, then dropped me at my flat. No recent updates on my dad’s condition, so Mack thought it best I go home, rest, then see my Claire, in the morning to understand the full entirety of dad’s situation- one he was avoiding telling me details.

Too taxed both mentally and emotionally, I agreed. Once settled Mack gives me a good squeeze, tells me he will check in soon, then heads out.

I’m getting ready to go to the comforts of my sofa when my mobile chimes‘Arabella’by Arctic Monkeys. Tamara’s ringtone. Taking it out of my pocket I do some quick math to remember what time it is there.

“Love, what are you doing up at two in the bloody morning?”

Tamara is quick to go into mother mode, “Never you mind that. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

I put my mobile on speaker to get a glass of water, “I just got in about an hour ago.”

“How are you? Can I do anythin’?” Her helpful hand is always there when I need her. My spirits lighten at her support.

“No, thank you.” Then I remembered, “hey, did you end up going on that date tonight?” I wanted to change the subject to something more uplifting. I pictured her eye roll.

“No, she seemed a little off and is still confused at what she is wanting, so- on to the next.” Always one to look to the bright side of the situation. Then she hits me with the news I knew would be coming, her real reason for calling, “by the way, I know this isn’t what you want to hear right now,” she began, highly unamused, “Zanestopped by. *pleased at her actions* I told him to piss off.”

“Tamaaaaraaaa.” I groan, too taxed to deal with this.

“Okay, fineee- ugh.” She dramatizes, “I told him you had a family emergency and that you would call him as soon as you were able. He didn’t believe me until he insisted on checking the whole flat himself and when he didn’t find you here, he fought me for fifteen minutes about getting your number.” Her tone turned triumphant, “That’swhen I told him to piss off.”

Lovely. That is just what I want to deal with on top of everything else going on. I sat my elbows on the counter and began rubbing at my temples.

Maybe I should’ve done what Tamara suggested and ripped the band-aid off. Could this be a sign?

“I will call him when I get the chance.” I really didn’t want to let him down over a call; the right thing to do is what I originally planned and talk to him in person. Some things cannot be helped, I guess. A yawn escaped as I shuffled to my bedroom. This can wait a few hours before I tackle it, he’s not up right now anyway. “I’m pretty out of it, think I’m going to lay down.”

“Sure thing, love. Keep me posted.” Her tone turns fierce before I get a word in, “Now, go get some rest, and I mean sleep, Lili! Don’t you dare park your ass at that easel, got it?”

That made me smile. “Always looking out for me.” I sighed, “thanks

Tamara, talk soon. Loves and hugs.”

“Loves and hugs”, she parroted with a bit of distain, knowing there is a chance I will go against her orders.

I send a quick message to my grandma Claire, to let her know I made it into town. I plug in my mobile, then change into my paint stained clothing. Tamara would have my arse if she knew I was doing the one thing she told me not to.

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