Page 74 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“I need to talk to you about Lina. Can I come in?”
She scoffed and shook her head. “No.”
I nodded and tucked my chin into the collar of my jacket as the wind tugged at my back and chilled me to the bone. “All right.”
“Leave,” she said.
“I can’t do that, Kelli.”
“Why the hell not? I don’t want you here, Cal. Of all people, you are literally the last one I want to see right now.”
I nodded. “I understand, but this isn’t about me.”
“I don’t care if it’s about you or Lina. The two of you did this to me. You think I’m going to just forget? Or forgive you? I can’t fucking walk ever again, you asshole!”
Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. Her cheeks were pink. Her fingers were curled into fists that were so tight her knuckles had turned white.
I hung my head. “I’m so sorry, Kelli.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it.”
“I know.”
“Then get the hell out of here.”
“I can’t,” I said miserably.
Kelli grabbed the door and made to close it, but I stuck out my hand, bracing it open. “Just hear me out, Kelli. Then I’ll go. And I swear, you’ll never have to see me again if you don’t want to.”
She paused and gave me a skeptical look. “Fine.”
I let my hand fall from the door. She didn’t try to close it on me. This was my window of opportunity. “I need help getting Lina’s memory back.”
“Oh, you mean you haven’t been able to pull it off? Imagine that. The guy who hasn’t seen her in fifteen years has no idea how to restore his ex-girlfriend’s memory. Probably because you don’t know her anymore, Cal.”
“I know, and I shouldn’t have tried to be the one to help her. But I didn’t know what else to do. She had nowhere to go. No family to turn to. And I didn’t think sending her here with you and your mom was the best idea. You needed space. And your mom had her hands full.”
“For once, we agree on something,” Kelli muttered.
“Look. I know you’re mad at Lina, but the accident was my fault. I was the one who upset her. I was the one who pushed when she told me to leave her alone. If you’re going to put the blame on someone, it should all fall on me. Not on Lina. She loves you, Kelli. You have to know that.”
“She was the one driving the car, Cal. Not you.”
“I know,” I said. “But people make mistakes. You yourself crashed your first car when you were seventeen, and Jordan had to get fourteen stitches in his head because he was in your passenger seat.”
Kelli lifted her chin. “That was different.”
I nodded. “It had small consequences. This crash didn’t. You’re paying the highest price, Kelli. I know that. And it fucking kills me. And if Lina knew…” I trailed off. I couldn’t even say it aloud. If Lina knew what had happened to Kelli and she hadn’t lost her memory, she would never forgive herself for this. I forced myself to find the words. “If Lina knew what her mistake had cost you, she would fall apart, Kelli. And I’m not enough to pick up those pieces. I can’t help her when this all goes to shit because I’m the one she’s going to hate. You’re the one she’s going to need. Please tell me you agree with what I’m saying. Please.”
God, I was begging. Actually begging.
Kelli closed her eyes and sighed.
“Kelli, you may have lost your ability to walk, but Lina has lost everything. She can’t remember who she is, let alone who you or your mom are. For fuck’s sakes, I took her to her parents’ grave site, and she doesn’t even remember them!”
Kelli opened her eyes. Her tears were back. “I don’t know how to help her remember either,” she whispered.
I rubbed my temples. “You don’t have to know what to do. All I need to know is that you’ll be there for her.”
