Page 53 of Heal For Me

“At all?”

Hurt flashes across her face and she shrugs. “Nope. I’ve only seen her a handful of time since I moved.”

She doesn’t mention the fact Ronni was in Bayshore during my days in a coma, and neither do I.

When Janelle mentioned moving here, I looked up the distance from her to Ronni and it’s not far. The fact they haven’t hung out is surprising, and I’m understanding why Janelle is hurt. It’s obvious it wasn’t her stopping them from meeting up. “Maybe she’s been busy.”

“Yeah, busy partying.” She shoots me a regretful look. “Forget I said anything.”

My eyebrows bunch because that doesn’t sound like Ronni. “Is Ronni partying a lot?”

Janelle is hesitant but nods. “Like all the time. Don’t you follow her spam on Instagram?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t get on there that often anyway.”

“Right, well, yeah. She posts constantly with a drink in her hand, and last weekend there was a photo of her snorting something.”

Jethro stops abruptly and shoots a harsh look at Janelle. “Veronica is doing drugs?”

I can hear Janelle thinking oh shit from here, but I’m not worried about Jethro. Of all the things Janelle has said to him today, this is what she is worried about?

“I don’t know, I don’t hang out with her anymore. I’m just telling you what I saw.”

He drags a hand down his face. “Christ, life was a lot easier when you guys were small.”

“Tell me about it,” Janelle and I reply.

“I will be back in the morning. They approved me to stop by until I fly out in three days.”

Emotion clogs my throat and I know if I open my mouth, I might cry. Funny to think about, considering just a few months ago nothing could make me cry, and now it seems like that’s all I can do.

“And I’ll be back this weekend for our first sleepover.” At least that is something exciting to look forward to. Janelle peeks over her shoulder, then leans in close to my bed where I’m sitting. “Try and make friends with Abby, she seems cool.”

“That’s the plan,” I whisper. Abby has been doodling on a sketchpad with headphones in since we got back to my room, but still, I don’t want her hearing us. Not that saying I’ll try and make friends with her is bad, but it’s weird.

Janelle squeezes me tightly and kisses the side of my head before pulling away, then holds my arms, and her bright eyes fill with tears. “I’m so happy you’re here, Pay.”

Me too. I have a good feeling about this.

She steps aside, and Uncle Jet takes a seat on the edge of my bed. “Are you comfortable?”

That is the hundredth time he has asked me, and like last time, I say, “Yes.”

His harsh eyes soften a touch. “Okay. Call me at any hour and I can be here.”

“I’m fine, Uncle Jet, I’m not a little girl.”

“Everyone needs someone sometimes, no matter the age.”

“In that case, you can call me at any hour too, just in case you need someone.”

A look of annoyance crosses his face, and I giggle to myself.

He leans toward me, and my eyes widen. He presses a fatherly kiss to my temple. Gripping my shoulders, he levels our stares. “Heal, Payson. Not for me, or Ash, or even your grandpa. Heal for yourself. You deserve that much.”

Heal for me? I guess I can try.

Once they are gone and the dampness on my cheeks has dried, I prop myself on my bed and reach for the bag I shoved under it so Uncle Jet wouldn’t ask about it. I don’t know why but this feels like a private thing. Which is why I waited until Abby picked up her shower stuff and a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom.

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