CHAPTER NINETEEN
“So, then I took the jailbird home,” Faith said, finishing the story of what she’d done over the weekend. A twinge of guilt ran through her when she carefully omitted the X-rated Sunday afternoon rendezvous with Nick.
It was Monday morning, and Tess had begged her to come along to the New Hampton hospital. Faith could’ve said she had to work, but she hadn’t seen Tess for two days, and really, the store wouldn’t fall apart if she took a few hours off.
“So, how was your campout?”
“The usual,” Tess said. “Bunch of city bigwigs trying to be tough guys in the mountains.”
“Did any of them cry?”
“Oh, yeah. I made a few call out for their mommas.”
“You’re ruthless, Tessy.”
“So, did she have an excuse?” As best friends, their conversations didn’t require segues, and Faith knew right away they’d gone back to talking about Hope.
“No. In fact, according to the sheriff, she had a hundred dollars in her pocket!”
“Sounds like she’s not coping well with your mom’s death. You think it’s a cry for help or attention or something?”
“Maybe. Probably. I don’t know. I told my dad this morning, and he says he’ll handle it. We’ll see. Even though Nick’s moving out, I’m gonna stay with them a little longer.”
They arrived at the hospital just as Nick was being wheeled back into his room from the OR. The doctor came in with an update. They’d removed the extra piece of bone and cleaned everything. He was optimistic that healing should go better and be faster this time around. Nick would be glad to hear that.
In the cramped, stark white room, the Walkers stood on one side of the bed, Tess and Faith on the other.
Nick cracked open one eye and then the other. “Hey, whas everyone doin’ here?” he slurred.
“Honey, you’re just waking up from the operation,” his mom said. “Everything went great.”
“Okey dokey,” Nick sang. “My brain is fuzzy. Fuzzy. Fuz-zy. Thas a funny word.”
Clearly, he was still under the effects of the anesthesia, and they all bit their lips, trying not to laugh at his change in demeanor. Normally stuffy and gruff, the aftereffects had him humming show tunes and happily narrating what was happening around him.
“Faith!” he exclaimed, glossy eyes finding hers and widening with joy.
“Hey, Nick,” Faith said. “Hope you get better soon.”
“You pretty.” He gazed at her like she was water in the desert. Panic set in. What if the drugs made it so he couldn’t hold his tongue, and he blabbed their secret? Right here in front of everyone.
“Should we go?” she whispered to Tess.
Tess shook her head. “What’s your hurry?”
“No hurry. Just doesn’t seem like he’d want a lot of witnesses to his vulnerable moments.”
“Are you kidding?” Tess chuckled. “I’m getting a video.”
Faith slunk away from the bed, sat out of sight in a nearby chair, and prayed that he came to his senses before he incriminated them both. She almost cried with relief when his brief burst of energy gave way to sleep. A few minutes later, Tess decided her sisterly duty was done and bid farewell to her parents.
They stopped for lunch on the return trip to Green Valley Falls.
“Why do I get the feeling something’s goin’ on with you and my brother?” Tess asked before biting into her burger.
“Huh?” Faith feigned ignorance. “Beats me. That’s ridiculous.”
“I’ve known you for twenty years, Faith. You think I can’t tell when you’re lying?”
Valid point. Faith was a terrible liar in general. Lying to her best friend was a bar too high. “Fine. But it’s not what you think. We’re not dating or anything.” Technically, that was true. They had not been on a date. She saw no reason to bring up the sex.
“I don’t want details. And I’m not mad,” Tess said, ignoring her denial. “Frustrated is a better word. I thought I did a pretty good job of explaining to the both of you how many ways this could go sideways. And who’s stuck in the middle when it does? Me. That would be me.”
“I get it. I heard you,” Faith said. “I know it’s not forever, and so does he. We both have our eyes wide open.”
“So it’s a fling? And that’s supposed to make it better?”
“Well, no,” Faith said. “I mean, I like him. I really like him. But I understand he’ll be gone soon.”
“You said you were looking for a real relationship?”
“I was. I am. I don’t know. Is there a right answer to these questions?”
Tess huffed. “I’m not your mom. I’m not his girlfriend. Do what you want.” She threw up her hands. “Just don’t come crying to me when it crashes and burns.”
“Deal. In the meantime, can we keep this between me and you for now? I’ll tell Juliet and Alex once there’s something to tell.”
Tess nodded. “Fine.”
Faith knew it was foolish to start something with Nick. Knew there was no longevity in it. They were oil and water, night and day, but even so, she was drawn to him. Felt a connection she never had before. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think she was falling in love with him.
And who knew, maybe the gods would smile down on her, and they’d work out somehow. What if he grew to love it here and decided to stay? What if he grew to love her here and was compelled to stay?
She gave herself a mental slap in the face. No. That line of thinking was precisely what Tess was warning her about. If she was going to do this, try this thing with Nick, she had to be honest with herself. It was short term. Full stop.
She went into the store for a few hours and was relieved to find out Irene had returned. Apparently, when push came to shove, an afternoon free of Frank trumped an ill-begotten cup of coffee.
Before heading out, she fed Tiger and emptied his litter box. She continued to periodically ask if he wanted to come home with her, but he didn’t seem inclined to want to leave the bookstore. Just like her mom.
When Faith arrived home, she was pleasantly surprised to see someone had gone to the grocery store. Apples sat stacked in a wooden bowl on the table, and a new bunch of bananas hung from the hanger.
“Hey, guys,” she said, entering the living room where her dad stared at the TV and Hope stared at her phone. “Who went grocery shopping?”
Her dad raised his hand. “I got fruit and vegetables, already took my meds, and walked half a mile.”
“Gold star, Dad.” She smiled. He was making progress. Faith wondered if that had anything to do with the widow Hickman, who routinely walked around the neighborhood.
“How’s school going, Hope?”
“Good.” She barely glanced up from her phone. “Hey, can you chaperone the homecoming dance? It’s in like two weeks. The Friday before the Fall Festival.”
“Oh,” Faith said. “Sure. That sounds fun.” It didn’t, but she couldn’t say no.
“Cool.” Hope stood. “I’m goin’ to bed. Night.”
Faith waited until Hope’s door closed. “It’s only eight o’clock. What’s up with that?”
He spoke just above a whisper. “I talked to her about last night’s ‘incident’ and her recent behavior. Grounded her for the shoplifting and forbid her from seeing that boy anymore.”
“How’d she take it?”
“She actually seemed relieved. You were right. She’s been crying out for boundaries, and I did her a real disservice by not giving them to her. We had a good talk about Mom and how the cancer wasn’t Hope’s fault. I think she’ll be okay now.”
“That’s great, Dad. How about you? Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes.” He sighed. “Losing your mom was a brutal blow, but I feel a little better every day. I appreciate all you’ve done for me and Hope. All you did for your mother before she passed, and what you’re still doing with the bookstore. I’m much stronger and can handle things now if you want to move back to your place.”
“That’s great news. Tess’s brother just vacated my room, so I’ll get out of your hair soon. You know I’m always just a few miles away.”
It would be nice to return home. Stop living out of a suitcase. Now that her dad and Hope were on the path to okay, she would pack up and leave tomorrow.