Chapter 20 Love by. Lana Del Rey #2
“Yeah, she called Jackie and then me and apparently Fai and Sarah after that,” Oliver answered Will. “She wouldn’t tell me what’s up, but said it was important. The fact she called me was reason enough for me to try and find you right away.”
He had a point. Oliver and Theo had met a handful of times, and they were definitely not the best of friends. I had decided they were too different and just rubbed each other the wrong way.
I stood and walked toward the phone that Will had in his living room. As I began dialing I turned to Sarah. “She called you too? Did she tell you what’s up? Is Violet okay?”
“She actually called Fai… but he is taking a moment to evaluate his behavior. Well, I’m making him take a moment. God, I love him, but that man is stubborn. She didn’t tell him either. I’m just here to tell you to call her,” Sarah responded.
I nodded, contemplating what could be so important while the phone rang.
“This is the James household, Theo speaking. How can I help you?” I heard Theo say when she picked up.
“Theo, it’s Jackie. What’s going on?” I asked.
I could hear her exhale in relief. “I’ve tried getting ahold of you all night and all morning. You caught me right before I left. I was going to try calling again when we landed but I didn’t want them to have your number. You need to pack a bag and find a plane,” she hurriedly said.
“Woah. Take a breath, Theo. What’s going on?”
“Kai was hurt at work. His wife called me last night saying he was asking for us and that it was bad, they aren’t sure if he’s going to make it. Where were you all night?”
Kai, or Malachi, our oldest brother, was married? “I’ve been at Will’s. Where’s Kai at? I’ll fly out as soon as possible.”
That got the three others in the room’s attention.
“Where are you going?”
“What’s going on?”
“Is Theo okay? Violet?” They all asked in unison. From Sarah, Will and Oliver respectively.
“We are going to talk about this whole Will thing later. I need details,” Theo responded before hesitating for a moment. “He’s still in Grantsville. We need to go home for a bit.”
I sighed. I always knew we would have to go back someday. Neither of us had been in Grantsville, let alone Utah, since Nate got us out. We hadn’t seen or heard from our parents, and had only heard from Kai a handful of times. While I knew we had to go back, I also knew I would never be ready.
“Can I meet you at the airport? I don’t think I can see them alone,” I asked dejectedly.
“Of course. We promised each other if we ever had to go back, we would do it together,” she responded.
When we made that promise, it was with Nate. Theo and I were silent for a moment, understanding we would have to do this without him. If it wasn’t for Kai specifically asking for us, I don’t think we would have gone. “I’ll see you there. Love you, Theo.”
“Love you, Jack.”
With that she hung up. I listened to the dial tone for a moment before hanging up myself. I guess I was heading home today. I began to make a mental list of everything I needed to do. I needed a flight, to find someone to watch Jedi, I needed to tell Fai I wasn’t coming into work… again.
Fuck, I was going home.
I looked up to see Sarah, Will and Oliver all staring at me with concern. Once I made eye contact with Will, he stood and walked towards me, wrapping me in a hug. As he embraced me I exhaled, long and deep.
In his arms, it all felt a little less scary. “What’s going on, Sunshine?” he asked.
“My brother got hurt. I need to go see him…” I paused for a moment. “He’s still in my hometown. Theo and I are flying out there.”
I felt him tense at my words. “Malachi? Right?”
I nodded in his chest.
“You have a brother?” Sarah asked, perplexed.
I let go of Will to face her. Maybe it was time I stopped hiding so many parts of myself from my people. “Yeah, I have, or had, two. Malachi and Nathaniel.”
I watched as both her and Oliver digested what I was saying, understanding and sympathy showing on their faces.
“Nathaniel’s gone?” Sarah asked timidly.
Once again, I just nodded in response. Oliver looked at me for a moment before showing me again why he is my best friend.
He could tell I hated their sympathy and pity.
He knew it only made it worse. “Your parents named you Malachi, Nathaniel, Theodora, and Ophelia? You sound like Bible characters,” he asked with a laugh, breaking the tension.
I laughed at him. “Yeah, why do you think none of us go by those names? It’s Kai, Nate, Theo and Jackie to us. Our parents despise it.”
“What do you need from us?” Oliver asked.
I sighed. God, these were really my people, my tribe. “Can you guys check on Jedi while I’m gone and water my plants?” I asked.
Sarah and Oliver nodded, signaling their agreement. I turned my attention to Sarah. “Can you tell Fai why I need some time off?”
She walked towards me and stole me from Will’s arms, wrapping me in her own embrace. “Of course. You call me if you need anything while you’re gone, okay?”
“I will. Thank you, Sarah, and you too, Oliver.” I turned towards Will, ready to say my goodbye. I hated leaving him, especially after last night. I didn’t want to leave him. I wanted to continue to explore us. But Kai and Theo needed me.
I started to apologize for having to leave when he spoke first, “I don’t care what you say, I’m coming with you.”
“Will, you don’t need to. You have a job and other responsibilities.” I should have seen this coming.
“You are my top priority, Jackie. I’m coming.
I’ll get a plane and figure out Theo’s as well.
Neither of you need to worry about that right now.
” Will looked at me for a moment before gently grabbing my face.
“You said you wanted more, this is more. I’m coming with you.
” He quickly kissed me before saying a quick goodbye to Sarah and Oliver and left to his office to figure out how we were going to get to Utah.
I stood there shocked by how quickly he took command of the situation. He was right. I wanted more, I wanted this. I think it would just take time to get used to it.
“Hey Jackie, remember when you said you weren’t interested in him? How’s that going?” Oliver said, breaking the momentary silence.
Sarah and I both broke out in laughter in return. “Shut up, Olly.”
He groaned at the nickname before wrapping me in his own hug. “Be safe, call me if you or Theo need anything. Okay?”
“Thanks, Oliver.”
He smiled and turned to leave. “I’ll meet you outside, Sarah.” With that, Oliver left Will’s house.
Finally, I turned to Sarah. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
She had known me for years and never knew about either of my brothers, and also found out one of them had passed.
I was expecting sympathy, pity, or even betrayal at my omission.
Instead I only found admiration. “You’re such an incredible woman, Ophelia. I hope you know that.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
She smiled softly and placed her hands on my cheeks. “Do not be sorry. You have every right to keep your life to yourself if you need to. Just know I love you.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “Does Faizal know?”
I shook my head in response.
She hummed in response. “I have to head out, but just like Oliver said, call one of us if you need us. Okay?”
“Okay. And Sarah?” I started. “Thank you for telling me to come here. I owe you one.”
“Anything for true love,” she responded in a sing-songy voice and she headed towards the door. “Bye, William!” she screamed down the hall where Will had just gone before finally making her exit.
I had the most incredible friends. Without question and without a fight they came together to help me.
Thinking about that brought on thoughts about Fai.
I hated where things were with us right now.
He was one of the most important people in my life, but the person who I talked to yesterday was not the same guy who had helped me all those years ago when I was finally getting sober.
I made a mental note to be sure that when I came back, I sat him down and talked to him about what happened.
For now, I needed to get ready to head back home for the first time in thirteen years.