“Desperate to get back to his family.”
My head falls back against the chair, tears springing to my eyes without warning. It has been months since I’ve heard from the facility, and I have fallen victim to my optimism. According to Daphne, the last three weeks are all about preparing them for the transition back to their everyday lives. Without that, I don’t have hope that Travis can stay clean.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
We say our goodbyes and I slip my phone into the pocket of my sweatpants, standing at the railing and bracing my hands against the cool metal. If Travis has left…
I frantically take my cell out and dial Blue’s number, putting the phone to my ear as I pace the balcony, my left thumb nail between my teeth.
“Did you know Sam was going to leave her at the altar?” She asks as she answers the phone. “I know you didn’t want to spoil the show for me, but you could’ve warned a girl.”
“Travis left rehab.” My voice quivers, the panic becoming all-consuming. If he is on his way here, Claire cannot be in the apartment—regardless of whether he is sober.
Blue swears softly under her breath before I hear the familiar sound of her keys. “I’ll be there in ten.”
I hang up and turn around, entering my bedroom as quietly as I can. I sit on the edge of the bed, taking a couple minutes to control my breathing, to calm myself down, before I go back into the kitchen to help Claire with the rest of her homework. She cannot see me like this.
“Mom,” Claire yells, and I startle, jumping off the bed and walking towards the door. “Someone’s at the door.”
My hand flies to the handle and rips the door open, and I practically run down the hallway. I see Claire's furrowed brow as I speed past her, sliding to a stop at the front door. I glance out the peephole and release a relieved sigh, yanking open the door to reveal Blue leaning against the frame.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she says as she moves to stand in front of me.
“Sorry.” I let out a shaky breath, running a hand through my hair. “I lost track of time. Thought you were Travis.”
Blue gives me a sad smile and pulls me in for a hug. “Don’t stay here. Come to my place, or better yet, you and Claire should go to JJ’s. He doesn’t know her, so he won’t find you.”
I shake my head and pull away, glancing back into the apartment to see my daughter still sitting at the table as she tries to fix her mistakes. Turning back to my best friend, I release a heavy sigh and run my hand down my face.
“I can’t do that to Claire or JJ.” I take a step back so she can enter. “Besides, she’d be more comfortable staying with you, and I can’t run from him. We need to have this conversation.”
“If he hurts you?—”
“He won’t.”
The uncertainty in my voice causes her hands to fist at her sides. “You know what he’s like when he’s on something. You can’t predict what he’ll do.”
Before I can reply, Claire comes walking towards us and wraps her arms around Blue’s waist. She glances between the two of us, a confused expression on her face.
“What’s going on?”
“RJ is out of town this weekend, so I thought I’d come steal you away to keep me company at his place.” Blue casts a sideways glance in my direction. “I know how you love looking out at the water and walking the beaches.”
To my surprise, Claire doesn’t seem too excited. She looks up at me, a slight frown on her face. “Where are you going?”
“I have some work I need to do,” I lie, hoping my smile is convincing enough. Based on the look she gives me, I don’t think it is.
“Go grab a pair of pajamas and something to wear to school on Monday,” I tell her, gently smoothing down her hair. “Blue will drop you off at Heather’s tomorrow, and she’ll drop you off at school on Monday. I’ll pick you up after, okay?”
Claire says nothing as she stalks off toward her bedroom. I cover my face with my hands as I lean against the wall, swallowing the lump in my throat. Blue puts a hand on my arm, drawing my attention to her.
“I hate lying to her,” I whisper, wringing my hands together. “I hate that she knows I’m lying to her.”
“I know.” Blue’s voice is just as soft. “But you can’t exactly tell her the truth, either. At least not until you talk to Travis and figure out what comes next.”
I nod, knowing she’s right, but not hating it any less. A moment later, Claire comes walking back towards us, stopping in the kitchen to throw her school work into her backpack. As she approaches my side, I bend down and give her a hug, holding on for a moment longer than I normally would.
“I love you, baby,” I tell her, giving her one last squeeze before letting her go.
