He didn’t deny it.“I’ll try not to hover more.”
That made me smile.
Mom’s house came into view sooner than I expected.I had only been in Weston for a short bit before I made the hospital my residence for a week, so I still didn’t know where everything was.
Cole parked in the driveway and came around to my side, opening the door.
“I can open my door,” I said.
“I know,” he replied.He held his hand out to me.“I was just being nice.”
I looked at his hand.“Sorry.I didn’t mean to be… bitchy.I just…”
“Need to rest your eyes?”he laughed.
I put my hand in his.“Yes, I think that will help.”
He helped me out of the car and slammed the door shut.
Nickel pulled up on Cole’s bike and parked it at the curb.Karmen pulled up right behind him.They both waved, and Nickel climbed into the car.
“She wasn’t joking when she said we didn’t have to entertain them,” I laughed.
We made the short walk to the front door, and he helped me in.
Inside, the house was quiet but not empty.
“Star?”Mom called from the kitchen.
“In here,” I answered.
She appeared a second later, her eyes scanning me from head to toe, relief flashing across her face before she masked it with a smile.“Look at you,” she said.“Out in the wild.”
“Barely,” I teased.
She stepped in and hugged me carefully, like she was afraid to squeeze too hard.“Your room’s ready.Mine’s upstairs.”
“I know.I have a concussion, but my memory is still good,” I laughed.
Mom laughed.“You were only here a little bit.I moved a few things so you wouldn’t have to reach too much in your room,” she added.“And I set all of your stuff out in the bathroom.I tried to make everything easy.”She turned to Cole and gave him a quick rundown of the house.
The house wasn’t small, but it wasn’t like it was a sprawling mansion.
Cole nodded.“Got it.”He hitched his thumb to the couch.“I’ll just need a pillow and blanket.”
Mom nodded.“I’ll get that for you once I pull dinner out of the oven.”The timer sounded right on cue.“I hope you like ham and cornbread.It’s Star’s favorite.”
“I like anything,” he smiled.
“Oh, please,” Mom said as she made her way back to the kitchen.“I’ve eaten Carnie’s cooking.I know you guys have very high standards.”
“Uh, do you think I could lie down for a little bit before dinner?”I asked.Just standing there was exhausting.
Cole moved close to me and gently held my arm.He looked down at me.“You okay?”
I blushed and nodded.“Yeah, just learning that lying in bed for a week did not help my stamina.”
“Take a nap, honey,” Mom called.“I’ll heat up a plate when you wake up.”
