I really had to get the hell out of McLean. Mom was quizzing me about Simon like we were on a game show.
She pushed me to call him and invite him to the New Year’s party at their country club, but I put my foot down at that. He had partners he’d rather spend time with. Besides, I’d rather shove my head in a microwave than stay that long with my folks.
“Maybe, but I’ve gotta get back to work tomorrow, Dad. I have a project that’s due before the first of the year.”
“What about Brooke and Kyle? Can’t they finish things up for you?”
What my parents knew about my business would fit on the head of a pin. “I’m the graphic artist, Dad. I prepare all the artwork. They can’t do my job.”
“I know. I just wish you were closer. We love you and miss you. Your mother tries to do what’s best for you, even though it might not always feel like it.” Dad’s eyes got a little watery, which was a surprise.
“She sees it that way, I’m sure, but tell her not to try to fix me up with anyone else, please. Simon is a nice guy who is already in a relationship. Don’t say anything to Mom. He doesn’t want Mrs. Brownstein to know about it yet.
“Iamperfectly capable of finding someone to date, okay? I love you and Mom more than I can put into words, but there are some things I have to do on my own.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but something had to give.
Dad put his coffee cup on the table. “Believe it or not, we know that you’re a grown man, but we were so afraid you wouldn’t live this long.”
My eyes stung with unshed tears. “I know you both suffered with every hospital stay and all the time we were waiting for word about a donor heart. I remember when they called to say there was a heart available if we could get back to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Remember, you’d brought me home for Christmas and I had to go right back? Did you and Mom find out anything about the donor?”
“Now you’re asking the right questions.”Fucking voice.
“We knew nothing about the donor. The doctor couldn’t share anything except the donor was healthy and didn’t die of natural causes. The nurse accidentally said, ‘It’s a miracle her organs weren’t damaged and could help so many other people,’ so Mom and I assumed it was a woman. She was a match for you, and we drove up and signed the paperwork as quickly as we could, son. We wanted you alive, and we didn’t ask any other questions.” Dad wiped his eyes.
What he’d just admitted to me was more than I’d ever known. “I owe her a lot.”
“Not a lot, but one thing in particular.”There was that voice again.
Huh? What one thing?
Chapter Five
Holden
I sat in my parents’ living room and listened to the stories I’d heard every year for seven years.Remember when Holly... What about the time Holly... I wonder what Holly would be doing...
I stood from the couch and walked out of the living room.
Mom was making another pot of coffee, and I was about ready to lose my mind. “I’ve been here for three days, Mom, and I’m tired of sitting around and listening to these same stories about Holly that we’ve heard since she died. It needs to come to an end. We need to heal and keep the happy memories in our hearts. We can’t keep doing these sit-ins. This isn’t a celebration of her life. This is a funeral every fucking year. I can’t take it anymore.”
“Holden! We are remembering your sister. You shouldn’t speak that way. We miss her very much. Don’t you remember how important she was to you?”
I released a cleansing breath so I didn’t explode, walked over to Mom, and kissed her cheek. “I love you and Dad. Yes, I miss Holly every day, too, but I’m ready to heal from losing her. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”
Mom didn’t say anything, so I went to my room and packed my shit to head back to Baltimore. I didn’t say goodbye to anyone else, I just went out to my truck, tossed my bag in the passenger’s seat, and I headed toward home.
The snow had changed to freezing rain about an hour earlier, which would make for treacherous driving. I had a big truck that could make it through snow, but the black ice under it, and now the freezing rain on top of it, didn’t make it easy for anyone, regardless of what someone drove.
As I started up the ramp to I-66, the tires spun, so I stopped and pushed the button to engage the four-wheel drive. When I got traction, I slowly climbed the ramp. The highway wasn’t crowded, but I could see cars slipping and sliding as they creeped along.
I slowly merged from I-66 to I-495 and as soon as I got onto the Beltway, I saw a jackknifed semi blocking the road. I carefully drifted onto the right shoulder to avoid the mayhem, hoping nobody was injured.
Pulling off the shoulder, I eased onto the snow-covered grass to make way for the first responders as they arrived. Glancing to my right, I noticed a set of headlights facing the wrong way down a slight embankment. There were skid marks partially covered by freezing rain, just before the Clara Barton Parkway exit. It was likely unnoticeable if I’d been driving the speed limit.
My truck was a ton truck with a Hemi V8, so I wasn’t worried about getting stuck. I pulled further into the grass and down the hill where the little car was still running. My stomach flipped when I noticed it was a Prius, much like my sister’s, but a newer model.
I had put my work boots on before I left Manassas, so I slid out of the truck, grabbed my coat and gloves, and put them on. I walked over to the car and knocked on the passenger’s side window. I could see the driver inside, but his eyes were closed and he didn’t appear to be conscious. I tried the handle, but the door was locked from the inside.
I walked around to the driver’s side to find that door was locked as well. I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight feature, shining it at the person behind the wheel. It was a man, and he put his hand up to shield the light from his eyes.
