“What do you mean?” Grandma stared at Grandpa.
“Nothing, nothing. I just meant, he’s very well-known, and his face is everywhere now.”
“Such a handsome face,” Grandma interrupted.
“And some woman could take advantage of him and take him for all he’s worth. That’s all I meant,” Grandpa explained.
I glanced at Patrick, and he seemed as happy as could be eating food and listening to my grandparents play matchmaker and psychologist with me over dinner.
“So, what’s going on with Chase? When I talked to him earlier, he said there was stuff going on with Haley’s mom.”
“Your parents met with Haley’s mom again this week. They, and Chase, have offered to help financially with the baby, but Haley’s mom said she doesn’t want or need any financial assistance. She said Haley will give the child up for adoption when it’s born, and she wants Chase to stay away,” Grandpa said.
“And sweet Chase is just trying to help and do what’s right. He’s talked about getting a job away from modeling to help with costs,” Grandma said.
“The girl’s mom is stressed, obviously, and just wants to bury all of this. By keeping Haley and Chase separated, she’s hoping they will forget about one another and probably go on about finishing high school. Your mother said that Haley’s mom pulled her out of school and is going to homeschool her for at least the remainder of the year. It sounds like the baby is due this summer.”
“It’s not going to be as simple as that,” Patrick began and then reached for another dinner roll without looking up. “You can’t go through what they went through and then just forget about it. Everything will be burned into their minds and memories forever. Things will come up that will remind them often.”
Patrick's face paled and then quickly turned a bright red when he looked up.
“I mean, I don’t have any experience with going through something like that along with someone else at the same time. So … maybe they won’t remember it… Or…” Patrick quickly looked down. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Patrick, your thoughts and opinions are always welcome,” Grandpa said.
My stomach dropped as I thought about how terrible all of this was. Patrick dealt with that crap all on his own and with no one to turn to. Chase and Haley at least had one another a little bit. Fuck. Who was I kidding? All of this sucked. I sighed loudly, and Grandpa put his hand on my shoulder and jostled me.
“This is exactly why you need to take a few weeks off, Hollis. It was very evident tonight that you’re very distracted,” Grandpa said.
“Anyone would be in this situation,” Grandma added.
“Morgan might take next semester off. Maybe you should consider taking some time off,” Grandpa added.
“When I talked to Chase a little bit ago, I told him that I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon, and Patrick and I will come get him for dinner. He seemed happy about that.”
“Did you get the warning of making sure you don’t smell like plane people?” Morgan asked.
Everyone at the table laughed because smelling as though you’d been on a plane was such a thing in Chase’s eyes.
“I did, yes.”
Morgan stayed for a little bit after dinner while Patrick volunteered to walk my grandparents back to their room. I handed Morgan a cold beer from the fridge, and we went out onto the balcony.
“So, you’re taking the semester off?” I asked Morgan.
“Yeah. Things with Chase are a mess. Mom and Dad are silently going crazy. I thought maybe I could help with taking Chase to school or some of the counseling sessions so Mom and Dad don’t have to take off so much work,” Morgan said.
“Yeah, Chase mentioned on the phone tonight that he feels like he has no freedom.”
“Mom and Dad are worried sick about him.”
“I know. I’m worried too, and I understand why Mom and Dad are worried. But he feels like he’s being suffocated. On top of which, he can’t even see the girl.” I took a sip from my bottle and leaned back in the chair. “Maybe with you helping, Chase will relax some.”
“Chase apparently is fine around Patrick.”
“Patrick understands somewhat where he’s at.”
“He’s been great and has been helping in between working, and if I just take off the semester, I can help some. And before you open your mouth, Hollis, no one expects you to do anything or take time off. No one wants you to stop what you’re doing.”
