Chapter Twelve
It was ten,and I still hadn’t heard from her. Surely, visiting hours would be over by now. I needed to take a leak. Really fucking bad. I turned off my car, locked it, and made my way into the hospital to find a restroom.
The last thing I wanted Nora to worry about was texting me, but it was killing me not knowing what was going on. I hated not knowing how she was doing. Was she holding it together? Was she doing all right? Was she breaking down because of how tough everything was? I could have gone to a bar to watch a game to pass the time, but I was compelled to stay close by in case she needed me.
It’s your responsibility as a human, man, brother, friend, son to always look out for those who need help. It’s not only your duty but a privilege.My mom’s voice came into my mind as I washed my hands. They were unconventional parents in many ways, but they’d instilled in us the value of family, humility, and duty. Help took various forms, and while they preferred money and donations, Gilly channeled it by teaching and making change in the community by focusing on literacy. Christopher, too, had a passion for it.
Helping Nora through this crisis was the right thing to do.
I was getting a water from a vending machine when a familiar voice carried from the hallway.Nora.
“Let me come back, please. I can help with the care and the grounds. I belong at home with you both,” Nora said, her voice shaking at the end, and the same overwhelming disappointment hit me. She hated her life here. Even though I’d tried to make it bearable, had I done enough?
“Leanora, this isn’t up for discussion. You heard your father. He’ll be fine.”
“He’s getting older, and you can’t do everything.”
“I can handle things just fine. It’s you, dear, who need to learn to live! You’re doing so well down there and—”
“No, I’m not. Most of the Carters are all out of town, and it’s just me with all these people who think I’m ridiculous. They don’t listen to a word I say and laugh at me when I leave. It’s horrible. I want to come home. I’ll just…wait five more years until I’m of age to get the money.”
“Nora, stop. Listen to me.”
Footsteps thudded closer, and I froze. If they came in here, I could pretend I wasn’t listening, but there was no way to prove that. The only way out was to walk by them.
“Mom, please. I’m not made for this type of life. I can’t do it.”
“You will. You will see this through. I don’t care. We spoiled you despite our best intentions, and you have the biggest heart and best soul, but you need to grow up. Away from us.”
Nora sniffed, and my face burned for her. This was brutal to overhear. I could only imagine how embarrassed she’d be if she knew I was right there. But it sounded like her father was doing okay, so that was the best news possible.
“You and Dad are all I have.”
“That’s the problem, sweetheart. That’s a not a life.”
My muscles tensed, waiting to hear what Nora said, but no sounds came from the hallway. I sneaked a peek and found them gone. I sighed in relief and made my way back out to the car, replaying her words over and over. Nora thought her life was just with her parents and the mansion, and her plants. Maybe that stemmed from the issue with losing her only friend, or…it was fear. She was outside her comfort zone in every way possible, and that was terrifying.
Like if I quit my job.Would that be the same thing she felt right now? Without direction, but the spark of a maybe? It was tough. I scrubbed my hands over my face and got my phone out of my pocket when it pinged.
Nora: He’s okay. Heading to your car now.
Fritz: glad to hear it.
I tapped my fingers again, my anxiety over how to act when I saw her building. She would probably be sad or even annoyed at her parents. Her mom pushed her out of her bubble, again, while she was already worried about her dad. She might double down on trying to find Anthony or shut down completely. I know if my parents forced me to do anything…I’d shut them out. I’d rebel against everything they said.
A rebellious Nora. I liked the idea of that. Doing all the things most people got out of their systems as teenagers. Staying out late. Watching R-rated movies. Maybe a few X-rated ones, even. Skinny-dipping. Going to second base in the back of a dark movie theater. Fuck, I’d love to corrupt her.
Had she ever steamed up the back seat of a Beemer? Heat prickled my skin. I adjusted my growing erection.
Knock. Knock.
I jumped.
Nora stood outside the car.
What the fuck was I doing? Fantasizing about the nightmare next door? I’d lost my mind, clearly.
I got out, refusing to analyze the lightness in my chest that coincided with her return, and took her bag from her. “I’m so glad he’s okay.”
