Page 46 of Pretty Thing

We can’t have that.

twelve

​. . .​

Eden

Time flies, but not because I’m having fun. It’s already Thursday and my third day of PT. Then Felix took me shopping for essentials and every moment is excruciating in some way.

Either my body is barking at me, my mind is guilting me, or my heart aches with the loss of my family. At no point is there a second that I’m just me and I’m okay. Not once do I look outside and not think of the accident. I can no longer see a path forward. It’s as if I’m stuck in place like I’m trapped in quicksand and slowly being pulled under.

I look up at the house as Felix pulls into the driveway, and all I want to do is go to bed and stay there, but my Aunt is flying in for the funeral on Saturday and, wants to see me.

“You sure you don’t want me to stay and run interference,” Felix asks as we put the car in park.

“No, I need to deal with my aunt on my own.”

He looks like he wants to argue, but nods instead.

“Okay, let me help you to the house.”

Jumping out, he walks around the car, and I’m super annoyed that he has such rapid healing abilities. He got rid of his Aircast completely and says he barely notices any pain in his foot. I glance at my arm. Don’t I wish.

He helps me out, and together we make the journey up the stairs to my front door. Felix holding me with one arm and my shopping bags with the other.

“Thanks for the lift. I really should figure out a permanent way to get around.”

“Don’t worry about it. I like being your Uber,” Felix says with a warm smile. “Text me before you go to bed and let me know how it goes. I’ll be here Saturday at nine to pick you up for the funeral. We need to be at there earlier than everyone else.”

“You’re coming?”

He cups my cheek. “Of course, I am. I’m not letting you go through such a horrible day alone.”

I open my mouth to tell him that there will be dozens of people there, but his warm lips touching my cheek freeze the words in my throat. There is a warmth in his touch that I find myself craving. It’s as comforting as wearing my favorite sweater.

“Okay,” comes out instead.

He smiles wide. “That’s my girl. Talk to you later.”

He jogs down the steps, gets in his car, and backs out of the driveway before my brain can catch up to the words, my girl.

I’ve barely closed the door when my aunt arrives. The fast pounding gives her away every time. I swear she is part woodpecker. Using the fancy cane with the turtle end that Felix gave me yesterday, I limp back and open the door.

Aunt Doreen storms through the entry, grabbing me in a hug that hurts. A squeak is all I can muster.

“Oh, there is my sweetheart. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this,” she says.

“Let the girl breathe, Doreen. She looks like she’s in pain,” Uncle Fred says, coming to my rescue.

Doreen pulls back, but hangs onto my shoulders while I wince.

“You must know that your mother wouldn’t want you to be sad. She’d want you to celebrate their lives and get on with yours.” I open my mouth, but she cuts me off. “I’m going to make all the arrangements. You don’t have to worry about a single thing. I just hope that someone can fit your parents in before next Wednesday. We have to fly back to Vancouver for a friend’s daughter’s wedding, and we have to drive six hours to get there. So, we basically get home, shower, sleep for a few hours and then shop and get in the car to travel again.”

She sighs loudly at the apparent hardship.

I really don’t care, but I stay quiet and take off my boot. Not that she notices me struggling and offers to help. Of course, not. It’s my Uncle Fred that bends down and helps me pull it off while Doreen marches into the living room and looks around like she’s doing a home inspection.

Uncle Fred and I stare at one another. I’ve no idea how he’s stayed married to her for so long. Twenty years. I’d be in prison right now if it was me. He gives me a gentle one-armed hug and a light kiss on the cheek.