Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

Vera moves onto another subject, saving me from my reeling mind. We spend an hour in the park talking about anything and everything.

At some point, we end up both crying as I share my story from start to now. She’s the first person outside of Abuela and Elías who knows my history. Vera has this calming mother’s sense about her that I didn’t realize I was desperately wanting, however temporary.

Vera pulls me in for a hug once we stand up from the bench. “Thank you for being brave and sharing a part of your life with me. When I heard about everything you were doing for Jax, I expected you to be strong, but you’re so much more. Thank you for being everything my son needs. For someone who lost so much at a young age, you truly have lots to give to the world.”

After my day with Vera, Jax’s dad planned his version of a family dinner. He barbecues with Jax standing by his side, both of them chatting while Vera and I sit at a table near the pool, sipping wine together. It’s nothing I’d expect from a family with enough money to have their own staff working all hours of the day.

“I could use some more wine. Do you want another glass?” Vera points at my empty glass.

“Sure. But I can get it.” I rise from my seat, but Vera places a trembling hand on my shoulder.

“Nonsense. You’re our guest. It will only take me a moment.” She uses her cane to get out of her chair. Jax’s dad offers to help, but she tells him to bug off.

Jax strides toward me and leans against the glass table. “Surviving the whole day with my mum?”

“More like thriving. She’s incredible.” I crane my neck and smile at him.

He grins back at me, his eyes lighting up in a way I’ve come to enjoy. “Good response. I’m kind of surprised you’re relaxed about all of this since a normal girl would be afraid of meeting a guy’s parents.”

I scoff, pretending I wasn’t scared meeting Zack and Vera for the first time. “That only applies to meeting the parents of a guy you like.”

AKA Jax, but it’s not like I need to confess this information to him.

Jax rubs the spot near his heart. “Here I was thinking you liked me. You’re wounding me.”

“Well—”

Glass shatters in the distance. Zack rushes inside the house with Jax and me on his heels. Another sound of glass exploding pushes us toward the bar area. Vera stares at the ground, her flushed cheeks stained from fresh tears. The sweet smell of wine hangs in the air.

“Shit, sweetheart, are you hurt?” Glass crunches under Zack’s sneakers as he goes to grab Vera.

“No. What a fucking mess! Just another day of me screwing up a fun time for everyone. I don’t know why the bloody hell you stay with me,” she snaps.

Zack lifts Vera and places her on a barstool on the opposite side of the mess. “Because I couldn’t imagine a day without you.”

“Cut the shit. This is hell for everyone.” Vera’s eyes darken, a stark contrast to the warmth they usually reflect.

Shock ripples through me at her sudden change of mood. Is this what the medical journals meant when they described mood changes with Huntington’s Disease?

“No. It’s a rough moment during a good day. That’s different.” Zack pats her thigh.

I shift my attention toward Jax. His eyes match the frown on his face as Zack assesses Vera for any injuries.

“Shit, you were cut. Let me go grab the first aid kit.” Zack rushes off after checking out the gash on Vera’s foot.

“What happened, Mum?” Jax walks up to her and grabs onto her trembling hand.

“What do you think? Put two and two together.”

Jax looks over at me with a pained expression I feel deep within my own chest. I open my mouth to offer reassurance but shut it again once he shakes his head.

Jax faces his mom again. “Accidents happen. It’s just a wine bottle.”

“The only accident is me thinking I could live a normal life. Instead, I cause messes and annoy everyone around me.”

Jax sucks in a breath. “Mum, this isn’t you.”

“This is me. That’s the worst part.” Her eyes water.