A Five-Minute Life

“I stole it from her. She’s got nothing to do with this.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence.”

“Leave her alone. She’s a good person.”

“You need to come back, Thea. You have—”

“Brain damage? I’m not sick, Delia. I’m finally well, and I’m done wasting time.”

A short silence and I could practically hear her desperate attempt to hold on to control.

“I’ll have him arrested.”

I barked a harsh laugh. “For what?”

“Kidnapping a brain injury patient—”

“You try to have him arrested and we’re done forever. I swear it.” Frustrated tears stung my eyes. “Don’t do this, Deel. Mom and Dad would hate this.”

“They would,” she said, her own voice cracking. “They’d hate how you’re risking your life for a man—”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“And going where?” she said quickly. “To New York City? For how long?”

“I don’t know yet. A week, maybe more. And when I come back, it won’t be to Blue Ridge. I’m going to get my own place. Go back to art school.”

“So you’ll come back to Richmond?”

My gaze slid to Jimmy. Who lived in Boones Mill.

“I don’t know all the details, yet,” I said. “I’m going with the flow. But whenever I come back, I’m going straight to a judge and rescinding your goddamn power of attorney.”

“That’s not important. You’re—”

“It is to me. I want my life back. And I’m taking it.”

“Thea…”

“Go marry Roger,” I said. “Be happy, Deel.”

“Wait—”

I hung up and dropped the phone in my bag. I wiped my eyes. “It’s amazing how you can feel anger and frustration and love for the same person, all at the same time. That’s how family works, I guess.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Jimmy said with a grim smile. “Keep checking in with her.”

“She threatened to have you arrested.”

“She’s worried about you.” He raised a brow. “She’s angry and frustrated and loves you, all at the same time.”

I shook my head, marveling. “You’re amazing, James Whelan. Maybe the last of the truly good men.”

His phone in my lap rang with Delia’s number.

“She’s persistent, I’ll give her that,” I said, offering him the phone. “You want?”

“She got my number from Alonzo, probably. And yeah, I’ll talk to her.” He hit a button and put it to his ear. “Ms. Hughes.”