Whispered Curses

I couldn't look at her, staring down at our hands. "Not quite, technically," I said. "But what she said was really abstract, and it could be taken so many ways. And the thing she was talking about isn't even really a real thing," I babbled. "Like, a weird old version of a name isn't the name someone goes by, so that doesn't make it real. So you could say that…"

"Eden." I looked up to see her face like thunder. "We don't go against The Knowing. Bad things always happen. Remember when your sister broke her wrist? Remember when… well, you know."

"I know, but–"

“Did you not stop to think for one second that it might…" She stopped herself mid-sentence, shaking her head. "No, that's ridiculous. I'm sorry."

My throat nearly closed. "What were you going to say?" I choked. I felt my back freeze, then my core. She couldn’t be saying what I think she was implying.

She laid back a bit, her eyes drooping.

"Mom, are you in pain?"

"No, I'm too dopey to be in pain. But I think I should rest."

"Okay," I said. "Would you like me to come back later tonight?"

She squeezed my hand tightly. "You've just flown all this way. Why don't you have a big dinner and sleep, and come join me for breakfast in the morning? I’ll likely make a lot more sense by then."

"Alright."

I stood up and kissed her forehead. "You be a good girl for nurse Katy now," I said, mimicking her voice.

She jokingly reached out as if she were trying to smack my shoulder. "Thank you for coming out here, Eden."

"Anytime. Rest well."

As I turned to leave, I felt like I was trying to push through a brick wall. My feet didn’t want to move. My breath was rapid and awkward. My heart was racing unevenly.

Once I walked out into that hallway, I was going to have to break up with Eric and never see him again.

I would have thought that knowledge would cause me to burst into tears. Instead, I felt like I’d been electrocuted. There was a weird hum in one ear, and my skin didn’t fit around my joints quite right.

Shuffling one shoe in front of the other, my stomach tightened. I’d have to find a way to get through the next few minutes. Then the next few. One breath at a time, through lips that could never, ever kiss Eric again.

~ Chapter 22 ~ Eric ~

* Green Space *

As I waited in the hallway for Eden, I was extremely glad that I could get her here in time to visit with her mother. I didn't know much about surgeries and hospitals. But everyone who has been through it mentioned that having visitors was incredibly important.

I could see that being surrounded by strangers would be unnerving. People you are familiar with help you feel grounded. At least, that seemed to be the case.

When the nurse came out of Penelope's room, I introduced myself and gave her my business card in case there were any difficulties. She thanked me and went to the nurses' station two doors down. A few minutes later, I heard an older man ask the nurses for Penelope Palmer's room.

"She has a visitor at the moment," Katy said. "But you can wait right here if you like."

"Thanks. Is there any way you can tell me how she ended up with a private room? We can't afford that."

I stood up, catching his eye as I walked toward him. "Eric Stone," I said, extending my hand. "You must be Eden’s Uncle Nick.”

"Yes, I am." He looked confused.

"I’m a friend of Eden's. Don't worry, the private room and nurse are completely taken care of."

"Thank you," he said, clearly looking me up and down.

I always tried to look as subtle as possible, but if someone had a sharp eye, they would probably notice my watch and my shoes. Maybe even that my designer suits were custom fit. I didn't try to walk around announcing that I was extraordinarily wealthy, but if someone was looking for it, the signs were fairly obvious.