Asher (Ashes & Embers 6)

He will. I know he will. Asher is the most caring and understanding man in the world. He wants me to be happy.

He says he loves me.

Me.

Chapter Forty-Three

Something’s wrong.

I can feel it, like little rats gnawing away on my gut and my mind.

First, an entire day went by where I didn’t hear from Ember at all. No phone call, no texts. All my texts sent to her went unread.

That first night, I sent a text to Kenzi:

Me: Have you seen or talked to Ember?

Kenzi: When?

Me: Today.

Kenzi: No. But we don’t talk every day.

Me: When’s the last time you talked to her?

Kenzi: I’m not sure, maybe two days ago? She said she had a cold when we texted. Then I walked over there with some cough drops but Sarah said she was sleeping. I gave her the stuff and came home.

Me: Have you seen her outside? Have you seen her leave the house?

Kenzi: Dad, I don’t stare out the windows and stalk her! What’s going on?

Me: She’s not answering my texts or phone calls.

Kenzi: She’s probably just resting, or painting. Sarah would let me know if something was wrong.

Me: It’s just not like her. She always answers me.

Kenzi: Did you call Sarah? She’s right in your house, ya know. :-)

Me: No. I don’t want her to think I’m some weird controlling husband.

Kenzi: Well, right now you kinda sound like one ;-)

Me: You’re right. Maybe I’m just overreacting. I miss her.

Kenzi: Do you want me to walk over there? Would that make you feel better? I can see the lights on upstairs from here. Sarah doesn’t go upstairs without Ember.

Me: No. Don’t do that. I don’t want her to think I’m checking up on her.

Kenzi: Try to chill, Dad. She was in a great mood the day we went out. She bought a literal shit ton of new stuff. She was really excited.

Me: Ok. That makes me happy. I’ll try her in the morning. I love you. Kiss Tia for me.

Kenzi: I love you too. Kiss Tor for me ;-)

Later that night, I sent Kenzi a goofy picture of me kissing Tor’s cheek, just to make her laugh. I love my daughter, and I know how much they’re missing each other. So much so that I kinda feel bad for asking Tor to join us on this tour. He’s slipped into playing with us effortlessly, as if he’s been part of the band forever. He’s comfortable on stage, having a blast with the rest of us, but once our set is done, he can’t get on his phone fast enough to talk to Kenzi.

I’m the same way.

Which is why by the third day of not hearing from Ember, I’m almost climbing the walls of the tour bus from missing her and worrying so much.

Finally, I break down and call Sarah’s cell phone.

“Asher, hello…” A hint of nervousness is evident in her voice. “How’s the tour going?”

I resist the urge to tell her I botched two lyrics last night because I’ve turned into a crazy-ass lunatic who hasn’t slept in almost seventy-two hours because my wife has suddenly gone poof.

“It’s going great,” I lie. “I’m sorry to bother ya, but I haven’t heard from Ember in a few days. I just wanted to make sure everything’s okay.”

“Oh. Um, she’s had a terrible cold and has been sleeping a lot. I brought her some soup earlier, and I’m pretty sure she mentioned her phone battery had died.”

I cup the back of my neck and squeeze my sore muscles, thinking about the phone charger right next to the bed.

“Is she alright? Has she been to the doctor?”

“Yes, she’s fine. She doesn’t have a fever.”

“Maybe she should go to the doctor, just to be sure? Should I come home?” Ember hasn’t been sick since she left the hospital. I don’t know if she’s considered high risk of any complications after what happened to her.

“No!” Sarah says loudly. “That’s not at all necessary. I’ve been checking her vitals twice a day like I always do. They’re all normal. She’s taking her meds and supplements. It’s really just a cold. Please don’t worry.”

“Easier said than done.”

“I know, and I understand it’s hard when you’re so far away. But I assure you, she’s fine. She’s just been sleeping a lot. I get the same way when I have a cold and take cold meds. It makes me feel like a zombie.”

“I’d really like to hear her voice. If there’s any way you can get her on the phone with me, even if it’s only for a minute, I’d feel a lot better.”

“I wish you’d called me sooner. I could have put your mind at ease. But I promise you, she’s in her bed sleeping soundly as we speak. I just checked on her about ten minutes ago to see if she needed anything. I don’t think I should wake her if she’s finally resting.”