Chapter 16
Jeremy
Freshly brewed coffee is something I love waking up to. I can see Raquel pouring into two mugs, and when she sees I’m awake, she smiles.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep here,” she says, taking a sip. “It just got late and I guess we were both tired.”
She doesn’t have to apologize. Last night is going to help me get through today. Raquel has made some obvious points, and she’s right. I need to buck up and spend what time I can with my father, even if I can’t be me. Hazel is going to have trouble and until she experiences it, I don’t think she will understand how frustrating and confusing it is for our father not to recognize us. When someone walks in and says they are your kid, and you know you don’t have any kids, then it can disrupt their state and overwhelm them.
“When is Hazel getting in?” she asks.
“Honestly, I do not know. She took the first flight out of Massachusetts, so I would assume in the next couple of hours. She should text me.”
I put on the news just like I would if my father were here, and enjoy my coffee before dealing with everything that is happening today. Raquel is snuggled up to the arm of the couch, and I figured she would have bailed the moment she woke up.
My phone buzzes against the coffee table, and Hazel’s name is sliding across the screen. I look at Raquel.
“Morning, sis. Catch a flight?”
She sounds like she’s driving. “Almost to your house. Got a taxi.”
“I would’ve come and got you.”
She can afford to take one, but why spend the money when you have someone who can pick you up? Sometimes, I just don’t understand her.
“Didn’t know if you were still asleep, and didn’t want to wake you so early. Chill.”
Fuck. Raquel can’t be here when she shows up or Hazel is going to flip. Yeah, I know I’m a grown ass man, but we have enough to deal with today, and don’t need to add anything to our plate.
“Alright, see you soon.”
I hurry off the phone and jump up. “Sorry for this, but you have to go. Hazel will be here any minute and she’s made it clear not to date you. Well, dad’s nurse. I’m so sorry.”
Her expression seems genuine. “I understand. Gotta get ready for work, anyway.”
She grabs her purse, keys, and walks out of the door.
I take her coffee cup into the kitchen and wash it before Hazel gets here so there is no evidence, and open the front door waiting for her to pull up. She’s either going to be a mess or overly happy. One thing I’ve learned over the years, Hazel does not deal with grief very well. When we lost our foster mother, her entire world crashed around her. For both of us, it was the first time we had both a male and female role model that didn’t want to throw us out like garbage.
A black car comes rolling down the street and then pulls into the driveway. That’s her. I walk toward the trunk to help with her bags, and when she gets out, I’m shocked. Here she is wearing sweatpants, an oversized shirt, and tennis shoes, hair in a messy ponytail and no makeup. I’m not mocking her for it, but this is a rare sight. She is usually very well groomed and dressed, especially if she’s out in public. This tells me she is not holding it together.
“Let’s get you inside,” I say, following behind her and closing the door. “I’ll take these up to the spare bedroom. There’s fresh coffee if you want some.”
I’m trying to pull myself together because usually she would be the one keeping me organized and where I need to be. It looks like that’s going to be me for now. So, I need to put my game face on, and be strong as fuck, because Hazel is going to lose her shit when she sees dad.
“Alright, I’m gonna have another cup of coffee and make some toast before we head over to see dad. You want any?” I ask, going down the staircase and notice her already laying down on the couch.
“Coffee would be nice. I haven’t slept at all.”
I would never say it out loud, but the dark circles under her eyes give it away. “So, Aiden decided not to come?”
She sits up on the couch and stares at me. “He is flying in later today. An event was scheduled for the bookstore. I told him to stay.”
And see if that was me, and the person I was in love with was in this situation, I would drop everything to be there for them. So, I have my doubts about Aiden and if he is the right person for my sister. Who the hell lets their girlfriend come to something like this alone? That’s just an asshole move, no matter what work crap you have going on.
I slide two pieces of bread in the toaster and pour myself more coffee. She doesn’t seem to want to talk, so I leave it be. We are each going to deal with this in our own way, and I can’t get mad at how she is acting. I have to remind myself that last night I was a fucking mess, and I would be right now if I didn’t have to put on a poker face for her. Big brother rules.
Once my toast is done, I garble the first one down and tell her to get up and head to the car. We can’t sit around here all morning. She is here to see dad and we can’t put it off. Under these circumstances, we shouldn’t waste any precious time. The optimistic side of me hopes he has come out of his episode and will recognize us because I don’t want her to feel even one ounce of the hurt I did yesterday.