Cabin Fever(77)
“Because. No secrets, remember? You promised.”
“That was back in the cabin, and we were talking about snowcones."
“No, it was for everything. Between us, there are no secrets. Not anymore. I admitted I saw Laura’s ghost and now you have to tell me your secrets.”
“The doctor said it was your retina detaching that caused those lights and shadows.”
“Oh yeah? And did my retinas tell me to call you and interrupt your dealer trying to talk you into doing more drugs too? I don’t think so.” I tap my foot on the edge of the coffee table. “I’m waaaiiitingggg…”
“All right, all right, I’ll tell you. But before I do, you have to promise not to freak out. I don’t want your eyeballs exploding on my carpet.”
I shake my head at him. “You will be in so much trouble when my eyes are better. That’s all I’m going to say.”
He leans in and kisses me quickly on the cheek. “Can’t wait.”
I reach out to slap him, but he’s already out of reach.
“Tell me. Now,” I insist.
“Fine. Up until yesterday, Jana was living here with Cassie. But when I told her I was coming back with you, and she knew you had just had surgery, she offered to move back to her place.”
“What?! You kicked your sister out of her house! And the baby too?! That’s terrible, Jeremy, why did you do that?! It’s almost Christmas!”
“No, no, no! I didn’t kick them out. She offered, and I agreed it was the best thing to do. Cassie’s completely fine, I promise. I helped move all her Christmas decorations to her place. It’s totally fine.”
“I can’t believe Jana’s fine with that. Dammit, Jeremy, why’d you do that?”
“Would you rather we stayed at a hotel?”
It takes me a few seconds to answer. I don’t want to say it, but I do. “No.” I try to imagine where I’d be right now if not here. The cabin? No, that would never work. The hospital is too far away if something goes wrong. Leah’s? No way. I couldn’t put that burden on her. She’s pregnant and she’d go nuts trying to take care of me. And a hotel would have been really expensive.
“But what about your other place? Where you were with that guy when I called?”
“It’s full of vermin, it’s got holes in the walls, no heating, and everything else. I told you, it’s in the middle of an abandoned renovation.”
“Are you going to finish it?”
“Maybe. If I have help.”
I chew on that for a while, wondering what I should say next. I can see why he wanted to bring me here, but I still feel bad about kicking a woman and a baby out. Especially during this time of year. Talk about a Scrooge move.
“Did you see Cassie?”
“I did. I drove over to see them when you were there at the hospital all knocked out. I saw everyone for about an hour before I went back to be with you.”
“And?”
His voice loses some of its steam. “And, it went as well as you could expect.”
“Which means…?”
“Which means they are cautiously optimistic about my recovery and seriousness.”
“Hmmm. I’m not sure what that means. Were they happy for you?”
“Yes and no.” He sighs, his voice dropping. “I have a lot of amends to make. I’m not expecting anyone to trust me right off the bat or want to help me out.”
“They’re your family, Jeremy. They love you.”
His hand strokes my cheek. “I know they do. They just need some time. And so do I. This real-life thing is hard work.”
I smile, holding his palm against my face. “I’ll help you.”
“I know you will. I’ll help you and you’ll help me, and somewhere in the middle, we’ll find healing and hope.”
“I already have hope,” I say, grinning like a fool. For the first time in a long time I’m being honest about that and not just saying what I wish were true.
“Me too. Being with you gives me strength. It gives me a reason to keep being me, who I really am. The person Laura knew.”
I’m not jealous this time when her name comes up. I’m starting to think I understand why I lost my sight. “I’m happy for you, Jeremy.”
“I’m happy for me too. And I feel really lucky that I get to do this with you by my side. I hope you’ll stay for a while.”
“I have no plans to be anywhere else.”