I laughed, but before I could answer her, my phone vibrated again.
Mother hell!
“I need to get this,” I stated. Chloe nodded and walked away. With a shaky hand, I flipped my phone and answered. And listened. The doctor on the other end of the line spoke, but I couldn't respond.
My knees buckled.
My words lodged in my throat.
“Hello? Brielle, are you still there?”
My piece of shit father was nowhere in sight and I had ignored my mother's calls.
Finding my voice, I responded. “Yes, I'm here. I'll be on the first plane out.”
Without another word, I flipped the phone shut and tossed it in my purse. My flip flops smacked against the concrete, the rubber slapped against the soles of my feet as I ran in the direction of my car. Tears blurred my vision and my heart felt as if it would explode in my chest. My mother was in intensive care, I was thousands of miles away, and my father was gone. When I reached my car, I bent at the waist and emptied my stomach; bile burned my throat.
Unable to think straight, I hopped in my car and drove toward Nate's house. He was the only person who could calm me. He was the anchor I needed to keep me grounded. Within a few short minutes, I pulled into his drive and sprinted across the lawn.
Frantic.
Scared.
Lost.
Nate pulled the door open and I dove toward him. Unable to control myself, I sobbed. He cradled me in his arms. “Brielle, what's the matter? Please, baby, talk to me.”
“My mother . . .” I cried out. “My mom had a stroke.” The realization hit home. My poor mother alone at home trying to call me as she suffered from a stroke. My mother was my everything. I’d never agreed with her actions. I despised that she stayed with my father over the years. But she was my world. I was her little girl; she’d given me countless words of wisdom and had raised me on her own. I realized she never left Brian because she truly loved him. And for the first time in my life, I knew what love really was. Stupid as it may be, love was a powerful son of bitch that you could never tame.
“It's okay.” He held me tighter to his body.
“It's all my fault.” I buried my face in his chest. “She called me and I didn't answer. I wasn't there. No one was there.”
“Shh . . .” He kissed the top of my head. “It will be okay.”
Nate’s embrace soothed me. “I have to go see her,” I whispered.
“I'll go with you.”
His words were like my saving grace. I looked up into his green eyes. “Yeah?” The thought of facing my father petrified me. I had so much hatred toward him, but until my mother chose to leave him there was nothing I could do. He would be in charge of her care, and that thought alone was my worst nightmare.
“Of course.” Nate’s eyes scanned mine and there was no hesitation. He wanted to do this for me.
“I need to get a plane ticket.”
“Okay. I have one final and then I'll meet you at the airport? Is that okay?”
“Oh, God.” I lowered my head. “We have finals. You can't miss finals.”
Nate cupped my face and kissed my lips. “I'll talk to the dean. It’ll be okay, I promise. This is a family emergency. He’ll understand.” He kissed me one last time before I gathered myself and made my way back to my dorm.
Delaney was nowhere in sight. I didn't care to text her. I grabbed my essential items and shoved them in a bag. Maxing out my emergency credit card, I bought two round-trip tickets to Chicago. I immediately felt better. He’d be with me every step of the way. Once I had the confirmation number, I sent him a quick text.
Me: I got the tickets. I'm emailing you the information. I'll see you at the airport. I love you.
Nate: I love you, too. I'll be there.
With my carry-on packed, I waited outside for the cab. The guilt of leaving Delaney without any notice got to me, so I flipped my phone and called her. It rang once before it went straight to voicemail.
“Hey, it's me.” I spoke softly. “My mother had a stroke. I'm on my way to the airport now. I don't know the state she's in, but I should be back soon. I'll call you when I get there.”
The cab pulled up to the curb and I slid my phone into my back pocket. “Where to?” the cabbie asked when he tossed my suitcase in the trunk of his black sedan.
“The airport, please.”
Climbing in, I sat back on the leather seat and turned my head, staring out the window as we drove through campus. It was then I spotted Delaney running out of Austin's car. Austin was good friends with Stu, Nate’s roommate. We all hung out with the same crowd. Delaney looked as though she’d been crying. What had happened? Or better yet, what was going on? Austin sat in the driver side, his head resting on the steering wheel. I wanted to comfort my friend. I didn’t want to see her suffer. Over the past few weeks our relationship had changed but it didn't mean I didn't still love her as my sister. I didn’t wish any harm for Delaney. But I was on the way to the airport. My mother needed me.