III
Mom and Jason don’t come back that night. As soon as I’m about to go to bed, my phone rings. I almost don’t answer, but I look over and Fox’s name flashes on my screen. My heart races as I pick it up and I’m not entirely sure if it’s because phone calls make me nervous or if Fox makes me nervous.
“Hello?” I answer, trying not to sound like I was about to fall asleep.
“Taylor?” Fox says quietly.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah I… well actually I’m not sure why I called you. I just don’t want to be alone right now.”
“Try going to bed, it usually helps me.”
“I don’t think I’m going to make it to school tomorrow.”
“I have to try and take off work tomorrow so I can take Luke to the doctor’s. Want me to bring you something?”
“Like?”
“I don’t know. Something sick people need, like soup or Gatorade.”
He laughs but it sounds hollow, “Thanks Taylor, but I’m not exactly that kind of sick. You can stop by and pick me up after school if you don’t want to go to school. I may feel better if I get out of the house.”
“Staying home from school sounds nice, but I’ve missed too many days this semester already. I’ll be over before three,” I say. We exchange good byes and hang up. To be honest I am a little relieved I don’t have to go to the doctor’s by myself. I’ve had a phobia of doctors and doctor’s offices since I can remember. I guess that fear was heightened when I started slitting my wrists.
I barely get out of bed in time to get ready and leave on schedule. I get dressed and go to school sans makeup. I also get a text telling me I don’t have to come in today for work. At least I know I can for sure bring Luke today, which calms my nerves slightly but not enough for me to stop shaking. It’s probably nothing. If I keep saying that maybe it’ll be true. But, then again, healthy little boys aren’t covered in bruises, and they don’t throw up then go back to playing like it doesn’t faze them. I try to push it to the back of my mind. I visit the pre-school between every class, if not during some classes. Lauren seems okay, normal at least. I finish the day just going through the motions. I check the twins out as soon as last period ends and then I head over to Fox’s house. He’s sitting outside, and he looks a little out of it.
I honk to get his attention and he jumps. I mouth an apology as he jogs over to the passenger side. “I didn’t mean to scare you but the appointment is at three and…” I let the sentence drop off because the rest is unimportant.
“No it’s okay, I just wasn’t expecting such a huge hello,” he laughs. He seems tense. I mean to ask him about it but I don’t.
“Fox!” Lauren screeches, causing Luke to jump.
“Don’t scream!” Luke screams back.
“You’re screaming too!”
“Both of you stop!” I screech over them, and they do. They sit quietly all the way to the doctor’s office.
“Wow,” Fox mumbles. To be honest I forgot he was here.
“Sorry,” I blush, “They don’t usually act up.”
