Unhinged √

33.

     As Zayn drives us back to town, all I can think about is how his idea actually worked. Unlike the drive to, this one is quiet. Not the terse, boring sort, the serene, content one. We are going at a slightly accelerated pace, thanks to Zayn banishing Newt to the backseat with Pokello and he doesn't seem to mind at all what with him cuddling up with his wife and filling the van with their snores.

The radio is playing some top forty shit because apparently, Meghan is into that stuff but she has it at a low volume that I am grateful for.

Travis is right beside me and for once, he isn't asleep. He is sat facing the window with his back leaned against my side, watching the world whoosh by as we go. His right hand is in my left one and he absently plays with my fingers. Sometimes he squeezes it lightly and I don't think I have ever been happier.

   We get dropped off first and as soon as we get our suitcases out, Zayn zooms off, no goodbye from any of them fuckers. Travis laughs at my angry pout and helps with one of my bags. I rush to take it back because he can barely walk with his ankle still in bandages but he pays me no mind and continues wheeling it up the driveway.

I don't notice her until we are almost at the front door where she is sat and as soon as she sees us, she slowly rises to her feet.

"Ingrid".
Her face is its new cloak of uncertainty as she looks from me to Travis.

"Hi Jake, Travis". He waves gently, his stance a collected calm.

"How long have you been sitting there?" I ask.

"Not long. I tried calling but your number wasn't connecting and I had nowhere else to go. I see you just got back from a trip, I'm sorry about the welcome surprise Jake but I need to speak with you".

"Why? Is everything okay? The baby?" I can't help the panic in my voice.

"The baby is fine". That is a bit of a relief but she didn't say everything is fine.

"Why don't we take this inside?" Travis suggest and proceeds to open the door. We bring our luggage into the foyer and I usher Ingrid to the living room but Travis doesn't follow, he excuses himself to go unpack so he can drop in at his garage.

     Ingrid takes a tentative seat across from me and I really cannot get used to seeing her like this.

"You are really freaking me out, Ingrid. What is wrong?" I lean forward in my seat and in her typical character, she dives right in.

"I am homeless, Jake".

"What? How?"

"Apparently, my parents mortgaged the house to pay for Brett's tuition and we've run out of time and I do not have nearly that amount of money and frankly, I don't think I want to keep living there, Brett moved in with a friend months ago already. I have gotten a job, two jobs but__"

"You can't be going through all that stress in your condition".

"All I need is a place until I can get mine. I can't contact my NGO, I just can't. I tried a shelter for the weekend but it's not safe and I didn't think you'd like knowing that I took your baby there".

"I wouldn't".

"Look Jake, I apologize for being such a mess with a new problem everyday but you are the only one who can help me. I am not asking you do it as an obligation, I'm asking for a favor as a friend and I will pay you back, no matter how long it takes".

"But it is my obligation".

"This would have happened whether I was pregnant or not".

"If it were just you, I'm sure you'd have sorted yourself out easily and I'd have still helped out as your friend". She smiles sadly and it is all that is keeping me from screaming out in frustration. This is not what I had planned to return to.