Falling Apart, Together✓

Chapter Four

My dinner date with Ransom unfortunately didn't happen that night. I had to cancel last minute because Dad had a flare up that lead to us taking him to the hospital right before Ransom was due to pick me up. I apologized profusely and he assured me that tomorrow would be just as good and I was thankful.

After a long night in the hospital, Dad was released by noon the next day. Linda and Richard had come to help mom get him to her car and I quickly saw myself out, not able to be in the same room as him. I cursed when I made it to the parking lot and I didn't have a ride. Shit! They had caught up to me at this point. "I got him from here Bentley. Why don't you ride back to the house with Linda and Richard?" Because I'll probably combust and kill us all mother, I think. But out loud all I do is nod. I couldn't do or say anything that would set my mom off. It was a rough night for all of us but especially her. She'd been married to dad for so long, I was worried what she'd become when he was gone. If it was anything like last night, my plans would need to change. I couldn't leave her in that type of state.

The car ride back to my parents' is rather uneventful. No one really says anything, which I'm grateful for. Don't get me wrong, I love Linda. But being in a confined space with Richard was causing my heart rate to spike and my anxiety to set in. We were back to my parents' before an attack could start, which I was thankful for. However, that didn't stop one from occurring as soon as I shut myself in my room. God, I didn't need this right now. I had so many other things I needed to be focused on, having a setback was not one of them.

I threw myself into getting ready for my dinner date with Ransom that night. I wasn't typically a vain woman. When you're constantly on the go and throwing yourself into various landscapes and cultures and environments, you don't really pay attention to what you're wearing as long as it's appropriate. I couldn't remember the last time I did a full face of makeup or dressed up. If I had to hazard a guess, it probably have been a work-related function.

I heard the doorbell go off at six o'clock on the dot, as I finished hooking on my heels. I heard my dad let him in and them go into the living room. I started to make my way downstairs when I heard my dad strike up a conversation with Ransom. Curiosity got the better of me and I stopped halfway down the stairs, listening in. "I'm having a flashback right now. However, I don't think you were ever this nervous the first time we did this." My dad jokes, attempting to calm Ransom down. I personally thought that it was sweet that he was this nervous, because so was I.

"The first time we did this, I hadn't been a colossal ass for thirteen years leading up to it."

"That's true but you had tormented her with her brother for her entire life. If she was willing to give you a chance then, why would now be any different?"

"Messing up as an adult is a lot less forgiving than messing up as a kid."

"And yet here you are again, getting a second chance. Just don't mess it up this time."

"Yes sir." I couldn't listen anymore, shocked at how mature Ransom had become. Maybe this time would be different. I came down the rest of the stairs and entered the living room. "You look beautiful." Ransom says, kissing my hand. I can't stop the blush from rising in my cheeks.

"Ok, enough of that. Have her back at a decent hour."

"Dad, I'm not a kid anymore. I don't technically have a curfew."

"I know but I also know the two of you and I don't have the strength to come bail you two out tonight."

"That was one time and Archer was there too."

"Have fun." he tells us before Ransom takes my hand and we walk out of the house together.

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