Lying to the Truth.

Lying to the truth. (Chapter 2)

"If rows F-L would like to approach the ticket-checking desks, your flight is now ready for you to board." A pitchy voice crackled over the departure intercom.

"Oh my god! Why do we always get the seats that are called last?" I whined, bouncing my leg impatiently.

Josh chuckled slightly, placing a hand on my knee, in an attempt to keep me still.

"I'm glad someone finds it funny." I huffed, crossing my arms. I knew very well my reaction was uncalled for, but with the mixture of sleep deprivation and worry, it seemed perfectly plausible.

"Oh cheer up Richards, I was just trying to lighten the mood a little."

Guilt washed over me instantly, as I realised I'd acted irrational. I may have been going through a difficult time, but so was Josh; after-all, he was close to my Dad as-well.

"I'm sorry baby." I murmured into his ear, before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

He took my hand, hauling me from my seat and wrapping an arm around my waist, just as our row was finally called to board the plane.

~~~~

That was hands-down the worst flight of my entire life! Forgetting the delay on take-off, and the stop for refuelling, the storm we encountered for the last two hours of the flight was something else!
I'm surprised Josh still had circulation to his hand after my death-grip.
Needless to say, I was glad to be back on the ground, in a vehicle I was in control of.

"Summer! I wanted to drive, it's not fair! You always get to!" Josh complained, only causing me to laugh at his childish side.

"Oh shush. You can drive next time." I promised, slowing to a stop at the traffic lights, working out which way to go to the hospital.

"Yay!" Josh cheered, taking my hand as I started the car moving again, taking a left.
~~~~

Nerves were beginning to build in me, as we went up in the lift to the hospice located in the hospital. I didn't know what to expect. The last time I'd seen my Dad, he'd look much like his normal self, despite the death sentence hovering above him. Now it was time to say goodbye, I really didn't know how he would be.

"It's gonna be hard Hun, but I'll help you get through this okay? I promise Summer, I'm not going to let you down." And I don't know if it was the raw-emotion in his voice, the way he tilted my head up to his, or the situation I was facing, but I believed him; I truly did.

And as we made our way into my Dad's room, and I saw how he'd become a shadow of his former self, I knew Josh's words were the only thing that was going to get me through this. And although I knew this was it, the faint smile Dad threw in my direction gave me the slightest glimmer of hope.