Cut Off

Chapter 17

I stay at Zach's that night. I can't handle going home and his mom didn't seem to mind. Obviously, she doesn't know what's going on like my parents do, but I'll take a place to sleep while I can.

The next morning, I wake up and Zach has his arms wrapped around me. Then his bed shakes. It scares the crap out of me and I jump.

"SORRY" Zach signs after stopping it.

I forget that that's how he has to wake up every day. Must suck.

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" he asks me.

"YEAH."

Then my phone chimes. I look at it and it's a text from my mom.

Mom: Skylar?

Me: What?

Mom: Where are you? Are you alright? You never came home.

Me: I'm fine. I'm with Zach.

Mom: Okay. Are you still going to the appointment I made for you at 10:00?

Me: Yeah. Zach's going with me.

Mom: Can I come too?

Me: You want to?

Mom: Of course I want to. That's my grandchild. I know your father may have a problem with this, and trust me, I do too, but I'm not missing these doctor's appointments, not unless you don't want me there.

Me: Fine. Meet us there.

Mom: Thank you. See you soon.

Me: Bye.

I look up and Zach is looking at me.

"WHO WAS THAT?" he signs.

"MY MOM. SHE WANTS TO COME TO THE DOCTOR."

"OK. GET READY"

"K."

I put on my shorts from yesterday and one of Zach's sweatshirts. Then I strap on the prosthetic. The rash is still there but the new sock makes it less irritable.

"LET'S GO" I sign to Zach once I'm good to go.

We go downstairs and Ryan is standing at the bottom.

"Where are you going?" he asks in both sign and voice.

"None of your business," I say to him.

I'm kind of angry at Ryan now. I know he wants what's best for his brother, and I do too, but he made it seem like Zach and I would never work.

"Fine. Go ahead then. But you're still leaving in a few days, Skylar. Just be aware of how you're spending your time."

I ignore what he said and Zach and I head to his car. Zach grabs the notebook once we are both in.

Don't worry about Ryan. He doesn't know what's going on.

Maybe, but he's right. I am still leaving in a few days. How is this all going to work? I didn't want to leave you before. And now?

We'll figure it out. I promise. But right now, we have to go.

So we do he pulls out and drives to the doctor's office. We get there five minutes before our appointment and my mom is already in front of the building.

"Hi," I say when we reach her.

"How are you?" she asks.

"Fine."

"Okay. We still need to talk. But first, let's head in and see what's happening."

Zach and I follow her to Dr. Montgomery's office with his arm around my waist, holding me close to him.