Return What Was Lost

Chapter 40

Julian was catching up on a missed assignment in the library when Headmaster Davidson came and sat down across from him.

"Ready to go pick up Avery?" he asked.

Julian nodded. "Now?"

"In a minute, we need to talk about something," Headmaster Davidson said.

Julian raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Headmaster Davidson took a deep breath. He seemed to be contemplating his next words very carefully.

"Avery's mother was using drugs this whole time and she was on drugs when she was driving that day."

Julian sucked in a deep breath. Partly because that was a lot to take in, but mostly because he was mad at Avery's mother, who from beyond the grave, had yet again found a way to disappoint her daughter.

Julian laced his fingers together and rested his elbows on the table in front of him.

"What did Avery say about it?" he finally asked.

Headmaster Davidson shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not going to tell her," he finally admitted.

Julian gave him a look. "That's not going to solve anything."

Headmaster Davidson sighed. "I know, but I can't imagine the kind of grief she'll feel when she knows the truth."

Julian could sense there was more than Headmaster Davidson was letting on.

"Truth?" Julian repeated.

Headmaster Davidson took a deep breath. "Well it would appear," he said looking down at the table, "that Grace was aware of Avery's inheritance and it's very likely that was why she was trying to come back into Avery's life."

Julian's eyebrows furrowed together. That was awful."

"Just let her have this peace right now, even if it's short lived."

Julian just shook his head as he followed the man to the parking lot. He knew Avery better than her uncle did. She would want to know the truth.

However, judging on her mood when they arrived at the hospital, she might have already known. The nurse who had wheeled her out seemed to be talking to Avery who had a rather stoic look on her face. It looked like she didn't even realize the woman was speaking to her.

When Julian came over, her eyes seemed to brighten a little. She managed a small smile as he grabbed her bag. He helped her into the car and her uncle began to drive.

Julian continued to study her very carefully.

"Are you hungry?" her uncle asked. "We can get dinner before we go back."

Julian glanced over at her again.

"That's okay," she mumbled. "I'm not hungry."

She must have felt his eyes on her. Avery turned her head and noticed his concerned look. Avery took his hand in her own and squeezed it gently.

"Relax," she whispered. "I'm just not hungry."

Julian frowned. Here he was trying to take care of her needs and still Avery was trying to soothe him. He squeezed her hand back but continued to worry.

Julian moved a bit closer and whispered in her ear. "What's bothering you? Your eyebrows are doing that thing again."

That seemed to semi-amuse her and semi-annoy her. She just sighed and shook her head. Julian let it go and Avery just rested her head on his shoulder for the rest of the drive.