The Headturner

Letting Go

Chapter Twenty Six - Letting Go

Anne was woken up by her ringtone playing.

"Adam?" She asked, still sleepy.

"Hey, you awake yet?"

"What does it sound like?"

"Sorry." He chuckled. "I need to talk to you. Can we meet?"

"Sure. Is everything okay?"

"I'll tell you in person. Can you drop by at my place?"

"Of course. You're scaring me, you know?"

"Don't worry. Just be here, alright?"

Anne had a feeling in her gut that something was not right. But there was only one way to know what. She contemplated whether to call Neil and Tanya, but Adam might not have liked it.

When she reached Adam's place, she was shocked to see suitcases all packed up. Adam was sitting on his bed, his back facing her. Her emotions were all mixed up with confusion, dread and hopelessness.

"Adam?"

As he turned to look at her, she saw it. Something was wrong indeed. There was worry in his face. She had never seen him like that. He walked up to her and hugged her like there was no tomorrow.

"What's wrong?" She was trying her best to keep it together.

"It's my mom. She had a stroke."

"What? Oh my God I'm so sorry."

"Yeah. She is alone, Anne. I need to go take care of her."

"You are going to Seattle?"

"I'll be back soon. Half her body is paralyzed and it will be hard to move her."

"Oh my God. I want to see her."

"Not now. I don't think she needs any more excitement right now. I will bring her here, I promise."

"It will be months before she can move."

"We will figure it out. Annie, please be strong for me."

That triggered her tears to fall. On the one hand, she was feeling worried for Adam's mom. On the other, she did not want Adam to leave. At the risk of sounding selfish, she blurted out what she was feeling.

"I don't want you to leave."

"Anne, she needs me."