The Heart of Katie Grey

Saturday August 23rd

I woke up to the sounds of people walking outside my bedroom door. For a split second before I remembered where I was I almost thought I was still home and my parents were awake before me. But then I remembered everything and felt sick. It was just past 8 in the morning and along with foot steps I heard voices outside. Where they talking about me I thought, was Jenna already telling them what she saw last night? I felt anxious and wanted to run out of my room and interrupt them, if they were talking about me they'd stop.

I decided to skip my breathing treatment this morning and dry swallowed a handful of my meds, consisting of enzymes for my pancreas, azythroymicin for the bacteria in my lungs, Linzess so I didn't get constipated because yes that's my reality, blood pressure meds because it's always too low. Gabapentin so the gnawing abdominal pain wasn't always there. And some Tylenol for the headache I knew I was about to get in the next couple hours for the third day in a row. I threw on some Lulu Lemon shorts and an running singlet and a sweatshirt over it to go into the kitchen. I grabbed my white Hoka Clifton's and Garmin watch before heading out. Walking down the hall towards the kitchen I felt nervous until I heard the sound of Augusts voice

"Well I told her I'd show her around town today" he exclaimed

"But I wanted to go shopping with her" Piped in Jenna

"We need to go to the grocery store, I don't know what kind of food she likes and I want to make sure she has some things to eat around here." I heard Erin say

"I wanted to take her up the mountain to see the view of the valley" Jason added

I was slowly creeping into the kitchen but none of them had noticed me yet, but they were definitely talking about me.

"How about we just ask her what she wants to do today" I heard from a new and rougher voice coming from the mouth of an older man. He turned to me and I instantly saw where his sons got their handsome looks and Montana ruggedness from. He had dark hair, even darker eyes leathery skin tanned and dotted with freckles. He looked at me, the only one to notice my presence, catching me in my intense stare.

"I'm Jackson" he said, and held out his large and calloused hand to shake mine. "You're the shiny new toy around here right now, he said, breaking my intense gaze, but don't let them get too crazy around you"  he added catching the attention of everyone else in the room that I was now in fact in the kitchen and was hearing everything they were staying.

" Thanks"I said as I smiled and let out a fake laugh.

"Oh good morning sweetie" Erin said and once again embraced me in a hug. "You are not just a shiny new toy around here, but we are definitely all excited for you to be our guest, but my husbands right, we can do whatever you want to do today."

"Um I was actually about to go for a run if that's okay" I said, standing awkwardly in front of everyone.

"Oh, a run, sure, just make sure you grab some bear spray from the garage... maybe one of the boys should go with you actually"

"Bear spray?" I questioned too surprised by that to also protest anyone accompanying me on a run I very much wanted to be alone on.

"Yeah, we've got bears, grizzly and black around here, and some big cats too" Jamie said with a snark

"But as long as you have bear spray and aren't carrying a steak in your pocket you don't have too much to worry about and you'll be fine if you run towards town but the first couple miles here it's good to bring" August added. "And I can come with you" he said a little too eagerly, "let me just get changed and grab my shoes real quick" and disappeared down the hall.

"This will be funny" I heard Jamie mutter to Jason across the counter from me under his breath.

"Um actually I think I am okay to go alone" I said