A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 30

Gavin had promised to accompany Georgia to the doctor, and they had made plans to meet at his house before their appointment. However, there was something he felt compelled to do before Georgia arrived. In the early morning, he found his mother in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee, seemingly ready to leave. She nearly dropped her mug when she saw Gavin, clearly not accustomed to seeing him out of his room. In truth, he was still getting used to the idea himself. It surprised him how easy it now felt to leave his room. He no longer wanted to stay locked up, especially after getting a taste of the outside world again.

"Oh, Gavin, you startled me," his mother said with a warm smile.

"It's Friday," he pointed out.

"Indeed, it is."

"What do you usually do on Fridays?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. Is this some kind of pop quiz?" she teased.

"You go out," Gavin stated matter-of-factly.

His mother looked at him, a mix of surprise and uncertainty crossing her face. She lowered her mug slightly.

"What?" she asked.

"Call Dad and plan something with him. I'm sure if you tell him you're dressing up for a nice dinner or some other special plans, he'll come running," Gavin suggested.

"Gavin..."

"I want you to go out with Dad. Mom, you and he need some time together. I know I've taken up a lot of space, but I can take care of myself."

"But that would mean you're alone for an entire day," she pointed out.

"You mean alone with you," he countered. "Dad hasn't been around."

"Gavin, your father just needs—"

"Time? It's been quite a lot of time," Gavin argued. "He's had plenty of time, but he and I... It doesn't have to ruin what you have."

"Nothing about you has ruined anything," his mother exclaimed.

"But it has, and now I want you two to reconnect. Mom, I'll still be confined to this chair, whether you go out or not."

"Yes, but at least you have me here with you," she reassured him.

"I have Georgia."

His mother seemed to soften upon hearing Georgia's name.

"You like her?" his mother asked, making Gavin shrug.

"She can be quite annoying, and she talks a lot. She has a weird interest in vampires and werewolves, and her fashion sense is peculiar, but in the end... she's okay."

His mother laughed, shaking her head. Gavin was almost surprised by the sound. When had he last heard his mother laugh? He couldn't recall. The realization weighed on him. He knew he was partly responsible for her not having laughed in a while.

"I'm glad you've warmed up to her."

"I think we just... recognize something similar in each other," he mumbled, averting his gaze.

"What?" his mother asked, but Gavin shook his head. He wasn't ready to discuss Georgia's illness. He wasn't even certain his mother was aware of it, and it was Georgia's private matter. Given that Georgia had no plans to share this information, he could only assume she hadn't informed many people.

"It's not important," Gavin told her.

"Well, I'm glad you've found something in each other. All I want is for you to find happiness again. No matter what, happiness can be found if we look for it," his mother reminded him.