Camryn Quinn is finally getting what she wants...sort of. Moving into a dorm and away from her not so supportive father is a good first step, but like everything with him-it comes with strings. She must attend the college of his choosing for at leas...
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I had convinced myself in the Houston airport that I was making a mistake and then again when I landed in the Dallas airport for my layover. But it wasn't until I landed in the small Abilene airport that I actually considered turning around, rebooking a ticket and just going home. I could save myself from all the situations I knew were waiting for me on the other end of my Uber ride. It's the same reason that when I got to the hospital and went to the floor Nora told me their mom was on, I couldn't even tell the nurse who I was there to see. It was like if I spoke the words aloud that everything would fly at me all at once. It wasn't until I was outside, pacing and contemplating what I would say to him, that I finally let myself think about what it means. Because no one rushes to an airport, spends twelve hours waiting for planes and connecting flights to be with someone just for it to not mean something.
Gabi accused me of running away from my problems, but what does it mean if I run towards them just adding kindling to the fire? But for every thought like that, another would invade my brain. A mixture of panic and excitement have fueled adrenaline for the past day. Stepping off the plane in Abilene felt like stepping into a space filled with the freshest air. I could instantly breathe better just knowing I was closer to Taylor and his family. The only better feeling was finally seeing him. His eyes were bloodshot and heavy with stress and all I couldn't think about was jumping into his arms and letting my legs wrap around his middle.
Shea's hand begins to rustle under mine, forcing me to sit a little straighter. I'm not sure what to expect. I don't know if she's sedated or on any other medications. Taylor didn't tell me if they've started any sort of hospice care, but knowing they can't do anything else for her cancer I can only assume that it's coming.
"Taylor?" Shea calls out. Her eyes open slowly and then close again as if she's still drifting in and out of her deep sleep.
"He's uhm... he went to get Nora from school. It's Camryn, Shea. Taylor's friend Camryn." I say. I lean forward to give her a better angle of my face just in case she can't see me from where she's laying. She grabs the remote and asks me to sit her up a little further.
"I'm out of it honey, but not too out of it to forget who you are or that you are not just Taylor's friend." I blush at her sudden with-it-ness. She's obviously on no type of sedation. She attempts to readjust herself and I help to resituate the pillows behind her. Now that she's sitting up she looks more like herself.
"Hi...I just— wanted to come see you, check on you guys after I heard," I say. She turns her head slightly, but I decide to move and sit on the edge of her bed to make it easier on her.
"I'm glad you did, my Tay needs you. I told you he would, but I was worried that he ruined it. You know, when he decided to be a jackass and take the money from your brother. I told him he didn't deserve for you to ever talk to him again. I've always taught him that his actions have consequences. I hope he's been leaving you alone. That's what I told him to do. He needed to let you make the first move." For someone who was just sleeping deeply her words come out fast and so matter of factly. But maybe it's because she knows she will fall asleep again soon, and needs to get it all out quickly. I appreciate the way she isn't shying away from the situation or the weight of her son's role in it.
