folklore; conrad fisher

44: invisible string

My next few days with Steven were pretty much free of any conversations surrounding Conrad, because we both knew there was nothing left to talk about. Still, before I left, he gave me one last reminder to be honest with Conrad about how I felt. I told him I'd only do it if he finally asked Denise out, which elicited an eye roll from him, but he didn't decline the opportunity to do so.

I got onto the next train to Philadelphia, where I'd spend the remainder of my week. As Belly's co-maid of honor, I was supposed to help plan her bridal shower with Taylor. Steven would be coming back down here for the event, and for a second I almost hoped Conrad would too. However, I soon remembered he had plans with Jeremiah and his dad that day in Boston, and I bit myself for barely missing him.

I'd talk to him as soon as I got the chance to, I promised myself that. Mainly because if I didn't fess up, I knew Steven's big mouth would relay the information to Conrad anyway.

I called a car to take me to the Conklin's house from the train station. When I got there, I picked up the key from underneath the mat, unlocking the door with it. It was evening then, and all of the lights were off. I figured Laurel must have been the only one home, seeing as Belly wasn't staying with her mother anymore.

Not wanting to wake her up, I crept over to Belly's room––which I'd be staying in. Only, Laurel heard me as soon as I tried to walk up the stairs, and she came out of her room wearing a navy silk pajama set and fur slippers.

"Hi honey!" She said, rather cheerfully.

She came over to give me a hug, one which I happily returned. Laurel was one of my absolute most favorite people on Earth.

"I'm glad you got here okay, would you like something to drink?"

I nodded, "Water would be nice."

She smiled and led me to the kitchen, where she filled a glass of water for the both of us. We headed towards the dining table, each of us sitting across from one another as we sipped our water.

"So, you're here to help out with the wedding?" She asked, only I knew the question was rhetorical. She knew long before today that the wedding was the only reason I'd stayed in the East Coast all Summer.

Still, I felt a bit guilty as she brought it up, so I responded with a casual, "Yeah, pretty much."

"So you think it's a good idea?"

"Not necessarily," I said, shaking my head.

She looked at me with interrogative eyes, "Then why are you encouraging them?"

"I mean, Belly's like my sister," I started, tapping my fingers anxiously on the table, "And if this is something she wants to do I have to be there for her."

I stammered, "I think––I think we should all be there."

"You know I can't do that."

I tried to reason with her, "But Laurel, she's your daughter. It's killing her that you don't want to be involved in this."

She frowned, "They just got all emotional after Steven had his accident, and now they believe this is the best way to move forward. They're not actually putting thought into this decision, and how it will affect their lives."

"Can we blame them?" I said, "I was terrified, too. That accident made me realize that I have to cherish every moment with the people I love. If I were in their position, I'm sure I would've thought to do the same thing. When you realize how quickly you can lose someone, it makes you want to hold on tight to those around you, no matter what the cost is."