Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 16~Lingering Questions And Food For Thought

Jimmy's POV

I had tried calling Elise countless times as soon as I felt that it was safe that she was home from picking up Abbie, but she would never answer. Her phone was on, because it would ring a few times and then go to the voicemail, rather than just going straight to the voicemail like it would if her phone was off. She had me listed in her contacts, so all she had to do was look at the screen when I called to know it was me, and I'm sure that's why she didn't answer. She was purposely ignoring my calls, even after I left a couple voicemails begging her to talk to me.

Though I never got an answer, I did know that Elise was going to be bringing Abbie before work this morning. We had agreed on that when we'd been talking while putting the curtains up, it was one of the first things we talked about then. So, in this way, she couldn't avoid me forever and I was hoping I could get a few minutes to talk to her or to make plans to meet some time to talk. I wanted to know why she left me without notice like that.

Elise had to be at work by eight, so when I heard a car pull up outside my house around 7:35, I knew it was her. I got up from the couch and made my way to the door slowly, giving her enough time to reach the door and knock first before I opened it. After hearing her knock, I didn't hesitate to swing the door open and when I looked at her face, she seemed a little surprised that I answered that fast but didn't say anything. Abbie, who had been standing right beside her practically rocketed onto me, and caught her, a laugh escaping my throat.

"Well good morning to you too! I don't think I've ever seen you this awake this early." I greeted her.

Abbie giggled. "That's because I'm not going to school, I'm coming here."

"What if I make you do spelling and all kinds of math?" I teased.

"Yeah, right. Like you would want to teach me any of that stuff." She said.

I chuckled and said, "You're right, I'd be just as bored as you would be." I looked at Elise, who still stood on the other side of the door, refusing to make eye contact with me. "You can come in, y'know." I told her quietly.

Elise shook her head. "Nah, that's fine. I've gotta get going pretty soon anyway, I'd only be here for two minutes. Her clothes are in this big red bag, and her other stuff is in her backpack, like the stuff to keep herself entertained."

I set Abbie down and gently took both bags from her hands, slinging her backpack over my shoulder and setting the red bag on the floor beside me. I studied her face some more, trying to get her to look at me but she wouldn't. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what or how to start.

It seemed that it was too late for me to say anything because then she was telling Abbie she'd see her at the end of the week, and telling her to behave herself. Then, as she started to leave, I decided I wasn't going to let her leave before I at least talked to her somewhat about what happened.

"Elise, wait." I ordered firmly but softly. She stopped and turned back around, but still kept her gaze from mine. I turned to Abbie and said, "Abbie, go up those stairs over there and look for the door with your initials on it."

Abbie's eyes lit up, knowing what I was directing her to. "Okey dokey!" She exclaimed before bounding off upstairs.

Before I could say anything, Elise said, "I should tell you that Abbie sometimes tends to have nightmares--"

I stopped her with, "--And I will take care of it if she does." I paused momentarily. "I think we need to talk."

"...What about?"

"You know what about."

"What is there to say? That it wasn't supposed to happen? That it was just a mistake? That your feelings were just all out of whack still from Jasmine's death?" She questioned.