Going Back to Get Away After Everything Has Changed

Ch 5: I Go to All The Same Places, Not Even a Trace of You

TAYLOR YORK'S POV

I entered the hospital with an uneasiness over me. A big part of me felt anxious as what was to come.

"Tay!" a voice called.

I spun around to see Zac heading towards me. He looked excited to see me, yet his worry remained in his eyes.

Involuntarily I smiled at the sight of my best friend as he came closer and we embraced in a firm, caring hug.

"Thanks for coming, man. You must be exhausted." Zac said as he pulled apart.

"Actually I got my sleep on the plane ride home. I'm fine."

At closer examination, I noticed how exhausted Zac look. He had bags under his eyes, and his eyes look glossy and a tad red.

"You are the one who looks exhausted." I added.

Zac smiled. "Nothing I can't handle."

"How long have you been up?"

"I got a couple hours of sleep. Been up late in the night and woke up early." he answered.

"Jess and the kids are gonna come?" he asked.

"No. No, just me. I'm gonna stay as long as you need me."

"Okay. Thanks man I appreciate it."

I pat his back and gave him an encouraging smile. We made our way to the sitting area of where the rest of the family was. I greeted them all, and couldn't shake the feeling that they were all part of my family. But we were here for the person that wasn't.

"Is Jenna up with him?" I asked Zac after we settled into our seats.

"Yeah. She's taking it really hard. She's really tense right now, so we're giving her space and staying down here."

I nodded. I watched Zac's kids all reading books and being invested in the material.

"Who reads books nowadays?" I whispered to Zac.

"No one, but I make them. Plus it's to remain quiet." he chuckled.

"What could they be reading to be so interested as they are?"

"Well, Zac is reading Harry Potter. He's really into it. He claims he is Neville Longbottom."

"The dorky kid with the toad?"

"Yeah him. Takes after me you know? Little chubby dorky kid who grew up to be a sexy beast."

I quietly chuckled. "I think that's just the actor, not the character."

"Let me have my moment."

We both tried to contain our laughter. Some of the family started to stare at us.

"What about Emma? Is she Hermione?" I joked.

"No, she's Katniss. She's reading the Hunger Games. She's so invested into books, I guess she could be Hermione. She already read the Potter series."

"No way! She's only 12!" I whispered.

"Yeah, she's been into reading ever since she started to read Goosebumps in fifth grade. But I think she said she resembles Ginny from Potter. I guess it sorta translates to Katniss."

"If I could get Nathan to read, that would be a miracle."

"How is the troublemaker?" Zac asked, smiling.

"He's been good surprisingly. I don't understand how he's my son. Katherine too. Both so fierce and daring. That's not me and Jess."

"You sure it ain't Jeremy's kids?" Zac quietly joked, making sure no one would take that out of context.