I'll Be

Chapter Thirteen: Not Yet

            Before I made it to the Matthews’, despite the fact that Sawyer had insisted, I made a run to the Stop ‘n Go for various supplies and brought some of my own, in case. Thankfully, the store wasn’t terribly far. I had, in my arsenal, a bag of ‘essentials’. These included: the first two seasons of Parks and Recreation (mine), a wild animal coloring book (new), a box of crayons that I was shocked that I hadn’t decimated at some point in the last eighteen years (obviously mine), a pint of Half Baked ice cream, popcorn, and a bag of assorted candies.

            Knocking on the door, I waited for someone to open up. I checked my phone, seeing that it was after nine, and thought that maybe his mom had already gone to bed. But when Sidda popped her head through the curtain, I waved, and she unlocked the door.

            “Teddy.” She smiled, though I could tell she probably hadn’t slept much than the last time I saw her. And now I was worried.

            I tried to smile back, and immediately jumped to an apology. “I’m sorry.” I replied, took a step back “I…I shouldn’t have come this late.”

            “Nonsense,” said Sidda. She stepped back and opened the room to me, “Come in. I insist.”

            I did as she said, my ears catching the sound of feet pounding down the stairs. I looked over, and Chance rounded the corner before stopping on his heels.

            “Teddy.” He said, “Good to see you. Um…”

            Before he spoke again, Keenan presented his shadow. He watched me, voice even, “Teddy, he’s upstairs. How was the, the show?”

            I nodded, “It was good. Sawyer said you guys were hanging together for the weekend?”

            He sighed, “We did; we still do, despite today. We have to.”

            Confused, I just nodded. Hesitating, I asked, “What happened today?”

            Chance eyed me carefully, leaned against the frame of the kitchen entry “I think he’s upstairs. You can go see him, if you want.”

            Keenan nodded, “Just be careful. He’s had a hard day.”

            I started up the stairs, and made it to the door before the boys disappeared into the living room. I knocked softly.

            “Come in.”

            I expected to see him curled up in his bed, looking peaky and frail. But that wasn’t what it was at all; he was sitting on the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, fingers laced together, and his eyes on me.

            “Hi.” I said softly.

            He stood up, pulled me into his arms and sighed, “I missed you.”

            “What happened?” I asked, my voice feeling strained.

            “Don’t. Not yet.” He breathed, and I could feel his lips on the curve of my neck, “Let me hold you for a little bit longer.”

            My heart started to beat faster, and I squeaked, “Sawyer, you’re scaring me.”

            He kept his hands on my hips, but moved away to look at me. “I…I fell. Again.”