It's My Life

Chapter 11 - Time's Up

The rest of my Sunday was spent arranging things at home, packing items that would certainly send people after us if they were found, and looking into hotels. Around 4pm my phone started ringing, and my heart sank. It was Tom. I sat down on my bed, took a deep breath, and answered the phone.
"Hey Cassi, how're you today?" He asked. I almost smiled at the normalcy of it.
"Uh, now's not a good time, Tom." I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.
"I understand. When would you like me to call back?" He asked, and I heard a faint note of worry. He surprised me by his astuteness sometimes.
"I...I can't say. Something has happened, and I..." I stopped, feeling hot tears burn beneath my eyelids. I could hear him shift on the spot.
"Tell me what's happened, maybe I can help." Tom said. I shook my head.
"I can't. I can't put...it in words." I said, choking on the words, knowing I couldn't endanger him.  
"Is it that doctor friend of yours?" Tom asked, and I hesitated, not sure how to address it.
"It may be. I can't say more than that." I said, wanting to cry.
"I do understand. Don't lose my number, okay? I am always here for you." Tom said. I felt tears streak down my cheeks at his words, but managed to swallow around the lump in my throat.
"You don't know what that means to me." I said softly.
"I think I do, but I am glad. Just be careful." Tom said.
"I will." I replied, and said goodnight then hung up, feeling a sadness settle over me, and for a fleeting moment I wasn't sure if it was mine or his I was feeling. Then, as quickly as it had come, the feeling passed, and I lay down on my bed, crying softly.

Tom looked down at the now blank mobile screen in his hand and felt a flash of worry course through him. She couldn't tell him her troubles. Any other person would feel left out, but Tom didn't. He could sense something was wrong, and he planned on helping, however he could. He half-swore, it was Monday the next day, and he couldn't miss classes, but he had to do something. Putting his phone on his kitchen table, he turned away, but a moment later he picked it up again, fiddling with it. He wanted to call her back and assure her that she would be safe, but he couldn't. The phone in his hand started ringing then, and he nearly dropped it in his surprise, but looking at the display he let out a sigh. Sometimes he wished he'd never taught his parents how to use a telephone. He pressed a button on the mobile and lifted it to his ear.
"Hello, Mother." Tom said.
"Tom dear, how are you?" His mother asked. Tom smiled gently.
"I am well, and how are you and Father?" Tom asked.
"We are fine, but felt there was something worrying you. Would you like to tell me?" Cora asked. Tom sighed.
"I wish you wouldn't do that, Mother. They call that an invasion of privacy here." Tom said. 
"I can understand that, but it is impossible to stop it." Cora said, mirth in her voice. 
"You can, I'm sure. Just ignore it." Tom said. Cora laughed gently.
"I will one day. Now spill, Thomas. What bothers you?" Cora asked. Tom could almost picture her standing on the beach with the phone in her hand, probably the waves lapping around her feet.
"It's hard to explain, but it involves my girlfriend." Tom replied. He hadn't told them much about Cassi, for good reason.
"Is she in trouble? Your father can get help, if so." Cora said. Tom shook his head, though she couldn't see it, Cora could feel the gesture.
"I think that most unwise, Mother. She may be in trouble, from unwanted parties, but I cannot do anything to help her. I swore to protect her, and now I can do nothing but watch as she suffers." Tom said dejectedly, sitting down on the couch.
"Your father and I will be there tomorrow, and you can tell us more then." Cora said, and terminated the call before Tom could object.  Cora knew he would be against it and had learned it was best to not allow him to argue. Tom looked down at the silent phone, wanting to curse again, but he put the phone down on the table and ran a hand through his sandy hair. He knew his parents were stubborn, and that made him smile gently.
"Damned noble folk." He said, then pulled a workbook to him and started working, allowing his mind to drift from the problems surrounding him.

I woke early on Monday morning, but I had no intention of heading to college. Instead I was going to use the day to pack and get away from the house. I could hear my parents moving about so I got dressed, neglecting my daily swim, intent on packing. One day of not swimming wouldn't hurt me. After a quick bite of breakfast the three of us started sorting the last few things out.