Sorting Through Life's Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 24

"No, absolutely not!" Maeve continued in protest.

"I promise it will be fun. I'll be with you the whole time."

"I'm not worried about being alone. Come on, you know me. They know me. That is not the issue."

"Then why not? It's even heated."

She looked almost on the verge of tears; she was so frustrated. Tom had been arguing with her for over an hour, trying to get her to join everyone at the pool.

She huffed as her arms hit her sides. "I can't swim, okay."

"Is that all? You don't have to come out to the deep end," he tried to pull her close, but she was having none of it. Tom was having a hard time with Maeve not liking being touched when she was angry.

"The last time I was told that, I got thrown in. I swear I saw Jaws at the bottom."

"My god! You have got to be kidding me!" He tried to hide his chuckle. Maeve got up to leave, being unsuccessful at hiding her stricken look behind her hair.

"Mae-"

"Don't," she said walking out the door.

"Fuck!" was the last thing she heard behind the closed door. Since that was her room, she decided to wander around town a bit, making careful note of her location so as not to get lost.

It was very pretty for such a hot day. Maeve stopped in a bookstore that was ticked around a corner and found a very beat up copy of one of her favorite Terry Pratchett novels. As she made her way back her phone started to sound continuously from so many incoming messages. Tom must have called the cavalry. Yep, the first was from him, apologizing for laughing, asking where she was. The rest were from everyone else. Apparently he was beside himself, having everyone looking for her. Shaking her head, she pressed the call button, barely having to wait one ring.

"Are you alright," she heard the deep baritone ask.

"Ben why is everyone blowing up my phone. A grown woman can get around by herself, just fine. It's not like I ran away."

"You forget that we all know you just got over a nasty bout of illness. You are also in an unfamiliar environment. Those close to you will be concerned." She heard Sofie and Shawna in the background yelling what sounded like 'I told you so'. She just didn't know if it was meant for her or not.

"I can think of a few people who won't be."

"Now don't be childish. Just because there are disagreements doesn't mean they don't care."

"Fine. I'm walking into the lobby now. Where.." she hit a wall crossing the tiled floor. Looking up, rubbing her nose, she saw a familiar face filled with worry and anger.

"He found me. Another time, my friend," she tucked the phone away in her pocket.

"Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

"Yeah, so worried that you're freshly showered but still smell of chlorine. Did you have fun?"

"This isn't a joking matter, Angel."

"Neither is laughing at my fear of water," she stated. Making her way to the elevators, she changed her mind and took the stairs.

"Where are you going?

"Taking the long way around. You're welcome to join me if you're up for it." Hearing him hesitate then to start to follow, she let a wisp of a smile cross her face.