Broken and Fearless // C.B.

Chapter 89

[Triggering thoughts.]

My phone started ringing and I saw it was my brother calling.

I answered. "Hey, Jack. What's up?"

He sounded sick. "I don't feel well, Julie. I have some of the symptoms for the virus, but not all. I don't know if I should get tested, and so I thought to ask your advice."

"Y-you think you might have the virus? Jack, if you think so, you need to get tested!"

"But what if it's just a normal cold? I mean, it could be, right?"

"Get tested and tell me some positive news."

"Juliet..."

"No. Get yourself tested and I'll pray it's negative."

He sighed. "Okay. Bye, Julie. Hopefully it is negative."

Jackson ended the call and I threw my phone onto the floor and bit back a scream.

First Ma, then my grandfather, now possibly Jackson. It seemed like the world was out to get me and I wasn't sure how much more I could take.

Thoughts that hadn't crossed my mind in awhile suddenly flooded in.

I tried blocking them out, but they were too overwhelming.

I won't try it again. I promised my family. I promised my friends. I promised Colby.

I promised myself.

I finally let out the scream I was holding in and my door soon opened.

Colby stood there with a frown and asked, "Jules?"

I fell to my knees and he instantly rushed over to me and wrapped me tightly in his arms.

I didn't even realize I was crying until his thumbs make contact with my skin, wiping the tears away.

"Tell me," he said softly.

In between sniffles and my voice breaking, I managed to say, "Jackson could possibly have the virus."

Colby's face fell. "The virus?"

I nodded. "If he does, I can't take it."

"Yes, you can. You're stronger than you know. Look, if Jackson has the virus, his body should be able to fight it off. He's a healthy young guy. You shouldn't have anything to worry about. And that's if he even has it. He hasn't been tested, right?"

"No, not yet. He called to ask if he should be and I told him yes."

"Good. With luck, it's just a minor cold."

"I pray so."

Nearly a week later, I got a text from Jackson. 'Just a cold. Under stricter quarantine, but no corona'

I smiled and jumped onto Colby, causing him to stumble slightly.

"Happy news?"

I looked at him and nodded. "It's just a cold."

He kissed me. "See? I told you. You can't always think negatively. Sometimes, the world is on your side. It's not always out to get you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did you read my mind or something?"

"Huh? No, you know I can't."

"Odd, because I had similar thoughts nearly a week ago."

"Well, maybe we're just super connected. We vibe together really, really well."

I planted my feet on the ground. "Never say that again. It makes you sound like some surfer hippie dude from California."

He laughed. "Well, we did live in California for a few years."

"Yeah, but you're a Kansas boy at heart. Don't go changing. Ooh. Billy Joel song. Just The Way You Are."

"And you know this dude how?"

"Dude, I grew up on his music. Jenna loves his music. I do too; I just don't listen to him as obsessively as she does. But yeah, he's got great stuff."

"You're rambling again."

"As I often do, but that wasn't really rambling. Hmm. We need to figure out a wedding song."

"But we're not having a wedding. No ceremony yet, anyway."

"Yeah, I know. But still. The first dance is kind of important."

"What about a dance with your dad?"

I sighed. "That's going to have to wait, unfortunately."

"Well, hopefully this pandemic ends quick, 'cause I don't want you to miss out on a dance with your dad."

"I don't think it will. But we should do it. The marriage license should be arriving in the next couple days and we can set up a livestream. We can do the ceremony in the backyard. I'm sure we can find a pastor. Or I could use the one I went to in L.A. or the pastor of my church in Boston. I mean, I have the dress. You've got your suit."

"Is that what you want?"

"Yeah. It is. I'll call the two pastors, separately, and see what they say. I'll tell my family, you tell yours. And maybe my dad can give me away with words."

"Seems this is working out, Jules."

"Yeah, I think it is."

[For those who guessed or thought correct, good job. 🙂

Now, y'all have to wait until Wednesday 😏]