Every December [Soon to be Self Published]

Chapter 16

Lydia

Ashley decides she's done with my stubbornness. In a couple of hours, she's leaving her house and driving up to stay with me. What else could I do? I'm clearly not fit to be myself. I glance at the door. Any minute the nurse should arrive with a wheelchair to take me to the hospital entrance. Even though I enforce hospital policy at my own job, today I wish I could walk out and skip protocol.

I feel guilty Ashley's leaving her family to come take care of me. Still, it will be good to see her. So much has happened. Her number appears on my screen and I answer at once, intending to tell her that I owe her. "Hey," I answer, "I'm just about to leave the hospital. Can I call you when I get to your house?"

"Lydia, I'm so sorry," she apologies profusely, "Nick's mother is in the hospital, she fell and broke her hip and I think Maple's coming down with something, she's been off all morning. I won't be able to drive up after all. I'm so sorry. Soon as Nick makes sure his mother is back at home I can drive up."

"It's okay, Ash. Just take care of them." I'm a little disappointed, but I keep that to myself.

"You need someone there, too. You need a friend."

"I know, but you're needed at home. I'm leaving with a cast. Nothing major happened."

"Nick's trying to figure out what's going on with the power, but he's been at the hospital. My father-in-law said this has happened before, it's the position of their house and even the smallest weather disruption can knock it out. According to the power company's website, there were widespread outages and they're doing everything they can," her voice, firm now. "Where are you going to stay?"

"With A.J., for now." Unless I get a hotel. Unless I pay to change my flight and get the hell out of here. But is that what I want? Or do I want to hear why he lied to me?

She sighs heavily. "How did this happen? I mean I know how it happened, but ever since you left McKenna's wedding nothing has gone right for you."

I'm quick to laugh, though retain the secrets that have somehow tangled into a giant knot. A.J. aka Austin Jacob Hutton, Hartley, Brielle, and a partridge in a pear tree. I do want to tell her and I do need my friend, but not over the phone. And besides that, I want to talk about this with A.J. first. I know it's not easy being him and while the lie still stings, as soon as he stepped foot through Ashley's door, I knew my heart wasn't done with him. But it's not all glitter and forgiveness either, I just think I'm ready to hear what he has to say. Staying alone in a frigid house with a broken limb will knock a person's stubbornness down a notch.

"What's wrong?" She picks up on the silence, assuming the worst.

"Nothing. I was going to say that I need to go."

"We're going to be up there as soon as everyone feels better. I promise. If you need anything, to talk, I'm here. Okay? I'm sorry I can't be there."

I put the phone away as the door opens, expecting the nurse, my eyebrows raise at the sight of A.J. walking in, springing my heart into action at the burden in his eyes. "How's your dad?"

"He seemed to remember things that aren't fifty years or older." A.J. grins, but I see through it. "Guess what I found out?"

"What?"

"Coco's last name."

"No. What is it?" I abandon the preamble I had planned about my accommodations for tonight.

"Whitmore."

"You said he grew up here. Does that sound familiar?"

"I don't know. Maybe? All of his things are in storage back in California. Next time I visit, I'll have to bring photos. But that's next year."