No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)

Chapter Twenty-Six - Pit

DOMINICK'S POV

"Car wash is open. Are you on your way?"

"You're coming right?"

"Dominick, where are you?!?!"

"Are you okay?"

"Dominick, please just let me know you're okay."

Five text messages, eight missed calls, and two voicemails. I watch my phone screen light up as my phone reminds me of my notifications. I know I am letting Katie down, I promised that Tyde and I would go to her basketball team's fundraiser. However, I can hardly stay sitting up in bed, I can't fathom getting out of bed right now. I will make this up to Katie and explain everything to her later, she will understand.

Tyde is out in the living room laying on the couch with Mollie watching a show. Neither of us feel up to getting out today.

It is rare that Tyde and I are at low-spirits at the same; and this is the first time Mollie has stayed home while the two of us are in this zombie-like state. Mom is out of state, Dad has plans for the afternoon, Katie has her fundraiser, and Aria needs time to recover from yesterday.

Aria was a ghost as we drove her back to her apartment yesterday, she said nothing. She only stared out the window. She texted late last night to let us know she was okay but still shaken up. None of us were okay, or are okay yet. Tyde cried the entire ride in the car and for a while after we got back. Mollie missed her nap, which made her fussy and irritable. She was given an early dinner, a bath, and then put to bed early. She fell asleep quickly but woke up multiple times in the night crying for reasons she couldn't explain. As for me, I couldn't and still can't find the energy to do much of anything beyond basic necessities.

"..we all know the truth. You haven't changed, deep down you are still the same" Mr. Wilton's words repeat in my mind, like a broken record that I can't find a way to stop.

~~~~~~~~~~~

KATIE'S POV

Dominick and Tyde are still not picking up or responding to my texts. Dad came by when the fundraiser first started, he hadn't heard from Dominick either. I almost called Aria to ask if she knew anything; but after what happened two weeks ago, I couldn't. Aria has apologized profusely since but things still feel uncomfortable.

There is a little over an hour left to the fundraiser. For the sake of running a smooth operation, Coach Sherbert divided us in to two groups, Group A and Group B. Group A, my group, did car washing the first half while Group B handled working the cook out and handling money; and then, at the halfway point the groups switched tasks. There is not much business for the cook out now that it is getting close to mid-afternoon. "How can I be sweating when it is fifty degrees outside?" Jena, who is in my group and working next to me, asks as she presses a wet rag against the back of her neck. She notices my phone in my hand, "Texting your boyfriend?" She asks.

"My older brother, actually. He, his girlfriend, and my niece were supposed to come but I haven't heard from them. I hope they are okay." I answer putting my phone in my back pant pocket.

"You worry too much." Jena says fixing her ponytail into a tight bun. "Whenever Garret has a girlfriend, he and I hardly see each other, and we live in the same house." She says with an amused laugh.

I sigh, "I know I do, but it's just not like Dominick. Not anymore." I say.

Jena's expression changes to one of sympathy,"Hey Katie," She says. "I am sure Dominick slept in or something. If something happened, you would know."