Wish You Were Here

Part Fourteen:

"Mom?" Is all I manage to choke into the receiver when I pick up the call.

"No, Cassy I'm sorry it's uh, it's Ron. I hate to be the one to tell you.. but there's been an accident." My stepfather is a man who hides his emotions, I've never seen him anything but calm and collected. I could hear the tears in his voice though as he choked out the words.

"I'm coming. Tell me where and I'll come." My voice is shaking, my whole body is.

"We're back living in LA. I'll send the hospital address. You should hurry, Cassy I don't think we have much time."

Fuck. Shit. Screw it all, fuck everything. I just got back from LA, I was just right there. There's no time left and I have to turn around and haul my ass to see my mother who I haven't seen in god knows how long fucking die.

I run down the stairs, and through the parking lot until I get in my car completely out of breath. I start the car and lock my trembling hands onto the steering wheel.

"I'm going back to LA right now, Ray." I called her once I hit the highway, speeding a reasonable amount.

"Missed him already?" She jokes, but it makes me cringe.

"It's my mom... Ron called. Something about an accident and that I have to hurry. She doesn't have much time." My words are thick and stall in my throat.

"Shit. Is there anything I can do for you? I know she's a bitch and we hate her but she's still your mom... I'm so fucking sorry." She manages to pull a small laugh from me. I tell her the honest truth, I don't know if I need anything or what I might need.

I feel like I'm a kid again and I want to curl into myself at the thought of watching my only parent left die in the hospital too. I can still clearly see the memories of nurses with faces weighed down with sorrow as they broke the news that he was gone. They held me up while I broke down outside of his room, because my mom wasn't there.

There's only one other person I need to hear from right now.

"Did you get home ok? I was starting to worry." The line connects after two short rings.

"Cal... I'm on my way back to LA. My stepfather called... it's my mom. I don't know what happened, some kind of accident. She's not gonna make it and he said there's not much time." I croak the words out once again, my heart is in my throat and my eyes are burning with tears.

"I'm so so sorry, Cass. Is there anything I can do?" He asks softly, his voice full of concern.

"I may need somewhere to stay, I'm not sure how long I-I'll be there. It just depends on her.. if she.. when.." I take in a shaky breath unable to finish the sentence. When she dies, Cassy.

"Hey, it's ok you don't have to say it. You can stay with us for as long as you need to." I thank him the best I can, but it's getting harder to speak. Tears are falling steadily now, and I can't hold back my sobs much longer.

"Cass I know this is hard, but please drive safely. I'm worried sick about you driving all that way in this state. Take some deep breaths, baby, please." He's soft yet still firm, I know he's worried. Hearing him call me baby though, that's a new one, and it sent a chill down my spine. God it made me feel so warm and cared for I wish I could play it on a loop in my head forever.

It distracted me so much from the situation at hand that I was able to get a grip on my emotions. I wonder if that was his intention.

"That's my girl, that's good, just keep breathing. Do you want me to stay with you while you drive? I don't mind." My heart is soaring from his words and I just know he'll be the death of me. I want him to hold me, I want him to kiss me, he's driving me insane in the best way.

"I'll be ok. Thanks, Cal... really thank you." I wish I could tell him how he's making me feel, but I can't right now.

"Just be safe for me, Cass ok? If there's anything else you need at all just tell me and I'll do everything I can to sort it out for you. Let me know that you make it there safely, please. I'll see you soon."

Can a heart do cartwheels? That's what it feels like mine is doing. His ability to take me from a sobbing mess, to a sappy lovesick puddle is ridiculous. He knew what I needed when I didn't even know. I'm so much more at ease, and much more equipped to be making this drive now.

We say our goodbyes and I switch on a playlist to soothe myself during the drive. I actually feel like I can make the drive after talking to him, he knows how to calm me down.