Slipping out of bed, I try to sneak out before he wakes.
“Darby,” his groggy voice calls.
“Go back to sleep. You’re not supposed to be awake. I’m going to surprise you with breakfast in bed. Just pretend this conversation never took place.”
His lips pull into a barely detectable grin, but he doesn’t open his eyes. I make quick work of toast and eggs while noticing on my phone I have thirteen missed calls from Tamsen and one message and another missed call from Jade. She’s probably wondering what to do with the stuff in my locker. I smile as I listen to Tamsen’s message while I butter and jelly our toast. I bet she’s dying to see my ring. I didn’t mention it’s a tattoo.
“Sweetie it’s me. I’ve been trying to reach you and Trick. Darby … I don’t know if you’ve heard or had the TV on …” The shakiness in her voice sends chills down my spine and when she pauses I hold my breath. “There’s been an accident. And since I haven’t heard from either you or Trick, I assume you haven’t been contacted yet. Your family’s been in a car accident. I don’t know all the details yet or their conditions, but it’s all over the news and it appears to be pretty serious. So call me and let me know when you get this message. Grady and I are both getting flights to Chicago; we’ll probably be there before you and Trick. I’m so sorry … I didn’t want to leave a message but I don’t know what else to do. Call me.”
With shaky hands and my heart in my throat, I listen to the message from Jade.
“Darby, it’s Jade. Your family’s been in an accident. I need you to call me as soon as you get this message.”
My phone crashes to the ground. “Oh my God …” The words are barely a whisper. I can’t speak; I can’t breathe. Thankfully my legs work without my brain, taking me up the stairs and straight into the closet to get my suitcase.
“Darby?” Trick calls but I’m still at a loss for words. “What are you doing?” He stands at the door, watching me toss random items into my suitcase. “Darby!”
I jump and look up, with one blink the flood gates open.
“Baby, what is it?” He hunches next to where I’m kneeling on the floor and pulls me into his body.
“The-there’s b-been an a-accident,” I sob. “I n-n-need to g-get home.”
“What happened?”
“C-car accident. I-I have to g-go.” I wriggle out of his hold.
He stands, lifting me to my feet. Then he bends down to look in my eyes. “Get dressed. I’ll pack our stuff and get our tickets. Okay?”
I nod, my lower lip trembling.
*
Everything’s a blur until we land at O’Hare. I’m certain Trick has had to drag me everywhere until this point. I’ve seen him on his cell phone and mine too, but I haven’t been able to formulate the words to ask who he’s talking to, and there’s been this eerie silence in my ears. I see people’s lips moving, but it’s as if someone hit the mute button.
When we get to the hospital, I don’t wait for Trick or help him with our luggage. I fly through the emergency room doors, straight to the nurses’ station.
“Darby.” Jade sees me before I reach the counter. She pulls me into her arms “I’m so sorry.”
I pull back, confused by her somberness.
She looks at me then something over my shoulder catches her eye and she gives a small nod. I turn.
Trick takes my hand and pulls me aside so we’re not standing in the middle of the normal chaos. He cradles my face and takes a deep swallow. “Darby …”
I blink releasing tears because he’s scaring me.
“Your father didn’t make it.”
I swallow and just … stare. The voices around me are nothing more than distant echoes. “Where’s Nana?”
Trick furrows his brow. “She’s upstairs. Her injuries were minor.”
I turn and head for the elevators.
Trick catches up to me just as the elevator doors close.
“Darby, look at me.” He grabs my arms. “Did you hear what I said?”
I nod as the elevator doors open. “What room is she in?”
Trick shakes his head as I once again pull away from his grip. I get Nana’s room number and run down the hall. Her friend, Mary, is sitting in the chair next to her bed.
“Darby.” Mary frowns with sympathy in her eyes.
“How is she?”
“She’s fine, just a concussion and a few minor cuts and bruises. Doctor said she can go home tomorrow morning.”
Mary rests her hand on my back as I watch Nana sleep. “Sweetie, I’m so very sorry about your father.”
“When was she last awake?”
“What?” Mary asks looking at me and then at Trick.
“Has she eaten anything today?”
“Uh … well, yes.”
Trick’s hand slides up my back underneath my hair, and with gentle strokes he massages my neck.