“Well, I paid those guys off and, like Bill told you, we’re probably fine now. As long as Logan stays out of the bar, he should be safe to go back to college as well. But, apparently, the guy who stabbed me is out on bail and nobody thought it would be necessary to warn me.” I explained, trying to get some distance between me and Claire, but she absolutely refused to let go of me. And now Granny was searching my body for injuries while Claire held me in place. “I’m fine!”
Hearing that, Claire moved in to hug me close again. But while her arms went around my chest before, irritating my still annoyingly broken rib, now her arms wrapped around my stomach, pressing directly into my fresh bruises and causing me to hiss loudly. As soon as they heard that, they basically ripped my shirt off my body and inspected my slowly darkening side and forearms.
“I’m so sorry, Baby! How bad is it really?” Claire asked, her voice quivering again.
“It’s really not as bad as it looks. The side’s just bruised. The nose bled like hell, but nothing’s broken. Well ... more broken. It’ll all fix itself in a few days.”
They all looked at me with concern, but I used the opportunity to move freely to pick up the shopping bags, and walked into the kitchen to unload them onto the counter. Claire quickly stepped close behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist this time. Why was she so clingy? I didn’t get it! Even after I was stabbed, she was not as pushy as now. Ava and Maggie quickly came into the kitchen as well, helping me to put the groceries away.
“Okay, next question.
“What do you mean?” Maggie asked.
“I mean, I paid them off, like ... Little less than three hours ago. So, how did you pack, make the drive back from Granny’s that takes at least three hours at this time of day, and arrive here before me?” I asked, too tired to even suspect anything.
Instead of giving me an answer, Maggie turned her eyes away from me while Ava avoided my gaze as well.
“Well... “ Aaron started, but seemed like he didn’t want to finish, looking from face to face.
“We never actually made the drive to Beaumont.” Grandpa said with a firm voice. “Sorry, Kiddo. I accepted that you were the best suited to handle this whole dang mess, but there was no way we would just run and hide while my Grandson takes on those kinds of people by himself!”
As he talked, Granny stood beside him and displayed a firm, approving nod. What exactly did they achieve, other than putting themselves in danger? And for what? But then I understood the weird situation with Ava from a few days ago.
“You were camping out at John’s!?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes.” I heard a cheery chorus of voices, released from a multitude of smiling faces, confirm.
“Okay...” I was a little irritated by their cheerfulness, because I was feeling anything but. “What else did you do?”
“What else ... Did we do?” Grandma asked, while a concerned look spread on her face. I think Aaron or Claire had told her of my accusation of them using the opportunity to have some more orgies, while I put myself on the line for them.
“You said you wouldn’t run and hide, while I take on those people. So, apart from running, hiding at John’s, and letting me take these people on by myself ... What did you do? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming you in any way here! I was the one who asked you all to leave and stay out of the way. And I meant it! I just don’t get your point.”
“Tim, we just wanted you to know that we didn’t simply abandon you! We were worried sick while waiting for an update from you!” Danielle explained in a desperate voice.
“Funny, I heard something similar from Claire. Right after you, her and Ava were so worried about me, you had a spontaneous foursome with Logan.” I commented dismissively.
“Tim ... we ... It wasn’t...” she nervously started to explain, but she seemed to have trouble finding an explanation.
“At least now I know why you didn’t need a ride to the hotel last Wednesday.” I said, looking at Ava, causing her to look and move uncomfortable for some reason. It made me remember her present, so I fished for the gift bag and held it out to her.
She hesitantly took it, pulled out the camera and looked at it in disbelief.
“Happy Birthday. It’s one of those new instant-print cameras. Kind of like those polaroids from the 80s, but in way better quality. I thought you could use it to keep decorating that wall in your room.” I explained in an indifferent tone, causing her to just stare at me for a minute. Then, for some fucked up reason, the hand holding the camera started shaking, her lips started quivering, tears filled her eyes, and she rushed out of the room.
“I’m on it.” Maggie quickly announced, already running after her.
“Thanks, Honey. I’ll be there in a moment.” Danielle called after her daughter.
