“I’m sorry, Timothy, it’s just ... I know it’s not my place to meddle with your family situation, but how can he just leave!? His child has been shot!” she said, obviously unable to contain her anger on my behalf. When my expression told her how it didn’t phase me anymore, however, she looked at me in regret and sighed. “I promise not to try again. However, I should get on my way then and have a talk with George, so he doesn’t get tempted to repeat what I just did.”
“I’ll accompany you, Mrs. Miller. I need to get back to the office anyway.” Bill added.
And with that, the both of them left the room and I was alone again.
In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what would happen if Nora called Claire, or if Mia called Ava. If what Ava had told me before Christmas, and what John had told me about Claire, was true, they would probably show up and try to take care of me. But then again, that was the very same inner debate I had during Thanksgiving break. The key question was
I was mostly left alone for the rest of the day, and quickly realized that I preferred it that way when it was time to use the bedpan. Apparently something the doctor was looking forward to after a surgery, but for me it was probably the most humiliating experience I ever went through. Paul had brought my Laptop along, so, since Nora had helped me get WiFi access, I could entertain myself in peace. I also had a TV in my room, but I quickly learned that Daytime TV sucks ass!
The next day, however, I had to deal with a peeved Mia entering my room without even knocking. She just strolled in, sat in the chair next to my bed, and then simply stared at me with her arms crossed over her chest. Directly on her heels was Nora, who looked at the scene with her usual amused smirk that she showed whenever she watched us interact with each other.
“W ... What?” I asked Mia, a little afraid of her.
“
“I thought it was warranted.”
“Why do you think I would even want a relationship with you?” she sounded surprisingly dry.
“Well, that kiss you gave me yesterday wasn’t exactly platonic, was it?”
I don’t know how it happened, but there was amusement in my voice by now. And when I saw her eyes zoom around the room and her shoulders lose some of their stiffness, I also smirked a little.
“What do you even have to complain about? I’m a catch!” she suddenly announced with newfound self-confidence.
“Yes, you are.” I nodded honestly.
“Then WHY are you being difficult?” And she was back to being annoyed. I ignored the glare she threw at her mother when Nora failed to suppress her snorted laugh.
“Firstly, I don’t have time for a girlfriend, since I work roughly seventy hours a week.”
“I seem to remember you being around plenty so far.” she dismissively waved her hand.
“Secondly, you know my background. I’m not the most popular guy in school. You sure you want to go to the Prom with THAT guy?”
“Oh you’d be surprised. You just saved my life from a psycho with a gun! And half the cheer and football team witnessed it, Buddy!” she said triumphantly, and I wasn’t sure what to expect once I got back to classes. Though, I decided to push forward instead of asking for details.
“You realize that I’m a year younger than you, right? You’ll leave for college in ... what? Six to eight months? I’ll still be in high school. And I’m not planning on going to college after that, so I won’t follow you. Not only would this relationship be based on the suspension bridge effect, it would be long distance.”
“Christ, Tim! It’s not like I’m planning our wedding here! Sure, maybe you’re right and this won’t work out, but why wouldn’t you even want to try!?”
“Honestly, you’re gorgeous, I DO have fun when you’re around, and I’m obviously attracted to you.” With that she perked up again. “But let’s be honest here. We barely know each other.”
“That’s obviously a non-argument.” she said matter of fact. “Look how close we got in the past few weeks. Of course we’d learn even more about each other over time!”
“Which brings me back to my very first point. When would we spend time together?”
“No problem. Someone just tried to kill me, in my own home, no less! I might tell Daddy that I won’t feel safe unless the guy who saved me sticks around for a while, so I can sleep in peace. That would solve two of your objections. You’d still be working your usual hours, AND you’d be spending time with me!”
I can’t even begin to describe the smugness that dominated her expression at that point, nor the look of sheer amazement she got from Nora. I suddenly remembered my encounter with Nora in their kitchen, when she also said something about not letting me go after the stalker problem was solved.
“Wow. I didn’t know you’d go that far to keep me around.” I marveled.
