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Eleven days—that’s how long Tate stayed in the hospital. After seven long hours of waiting, the surgeon had come out to say he’d made it through surgery like a champ. Another two hours and Dane, Bennett, and Sawyer had all taken turns going back to see him. Two hours after that, I finally got Bennett to agree to go home and bathe, eat, and change, and I dragged Sawyer with us. Dane wouldn’t leave, but he did at least eat the sandwich I’d brought back.
Evan swung by the hospital on his way out of town, toting a burger, Red Bull, and clean clothes for me. I apologized profusely and he insisted he understood. The first time he got a weekend off and drove all the way to see me and look what happened; what are the odds? Oh well—Tate was fine and that’s all that mattered.
Thanksgiving came and went in a blur. I’d gone home, eaten, and been back in five hours. My dad and Evan both said they understood and the visit had been a short but nice break from all the trips back and forth to the hospital, making sure Bennett was taking care of herself, and managing ball and school. And now, here we all are, almost three weeks since that horrid night; days away from winter break. First semester of college done and so much more learned than what I’d been taught in class.
Tate’s living in that big ole house with Dane while he recovers, and since Bennett’s parents are going on a cruise, she’ll be spending the break out there, too. She’d given her big part away to her understudy, which I know pained her to the core, but was reflective of her beautiful soul. She’d apologized over and over for her little outburst at me. I’m chalking it up to her stress level and Dane’s constant evasiveness and letting it go, truly forgiving her. I do tend to worry about my own problems above all else, so I’m gonna give her this one free pass.
Sawyer and Kirby are heading out in a few days to his parent’s house for a stay before meeting Zach and Avery at the twins’ parents’ house. I’m not sure if the couples have officially split off or drew straws, nor do I have the energy right now to ask. I have one final to finish, and then I’m driving home to give my father his Christmas present early. No, I never got a job, but mysteriously Sawyer had a week-long hunting trip and cabin paid for that he “just couldn’t use,” so there ya have it. My dad will be over the moon and I’ll find a way to pay Sawyer back eventually.
Dane hasn’t been himself since Tate’s accident. The light is gone from his eyes and there’s no bounce in his step. His shoulders sag and he doesn’t speak unless spoken to. I’m very worried about him and downright furious with his parents. If they’d made an appearance at the hospital, it’d been in one of the brief windows of time I hadn’t been there. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil, but I have got to get through this studying before I got off on a rant.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment bigger than any I’ve ever experienced, I turn in my final exam, knowing I nailed it, and skip to my truck. I did it! I finished my first semester of college, and with a damn fine GPA, if I do say so myself. Now I have almost a month off; no school, no ball practice...nothing but wintry, blessed goodness!
“Hey, you!” I squeal cheerfully into the phone as Dane answers.
“Hey, Laney, how are you?” His voice is dull. “I’m good, all done with finals! How’s Tate?”
He scoffs, his voice lightening a bit. “He’s doing great. Bennett’s fussing over him like a mother hen and I’m sitting back and laughing.”
“So you’re good, feeling better?” I ask hopefully. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He’s not helping with this conversation, but I don’t want to let him go. He’s doing it again, keeping me at arm’s length, and I’m in far too good of a mood to allow it. Not to mention, I’ve worked really hard on his Christmas present and am dying to give it to him. I’ve pulled off a few presents I‘m really proud of for less than fifty dollars, but I’m hoping they mean a lot more to him than that because my whole heart went into them.
“So, um,” I swallow down the knot in my throat, “what are your plans for tonight?”
The silence draws out, killing me slowly. “I don’t have any really,” he pauses, “why?”
“I thought maybe I’d come out. I could bring dinner and your Christmas presents.” It’s my best offer. I wish I could see his face right now, a clue to what’s going on in that head of his. Gnawing my nails, I wait endlessly for him to penetrate the silence.
“Don’t worry about dinner, there’s plenty here. I’ll text you the address. Can you GPS it?”
“Yup. I’ll see you in a little while then.”
“See you in a little while, Laney. Be careful.”