“Mr. Jamison, need I remind you that this is a classroom? You should be well aware of the rules concerning cell phones by now. Turn it off. Immediately.”
The class fills with sniggering and people take the opportunity to talk to their friends at the disruption. Hillman’s pissed as he threatens detention to anyone else that makes a noise.
Great.
His eyes are still set on me, so I nod and switch my phone off completely; the last thing I need is for it to go off again and land my ass in any more trouble.
The hour seems to run so slowly it's borderline torturous. I have no interest in what’s being taught. All I can concentrate on is getting the hell out of here and dragging Blair home with me to finish what we started in the library. The bell sounds and I pack up my books, take out my cell and all but run out of the classroom into the hall where she’s waiting.
“Who was calling in the middle of class?” she asks.
“I didn’t see; I turned it off without looking,” I say, turning my cell on and waiting for it to power up.
“I’m surprised that he went so easy on you; I’ve seen him freak at people for far less than having their cells on.”
“Hmm, what?” I look up, and she’s studying the phone with a curious expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Not sure. My mom’s called me like six times, and texted, telling me to call her ASAP.”
I watch as her face drops, and I know she’s thinking the same thing I am; that something has happened with my dad. I should only be so lucky. I hit call and mom answers on the second ring.
“Hey, you’ve been calling—what’s up?”
“Hi, sweetheart. The hospital has been on the phone; your dad has contracted pneumonia, and they want me to head back. It's…well, oh, Ethan, it’s not looking good. I need to catch a flight tonight. Can you come home? I…I have some things I want to talk through with you, and I don’t want to do it over the phone.”
Fantastic; no doubt there’ll be more revelations to add to the clusterfuck that is our life. I don’t want to upset her more than she already sounds. The last thing I want to do is get into an argument with her over the phone in the middle of the school.
“Sure, I’ll be home soon.”
I disconnect the call, and Blair is already leading me out towards the parking lot.
“Did you hear that?” I ask as we step out into the warm breeze. I squint trying to get my eyes to adjust to the light.
“Yeah, come on, I’m coming with you. We need to get out of here quickly before any of my teachers see me ditch.”
“You don’t have to co—”
“Don’t you dare tell me not to come. I’m not arguing about this; I’m in this with you. Now, do you want me to drive?”
“Hell no, Princess. No disrespect, but your driving is scarier than the prospect of what awaits me at home,” I say in a joking tone, and she flips me off.
“Such a lady, Ms. Thomas.”
“Bite me, Mr. Jamison.”
“Is that an invitation?” There’s genuine hope in my voice, and she shakes her head in disgust.
“There’s something wrong with you!”
“Yeah, you’re only figuring this now. Ain’t you supposed to be smart?” I say as I tap her ass and she almost jumps out of her skin.
“Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment,” she sing-songs and attempts to wink. It’s equal parts funny and cute; she looks like she has something in her eye and is pulling a face that’s a lot less than attractive. I think I’ve just discovered the one thing she doesn’t seem to be any good at, and it makes me love her even more.
I’m stunned. I have no idea on what planet she could think that this is a good idea. It’s the last thing I want to do, and Blair agreeing with her has me thrown entirely.
“Ethan, please. Honey this may be your last chance. He requested that I ask you.”
“There’s no way I’m going to see him, Mom. Jesus, have you forgotten the reception I got the last time I tried to see him in the hospital? He freaked. I can’t believe you’re even asking this of me.”
“Baby,” Blair interrupts and fixes me with a steady gaze. “I really think that you should consider it. It might give you closure. If not, at least you won't go through life regretting not saying what you wanted to him, or asking him the questions burning at the back of your mind. I know it’s a totally different scenario, but I never got the chance to say goodbye to my father, and I wish every day that I had. Because the last words I ever spoke to him were a complaint that he’d woken me up too early. If I’d had any idea that he was going to suffer a massive heart attack that morning, there are so many things I would have told him. Whether the things you want to say to your dad are good or bad, make sure that you can live with the decision never to speak them.”
I rest my head in my hands and curse the fact that I know she’s right. I don’t want to see him, at all. But that’s only how I feel at this point in time. Who knows how I’d feel later on?
“Okay.”