Page 13 of Practically Perfect
“I’m sorry again about worrying you. Wasn’t my intention. Work was crazy, and I didn’t have my phone on me.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I kinda panicked when I saw all your messages. Didn’t know what else to do except get on a plane.”
“A call or text to let me know you’re coming would’ve been nice,” I say, exasperated. “But you’re here now, and that’s what matters.”
“Can you tell me what’s going on with my mom? Your messages mentioned an accident but didn’t give me any more details. I was heading from the airport to the hospital when I saw your lights on. Thought it made sense to stop here and talk to you first. Plus, I assume hospital visiting hours might be over, so I wasn’t sure if they would let me see her. How is my mom doing?”
The wind is knocked out of me, realizing he thinks he can visit his mom tomorrow. I thought I’d mentioned how serious the situation was in my messages.
Oh my God. Telling him the truth will be even harder than I imagined.
“Jake, why don’t we sit down, and I’ll explain everything,” I say, taking a seat on the couch and patting the cushion next to me.
“You’re starting to scare me, Kitty Kat. What’s going on?” He slowly sits next to me as fear ripples across his face.
Any other day, I’d tell him to quit using the annoying nickname he gave me when we were kids. I’ve always hated it, but I tolerated him using it because he came up with it shortly after his dad died. It was the first time I had seen him smile in months. He lost the right to use it when he disappeared from my life. Somehow, it’s oddly fitting and equally depressing that he’s using it again on the day I have to tell him about his mom’s death.
I take a deep breath, praying I can keep my emotions in check for this conversation.
I can do this.
I can tell Jake that his mom died.
Tears well up in my eyes as I prepare to break my former best friend’s heart.
seven
I can feelJake’s intense focus on the side of my head. Almost like he’s willing me to look at him, but the tears are already flowing, and I need a minute to compose myself. It takes everything I have to raise my head and meet his gaze.
He stills and swallows hard. “What’s going on, Kitty Kat? You can tell me.”
Terror overtakes his face. He’s bracing himself for bad news. After all, we’ve been here before. Literally in this same room as I held his hand and Judy shared the news about his dad passing away after a months-long battle with cancer. A part of his soul died that day, changing him forever. And now I fear the same will happen again.
“There was an accident… Your mom was driving in the car with mine,” I start softly, trying to control my breathing. “The police aren’t exactly sure what happened, but the car went off the road and hit a tree.”
“Oh my God.” His hand flies to his mouth as a mix of shock and anguish appears on his face. “Are they okay?”
“Yes and no. My mom has some internal injuries and broken bones. She had surgery last night and has a long recovery ahead.”
He nods repeatedly, still looking pale. “That’s a relief. Tell me about my mom. Were her injuries severe?”
“Jake…”
“You can tell me, Kitty Kat,” he says, reaching for my hand and squeezing.
I take a deep breath and rip off the bandage. “Your mom’s injuries were a lot worse. They had to take her straight into surgery. The doctors did everything they could,” I whisper, trying to hold back tears that are seconds away from breaking loose. “They tried everything… She died during surgery. I’m so very sorry, Jake.” The sob breaks free, consuming my entire body as I start shaking.
Jake frowns and rapidly blinks. “I don’t understand.”
I can see him trying to process this tragic news. He can’t seem to fathom that his mom is gone. That she’s actually dead. That this is happening to him. Again.
“I’m so sorry. I know it’s a lot to take in. It’s been a really hard twenty-four hours,” I say, gripping his hand and using my other one to wipe away my tears.
“But…she’s gone?” His hand drops from mine as he starts rubbing his chest, attempting to ease the emotional and physical pain. His previously calm breathing becomes rapid, and his chin trembles. “I’m never going to see her again?”
I nod and transition into a full-on ugly cry, a mixture of tears and snot cascading down my face.
Feeling an overwhelming need to comfort him, I pull Jake into a hug. I want to tell him it’s all going to be okay, even though I know it won’t.
As soon as his arms wrap around me, he breaks. I feel the racing heart, the sobbing coming from his chest, and the wetnessof his tears as they soak through my shirt. The same way I held him while he fell apart after learning about his father’s death. The only difference is that we had the support of my mom and his mom that night. Now, it’s only the two of us.
