Page 152 of Fighting Chance
Peering around, I ask, “Is anyone home? Grayson’s parents are here for a few days again, right?”
She smiles. “Grayson took them out to give me some time to draw.”
“That’s sweet.”
Her cheeks tint. “He’s very attentive.”
Before Bella can ask about the surprise, I pull the teddy bear from behind my back, holding it out for her.
It’s the childhood bear her mom gave her. Its brown body is a little ratty from years of love, the green and black striped shirt it’s wearing desperately needing a wash despite Bella’s refusals.
Her brows furrow as she looks from me to the bear. “Uh, Lil, why do you have Mr. Freckles?”
“I stole it,” I confess, biting my lip.
“How the hell didn’t I notice?”
“Maybe because Grayson is soattentive,” I tease.
She snorts, taking the bear from me, inspecting to see if he’s all right. “Thank you for giving it back but I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Why did you take it?”
Before I can lose my nerve, I step forward, pressing the button I had inserted this week and letting it explain for me.
A soft female voice fills the living room.
The moment it does, Bella’s eyes widen, tears pooling instantly.
“Hi, my love! I’m just calling because I miss your gorgeous face. Call me back soon please, I miss you. Talk soon!”
The tears turn into a river as her eyes close, her face shuddering. She falls back onto the couch, clutching the bear to her chest, and breaks, sobs wracking her body.
My own tears begin to fall freely.
After Bella confessed how she was feeling about her mom and how she misses her on the days that Grayson’s family is in town, how hard it’s been to cope, I knew I had to do this for her. I’ve caught her listening to the voicemail she kept from her mom from over two years ago a million times. I just wish I had done it sooner.
Sitting beside my best friend, I wrap my arm around her shoulder. She turns toward me and loses it, her chest heaving, shoulders shaking as she bawls.
“T-thank you,” she heaves through hiccups. “Thank you for giving me this.” She presses the button again and Trisha’s voice fills the room. “Thank you for giving me a piece of her back.”
Chapter 32
Layla
GRAYSON
thank you
she hasn’t stopped pressing the button all day
It’s the most precious thing she owns
LAYLA
anything for her <3
GRAYSON
she’s special isn’t she?
