Page 45 of Your Love

Kerri was excited to finish her finals and be done this year, as well. She was able to pack up her belongings and store them with the resident advisor so that she could visit Texas for a few weeks before spending the remainder of the summer with me.

She caught a flight there yesterday. Her visit at Christmas went well, so I’m not as worried about her being there. Beau never showed his face. In fact, the rumor is that he left town. But I’m still anxious to get her here with me. I miss my girlfriend and can’t wait to spend a couple of uninterrupted months with her.

When we spoke this morning, she said she planned to see an old friend tonight. I’ve been waiting anxiously for her call for the past three hours. I’ve paced, raided the refrigerator, played some video games, paced some more, and eaten more food. I’m still waiting.

She said the movie ended at nine, and then she’d come straight home. At least, that was the plan. Maybe they decided to grab something to eat and started talking. That was my first thought. Or maybe they decided to do something else that takes longer? I’m trying not to worry, but I can’t help it. It’s not like Kerri to miss one of our phone dates. It’s the one thing we both look forward to.

My worry isn’t about trust. I trust her more than anything. This is about my concern that she’s in some trouble. Just because Beau hasn’t shown his face in almost a year, that doesn’t mean he’s disappeared or forgotten about Kerri. He still blames her for his life falling apart. Crazy son of a bitch.

I called her parents’ number earlier and left a message on the answering machine, but no one called me back. Something is wrong. I don’t understand how I know, but I do.

I can’t go for a run because I need to be near my phone. I don’t want to play any more video games or focus on reading. Eating is out of the picture because this constant state of worry is now making me nauseous.

I glance over at the corner of my room and notice four neon green tennis balls. With a heavy heart, I make my way over to them and pick them up one by one. I start tossing them in the air, trying to focus on the rhythmic movement rather than the racing thoughts in my mind. My hands fumble with the fourth ball as I try to keep the pattern going, but I refuse to give up. I feel like an idiot juggling right now, but it’s my go-to strategy for clearing my mind and finding focus in moments like this.

I toss the balls in a smooth rhythm, trying to push thoughts of Kerri out of my mind. But after a few minutes, my concentration falters, and the balls fall to the ground. I grab my phone and redial her parents’ number. The ringing echoes in my ear until it stops abruptly; voicemail again. Frustrated, I dial her grandparents’ number next, hoping they have some insight into her sudden disappearance.

“Hello?” The husky voice rings out over the line.

“Hi, Earl. It’s Landry.”

A sigh releases on the other end of the phone. “Hi, Landry. I was about to give you a call.”

“What’s going on?” I ask every nerve in my body on full alert.

“It’s about Kerri Ann,” he says. “She was in a car accident this evening, Landry.”

I knew it. I knew something was wrong in my heart. Our connection is too deep, and she would never blow me off. “Is she okay? Where is she? What’s going on?” My questions come out in rapid succession.

Earl’s voice is calm and measured. I think it’s meant to help me relax, but it doesn’t work. I’m in fight or flight mode as he speaks, doing my best to focus on his words.

“Well, now, we don’t know exactly,” he says. “Other than the fact that she was in an accident with her friend on the way home from the movies this evening. I don’t have details yet because my son was only able to call me for a moment, but I do know that she has some pretty serious injuries. She’s in the hospital.”

“But she’s going to be okay? She has to be okay. I can see her, right?”

“I think she’s going to be okay. We’re waiting for some details, and then we’re probably going to catch a flight and check things out for ourselves.”

“Maybe I can get on a flight and go as well,” I say out loud. My mind races with thoughts of everything I need to do to get ready to leave. I have to talk to my parents and Coach Dupree. Everyone will understand. They have to understand.

Earl stops my train of thought. “Landry, why don’t you hold off until we know a little bit about what’s going on? I promise as soon as I hear anything, I’ll tell you.”

“I can’t sit here and be useless, Sir, “ I plead.

“You’re not useless, Landry. Kerri Ann cares about you very much, and I know that whatever she’s going through right now, she’s thinking about you. Hell, Kid, that makes you just about the most useful person I can think of.”

I hope he’s right, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.

“But I do need to ask you a favor,” he continues.

“Anything,” I tell him.

“Do you think you could find someone to help Trevor take care of the animals while we’re gone? Just for a few days. Maybe you could even do it?”

“I don’t mind helping out,” I tell him. “I think I have a pretty good handle on everything that goes on there. But what about when I go to Texas?” I ask.

“Well, by then, I reckon we’ll be back. Patty and I can’t travel well and don’t like being gone for long. Maybe we can switch places?” he offers.

Okay, that’ll work, I think to myself. At least I can help out Kerri’s family while they find out what’s going on with her. They don’t need me charging in right now. I doubt her parents even know about me. “I can do that,” I offer.