Untangling Strings

Chapter Twenty

It has been five days since I arrived at Alcott's and I am looking through the calendar, deciding when I'll head back home. This was a temporary escape from the beginning, until I somehow got a reason to stay. For a while.

Today, I seem to be motivated to do some painting. As I go through my painting materials, the universe made sure it won't miss a day of getting under my skin, and today it is in the form of a phone call.

"Hey, dad."

"Hope," it was followed by a heavy sigh. Something's wrong. Dad never let out that kind of sigh unless there's serious business.

"Dad, what is it?"

"Your mom." I can clearly hear the shaky voice on the other end of the line. What the fuck now?

"Dad, get straight to it."

"She's... Gab brought her here to Greenwoods Hospi–"

"What?! What happened?" Okay, this is not a game I want to play. If the universe got a face, I would've already shoved my fist down its throat and reach for its lungs so I can squeeze it to death. "No, dad. Don't tell me. I'll be there." I hope mom just got a fever.

I rushed downstairs without tripping myself only to be stopped by Piece. "Hey, what's the rush about?"

"I really don't have time to explain. I have to get to the hospital." I shoved away his hand, but his grip just got tighter.

"I'll drive you."

The whole drive to the hospital was silent and I can see Piece on my peripheral vision checking on me every once in a while. My brain is all over the place, my heart's trying to get out of my chest, and everything was a blur until fuck... the moment I got to mom's room everyone's eyes are on me. My feet froze and the only step I could take was backwards, until I bumped my back on a hard chest. I didn't notice Piece followed me. When I looked up at him, concern was flashing through his orbs, and I just did the only thing I am good at –running away.

I let my feet take me wherever it wanted to. My limbs are starting to feel limp and my lungs are burning. Piece grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug. My face was pressed on his chest and a stream of tears stained his gray shirt. This was my most vulnerable state around him.

"Shh, it's alright. I got you," he whispered.

No matter how comforting his words and arms are, it can't keep my heart from shattering into a million pieces over and over again. How the hell is this feeling even possible?

When I mustered the courage to pull myself away from his comfort, I saw Gab in the distance. He was standing still a few feet away behind Piece, watching me with a stiff expression drawn on his face.

I looked at Piece, "Let's get out of here, please."

He held my hand and led the way. All throughout the walk my head was hanging down like I lost the bones on my neck. Piece halted which made me look up and around to where we are –hospital garden. "Do you mind talking with me?"

"Wha- What?"

"What happened back there? Why did you run?"

"I- I..." I know myself too well and I can't speak without letting my tears out. I pursed my lips together as I gathered my thoughts. "It hurts." Two words and sobbing came next.

He caged me in a hug while his hand gently moved against my back, and whispered, "I badly wanted to hold you in my arms until you calmed down, but right now I gotta go. I think someone wants to talk to you. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"

I looked up at him with confusion. His eyes shifted from my face to look straight behind me which I followed. And there I found my dad. I ran towards him and threw myself in his wide arms. My sobbing just worsened.

"It's okay, sweets. Mom's okay."

After a minute or so of crying like a toddler, with sobs and hiccups and all, I managed to pull my shit together.

"What happened to mom?"

Dad was looking at me with those worried sick eyes, "She passed out. Good thing Gab was at home. The result just got out, it was fatigue. She's working her stubborn ass off. She'll be okay, sweets."

"But she's unconscious."

"She's just sleeping when you saw her. Is that what startled you that you bolted away? You thought mom's in critical condition?"

"No. Yes. I- I mean yes, I thought mom's in critical condition. And no, that's not why I ran."

"Will you tell me why?" Dad looked straight into my eyes just how he always does whenever he feels something's off with me. His stare had always bore a clear message that no matter what I was about to say, it would never change anything between us. That was dad's own kind of magic that works on me. And it was one of those things I avoided for the past couple of years being away.

"The look on everyone's eyes when they saw me... Dad, it was enough for me to..." I took a deep breath and the next words were spoken in the fastest possible manner "Ican'tbeartobewiththeminthesameroom."

"So, this 'them', which is the only word I understood from what you just said, refers to your brother and Avery?"

I nod. Then, dad let out a relieved sigh which was more like an act. "Why'd you do that?"

"It was reassuring to know that I am not included in 'them'." He quoted in the air when he said the word them which made me laugh a little.

"Dad..." I shook my head, "You're one hell of a drama breaker."

"Oh, I am glad to put a smile on your face, kid. I see you're still good at tongue twisters, huh?" I looked at him and stuck my tongue out like a toddler. He chuckled at my act, "You feeling better?"

"Yeah, thanks to you." I hugged him sideways and he planted a kiss on top of my head.

"I miss you so much, Hope. So is your mom."

"When can she go home?"

"The earliest will be today, early evening maybe. But Gab insisted for her to at least stay until tomorrow and requested to run some more tests just to be sure we're not missing out on anything."

"I can stay with her. Well, if Gab and Avery will be out of sight. Can you talk to Gab about their schedule? So that I'll know when I'll fill in."

"This feud between the two of you hasn't been put to an end?"

"No, not too soon, I guess."

"Then, I'll be the umpire."