Invisible String

108

"What?"

"She died."

"Who called you?" Taylor asks and Nat looks at Taylor with an expression that I don't understand but Taylor sighs. "You've been talking to her."

"Are we really getting into that now?"

"This may not be appropriate but I'm confused and a little lost I suppose. Were you guys friends?"

"We had met her a few times, she was friends with a friend of Taylor's." Natalie says and Taylor glared.

"She called you personally? Since when." Taylor asks and Natalie shakes her head. "You know you can't."

"And I also can't disclose many things. I only wanted to reconnect."

"You do that with the others?"

Others?

"I'm not allowed. Am I." Natalie says, the tension and every feeling could be felt. "And I wonder why."

"Hi, I'm still here and I'm confused. But I'm also sorry for your loss. It's clear you both knew her. Is it time to argue though." I say getting the attention of the two women.

"Call her back, ask her if she needs anything. That WE are here for her." Taylor says.

"Dianna misses you I hope you know that." Natalie says before she walks back out.

"Agron? Oh she's sweet. I didn't know you guys were friends." I say.

"Wait you've met her?"

"Yeah. We've talked a few times, three at most." I say and Taylor sighs. "I didn't know you guys were friends though."

"We used to be." Taylor says. "Past tense. I didn't know Natalie was talking to her."

"Did your friendship end badly?"

"Unexpected." Taylor says and I hum.

Natalie walks back inside and she sighs.

"She was sweet. Very kind. She risked her life for her child." Natalie says. "I wasn't even aware of what was happening."

"You know we can't attend any events." Taylor says. "We can't risk anything, especially because we can't risk Charlie to covid."

"I know. We know." Natalie says.

"You okay?" I ask Taylor.

"I'm fine."

"How's your dad?" Taylor asks Nat, changing the subject.

"Jason? He's still working but I told him he should retire." Natalie says.

Natalie's phone goes off again.

"Speaking of which, it's my uncle Joey."

While Natalie speaks with her uncle, Taylor scoots closer to me.

"Your daughter brings me so much joy, she's my favorite niece." Taylor says and I laugh.

"I'm pretty sure she's your only niece. And don't say Blake and Ryan's kids."

"Fine." Taylor says. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course, she won't cry anytime soon. She ate just before I came down here. So you should be okay." I say as I help Taylor hold Charlie.

"She's cute, she looks a lot like Natalie, genes were strong."

"Tell me about it, my dad said the same thing. I think she looks like Nat's mom."

"I see it, yeah a cute little baby." Taylor says as she taps on the blanket. "You are so cute, aren't you? Yes you are."

"I have to go to New York."

Taylor and I look up from looking at Charlie. The look on her face worried me, she looked confused.

"What?" Taylor says.

"Babe?"

"My uncle Joey, he said Jason- my dad, he has lung cancer, he's not doing well. AND he got Covid and working as a firefighter didn't help, with all the smoke inhalation. I have to go." 

"You have a daughter, you can't go." Taylor says and I put my arm in front of her as I get up.

"Go, it's okay. I'll stay here with Charlie. But you have to go with Taylor, that's my one condition." I say as I approach Natalie. Cupping her face in my hands.

"I don't want to leave you alone. Come with me, we have a place to stay in New York."

"It's true. If anything you guys go, I'll stay. I'll take care of the house." Taylor says and I shake my head.

"You have to go. Especially you." I say as I stand in between both.

If something does happen, she'll need the one person who's been with her almost all of her life.

"Here's a thought. We all go. But we have to be very cautious and careful." Natalie says and I nod. "Okay. We leave tonight."

"It'll be okay." I whisper, her face in my hands as I pecked her lips.

"I'm just starting to let him back into my life." Nat says as she looked at me with such a defeated look.

"I got you. You're not alone. I'm right by your side." I stand on my toes as I reach for another kiss.

"I'll pack our bags." Natalie says as she kisses me then leaves the studio.

"Alex."

"I know Taylor. I'm terrified of what may come. But we have to be prepared. I know."

"Can I take Charlie with me? I'll start making some calls. Keep things circulating and ready for anything."

"Yeah. Thanks. I'm going to help Nat with the bags. Do you think you can call Laura for me."

"I'll make the arrangements, I got it. You just help Nat pack the bags. I don't need one, well I'll grab a couple of things I may need but I have clothes at my apartment in New York."

"Okay well you can bring me Charlie when you want."

What else could possibly go wrong.