My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 24

Even as a couple of more weeks passed, I still wasn't doing well.

Every night, I wanted to call or text Poppy. But I held back, fearing that she would reject me.

And I knew that would hurt even more.

I was supposed to have a shift with her on a Tuesday in mid-June, but when I showed up for work, she wasn't there.

Layla, however, was.

It was supposed to be me, Charlie, Sydney, and Poppy, but it was just Charlie, Sydney, and I.

"Hey, can I speak to you all?" Layla asked as the shift began.

We stood around her behind the counter, and all I could do was wonder where Poppy was.

"Is everything okay?" Sydney asked.

Layla looked somber as she told us, "Poppy might be out for a little while. Her father passed away the other night. She has said it's okay if I tell you all. I'm going to be arranging flowers for the funeral as well as meals to be sent to her. I'll keep you all posted."

The news hit me like an absolute ton of bricks.

Of course, I knew how sick Poppy's father was. She always remained positive in the face of it, but I knew how much it drained and worried her. She hated seeing her dad so sick.

Even though I had only met her father one time, it hit me hard, hearing he passed.

All I could think about was Poppy.

I need to see her.

That's the only thing that I could think about during my whole shift. I made three drinks wrong because my mind was so fucking distracted.

"Are you okay?" Sydney asked me, "You seem really out of it."

"I just need this shift to end," I said back to Sydney.

It finally did, and I knew that I needed to go to Poppy's apartment.

There was no way in hell I wasn't going to at least try and see her.

Something in her will want to see me.

I just had a feeling.

I drove home quickly, changed out of my work clothing, and into a pair of black jean shorts and a black pullover. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, and didn't even bother to touch up on my makeup.

Even though the drive to Poppy's was only five minutes, the drive felt like a lifetime.

I was breathless as I rushed up to her apartment door, and my heart started to pound as I knocked.

A moment later, I heard footsteps, and Poppy's voice said weakly, "Coming."

I didn't know how Poppy was going to react when she opened the door and saw it was me. I wasn't fully prepared for a negative reaction, even though I knew I could get one.

The door opened, and I held my breath.

Poppy stood in front of me. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she wore a pair of black pajama shorts and a gray tank top. Her dark hair was pulled back into a low bun.

"Delilah?" Poppy asked softly, like she couldn't quite believe it was me.

"Can I come in?" I replied to Poppy, nervous for her answer.

Poppy nodded, and stepped aside to let me in.

She closed the door behind me, and as we stood by her door, I said to her, "Layla told us about your dad. I am so sorry."