Invisible String

21

He was rerecording a podcast episode with Jason, the two of them going back and forth over mic levels and football talk, laughing at some inside joke I couldn't even begin to understand. It was nice hearing that part of him again - the calm, confident version that didn't have spit-up on his shoulder or a crying baby on his chest.

My phone buzzed on the counter. I dried my hands and flipped it over.

Mom:
Just thinking about you. How's it going over there? Need anything?

I smiled. Of course she knew. Somehow, moms always just know when you need a check-in.

Me:
Hanging in there. Travis is recording. Mira's babbling. Lily finally napping. I'm trying to remember if I've eaten today.

A few seconds later, she replied:

Mom:
That's a no, then. Go make yourself something that didn't come from a kid's menu. Love you.

I set the phone down and laughed softly to myself. She wasn't wrong. I glanced toward the playpen - Mira was gnawing on a soft teething ring, kicking her legs happily. I had maybe twenty minutes before she'd demand something from me again.

I reheated leftover stir fry, leaned against the counter, and took the first bite when Travis peeked his head in from the hallway. "We're done. I think Jason and I finally got it this time." He looked around, then smiled. "Wow. You're eating. That's rare."

"Shocking, I know," I said, gesturing toward Mira. "She's giving me a whole twenty minutes of peace."

He walked over, kissed the top of my head, and glanced at the baby. "You want me to take over so you can finish eating? Maybe sit down for more than five seconds?"

I exhaled a soft laugh. "God, yes. Please."

---

Dinner was the usual happy chaos. Travis grilled chicken while I kept Mira entertained in her car seat at the kitchen island. Lily was "helping" by picking every single crouton out of the salad bowl one by one, claiming they were "too crunchy for baby Mira."

We all sat down together, Mira babbling in her high chair, Lily telling a wildly dramatic story about a dragon who wanted to be a ballerina. It was one of those nights that felt soft around the edges - a normal, simple kind of good.

Then my phone buzzed on the table.

I picked it up without thinking and saw a text from my mom.

Mom:
Tay, it's Austin. He was in a car accident. He's okay. At the hospital now.

Everything around me stopped. My fork halfway to my mouth, Mira's squeal, even Lily's voice. It all felt muffled.

I stood up so fast the chair scraped loud against the floor. Travis was instantly beside me. "What happened?"

I didn't even realize I'd read the message out loud until he was already taking Mira out of her seat, Lily staring at us wide-eyed.

"I don't know. I need to call her," I mumbled, stepping into the hallway with shaky hands.

When my mom answered, her voice was steady but tired. "He's okay, sweetheart. Shaken up. Broken collarbone and a few ribs. They're keeping him overnight for observation."

"What happened?" My voice cracked.

"Single-car crash. Rainy highway. He hydroplaned and hit a guardrail. Someone saw it happen and called it in fast. Thank God."

I pressed a hand to my mouth. "Is he awake? Talking?"

"He is. A little loopy from the meds, but he's asking for you."