OBSESSED

15

JARROD

The weekend completely dragged.

Although I was happy to console my sister, she was shrouded in sadness. I could only take so much before getting depressed myself.

James elected to stay longer since he could work remotely. In some strange way, he seemed unaffected by Julia's grief. He was like a fucking rock. Julia didn't seem to mind.

They'd always been closer to each other than to me, but I'd always had too much else going on to care. Now, I was just glad someone could be with Julia while I needed to put out fires with my naughty little Leah.

As soon as my plane touched down in Atlanta, I phoned Leah. She texted me yesterday but I was occupied with Julia and my parents.

Besides, I was here now. I was ready to see her and talk in person. Texts were not going to get across what I needed them to. I also assumed that she wouldn't be too busy on a Sunday afternoon.

"Hello?" she greeted.

"Leah, hey." I walked briskly through the airport, tugging along my carry-on towards the parking garage. "How are you?"

"I'm good, I guess. How are you? How is your sister?"

"She's . . . alright. I'm honestly exhausted but I would really like to see you. Are you free today?"

"Oh, um, yeah. I'm just sitting at home. For reals this time."

I smiled a little but this only reminded me that she hadn't been at home Friday night.

"Would you mind if I drop by in forty minutes or so? You can send me your address if that's easiest."

"Why don't we get coffee or something?" she suggested, sounding nervous. "You said you were tired, after all."

Tired didn't even remotely describe how I felt. Coffee probably wouldn't help, but if that's what she wanted, I'd make it happen.

"You pick a place and send me the info," I said.

"Okay! I know a great place. I'll send you the address." She cleared her throat. "I just want to say I'm sorry again for Friday."

"What exactly are you sorry for?"

Sighing, she mumbled, "For Isabelle talking to you that way. I wasn't even really crying. She just freaked out because she was drunk."

"It's okay. You did worry me, Leah, but I know you're safe now. When you told me you were scared, I didn't know if you were in some immediate danger or if it was something else."

"Something else. I wasn't in any kind of immediate danger. I promise."

My lips tugged up. I'd finally reached my car and threw my carry-on into the trunk. The car's Bluetooth picked up the call as I climbed behind the wheel.

"I'm glad you're safe, honey," I said.

"Me too. So you're back in Decatur now?"

"I just landed in Atlanta. You're my first stop before home."

She paused and I wished I could see her face. "Thank you. I don't know what you see in me," she said with nervous laughter.