A/N: I have to apologize to my friend Kris for killing Kris off, that was not my original plan, but it just felt right. But now what happens with Tory and Jade's Play date? What happens with Chloe? How does she proceed, I mean she just found her again. Let's see... Enjoy- S.K.
I'm here
She dropped the phone before she disconnected the line. I was listening on my end as I walked toward my gate. Something about an accident… a stalled car and a train. I looked around in the airport and spotted a news report on the screen. I hung up the phone as I see a picture of Kristin and some man named Scott were in the car and they died instantly at impact of the train. There is no Chloe mentioned, and obviously Jade wasn't with her or she wouldn't have answered the phone in the morning. "Oh my god." I said as they called for last call on my flight.
I ran to the gate. I was going to make it home, and to Jade. It was the longest flight ever, and was all too glad when I landed at LAX at three in the afternoon I prayed that traffic wouldn't be heavy. "Hey!" I said to Trina, "Take me to Jade's house."
"How am I to supposed to do that Tori?" Trina asked.
"Sinjin has her address, and if he doesn't he can find it." I stated.
"There was this like major accident at some train tracks, and traffic has been off all day because of it." Trina said with a frown
"I know… her girlfriend was in that car." I said lifting the phone to my ear.
"She what?" Trina said and I raised my hand I had already pushed dial.
"Hey." She said a sad tone in her voice.
"Hey! I'm coming to your house, what's your address?" I asked just as I watched Trina punch in the address that was in a text on her phone.
"No… I… Have to pack Chloe up and things…"
"Where is she going?"
"Kris died last night. They took her from me this morning when they came. They don't think my schedule is good for her…" She answered.
"But… all her things are there." I protested, "I'm coming over."
In the background the house phone rang. "Hold on…" I listened to her talk on the other line. "Yeah… She lives here; all of her things are here. I have a few days I can take for bereavement; I can figure my schedule out. Her grandmother is dead, and her dad… Like I told you I never asked."
I looked out of the window as we drove through our old neighborhood at the hills. Just a little bit further up in the hills with the nicer more modern homes. Trina pulled into a driveway and I looked around. It was crisp and clean like Jade. "Hey thanks Trina." I said.
"Want me to wait?" My sister asked
As she did, I heard Jade end her phone call on the other end. "Okay, thank you." She said and then there was a rustle as she put the phone to her ear. "I'm back."
"Open the door." I said waving Trina off.
"What?" She said and I could hear soft foot falls on the other side of the door. The door swung open and her face was blotchy "Vega… how did you?"
I didn't answer I just held her. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into the house closing the door behind us. "How are you feeling? What can I do for you?"
She sighed and shook her head. She led the way to her kitchen where she served herself some water. "Want anything?"
"I'll take some water too… I'm here for you." I said and I followed her back to the living room after she gave me a glass.
"What do you know about the accident?" She asked sitting back.
"Her car stalled at the train tracks, and the train hit it, and she had a guy in the car with her…" I trailed off because she was nodding her head emphatically. "Who was that guy?"
"That was her best friend… Probably Chloe's dad… I don't know. He was a douche. He was married with two other kids of his own and he was out late with my girlfriend and they walked into my house with the intention of doing things in my house while I slept."
"She was cheating on you?"
"We had a fight and broke up and she left to do God knows what in that Shitty car of her's. Now Chloe is alone."
"Thank god she left her behind…" I murmured to myself. Jade nodded.
I reached out and held her close. She stiffened, but as I began to rub small circles on her back she broke down and actually cried. The doorbell rang, and I let go of her. "I'll answer okay?" I whispered.
She nodded and held her head in her hands. I opened the door and there was a kindly older lady, leading Chloe. "Jade!" Chloe said running past me and Jumping on Jade's lap. She clings to Jade as if she hadn't seen her this morning. "Where's mommy Jade? I want mommy."
"Chlo…" Jade said with a sigh and she held her tightly. "Mom is gone."
"Where?"
She looked up at the social worker and me, as if asking for help. And Just as I was to say something she spoke. "Heaven with your Grandma."
"Oh." The little girl sounded small. "So she's not coming back?"
Jade shook her head. "And you're going to stay with me. Would you like that?"
Chloe nodded and held Jade tighter. "Dr. West, are you sure you are ready to take on this responsibility?" She asked. "Especially since it is temporary."
"I couldn't be more attached to Chloe." Jade said, and then she shook her head. "Where else could she go?"
"Here is my card, if you need me for anything." The lady said and Jade took it with a small side. The social worker went on to tell Jade that she had fed Chloe and all other things that she thought Jade needed to hear. Jade only nodded and rocked the little girl. It was almost seven by the time the lady left but Chloe was so emotionally spent she fell asleep in Jade's arms.
After Jade put her down she came to me and thanked me for staying with her. "Jade, What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. Her body is ashes anyway. They had pieces of her. I… I don't know what to do."
"Do you want to do a memorial?" I asked, and the door sprang to life again. People began coming to see Jade and Chloe and I realized Jade didn't need me. Not right now. I walked out to her back yard. Her view back there was impressive since she is higher up on the hill. I walked around the pool and pulled out my phone and was about to call Trina when I spotted Jade looking out beyond the retaining wall. She was in a niche in the back yard so she was out of sight.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked.
"Running away from all of them. I can't stand half of them. I just want to be left alone."
"You want me to go?" I asked.
"No," Jade said. "You are about the only person I want around." I walked toward her and drew her in close and held her.
"I'm here."
