Chapter 13
Grieving
Lia looked up as Lance came through the front door.
"How is she doing?"
"She's awake and in the shower. The plane took off on time?"
"Yes, Lee says he'll call when they get back to Johnny's."
"She doesn't remember anything specifics about the accident Lance. She doesn't remember the EMTs having to pry Jade from her arms."
"Lia you heard the doctor, he said that she might be in shock."
"I know but I'm worried what's going to happen when she starts remembering things."
"When that time comes we'll be there for her."
Lia looked Lance and wondered if he had really changed. The Lance standing in front of her was a totally opposite of the cold heartless one that she had grown up with. She had postponed her flight to California to be with Mo during the wake and funerals. She had wanted to cancel her trip all together but both Lance and Lee had convinced her to play it by ear.
"You really care for her don't you?"
"Yes, I do. I've never met like anyone like her."
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Morgan
I got out of the shower and looked into the mirror. I don't know what I was looking for maybe some sort of change. I got dressed slowly and headed downstairs, I noticed how quiet Lia's house was. I wondered where all of the kids were. I walked into the kitchen and noticed how Lia and Lance stopped talking. I imagine they were talking about me.
"Hey."
I wasn't prepared for what Lance did next. He came over and hugged me before leading me to one of the stools at the breakfast island.
"Sit down Mo. Do you want some tea? Are you hungry?"
"Yeah, tea would be great thanks."
I turned in the stool and looked at Lia.
"Where are the kids? It's so quiet without them."
"They went to California with Lee to see Johnny."
"Weren't you supposed to go with them?"
"Yeah, I postponed my flight, so that I could stay here with you."
"Lia, you didn't have to do that."
"Mo, you're the best friend that I have. I know how much Jade meant to you, I couldn't let you go through this alone."
I leaned over and hugged her. I knew that if she wasn't here I would be a mess.
"Thank you Lia. I really appreciate this."
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The next few days went by in a blur, Jen's family had decided to bury Jen and Jade together as mother and daughter. I think that hurt me the most even more then them being gone. I wanted to tell the entire world how horrible a mother Jen had been. I spent most of those three days alternating between crying and sleeping. Lia had gotten her doctor to prescribe me some sleeping pills. I had started to have nightmares about the accident; memories that I pushed away in daylight came to haunt me when I closed my eyes.
Two days after we buried Jen and Jade I convinced Lia to go to California to see her brother. She didn't want to leave me at first but Lance promised her he'd keep an eye on me. Lance and I drove her to the airport and saw her off. The ride home felt awkward; I didn't know what to say to Lance, so I just stared out the window.
"So do you want to stop anywhere while we're out Mo?"
I turned and looked at him he had been there for me through everything. Could I be starting to like him? It's been so long since I could focus on a guy without having to worry about how they would except Jade.
"Do you think we can swing by my place?"
"Are you sure you are ready for that?"
"Lance, I'll never be totally ready not to hear Jade calling for me. However, I know I need to get my life back to some state of normalcy."
"Well if you think that you are up to it, then I don't have a problem with going."
"I'm sorry I didn't say something sooner."
"Don't worry about it traffic seems to be moving better in the other direction."
Not another word was spoken as he maneuvered onto the exit ramp so that we could turn around and head towards my apartment.