LISA

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The first week of classes always sucked. Getting all the paperwork and syllabuses stressed me the hell out. Then add the fact Uncle D had passed out Wednesday and busted his head open while hospice was there; his being sent back to the hospital just made it worse. I had been told hospice would take care of him. That shit shouldn't have happened.

It was hard to concentrate on anything when my thoughts were with Uncle D. I called him a couple times a day and it was annoying the hell out of him. He sounded so damn weak, though. Even more so than when I had seen him last.

Once I got to my room on Thursday after my morning classes, I dropped my books and all the damn paperwork they'd given us on my bed and let out a frustrated growl. I shouldn't be here. I should be with my uncle. This was bullshit. He shouldn't expect me to stay here while he was fucking dying.

The scholarship I was on wouldn't let me drop out this semester to go spend it with him. But I was at the point where I just didn't care. I'd get a school loan when I needed to return.

Convincing Uncle D of this was going to be hard, though.

A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. I swear to God, if it's a girl I may lose my shit. I hadn't dated since I got back here and I wasn't in the mind-set for anything. I was terrified every time my phone rang that it was a call about my uncle. I didn't have time for dating drama.

"Yeah," I barked unwelcomingly. Just in case it wasn't a brother.

The door opened slowly, like the person on the other side wasn't sure it was a good idea to come in. "What do you want?" I asked again, ready to get this over with.

Then Jennie appeared and all my frustration evaporated. That was not who I was expecting. She wasn't here for me, of course, but seeing her after days of making myself not look for her on campus was nice. It felt good when nothing else in my life felt good.

JK would fucking kill me if he could read my thoughts.

"I'm … I'm sorry if this is a bad time.…" She sounded nervous, and I realized I'd all but bit her head off for knocking.

"No, no, I thought you were someone else. Come in. I'm just going over all this first-of-the-semester shit they drown us in."

She nodded. "Yeah, it's a lot."

She was still nervous.

"JK isn't here." I stated the obvious.

"Yeah, I know. I talked to him. I actually stopped by to see you. I would have called, but I don't have your number and I didn't want to ask JK because he'd assume…" She trailed off and blushed. The pink on her cheeks was damn adorable.

"I don't mind you stopping by whenever you want," I told her honestly.

"Thanks. I just … I know we talked about me going with you to see your uncle this weekend and I really want to, but I wasn't sure when you were going. See, I got a job at Early Perk and I work five to twelve every weekend morning. I'd ask off, but I just got the job and this will be my first weekend. I'm afraid I might lose my job if I do."

I hated that she was so nervous with me. Her cheeks were still pink, and she could barely look me in the eyes. I wanted her comfortable with me. Simply so I could listen to her talk and look at those amazing eyes of hers.

"Yeah, no, you don't need to ask off and lose that. It's a great place. I'm glad you found a job so fast. Uncle D is actually back at the hospital in Franklin. We could leave around one on Saturday and stay the afternoon with him. Maybe eat dinner with him, then head back here around eight."

She was frowning. That concerned look she got. "What happened? Did hospice send him back?"

"He fell with a hospice worker there. Apparently he got up in the middle of the night because he's stubborn. Hit his head and they had to send him back due to blood loss."

Her frown deepened. "Oh no. That's terrible. Bless his heart. This has got to be so hard on you, being here. Yes, if you don't mind waiting on me, I would love to go Saturday. But if you want to go on early, I can drive up after work. I know my way to Franklin."

I was selfish. I wanted to see Uncle D, but I wanted her with me. "I'll wait on you. Be better driving back late. Your brother would feel better about me driving."

She nodded. "Yes, I'm sure he would. But if you need to get there, I am perfectly capable of driving at night. He likes to pretend I'm still eight years old with pigtails, but I'm not."

No, she definitely was not.

"I'll wait on you," I repeated.

She sighed and nodded. "Okay. I'll bring coffee and muffins. Mom will have us an apple pie ready."

I wish my uncle could actually eat an apple pie. He was on an IV and refusing to eat. When he tried, he threw it up.

"Thanks. But he's not keeping food down. Doubt he'll be able to enjoy that pie."

Her eyes looked so full of sadness and sorrow I wanted to hug her. Not to make her feel better, but because she could feel that for an old man she hardly knew. Uncle D didn't have many people in his life. We'd worked on the farm and he hadn't been a social man. Having someone care about him like that other than me meant so damn much.

"Then I'll be sure to have some entertaining stories to tell him. He likes my stories," she said with a nod. Like that was her mission now. If she only knew how just showing up would be enough for him and for me.

"I'm sure he'll love that."

She smiled. A sad one. Then turned to leave. I was watching her go, unsure what to say and wondering about Taehyung. Where was he? Did he not care about her going with me to Franklin?

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