Page 34 of Beyond the Stix

I hear a shower start, which jolts me out of my thoughts. I’m too damn tired to think more about it, drop my phone on the mattress, and close my eyes. It’s time for a new number.

That’s the last thought I had before I wake up and see it’s eight in the morning. I get up and brush my teeth again and then grab my stuff. With my duffle in hand, I walk into the kitchen, thinking to find my mother. Instead, I find my bodyguard. John is freshly showered, and sipping on coffee in a to-go cup.

“I need a new number,” I say in lieu of a greeting.

“Good morning to you too,” he says, but the look in his eyes is more likeAre you okay?I’m beginning to hate that question.

I drop my duffle onto the counter, ready to tell John don’t worry about me, when my mother walks in, cutting me off. “Good morning, sweetie. Here.” She hands me a to-go cup, and then two brown paper sacks.

“What’s this?” I ask, placing the paper bags down on the counter and taking a sip of my coffee.

“There are sandwiches and some snacks for the road,” she explains with a smile that doesn’t reach her watery eyes. “And don’t fuss for leaving early. I know you have responsibilities. I’ll be fine and I have your number just in case.” She hugs me.

“I’m changing my number,” I admit.

“She has my number, in case she can’t get a hold of you,” John says, drinking his coffee, his eyes never wavering from my face.

“Thank you, John.” She pulls away and rounds the counter to give him a hug. John freezes as she wraps her arms around his middle. “You take care of him. He’s all I have now.”

My mother’s words knock the breath out of me. No truer words have been spoken.

“I will.” John releases her and steps back. He clears his throat and says, “I’m going to check Tobias’s ETA.” After his quick goodbye to Mom, he grabs my duffle, and walks out of the house.

“Mom.” I reach her side. “Maybe I should?—”

“No.” She cuts me off and shakes her head. “I mean it, Connor. I’ll be fine. Focus on your career. Your father wouldn’t want you to stop your life for him.”

“What about you?” I insist, the familiar knot forming in the back of my throat. I hate the idea of leaving so soon after we buried my father. I know my mother is strong, but… maybe I’m not. Though, I won’t verbalize that.

“I have my friends, Connor. My church. And I told you I’ll be fine.” She retrieves the paper sacks on the counter and hands them to me, then curls an arm into my mine. “Now, let me walk you out.”

For a brief moment, while stepping out of the house with the bags in my hand, I feel like I’m heading to grade school, and she’s walking me to the bus stop. I shake off the goofy and sentimental thought, and watch two black SUVs pull up into the driveway.

“What about the car you drove here?” my mother asks John, who’s putting my bag in the back of the vehicle Tobias is standing by.

“Don’t worry, the rental place will pick it up later today,” Tobias answers before getting into the driver’s seat.

“I’ll call you when I get a new number,” I say with one more hug and a kiss to her cheek. Then I stride to the vehicle where John has the back passenger door open for me. I get in and John closes the door before climbing into the front passenger seat.

I settle in the back, next to Danny, who’s slathering his lips with his lip gloss, nervous anxiety pinching his face.

Well, that’s different from the normal lip balm he uses.But I don’t ask.

With a wave for my mother, Tobias backs out of the driveway and takes off toward the airport.

For a moment, the silence in the vehicle is bearing down on me, and I can’t take it. I lean into Danny and whisper, “What’s wrong?”

He meets my eyes, and then quickly looks away like he’s afraid to verbalize what’s in his head.

“Danny.” I grip his forearm. “Talk to me.”

I glance John’s way for answers, but his eyes are on Tobias, who’s keeping his attention on the road.

“Spill,” I demand, tightening my grip on my friend’s arm.

“Ron called me this morning. He got some bad news yesterday,” Danny explains.

“Bad news?” This time, I let go of Danny’s hand and shift in my seat to give him my full attention.