I stared at him with surprise as I gathered my thoughts. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me.”
“It’s the truth.”
“So, your wife and Lila Taulson aren’t forcing her to be in that hospital right now?” I asked. “Because even Coco and those crazy Magic Musketeers only get the one text from her each day, just like I do.”
He chuckled. “We don’t chain her up if that’s what you’re asking. But Adelaide is as loyal as they come and she sees a boy she’s known her whole life in pain, and her instinct is to help him. It doesn’t mean she’s choosing him over you, I think everyone knows we’re well beyond that.”
“So, what does it mean? Why isn’t she talking to anyone?”
“I’m guessing it’s because for the first time in her life, she is tuning out all the noise and trying to find her way on her own. She told me that you’re the one who encouraged her to do that. To find her voice and her way—figure out what she wants. Kind of hard to do that with everyone trying to tell you what to do. She goes to the hospital every day and supports a kid she’s known her whole life because right now he’s drowning, and that’s who Ladybug is. Regardless of the mistakes he’s made, she’ll be there to help him find his way and encourage him to do better. And I believe that’s what she’s trying to do with her mama. Because she cares so damn much, and isn’t that what we both love about her?”
I leaned back against the wall and nodded before crossing my arms over my chest. “And what if she gets lost there and never comes back?”
“Then that will be her choice. But I’ll make damn sure no one is making those choices for her. I give you my word on that.”
“I appreciate it.”
He offered me his hand and pulled me into a hard hug and held me there. “She’ll come around. Just be patient with her.”
That wasn’t something I had to ponder.
Because I’d wait forever for Adelaide Edington.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Adelaide
I got to the hospital and responded to the Magic Willow group text the same way I did each morning with just three simple words.
Me ~ I love you.
I sent the same text to Jett. I never responded with any more information than that, because right now I was drowning in life. I’d missed my last few days of senior year, but I was due to speak at graduation. I had dreamed of giving my salutatorian speech for months, but I hadn’t written a single word of it yet. I’d been coming to the hospital every day for a week now, and he was making progress.
Alec was hoping to attend graduation in his wheelchair, as they’d gotten him up and in his chair several times yesterday. Today I was going to be there when he did his upper body exercises with his physical therapist. His parents were driving him crazy, wanting him to get up and walk, wanting him to be back to normal, and talk about housing for college next year—when he didn’t know what tomorrow would hold. I understood it.
I paused outside his hospital room when I heard my mother’s voice. She didn’t sound happy, and I froze in place.
“It’s enough. All of it,” Mama said. “I’m ashamed of how we’ve behaved.”
“So now that my son isn’t walking and isn’t a football star, you don’t think he’s good enough for Addy?” It was Lila Taulson’s voice now.
“Oh please. If you believe that, then you don’t know me at all. But we’ve taken this too far, Lila. And some things have come to light, and I need to protect my daughter. I’ve failed her miserably, and I have to live with that.” Mama’s voice broke on a sob, and my hand flew to my chest. Were they having this discussion in front of Alec? Maybe he’d gone to get some tests done.
“Failed her how?”
“Alec was drunk that night he left the party. I know Boone knows and I’m guessing you know it too. He was angry with Addy, and he pinned her to a wall, leaving marks on her arms. I saw the bruises. Jett only hit him because he’d found him hurting her. And Alec got behind that wheel drunk. He needs to start taking accountability for his actions, Lila. You know I love him like he was my own son, but he has made some mistakes. And he’ll have to work hard to fix them. But it is not Adelaide’s job to fix Alec. It’s his job.”
My heart raced at her words. Never in a million years did I expect my mother to see the light. To defend me and to call Alec out for his choices.
“Boone told me he was drunk,” Mama T said as she broke down in sobs. “Do you know why I always wanted Addy and Alec together? Because she’s so good for him, Savannah. He’s spiraled since she left him.” The sadness in her voice caused a sharp pain to settle in my chest. I swiped at the tears that ran down my cheeks.
“She didn’t leave him, Lila. He cheated on her. Repeatedly. And you know what? I’m proud of her for walking away. For demanding to be treated better. And I’m ashamed that I pressured her to stay with a boy who mistreated her just because—because he’s my best friend’s son? How could I be so blind?”
“But he’s young. Kids make mistakes,” Lila said, and I didn’t miss the desperation in her words.
“Yes. They do. And so do adults. You and I have made our fair share. And we’ll support Alec as he fights to recover. But my daughter is not going to be the sacrificial lamb. She’s not going to be his caretaker. She didn’t do this. He did. And because she’s got a good heart, I know she’ll remain supportive of him when most would turn their backs after what he’s done. And you need to be grateful for that. No more pushing. No more threats about calling TU on Jett. He’s a good kid. A fine young man. And we’ve treated him and his family horribly. So, it looks like we all have work to do.”
“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Alec asked as a nurse pushed him in the wheelchair down the hall toward me and I startled and turned around.
“Hi. Just got here. Where were you?”
“More tests. But they think I might get out of here soon, and Dr. Toby gave me the go-ahead to attend graduation.”
“That’s awesome, Alec.” I followed him into the room, as my mother used a tissue to swipe at the moisture beneath her eyes.
Mama T had her back to us, and I heard her clear her throat before she turned around. Eyes wet with emotion and her face puffy.
“Thanks for being here, Addy.”
“Of course,” I said, and my gaze locked with my mother’s. She looked at me with so much adoration my heart ached. I hurried toward her and wrapped my arms around her. “You okay, Mama?”
“No,” she whispered in my ear. “But we’re all going to be okay. I’m going to make things right.”