Escaping Parker - F.T. Zele Page 0,80

you think about coming back home with me? Take some time to deal with everything that has happened and then we can figure out what or where you go from there? I really don’t want to be away from you right now, and I think it would do a world of good to be with us for a little while.” She sips her coffee.

“You know, Mom, I’m going to stay out here. I like it out here, and since there is no longer any danger, I think it’s best I get a head start on figuring this all out, especially with Rig. He came back for me. I didn’t think he was going to do that, and I need to stay with him and take care of him until he gets back on his feet.”

“I wish you would consider it, but I understand. If you change your mind, you can always come home. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know that. I’ll be ok, Mom. I’ve gotten this far with everything. I think I can handle whatever else life wants to throw at me.”

“Do you love him?” she asks.

“I do, I know it’s crazy and fast. I just have never felt like this before. We’ve spent so much time together over the last six months, and when I told him to leave, those days alone were the worst. I didn’t know how to go on without him. He saved my life even before Steven showed up. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for Rig and his family. I know I don’t want to live without him, ever,” I admit.

“And he feels the same?” she asks, and I don’t know how to answer that.

Rig and I haven’t really spoken about what we’re going to do, even though I know he came back. While he’s recovering, I don’t want to get into any of that. I want his main focus to be getting his strength up, and figuring out where we go from here. I’ll be there every step of the way supporting him.

“I think, I mean he came back, right? That’s a good sign. We need to spend some time together and see where it takes us, not put too much pressure on anything other than getting back to the good place we were in before everything went wrong.” I finish my coffee and sit back, still trying to get my bearings.

My mom pats me on the thigh. “Why don’t you head home for a bit, take a shower, rest and come back? I would love to see your house, and see where you are living. That’ll give Rig some time with his parents, and you can come back all rested. You won’t do much good here if you don’t take care of yourself. I also think you should look into finding someone to talk to,” she pushes.

“I don’t need to talk to anybody. I’m ok, I just need some time to process everything.”

“You don’t need to make any decisions now, but it would be good to have someone help you make sense of everything. Clarissa, you’re in a bit of shock still. When this all wears off and things settle down, you’ll be left with a lot of unanswered questions.” She squeezes my hand.

“Ok, I’ll find someone to talk to. Let’s go see what Rig is up to for the day, then we’ll head back to my house and you can get settled in there. How long are you staying?”

“I’ll stay as long as you need me. I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to have to force me out of here.” She gives me a smile.

We get up and head back up to Rig’s room, where Andrew and Mary are sitting around his bed.

“Hi, so I’m going to head back to the house for a little while, take a shower and get my mom settled. Do you need anything before I leave?” I ask Rig, who is sitting up in bed.

“No, I’ll be here, can’t go anywhere. You coming back soon?” he asks.

“Of course, there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be. I just got to get some rest, and clean up before you come back home,” I say, hoping he intends to stay with me.

Entering my house after my marathon hospital stay, I am not ready to see the mess left behind. Pools of blood stain the carpet, chairs lying on their side, a lamp teetering on the table. It’s a total disaster.

My mom’s hand goes to her