phone.
“Nope, I’m already on my way back.”
“Alright, see you there.”
“Be careful.”
“You too,” I whisper before hanging up.
Landon looks up with a defeated look on his face but holds his hand out to me. I take it and we rush to his truck. When we approach I look to Landon.
“What?”
I look down nervously, “Can I drive?”
Landon takes a deep breath and nods, “Yeah.”
He hands me the keys and we both climb in. I adjust the seats and mirrors preparing for the drive home when the door flies open and in jumps Madison.
I snap my head in Landon’s direction who offers me an apologetic smile. I squeeze my eyes shut cursing up a storm in my head before letting it all out in a deep breath and pulling out of the parking spot.
This is going to be one very long, uncomfortable hour-and-a-half ride home. We barely talk, and I can’t bring myself to look in the rearview mirror because I’m going to see Madison and that is something I’m just not ready for. Landon every once in a while will sneak glances my way and brush his hand against mine. It settles my nerves just a little but it’s enough to make this ride a little less painful.
***
When we arrive back in Canby I go straight to Jackie’s house. I figured that was the best place to start. I pull up in front of Steven’s house and my eyes well up with tears. I turn the car off and no one makes a move to get out. We’re all lost in our own thoughts.
The front door opens and Jackie appears. Her arms are crossed and she looks older. I’m first to get out followed by Landon and Madison. I take slow, deliberate steps up the walkway and when she sees me she smiles sadly.
“Macy,” she opens her arms and I run into them. “Oh, sweet girl.”
I cry and she just holds me and rocks us back and forth. When I settle down she releases me and I wipe my face with the sleeves of my hoodie.
“So, what happened?” Landon asks. He’s standing there with his hat down low and his hands tucked into his hoodie.
“She almost overdosed on Vicodin. She just kept saying she wanted the pain to go away and to be able to sleep without thinking of Steven.” Jackie wraps her arms around herself. “Something told me to go to visit Steven at the graveyard and I’m so glad that I did. I found her there collapsed by his gravestone. I got there just in time.”
Madison sniffles beside me but I don’t turn to look at her, to offer any comfort because she doesn’t deserve it.
Landon kicks at a rock that’s on the walkway. “Is she okay?” he asks.
I glance back to Landon’s truck, the keys weighing heavy in my hand. I want to go see Alexa but I’m also afraid. I haven’t been a very good friend to her and I hate myself for that.
I jingle the keys trying to steer the emotions to what’s important. Alexa. I take a step near Jackie and grab her hand. “Thank you for calling us. We’re going to go check up on her.”
She pulls me into a hug. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”
When she lets me go I go back to the truck and start it up waiting on Landon. I don’t really care what my sister does but out of the corner of my eye I can see she’s right on Landon’s heels.
“Let’s go,” Landon says fastening his seatbelt.
***
When we arrive at the hospital we walk in and get passes to go see Alexa. The lady at the counter gives us a sympathetic smile as she slides our passes to us. I walk down the hallway in the direction of the elevator. When I reach them I glance over my shoulder and see Landon and Madison talking. Madison shakes her head and Landon walks off toward me.
When he approaches I ask, “She not going to see her?”
Landon shrugs. “She’s giving us our time.”
The elevator doors ding and we step in. I go to one side and Landon goes to the other. The doors ding again and close, it’s just the two of us in our protective bubble, neither wanting to leave but both knowing we can’t stay in the elevator forever.
Landon looks to the floor. “I can’t go in there.”
I take a deep breath, I was wondering if this was going to happen. “You should, Landon.”
He looks up at me, he’s tired. His