Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(29)
“Thank you. I’m at the airport now. I’m flying to Dayton to be with my sisters.”
“I’ll catch the first flight out. What’s your Mom’s address?”
“Kellan, no. I can’t ask you to do that. You sound horrible.”
“I’m fine Aria. I can deal with a few sniffles,” he insisted.
“No, don’t. If you come sick like that, it’ll only give me more to worry about. Thank you so much for wanting to be here for me. I’ll call April and I’ll have my sisters. Take care of yourself, okay. I have to run now because they’re calling for us to board.”
“Call me when you land and –” He couldn’t finish because of the terrible stretch of coughing that ensued. He sounded much worse than I’d originally thought. “Call me anytime okay.”
“I will. Thanks Kellan. I hope you feel better soon.”
The flight to Dayton was horrible. There was so much turbulence that my focus was on fear instead of the purpose of the flight. Actually I think I was too afraid to allow the reality of my mom’s death to sink in. Would it ever sink in?
As the plane descended into Dayton International, I powered my phone on to see a text from April. She was on the first flight out of Pittsburgh. I was so thankful for her. I didn’t think I could face this alone.
I hurried from the terminal in search of the rental car kiosk. Raina was truly a Godsend; she’d arranged everything right down to researching funeral homes and scheduling an appointment with one of them for me.
I tossed my belongings into the rental car preparing myself for the daunting drive to my childhood home. I reached into my purse looking for my phone and saw the flash drive from Aiden. I picked it up, turning it over and over between my fingers. I placed it in the cup holder. I grabbed my phone to text Lia and Bianca that I’d arrived safely and that I was on my way to the house. I also sent a text to Kellan.
As I merged onto 1-70, various memories of my younger years permeated my brain. I took a deep breath as chills rolled through me. I didn’t want to be here but I knew I needed to be. I was overwrought with pain and this new layer was more than I could handle. I felt as though I were being torn apart from the inside out. I pulled off to the side of the road as I turned onto Austin Boulevard. I was so close to Winding Creek Subdivision but I wasn’t ready. Not yet.
I reached for the radio; I needed music, something to momentarily derail my thoughts. The screen flashed and there was a mini-setup tutorial. Geez! I saw the flash drive from Aiden. I grabbed it and removed the cap and slid the drive into the port. Within seconds the car was filled with the soft sounds of a piano. It was Aiden’s voice to one of my absolute favorite songs.
Yes I do, I believe
That one day I will be, where I was
Right there, right next to you
And it’s hard, the days just seem so dark
The moon, and the stars, are nothing without you
Your touch, your skin, where do I begin?
No words can explain, the way I’m missing you
The night, this emptiness, this hole that I’m inside
These tears, they tell their own story
You told me not to cry when you were gone
But the feeling’s overwhelming, it’s much too strong
Can I lay by your side, next to you, you
And make sure you’re alright
I’ll take care of you
And I don’t want to be here if I can’t be with you tonight
I’m reaching out to you
Can you hear my call? (Who’s to say you won’t hear me?)
This hurt that I’ve been through
I’m missing you, missing you like crazy
You told me not to cry when you were gone
But the feeling’s overwhelming, it’s much too strong
Can I lay by your side, next to you, you
And make sure you’re alright
I’ll take care of you
And I don’t wanna be here if I can’t be with you tonight
Lay me down tonight, lay me by your side
Lay me down tonight, lay me by your side
Can I lay by your side, next to you, you
I silently wept as the significance of that song … of those words stirred me; touching the very essence of my soul. Aiden knew I loved Sam Smith and this song … well it was enough to bring me to my knees. I couldn’t do this anymore. It was all too much. Mom was gone; Dayton was clawing at me and now this song from Aiden. I knew this wasn’t just some random song; he’d chosen this song specifically for me … for us, and at this moment, there was no one I would want by my side more than him. The phone pinged, disturbing the gravity of my admission.
It was Bianca.*Is everything okay?*
I should’ve known they’d be worried given the circumstances. Had I not stopped, I would’ve been there thirty minutes ago. I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves and replied to her.
*Yes, just got stuck in traffic. Should be there in ten minutes.*
*Okay, I love you.*
*I love you too B.*
I crept onto the street; my heart in my throat as I choked back tears. I had to be strong for my sisters. I couldn’t break. As I approached Winding Creek, countless childhood memories flashed before me. Walking to the bus stop, hanging out on the corner with classmates, playing in the yard with my sisters, sitting down to dinner with all of my family. That was all gone now. All I had now were memories and remorse. I turned down Cobble Brook Drive and glanced at the familiar houses, finally creeping up to the one I had run from for all of my adult life. I pulled into the drive and pressed the button to turn off the car. I took a deep breath, grabbed my purse and opened the car door.