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“I won’t keep you,” her mother said. “I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
“You too, Mom.” Zoe hung up and stared out the window for a moment.
Why did it seem like yesterday when her mother came to visit her in the hospital? Zoe had looked at her mother, sitting in the chair next to her bed. Though her injuries were only a few scratches and a bandaged head, her mother’s eyes shimmered with tears.
“Why Zoe?” her mother had asked.
Zoe had run her hand down her face, despite the finger clip on her index finger. “I’m sorry.”
Then she had made the dreaded walk to Jayden’s room. When he had opened his eyes, he sneered.
“What do you want?” he had asked.
“I’m so sorry.” Her bottom lip had trembled.
“Too late for that.”
“Jayden, I—”
“I’ll never walk again because of you.”
Zoe gasped. They had both been drinking, but she had been driving the car. Next thing she knew, a car plowed into them on the passenger side. Then she had blacked out. She barely remembered arriving at the hospital or riding in the ambulance. Then Jackson and her parents showed.
Her father’s face had slackened, while her mother shook her head in disappointment. Though they appeared grateful she was alive, Zoe’s poor judgment had caught up with her.
She sunk to the floor in Lisa’s living room, pressing a hand to her chest. It was her first and only offense and thanks to her father’s lawyer, she only served community service. She’d learned her lesson. She hadn’t been in trouble since.
Zoe grazed her lips with her fingertips. Jayden. Paralyzed from the waist down. Because of her.
Her phone buzzed again, and Zoe breathed easier seeing her friend’s face.
“Hey Ros.” Did she hear the tremble in her voice?
“What’s wrong?” her friend asked.
Zoe shook her head. “My Mom called.”
“How did that go?”
“Better, but I can’t help feeling like she’s waiting for me to mess up again.”
“I’m sorry, Z.”
“Don’t be.”
“Well... let’s talk about something else. Have you met any guys in Bridge Point? Do you need to come back to the city?”
Zoe giggled. “I’m not here to meet men. I’m here to...”
“For what? Be closer to your brother? It can’t be for school since you’re online.”
Zoe’s lips parted. “I needed a change of scenery.”
“So you ran away?”
She shook her head. “No, but I couldn’t stay there. Too many painful memories.”
Roslyn sighed. “I’m sorry, Z. Just know that I’m proud of you. You’re getting better. I’ve seen it.”
