AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s fucked up,” I agree.
The driver glances at me in the rearview mirror when I swear.
“How long do you think it will take to get to the airport?” Michelle asks.
“A while,” the driver says. “Sorry, ma’am. Nothing I can do about it.”
“It’s okay,” Michelle says. “We’ll figure it out.”
“I nearly told him,” I say. “About Ava.”
“Yeah?”
I nod. “I didn’t, in the end. But I came so close, and that makes me second guess everything I’m doing. Iknowwhat’s right, but my head and my heart are in two different places and…” I groan. “You know what I miss about Jean-Pierre?”
“What?” Michelle asks, confused at my sudden change of topic.
“When I was with him, I knew I didn’t wanthim.I wanted the family, the fairy tale ending, but it wasn’t love. When he walked away, it wasn’t hard. My heart was fully intact. I miss that stability and control I had. With Noah, I’m all over the place. And Ihateit.”
“Oh, Ray,” Michelle says and leans her head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
I only nod. A pain has wedged itself between my ribs, and my chest feels hollow. We’ve only been together for a week and this hell is what it feels like to leave him behind. Thank God I didn’t get longer with him. I have no idea how to deal with what I’m feeling.
It’s nothing like what I felt when Noah disappeared the first time, either. Then, I was furious with him for being lowlife scum and furious at myself for knowing that about him and sleeping with him anyway. I was angry that I had to raise a child alone when he could go on partying and terrified of my future. But I was never heartbroken. I thought I was back then.
I realize now I have no idea what heartbreak is. At least, until now.
The driver turns on the radio and a presenter’s voice fills the cab. I’m grateful for the distraction and I focus on the words.
“…with a freak snowstorm, seemingly out of nowhere, not even the weather station could predict how bad it would get. All flights have been grounded until further notice, and the roads are a mess. If you can stay indoors, do that. You don’t want to be out in this chaos, people.”
“Did he just say all the flights are grounded?” I ask.
Michelle is already on her phone. “I’m checking now.”
I wait anxiously for her to get through to the airport information. The cars ahead are barely moving. We’ve been on the same block for nearly an hour now. The hotel is walking distance from where we’ve come to a stop.
“The line is so busy with everyone calling in, I can’t get through,” Michelle mutters. “I’m on hold with shitty music in my ear.”
I groan and look up at the sky again. This doesn’t look good. I’m waiting for Michelle to get through, but I’m pretty sure I know what the verdict is going to be. We’re not flying to Paris today.
Finally, Michelle gets through. It only takes a moment for her to hear what I already know.
“We’re grounded until further notice,” she says. “They’ll let us know when it’s safe to fly again. They have no idea right now.”
I sigh and cover my face with my hands. I’m worried about Ava. I text Maria—it will be the middle of the night for them, now. I know Ava is safe with her and she’ll take care of everything while we wait for a flight. But I hate that I can’t get home to my little girl.
“Can you turn around?” Michelle asks the driver.
“Not until I get to the next traffic light,” he says.
Michelle nods and looks at me. “What are we going to do? We already gave up our hotel rooms.”
“Yeah,” I say.
“I’m going to see if I can get to my parents,” Michelle says. “They’re about an hour out of town. Would you like me to ask them for a space for you, too?”
I shake my head. “I’m going to look Noah up.”
