AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kyle stands. “Chloe …” He says my name in caution, as if I were about to walk off a cliff.
My heart caves into my chest as dread sets in. “I have to go to the hospital. I need to get Gloria.”
“Chloe …” His voice deepens as he erases the gap between us.
I push his chest and hold my finger up in front of him. “Don’t.” I walk away from him, and my voice trembles. “Don’t you dare fucking say it!”
He grabs my shoulders, turns me around, and drags me into his chest. “Gloria was in the car with her.”
“Don’t you say it,” I whisper, stifling a scream. “Don’t you dare fucking say it!”
His hold on me tightens, and his lips brush against my hair. “I’m so sorry, Chloe.”
“No! No!” I yell, flares of anger shooting through me as he grasps me. I struggle to break free. “Let me leave, Kyle!” My arms fly in every direction, and I’m certain they’ve made contact with him a few times, but he doesn’t flinch, just keeps a secure hold on me.
“You’re not driving in this condition,” he says.
My body shakes. “I need to go to her!”
He pulls in a thick breath. “There’s nowhere to go for her.”
Kyle doesn’t have to tell me. I already know.
“Whoa, whoa,” Trey interrupts while stepping into the room, yawning. “What’s going on in here?” He shoots Kyle a hard glare before puffing out his chest.
Kyle loosens his hold on me and makes sure I’m not a runner before releasing me completely. “Hey, buddy. Why don’t you go to your room for a minute?” he tells Trey.
I rub my face, my eyes, my arms. My hands need to be busy or else I’ll throw something across the room.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Trey replies with a clenched jaw when he notices the condition I’m in. “Why are you here?”
I gulp and press my hand into Kyle’s stomach, stopping him from telling Trey. I need to do it. I have to do it. Kyle only nods, and I make my way to Trey.
“There was an accident with your mom and Gloria,” I whisper. “A car accident.”
Trey tenses but stays quiet.
“Gloria …”
Concern flickers across his face. He helped raise Gloria and was more of a father to her than her own. He was the one who made sure she went to school, had every meal, and did her homework.
“What happened to her?” Trey grits out with knotted fists.
“I’m sorry, honey, but Gloria …” I glance over at Kyle for confirmation, just in case I’m wrong, and he gives me a solemn nod. I shake my head before giving him a look of desperation. I need him to say it, to make the final call, because those words can’t leave my mouth. I’m too weak.
Kyle gives me another nod and steps to my side. “Gloria passed away tonight, Trey.” His tone isn’t one of a policeman breaking the news to an unsuspecting family. He’s heartbroken. He feels for Trey. Forus.For Gloria.
Trey’s face twists in pain as he registers Kyle’s statement, and his hands start shaking. “What? How? No, this can’t be true. I saw her earlier today. She was fine. We went on a walk, and she told me about the new book she checked out from the library! She was fine!” His eyes change from a hardened state to a fearful one. “You’re wrong, man. You’re wrong!” Trey says with tears streaming down his face.
I rush forward to hug him. He shrugs away and pulls his phone from his pocket but is unable to hold it with his shaking hands. It falls to the floor, the thud ringing out through the grave silence, and he reaches down and picks it up in haste.
“I’m calling Mom,” he explains, punching his fingers against the screen. “She’ll tell you everything is okay. They’re probably eating ice cream while Gloria talks about her dolls.”
“Trey,” Kyle says softly.
“No!” he screams. “I’m calling her! You’ve made a mistake!”
He holds the phone to his ear as tears slide down his face. “Pick up, Mom. Please. Just pick up the phone.” His shouts grow louder. “Pick up!”
