AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wow I think your right.”
After I shower I show Millie around the gardens telling her all about my plans to plant new flowers for the bees to make honey and that I’m going to make bird feeders so Robins can visit. Millie loves Robins. They’re her favourite birds. She tells me all about school and brings me up to speed on everything at home. James and Gail made up a story to her about him falling over a chair in his study and that’s why he was in hospital after hurting his shoulder and chest.
“Maybe mom will let me come sometime to help.”
I don’t want to say yes before I talk to Gale and James and I need to make sure she’s safe whilst she’s here.
“We’ll see sweet girl.” I tell her.
Taking her little hand in mine we walk back to the house were we see Gale standing at the front door chatting with Logan.
I’m nervous as we approach. This is my first-time seeing Gale since that day in the study. I’m so angry with her and with James but I’ve missed them.
She rushes me when she spots us walking from the gardens wrapping her arms tightly around me. I hug her back taking in her sweet scent that’s only hers.
“I didn’t know Jordin until shortly before you found out. I’m so sorry that this happened. Are you ok?” she asks pulling back to look at me cupping my cheek. “You look like you haven’t been eating much or been sleeping. Are they treating you well? Are they hurting you?” she rushes out the last part in a hushed whisper in case Millie hears.
“I’m fine I promise. It’s just stuff with school not Ian.”
She lets go then takes a step back to take me in again looking for truth in my words. She gives me a tight nod. She knows that even if Ian was hurting me that there’s nothing she or James can do.
“It’s time to go,” Logan informs her. “Ian will be back soon.”
She nods in understanding.
“Can’t they stay a little longer?” I plead.
Logan shakes his head. “Ian agreed to only an hour. You were lucky to even have that.”
Walking to her car Gale turns to pull me in for another hug. She tells me how much dad misses me and hasn’t been the same since I left.
“How is he?”
“Better now. The doctors said he needs to rest but you know your dad. He can never sit still for long.”
“I’m glad you came. Thank you for bringing Millie to see me. It would mean so much to me if I could see her again and please tell James not to worry about me anymore.”
She winces at the name James instead of dad.
“You can call, visit, and facetime us as much as you want. No matter what anyone says Jordin we’re still your family and will be here for you always. I just wanted you to know that.”
“Thank you,” I say honestly.
“We’ll talk more next time I promise.”
Turning to Millie I tell her that I will see her again very soon and that next time she visits I will have loads of new plants for her to help me in the garden. Truthfully, I don’t when the next time I’m going to see her again will be so I give her one last kiss and hug before they drive away.
Logan comes up alongside me placing his hand along the small of my back.
“I don’t know why you did that for me but thank you.”
“I couldn’t stand to see you sad like that anymore and I knew you were missing her and missing your family. All this couldn’t have been easy for anyone. If I’m honest I thought you would have cracked sooner. Your stronger than you think you know.”
“I don’t think I’m strong.”
His eyes lock onto mine. “You’re wrong about that. I want you to know that I’m not the enemy here. I want to be your friend.”
“Friend? I like the sound of that,” I tell him just as an angry growl of hunger sounds from my stomach.
