Her dark eyes are wild and filled with tears. I can only imagine how she’s feeling right now. It must be fucking awful. All she’s known from her parents is neglect and loss.
“I can’t stay and do whatever I need to for her.”
I take her hand, and this time, she lets me. “I’ll call later and sort it. Let’s get you to mine, okay?”
She nods, pressing her lips together as she steps towards me.
I lead her out of the hospital. We don’t see any of the doctors, so I tell the receptionist what’s going on while Indie buries her head against my chest.
There is paperwork that needs to be taken care of, but not right now.
I get Indie into my car and drive us back to mine.
It’s getting close to midnight now, and I don’t feel the least bit tired.
Indie stares out of the window into darkness. I see her defeated eyes in the reflection of the glass. She tried so hard for her parents her whole life. They gave nothing back.
She won’t be living alone. I need to get myself sorted and buy a house. I’ve been unsettled for too long, but now is the time to act. I’m not having her coming back to her childhood house alone.
At least she will have somewhere safe, somewhere there are no bad memories. A place that is hers and mine.
I pull into my drive and notice the living room light on. My parents will occasionally stay up late to watch movies. This had to be one of those days.
We let ourselves in, and Mum calls out. “Spencer, we’re in here.”
Indie looks at me.
“Whatever you want,” I tell her.
“They need to know,” she replies quietly. “No point putting it off.”
“Okay.”
“Hey, how was your night?” Mum asks.
Dad’s brow furrows. He places his hand over Mum’s as soon as they both spot our lack of enthusiasm for what had been a perfect night until we got back to her house.
“What is it?” Mum asks, standing up.
“Um…” Indie presses into my side.
“It’s Jessica,” I say. “She died tonight.”
Mum’s eyes widen before she looks across to Indie. “Oh no. Oh, my darling,” she coos, rushing to Indie and wrapping her in up a big hug.
I’m pushed away, but I don’t mind because Indie instantly starts sobbing. She needs to let it out. Mum practically carries her to the sofa, comforting her. Indie’s cries are like lacerations. I curl my hands into fists, hating how deeply they’ve both hurt her.
I ache to be the one to hold her, but Indie needs a mum.
Dad pats me on the back. “What happened?”
“Erm… we got home from the ice rink and found Jessica on the sofa. She’d taken her own life.”
He bows his head. “Jesus. Indie’s been through enough already. We have to be there for her now more than ever.”
“We will.”
“This is last thing she needs after everything else.” He grinds his teeth, letting his anger for her parents show. “How much shit can you throw on one person? She’s a miracle, Spencer. Everything she’s dealt with and she’s still an incredible woman.”
“I know, Dad.” She deserved so much better from her parents. “I’m going to take care of her.”
He nods. “I know you will, son.”
We both look back at them as Mum cradles a devastated Indie like a baby. I don’t think there is anything Indie needs more right now than that hug.
The next morning, I leave Indie sleeping in bed where she’s somewhat peaceful.
At eight a.m., there’s a banging on the door that can only come from one person. It was only ten minutes ago that I spoke to Mila and told her what’s going on. I’m not allowed to call Wren yet. Indie wants me to wait until she’s back from a mini break with Brody.
“Where is she?” Mila asks, pushing past me before I can respond. This woman needs to learn about boundaries.
I close the door. Mila is looking at me with her hands folded when I turn around.
“She’s sleeping.”
With tears in her eyes, she asks, “How could her mum do this? She can’t lose them both, it’s not fair. After everything she’s already been through, Spencer. What is she going to do? How do we get her through this?”
I hold my hands up. “All right, slow down.”
She takes a small breath. “I’m scared for her.”
“I get that. I am, too. Come through to the kitchen so we can talk.” Mila walks beside me with no regard for my personal space. “Do you want a hot drink?”
“Really strong coffee, please. Are your parents home?”
“They’ve both left for work. They wanted to take the day off but Indie would hate everyone fussing around her. She needs a bit of time.”
“You’re a prick, you know?”
I turn with the kettle still in my hand. “Sorry?”
“Why am I only just learning about this now? You could have called me last night. And Wren isn’t even picking up her phone, so who knows when she’ll be here.”
“Wren is away, and Indie doesn’t want to get a hold of her yet. Last night would have been too much for her. It had just happened.”
She slumps down on the chair. “How’s she doing?”
“Understandably, not great. While I was… trying to help Jessica, I heard her saying that she would wake up because she wouldn’t leave her, or words to that effect.”
Mila presses her lips together.
I flick the kettle on and turn around. “She’s broken, and I don’t know what to do. Her parents have never been there, but since her mum was sober, she truly believed that things were getting better. She told me that she felt like she had a mum for the first time in years.”
“God,” Mila whispers. “I wish I could fix this. I hate that she’s hurting so badly.”
“She has me, you, Wren, and my parents. We’ll make sure she’s all right.”
Mila chews her lip as she considers what to say next. A rarity for her. “Are we enough?
