Once we were out of New Delhi, we decided to head back to the Americas. We did not want to be anywhere near them. Only an ocean’s width seemed safe enough. Of course, we ran the risk of meeting Izz and Segil but there was no way to know for sure. We could always run again if we felt their presence.
It is a bit wearisome to think of running every time we sense them. I don’t enjoy running. I do not like fearing for Dymeka’s safety. Maybe there will be a day when we do not have to run.
Chapter 21
Esmeralda
A Nor’Easter rolled in that weekend, a massive storm with rain, thunder, lightning, wind, and even some hail. It was depressing. Worse, Charlie didn’t stop by once. He’d raced out of the courtroom before the hearing was over so I assumed someone else had died. If I’d thought to ask for his number, I might’ve been able to text him, but I hadn’t. I was still getting used to having the thing back. And having someone I actually wanted to text. So I was forced to wait. Again.
Aunt Dinah brought me meals on a tray but otherwise left me alone. I watched random YouTube videos on my phone, listened to music, stared moodily out the window, called my mom to let her know I was out of the hospital, and slept a lot. I limped around the second story in my stupid crutches for “exercise,” steering clear of the chair lift. The Roomba followed me around, humming in its mockingly cheerful way.
Then Monday came around. It was time to have the cast taken off and there was no avoiding the stupid stairs. I suffered through the slow journey, trying my best to focus on the outcome of the doctor’s appointment. I’d be coming home with a knee brace. It would be a huge friggin’ improvement.
My great aunt was happy to drive in silence. And sit in the waiting room in silence. And watch the doctor do his assessment in silence. It bugged the hell out of me but there wasn’t anything for us to talk about. So why bother trying to make small talk?
After the removal of the cast, I was told I’d be starting physical therapy in two weeks. Then I could go back to school. It was better than music to my ears. I’d gladly take boring lectures and stale food over sitting in my room for hours on end. I daydreamed about grass and the cold, outside air and people and noise as Aunt Dinah drove us back to the house.
I sat up straighter when we pulled into the driveway. A slender figure with a backwards baseball cap was pacing the porch. I grinned.
“Hold your horses,” Aunt Dinah murmured, turning off the engine.
It was like she could feel my anticipation, and had known I’d been about to throw my door open. Crutches or no, I’d find my way to him. Was it pathetic just how excited I was? Maybe. I didn’t care. I’d been deprived of that grumpy face, those sarcastic comments, and his tender touches for too long.
Aunt Dinah’s progress was agonizingly slow because she had to open up her umbrella before stepping out of the car. She was wearing a raincoat with the hood tightened around her face and the cuffs buttoned at her wrists, and she was still afraid of getting wet? I gritted my teeth to keep from snapping at her.
Charlie resumed his pacing but kept glancing at the car. Then, almost as if he couldn’t stand the wait any more, he came out from the shelter of the porch. Speed-walking across the lawn, he shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders against the rain. He took the crutches out of the back seat and then opened my door.
His windbreaker and jeans clung to him. His baseball cap was soaked through; rain dripped down his nose and chin. He blocked most of the falling water but the chill of the wind still gnawed on my cheeks, seeped in through my clothes, made me shiver. Hesitant as ever, Charlie held out his hand. I took it and climbed out. His fingers were freezing.
I was drenched in the few seconds it took for me to get the crutches under my arms. Charlie hovered nearby as I hurried to the porch. He kept his arms slightly raised, prepared to catch me if I slipped. We made it to the front door without incident, unfortunately. There we waited for my aunt. Charlie’s soggy backpack and skateboard sat on the bench under the front window.
He wasn’t smiling per se, but the quiet, almost shy way he looked at me, like he wanted to memorize everything about me, told me he was glad to see me. I wish I’d worn something a bit nicer. I hadn’t been able to wear any pants while in the cast so I’d gone with a modest sweater dress today. I watched his face while rocking on my crutches, leaning toward him, leaning back, chewing on my bottom lip, wanting to reach out to him but suddenly afraid of breaking this fragile, amazing thing between us.
Charlie finally looked away, clenching his fists at his sides. “Dinah.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Hi.”
“Good afternoon, Charles,” was the curt reply. My great aunt paused on the steps to
