by Elle A. Rose
*
As promised, Dr. Goust discharged Maddie from the hospital that following Friday. She still needed lots of bed rest. Dr. Goust wanted her primary doctor to follow up with a checkup. He also said she has a partially clogged artery that in a few years would possibly need fixing. He wanted to give her heart and body time to heal before they worry about surgery. Maddie was not happy with the primary doctor follow up. The practice Lance and Larry used to run had just been taken over by a new young duo and she did not feel comfortable going to see the young men. I did not understand the difference between their ages or Dr. Goust, but Madeline insisted there was a huge difference. To me they are all nothing but kids, including Maddie. I do not think it was an age thing. Since the practice that was once Lance’s was no more, I believe it is another reminder that he is gone.
In the last few weeks, things have started to get back to normal. Maddie is up and moving around more and more every day. Dominick has added another client to his business, and he is getting ready for the end of another school year. I have to say, it is sad that it is time for me to go again. I will miss them both dearly. Nevertheless, I am once again left with fond memories of my travels. Hearing the pilot start the engine, I sit back in my first class seat, close my eyes and relive all the wonderful memories the Grayson family have shared with me on this visit.
7
Promise Me
“Christopher, I thought you said you were going to get my other bag out of the house?”
“Yeah, I did. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.”
“I swear, for a vampire, you really move slow.”
“And you are the most forgetful vampire I have ever met.”
I pull my head out of the backseat of my car and hiss at Christopher. He blows me a kiss and continues to wax his already too shiny gold car. I wonder if he knows the car is about two seconds away from being totaled.
“Will you two cut-it-out? Here, Amber, I got your bag. I could hear you two bickering all the way in the house.”
Lisa tosses my overnight bag to me before turning and giving Christopher the evil eye. He, of course, stops waxing the vehicle and quickly pulls her into his arms.
“Why does it seem like you always take her side? I did nothing wrong.”
She rolls her eyes but snuggles closer in his embrace.
“Because you always start it. Plus, we’re girls, we’re never wrong. Now behave yourself.”
He sighs and kisses the top of her head. I search for a rock or something hard to shoot at the both of them, but find nothing that is not mine already scattered on the ground. I glare at the cuddling couple, and Christopher sticks his tongue out at me. He must know what I was thinking. Sighing, I go back to packing my car. Maddie called early this evening and has once again enlisted my services.
I have decided this time to travel in my own car. We live within a few hours’ drive—if I drive fast—from the Grayson home. I may regret taking my car on this trip later, but as of right now, as long as I can fit everything in here that I need for the trip, I will be satisfied with cruising in my tangerine-orange mustang. This will be the first visit that I actually have a timeline of how long my stay will be. All right, I think I have everything packed. Giving the ground a once over, I see that nothing is being left behind. I have been trying to ignore the gross noises that are being made on the other half of the driveway, but I am not doing such a good job with it. “Umm, could you two let go of each other for like forty-five seconds so I can say goodbye. I promise you that I’m leaving and you can have the house all to yourselves.” Lisa and Christopher stop kissing and turn to face me.
“Uh, Amber, are you sure you need all of that stuff? This is the first time I’ve ever seen you travel with almost everything you own.”
Scanning the car to see what Lisa is talking about, I have to agree, my whole backseat is stuffed full of luggage. “Yeah, Liss, but Maddie told me that I was needed for at least four, if not, five months. And she made it clear that I better come with everything I needed for my stay. I guess she doesn’t want me shopping once I get there. I tend to buy a lot for her and Dominick, and also I end up leaving behind all of the items I have waiting for me back here.” Chuckling, Lisa steps away from Christopher.
“I’m going to miss you, I always miss you. I don’t know what I’ll do with myself while you’re gone. Olivia and Isaac won’t be back for another month.”
Right on cue, my brother steps up behind Lisa, wraps his arms around her and attempts to whisper in her ear, “I think I can find plenty to keep you busy.”
Lisa giggles and I resist the urge to gag and instead say, “That’s enough for me. I’m out of here. You two have fun.” With that, I jump in my car. Backing out of the driveway, I insert my new Leona Lewis CD and roll the windows down to get some fresh air on my drive. Maddie and Dominick, here I come!