Nothing Matters (Family Matters Book 1)
Page 24
By the end of the week I felt shattered, like the resentment was using up all my energy. I felt weak, drained, like I'd lost another part of myself. And then that morning my mother phoned me, just to say hello, thought she'd catch me before I went to school, see how things were going. I said I was tired, weary. She suggested I come and stay for a few days, or a week. She said they'd be no harm in missing a week of school, she had no idea how infrequently I attended. Maybe I needed a change of scenery, some fresh island air. I didn't hesitate, I said okay. She said she'd make a booking and email me through the details. I said the sooner the better.
Her email came through shortly after, a 5.05pm flight. I rang Jakey, who had already left for an early class, asking him if he could give me a ride that afternoon, at about one or two. He said he could. I packed my backpack, just a small one, some shorts, t-shirts, wetsuit, one dress, Cassidy's photo album and her little cuddly dog, Sloupy. He was given to her by Flynn's brother, Sam and he was small enough to fit in one of the outer pockets. I wiped down my surfboard and packed it in its cover.
"You're going to Honolulu?" Jakey asked, shocked, as he carried my board to the car. I told him how my mother had rung and booked me the ticket that morning.
"Have you said goodbye? To Trey or Antonia?" he asked.
"I'm just going for the weekend," I said. "Or a week."
"You talked to Cash yet?" he asked.
I shook my head. He still hadn't gotten the message, and was still sending me texts and trying to call me everyday.
"How long are you going to keep this up?" Jakey asked. "He's a mess, you know." I shrugged. "He was back at school yesterday," he said, "though his eye is still technicolor." I showed no interest. "He loves you Magdala," he said, and I thought it peculiar that he was now defending him, "he misses you."
I missed him too, but I wasn't going to say it. "Just drop me in the drop off lane," I told him, "you don't need to park."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
He pulled up, quickly jumped out and he took my board out for me. "Ring me when you book your flight back," he said, and I nodded. We hugged and he said, "Love you baby girl. Have a safe trip."
"Love you too," I said, kissing his cheek before I pulled away. "See you," and I waved as he drove off. And with my bag on my back and my surfboard under my arm I headed for departures. I had plenty of time up my sleeve so I sat and pulled out my phone, ringing Dad.
"Hey," I said, "I'm just on my way to Honolulu." But he already knew. Jakey had just phoned him.
"You're not running away?" Dad asked.
"Mom sent the ticket," I said, "she said I might need a change of scenery. And hopefully I can get some big waves."
"Okay, enjoy yourself. When will you be back?"
"Probably next week," I said, "I only have clothes for a week. I'll get Mom to book a ticket."
"Take care then, love you princess."
"Love you too, give big hugs to Damon and Dominique."
"I will," he said.
There was a pause, and I didn't want to ask, didn't want to know, but I couldn't help myself.
"Dad? Is Cash okay?"
Dad hesitated, and for a moment I thought we'd been disconnected, but then he said, "He will be." Then added, "Magdala, don't be angry with him for too long. Nothing matters more than family, you know."
"Yeah Dad," I said, starting to feel choked up, "I know."
We ended the call and I wiped at the tears in the corners of my eye. I replied to texts from Raff, Kate, Antonia. Jakey had wasted no time in getting the word out. Then accidentally I opened the last text from Cassian, sent at lunch time: hate myself for hurting u xx
And it was impossible to stop the flow of tears, so I didn't try.
About the Author
“You can see me,
But I'm not there…
My mind has wandered…”
Thank you for reading my book. I hope you are inspired to follow the Family Matters series.
#1 Magdala's story
#2 Cassian's story
#3 Magdala's story continued
#4 Cassian's story continued
Writing is easy, publishing is hard. It's like exposing your mind to the world, it's letting everyone know what's going on in your head! And that can be tough if you're a private person.
I'd love any feedback, so please connect with me:
Lianakey21@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/liana.key.39
Lianakeyblog.wordpress.com