We get back to the house in an hour's time, and not a moment too soon. My phone starts ringing as soon as I get into the driveway. Turning the car off, I reach into my pocket and answer, glancing at Angel. It was obvious that it was Jan on the phone, and with a little smirk, she got out of the car and walked into the house, leaving me to the conversation.
"The bitch still there? That's probably why you didn't call me all day." Jan's furious. I sigh, explain what happened only to get a bitter laugh in response. "Should've known it. She finally realized her calling."
"What the hell, Janna!" I snap, accidentally honking the horn out of my own anger. I sigh, trying to calm myself down. "I know you two don't get along, but this is serious. She's been on the streets for years, no one to turn to, a complete wreck. Why are you being so heartless?"
"I'm not losing you to her again." her voice is grave, the tiniest hint of a sob shining through on the last word."That little harlot almost destroyed our friendship in college. I'm not letting her get in the way of our life as a family."
I try to remain calm, rubbing my temple with the palm of my hand. "I understand. But promise me, love, you have nothing to worry about. We'll talk about this more when I pick you up from the airport tomorrow. Will you be okay flying?"
"Yes."
"Good. Call me when your flight takes off and I'll pick you up. I'll take you out for an early dinner at Olive Garden, just the two of us, alright?." I wait for a response, and receive a slightly happier Jan. "That's my girl. I love you very much. I'll text you tonight." I hang up, take a deep breath, and go back inside to face Angel. I already feel dead from the past few days, the energy sucked right out of me and replaced with concentrated stress.
I open the door to find her in the dining room, two bowls on the counter, making her favorite sundae- key lime pie ice cream on top of a brownie with whipped cream and pieces of chocolate-covered waffle bowl. She looks so innocent, completely focused on the sundae, not even bothering to acknowledge me. I walk up to the counter and start making my own, a simple vanilla-chocolate sundae in a chocolate-covered waffle bowl with Hershey's syrup, and by the time I'm done, she's already scarfing her sundae down. I find myself laughing, and she just looks up at me confused, a piece of waffle cone hanging out of her mouth. Just like the good old high school days. Before Jan, before love, before life. We hold a semi-casual conversation about food while we finish our dessert, not once mentioning the clinic or her struggles. I'm a bit relieved, in all honesty. I'm too beat to deal with anything more today. I glance at the clock, four thirty, and silently consider taking a nap. She speaks.
"You look Zombified. You wanna go take a nap?" She puts her empty bowl in the sink, then makes her way to the couch. "I'll just chill here while you sleep. I might pass out myself."
I nod once, taking the last spoonful of ice cream. "I think that'd be best. I have to pick Jan up from the airport tomorrow around four, so you know." She suddenly tenses, digging her nails into her skin. I try not to pay much attention to it, putting my dish in the sink. "I'm going to be taking her out for supper. And then the day after I have to go back to work.."
"Will she really be okay with me staying here? I haven't been in the same room with her since Graduation, and even then we barely saw each other. She still hates me."
"I.. don't know." I sigh, leaning against the dining room wall. "She's upset that you've shown up unannounced. But she knows what you're going through."
"You told her?" She's angry, terrified, and now clawing her skin open. I walk up to her and take her hand, holding it away from the broken skin. She must be malnourished, for it to break that easily. I shake my head. "You know she's going to act as if I deserve this." It's almost as if she knows her better than I do.
"I needed to tell her. And I won't let her badmouth you, okay? You two can be civil, at least until the test results come back. I'll help you search for a place to live when the time comes." I slowly release her hand, and she runs it through her hair.
"Whatever. You go take your nap." Her eyes avoid mine as she says this, and I can't tell what she's thinking or planning. As much as I want to keep an eye on her, I'm fading fast. I simple nod, give her a weak hug, and trudge down to the hall to my bed.
I hit the bed, and completely black out.
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