Waylaid (20 page)

“Got your key, Addy?”

I reached into my pocket and handed it to him, wanting nothing more than to be alone with him and to just hold him.

Graham led me inside and closed the door before walking with me to the bed. He pulled me down on his lap. Without a word, he reached down and removed my sandals. I heard them clump to the floor. He brushed a few stray strands of hair from my face and lifted my chin so I was looking straight at him.

“Addy, are you sure you’re all right?”

I shrugged. “Can’t believe… he was going to…”

“Shhh. I know. I think maybe you’re in shock, honey.”

I frowned. “Yeah, I guess. Thank goodness you were there when the doors opened.” I tilted my head. “Wait. What are you doing here in the afternoon, anyway?”

Graham sighed. “Believe it or not, I had this funny feeling all morning that something was wrong. I didn’t know what. A couple of hours ago, I had this strong sense that you needed me. So, I took off work early and drove up here.”

I touched his cheek. “Oh, Graham. Thank you. I love you. So much.”

He pressed his forehead to mine. “Same here, Addy. You’re my whole world.” He ran his thumb over my diamond. “Still want to marry me soon?”

All of the tension from what nearly happened in the elevator slipped away. I smiled. “Yeah. The sooner the better.”

“I told my parents and they were thrilled, though not surprised. What did yours say? You never told me.”

I lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I was too chicken to tell them.”

“You haven’t changed your mind…”

“No. Never. It’s just, I mean I don’t really think they’ll have a problem with it, but a tiny part of me is afraid they will since I’m only eighteen.”

“Do you want us to tell them together? We could do it the next time you’re home if you want.”

“Honestly, I think I’d be less nervous if I did it over the phone.”

“Want me to step outside, then?”

I grabbed his hand. “Please. Stay with me.”

“Of course.”

I dialed their number, counting off the rings.
Come on, answer…

My fingers tapped on the quilt as I waited for someone to answer. Graham rubbed my shoulder, trying to give me encouragement.

“Lafollette residence.”

“Oh, hi Mom.”

“Addy? Hi honey. Everything all right?”

I squeezed Graham’s hand. “Hey, there’s something I needed to tell you.”

“About school? A new roommate?”

“No, it’s not about school. Uh, no, they haven’t assigned me a new roommate, either.” I rolled my eyes at Graham.

“Okay. Then what is it, Addy?”

I ran my finger over Graham’s knee. “Yeah, everything is fine. Listen. There’s something… well, a wonderful thing has happened and I wanted to tell you.”

“Oh? Well I’m always up for good news.”

“The thing is, Graham and I are engaged.”

“What?”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Yeah, we’re pretty excited, too. The thing is, see, he and I want to get married. Like really soon.”

“Addy! Are you pregnant?”

“No, Mom, I’m not pregnant. We just want to get married very soon.”

“Addy… I… oh wait, your dad just came in.” Mom covered the phone with her hand, but I could make out Dad talking to her. His voice was raised. What was taking them so long? And what was going on?

Graham waved at me, trying to get my attention. He whispered, “Is something wrong? Why did she ask if you were pregnant?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but my mom got back on the line. I held up my finger to Graham for him to wait.

“Addy, your dad and… I don’t… don’t want you getting married now. You’re too young. Just wait until you’re through with college. What’s the rush?”

“We want to get married now. Don’t worry, I’m still going to go to college, if that’s what has you worried.”

“We are not behind you in this. If you defy us and get married now, we won’t be paying for your schooling. You would be on your own.”

My heart nearly stopped. Was she serious? Hadn’t she encouraged me to stay close to Graham, to make sure he knew that he was the one for me? What had changed since she and I had had that great talk during our day out shopping? “But I… no it’s—”

“We won’t be changing our minds, so don’t even try. Our word is final. If you get married, you’ll get no further financial support from us. Understood?”

“Y-yeah, I understand… Bye.” I tossed the phone on the floor. What had just happened?

“Addy?”

How was I going to tell him? “She said that, um… now wasn’t the right time.”

“For… what? You mean to talk about it?”

I shook my head. “No. That, it was too soon. Several years too soon for us to get married.”

“I had thought they might have had reservations but I didn’t think they would say no. You’re an adult, after all.” He pulled me close. “Maybe after she talks to your dad—”

“Dad walked in while she was talking to me. He agreed with her.”

“Oh. Maybe if we try to talk to them again, then…”

A sob escaped my lips. How much crying could one human do in a single hour? “No. Mom said I could defy them, there was nothing stopping me, but if I did, they wouldn’t pay for my school. I would be on my own.”

Graham’s throat moved as he swallowed. “It was going to be hard enough to swing paying for an apartment and my school bills. I hadn’t even thought about having to pay for yours, too.” He let out a breath. “Maybe… maybe then we shouldn’t—”

“No. Please! Don’t say we have to wait.” My world felt like it was crumbling. “I don’t want to. When you asked me to marry you and said you wanted to get married soon, it was like you’d given me the best gift I’d ever received. Like everything that was most important to me would be mine very soon.” I glanced away. “Unless, you…
you
want to wait.”

“I
don’t
. You know that. I was just trying to help you. Be understanding. If we still get married it won’t be easy to—”

A tiny spark of hope flared. “You still want to? Get married like we planned?”

“I do. More than anything. You’re sure?”

“Graham, you are my everything. My heart’s desire. I won’t be truly happy until we’re together. For always.”

He kissed me, my chest heavy with grief for what I might go through with my parents, but my heart floating on air because he wanted to marry me no matter what.

“Addy. We’ll make it work. I promise.”

Graham

It hurt my
heart that Addy was having such a hard time with her parents. I could understand them not being willing to pay for her school if they didn’t agree with her choice of getting married, but the way they were treating her wasn’t right. Addy had always been close to her parents and now things were just… different.

I’d told Uncle Robert that I was quitting soon so he could find a replacement before I left. Part of me was a little sad. I did like working for him but it wasn’t enough anymore. Now that I was getting married, would have another person to consider when I thought of the future, I knew without a doubt I was doing the right thing by going back to school. And the thought of marrying Addy made my heart soar.

Soon. Very soon we’d be together always. I couldn’t wait. With her having classes this fall and me starting them in January, the most logical time to get married was during the holiday break.

My phone startled me from my thoughts. I checked the screen and grinned.
Addy.

“Hey there, gorgeous.”

“Hey.” Her voice sounded distant and weak.

I tensed, suddenly at attention. Something wasn’t right. “Addy? What’s going on?”

She coughed. “I… I think maybe I need to go to a doctor.”

“Honey, is there a clinic at school? Can you go there?”

“I can.” She coughed again. “I’m so weak. I didn’t go to any of my classes today.”

Then I knew it was serious. Addy was a dedicated, energetic student. To miss class would only be because of a disaster. “Do you need help?”

“I hate to ask. I know you’re working. It’s just—”

“What, what is it?” I gripped the phone so tight I thought it might shatter.

“I’m so weak. I don’t know why. Ever since I talked to my mom about us getting married I’ve been… I don’t know. Down. Sad.”

I had seen Addy only a few days before. I knew she was upset about them but I hadn’t realized to what extent. “Maybe you’re run down? And caught a cold or something?”

“Maybe. Not sure.” Her voice was muffled.

“Where are you? In your room?”

“On my bed. I can’t muster enough energy to do anything but lay here. I feel like a slug.”

As always, I tried some humor to lighten the moment. Would it help? “Aw, honey. You’re too pretty to be a slug.”

She laughed which morphed into a terrible-sounding cough again. “Oh… sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” I checked my watch. “Listen. Let me finish one thing I need to do here, and then I’ll be right up to see you. Maybe I can take you to the clinic. Okay?”

“Thanks. I’m sorry to bother you. I didn’t know who else to ask since Amber left and my parents…” Addy wheezed out something that sounded like a sneeze but could have also been a sob.

My heart nearly tore in two. “All right. Stay where you are, get some rest. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” As she disconnected, her cough sounded like she might lose a lung.

I picked up the pitchfork I’d set down when my phone had rung and started cleaning the horse stall with renewed vigor.

“Where’s the fire, Graham?” Uncle Robert had come into the barn.

I didn’t even turn around. “I need to finish this and get up to the campus. Addy is sick and I’m going to take her to the clinic.”

The pitchfork stopped its forward motion. I peered over my shoulder. My uncle’s hand grasped the handle. “If your girl is sick, go now.”

“But—”

“Nothing is more important than her right now. Especially not this.” He tilted his head toward the stall.

I let out a breath, feeling suddenly deflated. All the pent-up frustration oozed out. “Thank you. I’ll make up the time, I promise.”

He smacked me on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry about it. Go on, now.”

I thanked him again and raced to my truck. My foot barely left the accelerator the whole drive. What normally took two hours was pared down to one and a half. I was so focused on getting there to help Addy, I barely remembered driving there. Before I knew it, I was in front of her dorm, parking my truck in the only space left available.

Not caring how I appeared to others, I ignored the stares of a group of guys as I ran full out into the building. I punched the elevator button hard, clenching my other fist as I waited for the stupid doors to open.
Please let it not get stuck now like it did for
Addy.

It didn’t and when I got to her room, I let out a huge breath, glad to finally be there. I knocked. “Addy? It’s Graham.”

“Come in.”

I reached down and turned the knob. She hadn’t even locked her door. Must really feel awful. I stepped inside and closed the door. I could see pink fabric of Addy’s pajamas peeking out from beneath the top of the quilt that she had tucked around her chest.

“Graham. I’m so glad you’re…” She coughed so hard the bed bounced.

I rushed to her and knelt down beside the bed. “Oh, Addy, why didn’t you tell me sooner you didn’t feel well?”

“The coughing didn’t start until this morning. Before that I was just—” She turned her head away and hacked again. “I… I was just weak and tired. And sad.”

I smoothed her hair away from her forehead, both were damp with sweat. Her skin was clammy and pale. “Are you cold? Do you need me to find you another blanket?”

“I… I think maybe I need to go to the clinic. Could you…” She turned red-rimmed watery eyes to me.

My poor Addy! “
Yeah. I’m taking you right now.” I went to open the door so it would be easier when I carried her. Then I wrapped her in the quilt and picked her up. She felt lighter. “Have you been eating?”

“I haven’t had much appetite.” She pointed listlessly to her desk. “My purse…”

I grabbed it and tucked it under my arm. Not wasting time, I made quick work of exiting the room, kicking the door shut and heading to the elevator. It seemed to take forever for it to land on the main floor. As soon as the door opened, a short blonde stood, ready to enter. When she saw me carrying Addy, she stepped back.

“Oh, gosh. What happened?”

“She’s sick and I need the clinic. Can you tell me where it is?”

The girl pointed toward the door. “Leave this lot, turn right. It’s two blocks down on the left side of the main road.”

I took a second to thank her and hurried to my truck. Addy was so weak she could barely sit up. There was no way to strap her in so I laid her across my lap and prayed for a safe trip to the clinic. Silently thanking the girl for good directions, I found it quickly and carried Addy inside the one-storey, brick building.

I held her close to me as I explained her cough and weakness to a woman just inside who wore pink scrubs.

“Sure. I’ll need some paperwork filled out.”

I nodded, not sure I would know all the information they needed, but I’d give it a shot. The main thing was to get Addy some help.

The nurse motioned me inside a small room with a bed, the sheets white and smooth. I carefully arranged Addy on the bed and ran my finger down her cheek. When I stepped away, the nurse was watching me.

“Are you her boyfriend?”

“Fiancé.” It felt so good to tell someone that.

She tilted her head. “It’s obvious by the way you touch her that you love her.”

I nodded, suddenly unable to form words.

The nurse touched my shoulder and pointed toward the open doorway. “Why don’t you go to the waiting area and fill out the paperwork.”

I didn’t want to leave Addy. “But—”

“It’s all right. I just want to get some fluids in her and assess what’s going on. When I’m done I promise you can come back in.”

“Thanks.” I gave Addy one last gaze before leaving the room. Her eyes had drifted shut even though she still coughed.

I took a seat and grabbed the clipboard and pen the nurse had left for me. What I really wanted to do was pace around to work off some steam. I felt like a caged tiger, not able to escape the confines of the room to do what I wanted and needed to do. I longed to touched Addy’s face, brush back her hair. Tell her I loved her.

With a sigh, I began answering questions. Most were basic. Name. Dorm. Year of Study. Social security number? I had no idea. Allergies? Again, I hadn’t a clue. Knowing the clinic would need the information, I took out Addy’s phone from her purse. When I found her home number I dialed. I did not want to speak to her parents, was still so angry with them for how they were making Addy feel. But I had no choice. Besides, their daughter was ill and they needed to know.

Addy’s mom answered. “Hello? Addy?”

I should have realized with caller ID that her mom would know the call was coming from Addy’s phone. “Mrs. Lafollette? It’s Graham.”

“Oh. Hello.” Coolness radiated from across the state.

Whatever. I didn’t have time to deal with that. “Addy is sick. She’s at the college clinic. There are some questions I can’t answer for the nurse—”

“You’re there? At the school?” Her tone sounded like an accusation.

“Of course I’m here. My fiancée is sick.”

“Fiancée. Right.” She sighed.

“Listen. Addy is very sick. I thought you would want to know and—”

“Why didn’t she call
me?
”

I spoke through gritted teeth. “She has been very depressed since you told her… that you didn’t want us to get married.”

“Oh.”

“Mrs. Lafollette? Can you come? Your daughter is ill and needs you. So you might want to consider coming to the clinic.” I gave her directions to the building.

“Of course. Is she… How sick is she, Graham?”

“I don’t know. She has a terrible cough and is weak. I think maybe—”

“What?”

“She said she’d been feeling down and listless ever since…”

Addy’s mom sighed. “I’m so sorry. It wasn’t me, it was…” She cleared her throat. “Listen, I’ll be there as soon as I can. And Graham?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“Sure.” I disconnected the call and put Addy’s phone away. After glancing at the paperwork some more, I decided to wait and let Addy’s mom fill it out. I loved Addy more than life itself, but since we’d gotten together so fast, there were so many things I didn’t know about her.

Maybe that was one of the beautiful things about marriage. We could learn about each other, about life, together.

The nurse opened the door to Addy’s room and I held my breath. She waved me inside. “She’s resting now. You can come in.”

I swallowed hard and stood. Were they going to be able to help Addy get better? When I entered the room, Addy was hooked up to an IV. I tilted my head. “What are you giving her?”

“Fluids and antibiotics.”

I sat down next to Addy and took her hand. She peered up at me and gave a weak smile.

“Addy, do you feel any better?”

“A little.” Her voice was so weak.

“They’re going to take good care of you.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re not… leaving, are you?”

I rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb. “No, honey. Nothing could keep me away.” I looked up at the nurse, giving her what I’d hoped was a challenging expression. There wasn’t any way I was leaving. If they tried to make me, good luck. I’m sure I outweighed anyone who would walk in.

But the nurse nodded. “Of course you can stay.”

I sighed. “Do you know what’s the matter?”

“Addy has pneumonia.”

I blinked. Pneumonia was serious! “Is she going to…?” My voice trailed off when I noticed Addy’s gaze locked onto my face. I didn’t want to scare her.

The nurse leaned over and adjusted Addy’s IV. “She’s going to be fine. It’s good you brought her in, though. I’ll give you two some time alone.” She left the room.

Addy coughed once, but it didn’t sound quite as bad as it had in her room. “Graham, don’t worry. They said I’ll be fine. They’re giving me medicine and said that I need lots of rest in the next few days. I asked about my classes. They said they’ll give me a medical excuse to miss my classes and I could make up the work later.” She gave my hand a feeble squeeze. “Maybe you can help me with my calculus?”

I pressed my lips to her forehead. “You know I will. I’ll do whatever you need.”

Addy took a slow, shallow breath. Was she afraid she’d start coughing again? “I know. I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“That you had to leave work and come right up here.”

“Addy, we’re getting married soon. That’s what married couples do. Take care of each other.”

She bit her lip. “The doctor who saw me earlier asked if I’d been under stress. He said my immune system was compromised and that’s probably why my body was weak enough to contract the pneumonia.”

“Did you mention what’s going on with your parents?”

“I did. But just a little bit. I didn’t want to talk about it a whole lot. Oh, and the nurse told me not to worry, that if
your
immune system is healthy, chances are you won’t get sick from me having this.”