“The Great Escape” by Pink
Present Day
LUCAS,
Do you remember your “friend,” Tommy Badeaux? God, he was such a tool—probably still is—but you thought he was the coolest guy. I never understood why you wanted to be friends with him, but I did my best to keep quiet.
I remember this one time, you wanted to sneak out and meet him and his friends at the levee for a bonfire. You were so dead-set on going, no matter the consequences if you were caught. You put your truck in neutral, and Audrey and I pushed it out of the driveway and into the road while you steered. We almost took out a mailbox, and Audrey skinned her knee, but we got you halfway down the road without having to turn the ignition.
I slept in your bed while you were gone. Just in case your parents checked. And they did come looking, but they were none the wiser. Hours later, you snuck back in, pissed off and hurt because Tommy only called you because he wanted a ride home. I wanted to punch that prick in his face for being such a jerk to you.
The week after, Tommy’s girlfriend, Layla, dumped him in grand fashion in the quad. Drinks were thrown, faces were slapped, and as far as I’m concerned, justice was served. You see, someone tipped Layla off about Tommy’s “secret” homework sessions with Hannah the Ho-Bag. I can’t imagine who would do such a thing…
You may be wondering about this trip down memory lane, but I do have a point. No matter what, even if I don’t agree with you, I will always have your back, Lucas. Back when we were silly kids, stupid teenagers, and even now, as completely clueless adults, I will always stand by you. I may have lost sight of things along the way, made choices that did more harm than good, but it doesn’t change the fact that I always had your best interests at heart. You may turn your back on me, but I’ll continue fighting for you.
I’m here. I’ll always be here. You don’t have to see me if you don’t want to, but I’ll keep showing up every week, hoping you change your mind. There are so many things I need to tell you—feelings and words left unspoken far too long.
Let me in again, Lucas, so we can have a fresh start.
I’m waiting,
Celia
I slide the letter into the envelope and lick the edges. After scribbling his name on the front, I walk to the front desk and smile at Trevor.
“Will you be sure he gets it?” I ask as I hand him the sealed envelope.
Trevor gives me a sympathetic smile and takes the letter. “Of course, Celia. You know, it’s been a month. I hate for you to keep making this drive for nothing—”
“It’s not for nothing,” I interrupt with a determined smile. “Frustrating? Disheartening? Yes. But it’s definitely not for nothing.”
“Okay.” Trevor nods and disappears into the back of the hospital, like he does every week, to deliver my letter to Lucas.
I take a seat in the waiting area and settle in. Each week, I hope to hear the buzz of the electronic door, allowing me entry to the hospital’s day room, but it hasn’t happened yet. But one day it will, because if there were someone out there more stubborn than Lucas Landry, that person would be me.
I understand why he shut me out, I really do. The Celia from a month ago was lacking imagination and drive. I played by the rules and refused to step outside the lines for an answer to help Lucas get out of here. Not anymore. I’m ready to bust down walls and scream from the rooftops. I’m willing to do what needs to be done to sort out a solution for Lucas.
It’s also past time to sort out my life, and that means having a hard conversation with him. Lucas is a permanent fixture in my life, but he’s no longer the center of it. I think the same is true for him, but neither of us ever says the words. Our friendship curves and evolves over time without question or definition. I need to be clear in order to move on with a clear conscience. I lost my chance with Cain, but who knows what the future holds? Hope is a dangerous thing, but living without it is unthinkable.
I will always hope for Cain and the storms he awakens.
When the clock ticks the top of the hour, I gather my purse and wave at Trevor with a tight smile. He shakes his head and blows me a friendly kiss.
Until next week…
“He’s an incorrigible bully, Celia. I came home last night to a ginormous SUV parked in our driveway. He expects me to drive that monstrosity. He stole the keys to my bug when I fell asleep. Who does that?” Sara’s pinched face feigns anger, but the affection in her eyes gives her away every time. She loves it.
“While your Volkswagen is beyond cool, one could argue it isn’t the safest car around. You know that man will move the sun and stars to protect you and those kids. Honestly, there are worse things, don’t you think?” I shrug my shoulders and keep sorting through paperwork.
Caroline is a wonderful therapist and leader, but her office could be featured on an episode of Hoarders. Every few months, I raid it and make sense of the piles of dead trees. She gripes about the intrusion, but she’d never find her way out of this office if it weren’t for me.
“I know you’re right, but my bug holds sentimental value. Does it have air-conditioned seats? Of course not, but I helped build it,” she says with a pout. A tiny smile creeps up as she leans into me. “Adam thinks we should give it to Abbie. It’s the perfect car for a college girl, don’t you think?”
I gasp, then cover my mouth and look behind me to be sure no one is listening. I’d hate to ruin the surprise. “Sara, she’s going to be thrilled! That’s so generous of you.”
“Honestly, it’s the only thing that makes giving up my car feel right. My life is so blessed, and I want to give a little good fortune to Abbie. She’s overcome so much in her life, and she works so hard. For once, I want her to feel a little spoiled.”
Happy tears build, and I laugh. My emotions are all over the place these days, so it’s no surprise when I become a blubbering mess. At least they are tears of joy. Today, I consider that fact a win.
“You have to get a picture of her face when you tell her. It’s going to be epic.” I reach over and squeeze Sara’s hands excitedly.
“Oh no. What did you do to her, Sara? I wonder if the child’s eyes have an off switch,” Caroline says with a laugh as she bounds into the room and throws a stack of papers on top of the desk.
“Oh hush, Caroline, I’m fine. You’re exaggerating.”
Caroline raises an eyebrow.
Sara rises from the chair and gives both Caroline and me a quick hug. “Gotta run. I’m picking up Lily and Gage from school today. I’ll keep you posted, Celia,” she says with a wink.
Caroline doesn’t miss a beat, flittering around the office, stuffing art supplies in her bag. I grab the giant paper stack she deposited on the desk and move it to the side. She giggles as she watches me.
“I’ll be out of your hair shortly, Oh Organized One. I have my monthly art therapy session in Pineville tonight, so I’d like to go home and catch a nap before. Once I leave, you can continue this exercise of futility without interruption from me.”
Pineville? Did she just say Pineville?
The folder in my hand freezes in midair, and my breath catches in my throat. That’s Lucas’s hospital.