Chapter 14

Things were good between us after that - somewhere between being friends and something else. Parker was off work the following Tuesday, and we hung out for the whole day, at his house. He wasn't afraid to touch me anymore. I wasn't scared to touch his arm, or come close enough that I could smell him, hug him. It was a good place to be in.

   Aidan spent that day in bed, but I went up to talk with him for awhile. He was pale and had a rash on both arms. I could tell he was in pain, but he still smiled when he saw me.

  "You got him back," he said right away, grinning.

  "What?" I asked, sitting on the chair near his bed.

  "Park. You got him back, right?" Aidan said again. When I was still confused, he went on. "You lost him, just a bit. But he's back. He's happy."

  "Yeah," I agreed, nodding.

  "Hey, Becca?" Aidan asked, now trying to sit up in his bed. I could tell he was weak and tired.

  "Yeah?"

  "Take care of him, okay? He needs someone to keep bringing him back, if he gets lost."

   I forced a smile, because I didn't really know what Aidan meant. "I'll try."

   "Don't let him block you out. When he gets sad, he blocks people out. But when I'm gone, he'll need you -" His voice cut off and hit me right in the chest.

  I gasped out, like I couldn't breathe. I tried to steady myself but tears filled my eyes. "Aidan."

  "It's okay, Becca. I've been fighting for a long time. I'm so glad Parker has you, now."

  I let the tears pour down my cheeks, because I knew there was no way I could hold them in. I didn't want to think about him dying.

  "Becca, don't cry," Aidan said, holding out a hand to me.

  I held it gently and wiped my face. "I won't let Parker get lost. I'll be here. I will..."

  "Thank you Becca. Thank you," he finished.

"So, my mom said yes to camping," Parker began, that evening.

  We hadn't talked about it all day, I guess he hadn't asked his mom yet. Now it was late, I was in my bedroom. He had called, like he usually did. I walked over to my window so I could see him. He was there, waiting. I'd only left his house a few hours prior. He waved, so I lifted my hand and wiggled my fingers at him.

  "That's great," I replied, into the phone. I was surprised, because he hadn't seemed interested in going camping. But then he asked my dad about having the day off.

  "I've never been camping," he admitted.

  I was still looking at him, but he turned away from the window so I went back over to my bed.

  "Never?"

  "My mom's not the outdoor type... and with Aidan..."

  "Yeah, sorry."

  "She wants me to experience things... I've missed out on a lot. She even said... I need to spread my wings..." I could tell he was embarrassed.

  "Wow," I muffled a laugh. "Well, I can help with that. I've been camping a hundred times. And the trailer is great... at least we're not tenting."

  He managed a laugh. "So, what do I need to bring?"

  "I'll pack the basics. You just need like your clothes, a toothbrush..." I told him.

  "That's it?"

  "It's only one day and one night. Maddie's dad will send her with food, firewood, even beer. And blankets. We just sit around and enjoy the quiet, or walk in the woods -"

  "Beer? Really?" He was surprised.

  "He did the same for Maddie's sister. She's off at college now. I've literally sat around a fire, with Maddie's dad, drinking beers," I laughed.

  "Oh, well, that's cool, I guess." His voice sounded unsure.

  "Parker... if you want to try new things, you want. We aren't going to force you," I promised.

  "Okay. So, see you tomorrow after work?" he asked, and I felt my heart jump. 

  "Yep. See you," I finished.

The week flew by and on Thursday night, Parker walked me home, to the front door. I had spent the past two hours at his house, helping him pack a bag for camping. Aidan had wanted to help, so it turned into Parker bringing arm fulls of clothes from his bedroom into Aidan's room. He was able to sit and tell his brother what to bring. Of course Aidan had never been camping either, so we wanted to let him be a part of it somehow. We laughed and joked and Aidan even reminded Parker to pack his phone charger. It was a small thing, but it pulled us right back to reality.

   "Just in case," he said, smiling.

   I hugged Aidan as carefully as possible, before I left that evening. 

   On my front porch, Parker looked tired. He looked completely wiped out, actually.

   "I'm excited," I told him, hoping for a smile.

   He tried. "Me too. But being three hours away from -"

   I grabbed his hands, to attempt to calm him. "He's okay. He wants you to have fun."

   Finally, a real smile. "I know."

   I hugged him, now more easily than the first time, a few days ago. He was warm and his arms encompassed me faster this time. I held him a bit longer than necessary, then pulled away, and he let his arms fall to his sides.

  "See you in the morning?" I asked.

  "Bright and early," he agreed.