Dammit. You’re probably already on the plane. Call me as soon as you land!
Ten minutes ago.
Drew
Have you landed yet? Have you listened to my voicemail? I’m so sorry. Please call me!
Two minutes ago.
Drew
Forget about the voicemail. Just call me.
I ignore the red voicemail icon and call him immediately.
“Gretch! Thank God!” His panicked voice leaves no space for pleasantries. Heartache from an unknown source consumes me—if he’s answering his phone, he’s not on a plane.
Travelers whizz past me and the intercom overhead blasts announcements every few seconds, a cacophony of noise from every direction. I plug one ear as I try to speak above it. “Drew, what’s going on?”
“I’m so sorry. Something came up and I can’t come.”
My breath catches. I must have misheard him. “What do you mean you can’t come?”
“I swear to God, Gretch. I wouldn’t be bailing if it wasn’t serious.”
“What happened?” I ask as I move through the terminal in search of a corner, hallway, restaurant, any goddamn place where I can hear better.
The anguished exhale on the other end sends shockwaves of fear to my heart. “I can’t…I can’t tell you right now and I know that sounds so shady, but I need you to trust me.”
“Oh…okay. You promise everybody’s alright?”
“Everyone’s going to be fine. I promise.” They’regoingto be fine, but they’re not fine right now. I nod, concern and disappointment catching any response in my throat. “Gretch, you there?”
“I’m nodding,” I say, voice trembling.
“I know this trip was really important to you and,” he lets out a tired sigh, “am I right that maybe it’s about more than just graduation or your birthday?” I nod again as I swipe the first tear away. “Gretch?”
“Still nodding,” I reply. “How did you know?”
“Brother’s intuition maybe.” A light chuckle breaks past my defenses. Tears cascade down my cheeks and I clear them with the back of my hand. “I don’t want you to be alone, so I?—”
“No! It’s fine. I mean, it’s not, I guess. But I’ll be alright and I hope whatever is going on with you ends up being okay and, um…you don’t have to worry about me.” I ramble the words on unsteady breaths, parsed with sniffles.
“Connor’s coming.”
My heart stops, feet screeching to a halt in the middle of terminal C. People push past me on all sides as I attempt to catch some sort of mental foothold to process what Ithinkmy brother just said.
I scan my surroundings and spot an alcove that leads to a hallway of airport personnel offices and equipment closets. Luggage in tow, I wait for a clearing and dart across the path of travelers. Once I’m around the corner, I lean against the wall and slide to the floor.
“Did you hear me?” Drew asks.
“I’m gonna need you to say that again.” My tone lands somewhere between despondent and white-hot rage.
“Connor’s coming.” Yeah, that’s what I thought he said.
I bring my knees to my chest. “Why would you do that? Call him right now and tell him not to come.” His heavy silence settles over the line. I hang my head, foot nervously tapping in agitation on the speckled tile. “Drew!”
“He’s already on his way. I panicked and then it all happened so fast. I thought someone should be there that you know and that I trust to look out for you.”
