I looked back in the envelope. There were two credit cards with Tyler's name on them. And there was also a check for $24,000.
I closed the envelope and held it to my chest. Tyler was the answer to my prayers. He was the miracle I had been looking for. I was going to be able to save my dad.
Missing Pieces - Chapter 48
Tyler
Friday
I watched the sun set, casting yellow, orange, and purple shadows across the water and turning the sky into a masterpiece. This was it. My last few minutes of freedom. I took a deep breath.
All I wanted to do was hear Hailey's voice. I had purposely not left her my phone number. It was better that way. Because I was scared. I didn't want her to be able to hear it in my voice because I didn't want her to worry about me. She had enough on her plate. If she could be strong, so could I. Letters would be better. At least at first, until I settled in.
But for some reason, I found myself pulling out my phone anyway. I stopped when I found the picture of Hailey and me in front of the end of Route 66 sign. She had already told me she wanted to be with me. But I hoped she was really thinking about what that would mean. Three years apart was a long time. I wanted her to be happy. As happy as she was in this picture. I smiled down at her smile. The sun was setting behind us, creating almost a halo around her face. No matter what happened, I'd always have this summer. I'd always have the memories of her. That could be enough if I knew she was happy.
Like with Penny.The thought of her crashed through my mind like an unwelcome guest. If I really was going to treat this as a new beginning, I needed to make sure everything was wrapped up in my past. I needed to know that the dust had settled. Because even though I didn't love Penny, she was still my friend.And I'd always care about her. But it was time to put thoughts about her to rest once and for all. It was time to say goodbye.
I found Penny's name in my contacts list, clicked on it, and stared back out at the water. I was a little surprised to hear her answer immediately. It was pretty late on the east coast.
"Hey, Tyler."
"Hey. I heard he woke up."
"Yeah."
It was strange. Her voice used to make me smile. Now it just made me miss Hails even more. I tried to clear my thoughts. "How is he doing?" I asked.
"Good. He's a lot better today than he was yesterday. And I think they're going to discharge him for his birthday."
"And how are you holding up?"Be good. Let me be able to let go.
"Better now that he's awake."
I let a breath I didn't realize I was holding escape.She's good."The cops stopped calling me. I saw what happened on the news. How Isabella broke into your house. Are you okay?"
"I'm good. And yeah, they arrested her. They shouldn't be bothering you anymore."
"Thanks, Penny."
"How are you?"
"Better. Actually, I met someone." I wasn't sure why I said that. Penny didn't need to know about my life anymore. But maybe a part of me didn't want her to be thinking about me anymore either. We were better off without each other in our lives. I could feel the distance between us, and it was actually comforting.
"Really?"
I laughed. "Don't sound so surprised."
"I'm not. Any girl would be lucky to be with you." She sounded sincere but there was something sad in her voice.
This wasn't the time to throw my happiness in her face. Her husband was lying in a hospital bed. She was probably staring at him as we spoke. "Oh, no, we're not dating or anything. She actually just needed a ride to the west coast. We're just friends." I was pretty sure my lie wasn't convincing at all. Because just thinking about Hailey made me smile. Besides, Penny and I were too good of friends. She could tell when I wasn't telling the truth.
"What's her name?"
Yup, she didn't believe me."Hailey."
"So you're on a road trip with a relative stranger. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
I laughed again.Not anymore."No, just learning how to live again."
