Page 26 of 21 Years of Jane

“I don’t know,” I said thoughtfully. “Maybe we can find a way to get me upstairs? I wouldn’t mind just sitting around with Stella and Liam in their room.”

“Anything else?” he asked with a smile.

“Well.”

Here goes nothing.

“I’m sure that Nolan would like to come over.”

“No.”

“But, Daddy --”

“Janey,” Dad said, letting out a long-suffering sigh. “I don’t want that boy anywhere near you. It’s not because I don’t like him; I do. But he lied to us—me and your mother—about where he was taking you. That could have cost you your life if the hospital hadn’t called us. You were unconscious and you weren’t able to consent to treatment.”

“Please? It’s the only thing I really want,” I said close to tears.

Dad sighed again and walked away. He left me looking after him, from somewhere between my bedroom and the bathroom.

I stayed there for a moment. I heard him in the living room whispering furiously with Mom. I sighed and rolled into the bathroom to start my morning routine. Ten minutes later when I emerged, my parents were waiting for me in the hallway.

“Your father told me what you would like for your birthday. After some discussion,” she said, glancing at my father. “We’ve decided to invite Nolan over. There are some stipulations though.”

I was so happy that I agreed to everything they said.

The stipulations were as followed:

I would have one hour with Nolan in Stella and Liam’s room. The door was to remain open.

I would have one additional hour alone with Nolan in my room; with the door open.

I would agree to not see Nolan without my parents’ permission, and without full disclosure of where we would be going.

“Thank you!” I said when she was done. I was beyond ecstatic. I reached over for both of my parents and they both hugged me tightly.

Once we broke apart, I rolled into the kitchen to call Nolan and give him the good news.

Chapter Seven

Nolan arrived a half an hour later. I tried to beat Dad to the door, but since he could walk and I couldn’t, he made it there first. I was in the living room with Mom, and I craned my head to get a glimpse of Nolan.

He looked borderline terrified, borderline apprehensive.

“Hello, Nolan,” my father said sternly. It was more of a growl than a greeting.

“Mr. East.”

“You have two hours. I trust that Starr gave you the rules,” he said.

“Yes, Sir. Thank you for having me over,” he replied stiffly.

Dad nodded and finally stepped back to let him in. Mom rushed forward and gave Nolan a big hug.

I smiled. Things have been so backward lately. Usually it was Dad saving the day after Mom made something uncomfortable. When she pulled away I locked eyes with Nolan, and he smiled—the genuine happy-to-see-you smile.

“Come on, Aaron,” my mother said as she went over to my father, and gently grabbed him by the arm. It took a few tugs before he relented and let her walk him out of the room.

“Oh, hey. Mr. East?” Nolan called out.