Page 4 of Fractured Mind
I won’t be back to work for a while. Family problems.
I can’t hold your job for you.
I understand.
Ten minutes later, my phone rings, and it’s Nick. News travels fast.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Is it true you left me here with Karen?” Her name is Carrie, but because of her attitude, we nicknamed her Karen.
Instead of letting him hear it from her, I should have called him right away. “Yes, it’s true. I’m sorry. I would have contacted you earlier, but I just arrived.”
“What?” He sounds confused. “Arrived where?”
“My mom got arrested for a DUI. She’s in rehab.”
He scoffs. “I’m not surprised. Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m at my nana’s house,” I reply as I look around the room. It still doesn’t feel real.
“Huh? You told me you didn’t have any family.”
“I didn’t think I did either. She was waiting for me at my house. Since Mom’s in rehab, I’m staying with her.”
“I’m so jealous... but you left mealonewith Karen.”
I know if the roles were reversed, I would have trouble getting through my shifts without Nick to keep me entertained. “You’ll survive,” I tease.
“Barely,” he mutters, and I try my best not to laugh. “Where are you, anyway?”
“I’m about three hours away in a place called Crown Village.”
He lets out a mock sigh. “I hope you hate it so that you end up coming back.”
“I doubt it. She lives on a mountain, and I’m surrounded by views of the ocean.”
His groan is loud and dramatic. “I better get an invitation soon.”
“That would be great.” It would be nice to go somewhere with someone I know.
“Talk soon, traitor.”
I chuckle. “I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.”
My stomach grumbles as I hang up the phone, so I wander downstairs and walk toward the sound of music. The piece of music is both sad and soothing. I’m surprised by how much I like it.
There’s a sudden gasp from behind me, and Nana is staring at me when I turn. Her body is stiff. “Do you know this song?” she whispers so softly that I can only just hear.
“I must have heard it before,” I admit, even though I don’t think that’s the truth.
She closes her eyes, her hand moving with the tune. “It’s Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. It’s one of my favorite pieces by him.” She shakes her head, but her gaze remains on the piano. “Your mother taught you how to play the piano from the age of five.”
I swallow the small lump in my throat. “I played?”
“You were amazing. This song was one you used to play.”
I blink a few times, not sure I heard correctly. “I played Beethoven on that piano?”