Page 21 of Imbalanced Minds
“Come in, Cory.”
I make my way over to her bedside, where I take a vacant chair. “Hey, Iris,” I say, my tone diminishing with every additional word spoken. “How are you feeling?”
I search her haunted expression knowing she’s not at all okay; what do you say to someone who’s just been through a traumatic affair like her?
Understanding knits my brow. I need to be the one to initiate a conversation despite the fact she asked me here. Questions that remind her of what I’m certain she’s trying to forget won’t do any good. I think of something that will help break the ice between us and when I do the first genuine smile crosses my face.
“What are you smiling for?” she asks, confused.
“I just thought of the time we hid from your brother.” I laugh at the memory.
Justin and I had already graduated, and he’d been hooked up with Natalie for a while. I was at the Jones’ to hang out with Jay, and it just so happened Iris had Nat over for Uni break. For obvious reasons we were unable to kick back and play video games, instead, we went for a walk through the farm paddocks.
Some were bare, yet to be sown with seed, while others were the opposite. We decided it’d be funny to run through the maize field getting lost then trying to find one another—so we split up. Nat and Jay ran off in one direction, so I took Iris’ hand and ran off in the opposite.
“Oh my gosh, that was so funny. I’d forgotten about that day.”
“I often think about it. Your laughter was contagious. Then coming up with a plan to hide from him was pure genius. I still feel sorry for Nat being dragged around like that.” I chortle.
“She got what she deserved for ditching me.” She attempts a smirk, but with her swollen and battered face, you could see it hurt her.
“Do you remember talking until the sunset beyond the barn? You used to tell me everything despite me being a jerk to you. I always knew you could see through my bullshit. You broke me down that day and it scared me, baby. The way you looked at me scared me because I realised that I wanted to look at you that same way. I wanted to talk to you without a care in the world just like you did to me. I enjoyed being around you so much I knew I had to do something about it but I couldn’t.” I need her to see the truth in my eyes as I open up to her. She deserves that much after everything that happened.
“Do you want to know my favourite part of that day?” she asks.
Raising my eyebrows in encouragement I motion her to carry on.
“My favourite part was when we forgot about Jay, the sun was almost set and it had become cold. You took your jersey off, putting it over my shoulders.” She pauses for a few seconds before continuing. “My most treasured memory however was when you wrapped your arm around me and tucked me into your side. I’d never felt so safe in my life. It was like no one else in the world mattered and it was just the two of us.”
I huff out the breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding. Right now, at this moment, I’m the biggest tool for letting her down. That night was one of the last we spent as friends. It wasn’t long after that she started dating someone else. Someone who—evidently—put her here. I battle the war in my head not to bring it up, but I know if I do it’ll cause more pain and Michael’s warning still sits loud and clear in the forefront of my mind.
She must sense my unease, so she quickly changes the subject. “I suppose you’re wondering why I asked you here. Mum and Dad told me you called them, and you’ve been here this whole time. I’d like to thank you, Cory. It means so much to me.”
“What else was there to do, Iris? I felt helpless. I couldn’t leave you this time.”
Taking a stand, I make an admission. Something I should have manned up and said a long time ago. “It’s time to right my wrongs, Iris. It’s time to fight my baby girl the only way she deserves to be fought. It’s time to fight for you.”