TWO DAYS LATER
Simone sat unsteadily in the front seat of Taylor’s new white Jeep Grand Cherokee. The leather interior made it a bit slippery and being that Simone still had very little control over her legs, it was difficult for her to keep her balance. She could faintly feel Taylor’s hand on her leg.
“I’m so glad that you’re finally coming home.” Taylor said warmly. Simone put her hand over his and squeezed it gently. She would have to be in a wheelchair until she got more response in her legs.
“Has my mother called?” Simone asked.
“Yeah. She wants to come and visit soon.” Taylor informed her. She let a small groan escape her lips. “She asked how the school work was coming along.”
“Oh darn!” Simone said, slamming her free hand against her forehead. Since she had come with Taylor back in March, she hadn’t done too much school work, and now that it was very late April, she had to finish up. At least now that she can’t do much, she’ll be able to catch up.
“Oh, did I tell you about Zac?” Taylor cut into Simone’s thoughts. At the mention of Zac’s name, she got this uncomfortable butterfly feeling that engulfed her entire stomach.
“No.” she replied. She had no idea what to expect to come next because Taylor hadn’t mentioned Zac in awhile.
“Ang broke up with him. The day after she found out…”Taylor trailed off because there was no need to continue.
“Oh.” Simone said. “Angie came to see me the other day,” which caught Taylor’s attention, “We got into a fairly heated argument, but it left pretty well. At least I think it did. I gave her this really long speech and she left right afterwards, but she didn’t exactly look angry.”
“Then that’s good, right?”
“I hope. I don’t want her to hate me, but she probably already does.”
Taylor didn’t really comment on her last sentence, but rubbed her knee lightly and continued driving.
When they pulled into the driveway, Simone noticed a wheelchair ramp placed over the normal walkway stairs. She smiled. Then a sickening thought washed over her.
“Omigod!!” she gasped.
“What??” Taylor asked, concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Oh my God! Taylor! What – your parents?! Do they know?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Taylor said quickly.
“What? How can I not worry about it!? They’ll hate me!”
“Look, I said not to worry about it, ok? I took care of things. They won’t question you.”
[Taylor – Flashback]
“Zac won’t tell us anything. What happened?” Diana asked Taylor, while Walker stood with his arms crossed over his chest next to his wife.
Taylor shrugged his shoulders. “It was nothing.”
“How can you say it was nothing?” Walker boomed. “Simone is very injured, possibly permanately. How can you stand there and tell us that it’s nothing?”
“Zac and I got into a fight and I pushed him against the bookcase pretty roughly and it fell on Simone.” Taylor replied.
“Why were you fighting?” Taylor wouldn’t look either of his parents in the eyes.
“Why were you fighting?” Walker demanded with more authority in his deep voice. When Taylor still gave no response, he lost his temper. “You answer me when I ask you a question, boy! There will be no secrets in this family, do you hear me?” Taylor nodded. “Now your mother and I know that something happened because Angela broke up with Zac, so are you going to tell us or not?”
“No, I’m not. It’s none of your business. It’s done and over with and it won’t happen anymore. Just drop it and never pick it up again.” Taylor said angrily and stormed from the room. He overheard the hushed whispers from his parents after his departure.
“I knew it,” Diana said, “I just had that feeling.”
“What?” Walker asked.
“It’s so obvious! Don’t you see? Taylor and Zac got into a fight. Ang broke up with Zac and Zac’s been moping around ever since the fight.”
“I already know this, honey.” Walker said, not catching on.
“I can’t believe that you haven’t added it all together yet!” Taylor heard his mother say. “I think that Taylor and Angela slept together.”