21. Sara

Chapter twenty-one

Sara

"You're home early."

I close the door, seeing Katie on the couch. A bowl of pistachio ice cream sits in her lap as she looks at the screen where a guy and girl are in a tight embrace, kissing.

I turn away, feeling like I'm about to throw up the second I see it.

"Can you turn off the TV?"

"It's the final scene, Sara. I want to see if—"

"Please." I beg, already feeling the hole in my heart grow the second I see it.

"Fine, I'll turn it off for you."

She grabs the remote and turns it to some weather channel.

"Thanks, Katie."

"Hey, you look terrible. What's the matter? Did something happen?"

I nod, moving to my bedroom door. "I don't want to bother you with it—"

"Sara, you're my best friend. You're not bothering anyone," Katie insists.

I know there's no way out of this. Katie is effusive to a fault, to the point where, even if I tell her there's nothing she can do, she will do everything in her power to do something about this. I join her on the couch. The drone from the weather channel at least helps me get my racing thoughts together.

Katie's hand rests on my shoulders and pulls me close. I don't want to leave her touch. It's a breath of fresh air from the mess I've just dealt with. I melt into her hug.

"So, talk to me, dear. What the heck is going on, and what's got you so messed up?"

I sigh, feeling defeated just thinking about it.

"It's Robert."

"Well, DUH. What did he do?"

"Basically, he told me that I don't mean jack to him; that's what happened," I mutter.

Katie gasps and sits back. She's also dramatic when bad things happen. "Wait, you don't mean—"

"Yeah. I guess I was a fool for thinking we were together."

"Wait, but how and—"

"Well, I worked the counter today. I hadn't heard from him in a bit due to work and stuff. He showed up with some woman on his arm. She claimed they were dating, but he said he wasn't."

"Oh geez," Katie mutters, cringing at my words.

"Yeah, and I guess when I asked him what he thought about me, he didn't feel the same. I asked him if we were dating and wanted something long-term. He hesitated and didn't elaborate."

"Oh my gosh! What a moron."

"I was the moron, Katie," I correct. "I'm a fool for thinking that I mattered to him."

Katie shakes her head. "No, you're not a moron, Sara. You like him, and it's clear he likes you too."

"Yeah, but I guess whomever that woman was, she meant more to him."

"Screw him. He doesn't realize what he's missing."

"I suppose. I don't even have my life together. I guess he wanted someone with a good head on her shoulders. She claimed that they worked together. Probably a colleague or something."

Katie rolls her eyes, taking another spoonful of her half-melted pistachio ice cream and eating it. She spoons another, handing it to me. I shake my head and raise my hands.

"I'm good."

"Suit yourself. But don't let it bother you. You're not a failure, Katie."

"It sure feels like it," I admit. I thought that I could finally find someone who liked me for me. But I guess telling Robert about how much animals mean to me and about my passions was enough to scare him off.

Katie places the bowl down and pats my shoulder, her own way of trying to console me. "You're amazing, and I'm jealous that you've had all these chances. Don't let this setback get you down, love. He doesn't know what he's missing."

I shrug, sighing. "I suppose."

I feel like I'm the one missing something here. Katie pulls me toward her. I hug her back, happy that I at least have her.

"Cheer up, Sara. The right guy will come along."

"I thought he had."

"It will happen for you. You're living the romance novel life I've always wished to experience. Sure, setbacks happen, but you never know. He'll probably come around," Katie encourages me.

I snort at her words. Katie's got a lot of hope for me. She's part of the reason why I look at life with an optimistic viewpoint. But it's hard to do that when someone you thought meant something to you is now gone.

"Thanks, Katie. I'll try."

She pulls back and grins. "I'll be in your corner, no matter what. Anyway, let's go watch a movie or something. No rom-coms, I promise."

"Okay, that may just help take my mind off things, and by things, of course, I mean Robert."

We watch a sci-fi movie together, and after, I look at the clock.

"I should get going. May asked me to be at the sanctuary in an hour."

"All right. And remember, you're amazing, Sara! Don't let him get you down."

"I won't."

I change into work clothes and grab my purse. I head down the stairs back to my car. As I slide in, and as I fumble for my keys, my phone vibrates.

I grab it, looking at the caller ID. It's not anyone I know. After what Robert said, I haven't had the heart to talk to him, despite seeing his calls. This could be him using a different number. With hesitation, I press the button and take the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi there, is this Sara Wright?"

"Yes?" I reply, confused by the words. The voice is feminine but serious on the other end.

"Hi there. This is Roberta Thames with Norton Community Hospital. I'm calling because you are your mother's contact."

"My mom?"

I know mom has had some issues, but she hasn't been bothered by them in a bit.

"Yes. We're calling because she's here. She had a fall, and we're working to stabilize her. It may take a bit but—"

"I'll be right there."

I hang up the phone, only thinking about my mom right now. The sanctuary can wait. Right now, I have to go see her. I take off and drive to the hospital, heart racing and hoping she's okay.

I can't possibly lose her too.