Chapter Eighteen
Grace
Tristan seemed... friendly. That was the only way I could really describe him. He had a troubling past similar to mine, and oddly enough, that seemed to make him want to bond with me.
Not that I was complaining. I missed Jax and our late night talks so much.
"Why haven't you called me?" I wondered out loud.
"You don't have to ask me twice!" Tristan chirped from what sounded like right next to me.
I jerked my head back and banged it on my headboard.
"Tristan! Don't do that!" I scolded mildly.
"Sorry," He said sheepishly.
I laughed and shook my head. It was nice to have the company.
"So who were you talking to yourself about?" Tristan prodded me.
I could feel the blush on my cheeks. "No one, just a friend I met at the hospital."
Tristan stiffened beside me. "A boy?" he asked.
"Yeah, his name was Jaxon." I said, "Why, are you jealous?" I joked.
"No, just curious is all." He replied coolly. "I'm going to take a bath. You could join me if you like... I could wash your back." I could practically picture his eyebrows waggling.
I scrunched up my nose. "Don't be a pervert Tristan; I was just starting to like you."
He laughed as he walked out of the room. Sighing, I laid down on my bed.
"Life, you really do love throwing me curve balls don't you?" I muttered.
"It sure does." A familiar voice echoed. I recognized it immediately.
I shot up in surprise. I smiled so big I thought my cheeks might break.
"Hattie!" I cried, bouncing up and down happily.
"I think you hit the curve ball, squirt." She laughed as she hugged me.
"I can handle it." I said with a grin.
It turned out Dr. Hattie came to visit me before she left for her new job in Massachusetts.
"I'm so glad you came." I smiled at the ground as she held my hand.
"I had to check out the living conditions of this house, I didn't trust that social worker at all. Actually, I still don't trust him." Hattie sighed.
"He's alright I guess." I mumbled, silently agreeing to what she had said.
Hattie chuckled, "You wouldn't say a bad thing about anyone Grace."
I shook my head no. "If I ever felt like someone deserved my wrath, believe me, they would get it."
It was silent for a moment before Hattie cracked up.
"What?" I asked, a giggle escaping my lips. It was hard not to smile when she was laughing. She had a contagious laugh.
"I pictured you angry."
"Hey! I can be angry!" I protested, pouting jokingly.
"I hope so. I don't want you to get pushed around Grace. You've got to be strong, especially now that you're out of the hospital and in the real world." Hattie said worriedly.
"I'll be okay." I smiled, reaching for a hug. "How long do you have before your plane leaves?"
"I have about forty-five minutes until I'll have to leave." She replied sadly.
"That's not nearly long enough." I sighed.
"I have something that may cheer you up," She chirped suddenly.
"What?" I asked her, sitting up straighter on the bed.
"My sister, remember the one I told you about in the hospital? She and her husband are flying back from Argentina in a few days and are coming to see you. They are having trouble conceiving and want to adopt. I told them about you and they're very interested!"
I squealed. "That means I'll get to see you! Oh, that would be amazing. I won't get my hopes up or anything, I don't want to pressure them."
Hattie laughed. "Grace, believe me, I know my sister and there's no way she will be able to resist adopting you. I would have already by now if I could, but unfortunately it's not in the cards."
"I appreciate everything you've done already." I hugged her tight.
"Hey, have you talked to Jaxon or Kim today?" Hattie asked me.
I shook my head slowly. I had asked my social worker to give them the business card with the group home's number on it, but he hadn't called yet. He was probably still travelling with his friends.
"No, I thought they would have though, since I didn't get to really say goodbye." I said sadly.
"Did you give them the number?" Hattie asked.
I shook my head. "Will, the social worker was supposed to give it to them on the way out of the hospital."
Hattie scoffed. "He probably didn't give it to them then. I basically had to pry the one I got out of his little hands."
My heart dropped as I realized that was what had happened. Will really didn't give them the number. How was I ever going to find them again? I wasn't. I knew that much...
"Do you have Aunt Kim's number?" I asked with a slice of hope.
"I'm sorry Grace. I thought the scum bag would have looked after this for you. When I'm home I'll try to contact the hospital, but since I'm not Pete's doctor anymore I don't think that they'll surrender the information. I'm sure you'll find each other sweetie. Don't worry."
I nodded numbly. I missed Aunt Kim and Jaxon already.