Tiger Lily: Part Three Read Online Free PDF

ahead, worrying about what might be next. My heartbeat was even faster, and it had me seeking relief the way I had for some time now.
    Pushing back the duvet, I climbed out of the bed and searched for my clothes, but I couldn’t find them. I thought to run in place, to lunge, crunch or jump in my fight against the pain and exhaustion these thoughts plagued me with. But that choice had been taken away by my doctor and Jonas.
    No. Truthfully, I knew it wasn’t an ultimate solution. I wasn’t running anymore. Not physically or mentally, since both had almost cost me everything.
    Standing up, I walked back to the bed and sat down, covering my face with my hands. I took a few short breaths.
    What was I to do now?
    The sound of music drifted up from downstairs, interrupting my thoughts and bringing me back to the now. “Maybe I’m Amazed.” I smiled. Jonas was here. We were together for a while, if I could help us. If I helped myself.
    If I started letting people in to help me.
    I dropped my hands and looked at the phone. I thought to call Mary, but she was another person I had shut out of my life in the midst of all this chaos. Would she forgive me?
    I needed to find out. I picked up the phone and dialed her phone number. After a few rings, she answered.
    “Hello. Who is this?” Her tone was cautious.
    “Mary,” I cleared my throat. “It’s me, Lily.”
    “Oh. I didn’t recognize the number. And I didn’t realize you even remembered mine. Thanks for the message to say you would be back in touch,” she said, her voice crisp.
    I climbed back under the covers and curled on my side. “I deserve that. I was…I was trying to. I didn’t want you to know about what happened. I didn’t want you to worry…” I stammered.
    “What happened? Are you hurt? Oh my god,” her voice went shrill.
    I sat up. “No.” Then I took a breath. “Yes…I really don’t want to do this over the phone. I just wanted you to know I’m staying with Jonas. And this will be the phone number to reach me at.” My own voice wavered.
    “I need to know more or I’m driving up to wherever you are this minute. I…I swore I would look after you after your parents died. And I’ve failed miserably.” She was sobbing now.
    I wiped my cheek. “No. I failed you again. I’m sorry.”
    “Tell me what’s going on. I want to see you. Give me the address where you are and I’ll leave right now.” Her voice elevated.
    I bit my lip. “Jonas said…we agreed…after a couple of weeks or so. When I’m better.”
    “I don’t care what Jonas said. You’re my best friend and I love you. If you’re hurt, I want to be there to help you. Put him on the phone,” she yelled.
    “Calm down. Let me explain…everything. God I didn’t want to do this over the phone.” My voice broke.
    “I’m grabbing my keys. I can’t take not knowing what’s going on anymore. You weren’t doing well when I saw you after that asshole hurt you. I’m your best friend, Lily. You’re my sister. I love you. You have to tell me.” My heart constricted at the sound of her crying into the phone.
    My own eyes filling, I finally said, “After I returned from Boston…” I didn’t stop talking until I had told her everything that happened after I left her apartment in Boston.
    When I finished, she said solemnly, “I’ve failed you as a friend again. I had a feeling things weren’t going right with you. I should have listened more during your visit or tried harder to come down to see you when I couldn’t reach you.”
    I wiped my chin. “I didn’t let you be a friend again, Mary. This is me . Not you.”
    “I want to be there for you. I’d like to take your Jonas up on his offer to visit soon. Please give him my number so I can speak to him,” she said.
    I groaned. “Jonas isn’t exactly mine. He wants to help me. He has been helping me. But it’s still complicated. I’d love for you to visit, but I just got here myself. I’ll call you with a date soon.