Seize the Day

13. Zack
When the Time is Right



I held my paper cup still full of coffee as I watched Johnny riding away with his family, his Ma came over and linked her arm in mine for a moment before looking out towards the second pasture.

“If she took her truck, she’s probably in town.” Ma said. “If not, jump on the quad and she’s down by the creek. It’s a bit away, you’ll have to load the quad onto the truck to come home – it doesn’t have the best headlights and it’ll be dark by the time you come back.”
she let go of my arm and they walked inside.

“Ma…” I called out.

“Yes?” she turned and I could see then that Bailey looked just like her mother, everything but the eyes. She had Levi’s blue eyes, they were lighter than the sky but darker than the sea.

“I uh.. I don’t know where the keys are for the quad.” I said shoving my hands in my pockets.
“And I don’t know the land.”

“If she’s not at the pond, which is right down that way.” She pointed. “She’s in town. The keys are by the back door, I think they have a green tag on them.”

I nodded, hoping that if I tried to call her that she’d answer and tell me she was on her way back.

Luckily Ma gave me her number and I had no shame in blowing up her phone until she answered.

“Hello?”

“Oh thank god.” I sighed after she answered the phone. “Where are you?”

“Drunk.” She laughed.

“No..” I face palmed. “Where?”

“I uh… somewhere I can see the moon.” She hiccupped. “I don’t feel too great.”

“I’m coming to get you, where are you?”

It took me ten minutes to get her location and another fifteen just to find it. Ma was right, she was by the pond. By the time I had found it night had taken over.

I had walked because I didn’t know how to load a quad onto a truck so when I found her I pretty much startled her because I had come out of nowhere. She was trying to get into her truck, but I’m sure the pain in her arm and leg was keeping her from being successful. I was going to have to make her see a doctor tomorrow, hopefully that’ll stall Johnny from us leaving

“Nope.” I said grabbing the keys from her, she glared at me but stayed quiet. “You gonna tell me what’s wrong?”

“I just don’t get it.” She said taking another drink from the almost empty bottle of Captain Morgan she had.

I sighed, leaning against the truck. “Neither will I until you tell me.” I took the bottle from her and took a few sips, emptying it.

“Why is it always John and I that are judged so harshly? Am I really that bad of a person? Is it really that bad if you did like me?”

I didn’t know what to say so I just pulled her into a hug, when I looked down at her I could see it in her eyes that this had broken her. I assume she doesn’t have much self-esteem as it was let alone to be constantly torn apart by people that were supposed to bring you up.
“It’s cold, let’s go back.” I said pulling off my hoodie to offer it to her. She didn’t argue and threw the hoodie over her head almost knocking herself off balance. I laughed lightly as she teetered with a small embarrassed smile before I helped her into her truck.

“I don’t want to go home.” She sighed.

“I came here to take you back.” I shrugged. “We have nowhere else to go.”

“we could run away.” She said quietly. “I’ve never seen California.”

“Bailey…” I scolded lightly, taking her hand. I couldn’t keep ahold of her hand because she had to drive a stick shift and I wasn’t used to driving a vehicle like this.

But on a side note, I fucking loved it.

Once we got to the house I parked next to the porch like I had seen her do a few times, put her keys in my pocket before going over to open her door for her. She was barely conscious so I just took her into my arms and walked inside.

“Thank you, Zacky.” Ma said helping me with the door.

“I’m gonna put her in bed.” I said hoping they wouldn’t realize she was passed out drunk.

“There is Tylenol in her bathroom cupboard, I’ll bring a bottle of water up in the morning before she wakes.”

I nodded a small thank you before continuing. Bailey really had a good family, I just wish Johnny saw how amazing they were.

“Goodnight.”

The hallway was dark but I had learned this house enough that I didn’t have to switch on a light to get her back to her room. I passed Johnny’s room and he was still awake. I motioned that I would be back, I wanted to have that talk with him. I put her into her bed, pulled off her shoes… well shoe I guess. I tried to put her hair up that kept falling in her face and wrapping around her neck and face. How women had long hair was beyond me.

“Zack…” She said as I went to leave. “Don’t leave.”

“I have to.” I said quietly. I looked out into the hall and saw Johnny’s light was still on, I had already kind of told him I’d be in so I couldn’t stay even if I wanted. And trust me, I wanted to.

“Maybe I can have a goodnight kiss?” she hiccupped.

My face fell.

“Baby, I can’t.” I said sitting next to her on her bed.

“I understand.”

“No, it’s not that. I just want you to be sober, I don’t want you to regret me in the morning.” I said kissing her cheek. “Go to sleep, tomorrow is a long day.”

“Tomorrow is the last day I’ll see you…”

She was asleep before I could say another word, I stayed a moment longer making sure she was okay before walking out but leaving the door open a small crack.

“Goodnight, Bailey May.”

Notes