Always Been You

“It’s fine,” Jensen said. “I told him I would come see him at his games and I realized that whatever happened or whatever is happening between us shouldn’t stop me from keeping my word”

Katherine nodded. “How are you? I mean how have you been?” she asked. She knew he had been hurt the last time they had talked, and she didn’t want him to be. She cared about him.

“I’m fine,” Jensen replied. “Been working a lot lately, traveling, tryna clear my head… Stuff like that”

Katherine nodded. She understood. Hurting him had never been her intention and right now as she looked at him, all she wanted to do was pull him into her arms. But she wasn’t sure that was a good idea and considering how angry he was when he left her house that day, she was sure he would probably reject any show of affection from her. He would probably mistake it for pity. So she looked away.

Jensen watched her. Watched the hurt in her eyes disappear behind the curtain that hid all her emotions. The emotions he’d once been able to read as easily as he did his favorite books. She had no idea how much he wanted to shake her. How much he wanted to crack that perfectly logical, reasonable veneer she wore like a shield.

Her phone rang that instant, breaking the spell and bringing them back to reality.

“Excuse me” she said to him while she withdrew her phone and lifted it to her ear.

“Hey mom,” Katherine said.

“Kathy,” Delia’s voice said. “You have to come down here… Quickly”

Katherine froze at the fear in her mom’s voice. She had never heard her mom sound this distressed… Except… She forced herself not to think about it. It couldn’t be happening again.

“Mom,” Katherine said. “You are scaring me. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Her mom began to sob and Katherine got even more scared. Jensen watched the expression on her face. It wasn’t good and as always his instinct was to help her… To protect her.

“Is something wrong?” he mouthed to Katherine but she didn’t reply. Her face went white, like the blood was being drained from her body.

“It’s your dad again, Kathy” Delia was saying on the other end. “He hasn’t been feeling good for two days now so we went to the hospital. The cancer is back, honey and the doctor said it’s really bad. Jonathan and Kate are here already. We have been trying to reach you for a while now. You have to get here now, honey”

Katherine nodded, unable to speak. It had been years ago… Eight years ago since her father beat cancer… They had celebrated it back then. And now it was back? Just like that? Out of the blue? And it was bad? What exactly did that mean? How bad was it? Was her father going to die? The thought of that happening gave her chills.

Suddenly Jensen was right in front of her, holding her by the shoulder and she was grateful for it because she was sure her legs were beginning to feel like jelly and she wasn’t sure they could hold her up anymore.

“What’s wrong, Kat?” he asked, concern written all over his face.

“It’s my dad” Katherine said, shivering. “Mom said he’s in the hospital. It’s cancer. It’s back. After all these years it’s back, Jensen. And It sounds bad. Oh my God what am I going to do? I’m freaking out”

Jensen pulled her into a hug. And Katherine sobbed quietly. “I’m so sorry, Kat” he said as he ran his hands down her hair. “But let’s get you to the hospital first. It might not be so terrible. Let’s get there and find out exactly what is wrong. I can come with you… If you need me to”

Katherine nodded. “Please do,” she said. She wasn’t sure she would be able to make it to the hospital alone. Her legs shook and she began to imagine the worst.

“Is everything okay?” Claire asked as she came to join them. She looked puzzled when she saw the tears in Katherine’s eyes.

“It’s my Dad, Claire,” Katherine said. “My mom called. He is in the hospital and I have to go see him. Will you please take Tim home with you. You can take my car since you didn’t bring yours” She handed her keys to Claire. “Jensen will take me to the hospital,” she said.

“Of course, honey,” Claire said. “Anything you need. Call me if there’s anything you need me to do”

“Thanks. Let me talk to Tim before I leave” Katherine said.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She went to Tim and told him she had to leave for a while and he had to go with Claire. Normally, he would have gladly gone with Claire as he loved having a sleepover with his friend, Oliver. But he noticed the sadness in Katherine’s eyes and wanted to come with her. Katherine didn’t want him to see his grandfather just lying helpless in a hospital bed. She couldn’t imagine what the sight might do to him and she didn’t want to put him through that trauma.

“You can’t right now” Katherine said. “It’s really important and you can’t come with me right now. But I promise I will be back as soon as I can, honey”

“Okay,” Tim said reluctantly.

“Good,” Katherine said. She kissed him and after Claire left with the kids, she returned to Jensen.

“Alright” she said. “Let’s go”

They got into the car and Jensen drove off.

“Hurry, please” Katherine said, her eyes fixed on the road like she was trying to teleport them to the hospital.

“Now, relax, babe,” Jensen said, now so used to calling her that he couldn’t stop the word from coming out. She didn’t seem to mind. “I’m gonna try to get us there as fast as I can but not at any risks. You won’t be able to do much for your father if you end up in a hospital bed yourself”

Katherine nodded but she prayed silently for this to be some kind of bad dream. That she was going to wake up soon and this would be forgotten.

She felt Jensen take her hand, his eyes reaching out to her… Assuring her that everything was going to be fine. And she was glad that she had him with her.