Chapter 7 We’re Not Even Close
Sure enough, the next morning, my mom called again.
She jumped straight into it. She said Claire was seriously ill and that her parents were tied up with work. Therefore, they couldn’t take care of her. Which apparently meant that it was now my job. Her “childhood sweetheart.” The one who “always looked after her.”
I shut that down on the spot.
“Mom, stop worrying about things that don’t concern us. Claire has a boyfriend. If she’s in the hospital, that’s his job, not mine. Me showing up would just make things messier. I’ve got stuff to do. Talk later.”
I didn’t wait for her reply. Instead, I hung up immediately.
I figured that would be the end of it.
Alas, it wasn’t. Claire wasn’t done yet. She was throwing every last Hail Mary, dragging in anyone and everyone to try and drag me back into her life.
Not even ten minutes after I hung up on my mom, my phone rang again. This time, it was from the hospital.
It was Claire’s doctor. “Are you Claire Fisher’s family?” he asked.
I flat–out denied it. “Nope. We’re not even close.”
Right as I said it, I heard Claire’s voice in the background–weak, hoarse, but unmistakably hers.
“Zach… I know it’s you… How can you say we’re not close? We were about to get married. You just vanished on me… and now I’m like this because of you… Can’t you show me some pity?”
Her voice cracked, and I could hear her trying not to cry.
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“They’re about to take me into surgery… what if I don’t make it… Don’t you even care?”
I heard the sound of nurses murmuring reassurance. “It’s just a minor procedure.”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“You’re gonna be fine.”
I stayed quiet. I didn’t bother saying a word or risk breathing too loudly.
Then, the doctor came back on. “Sir, we need a signature from a family member to
proceed.”
“I’m not family,” I said firmly. “This has nothing to do with me. Also, Claire has a boyfriend. Try him.”
I guess Claire heard that part because she had a full meltdown right after that. She started
yelling my name on the other end, her voice sharp, angry, desperate.
“I don’t have a boyfriend! You are my boyfriend! We were going to get married! Zach, how could you forget that?”
Oh, I remembered.
I remembered everything—every single time she turned me into a punchline. It was seven
times she made a fool out of me. Seven.
I hung up. Just like that. I was done.
Later that night, Riley called me, laughing into the receiver. He said I finally grew some spine.
“Dude, good for you. That girl needed a wake–up call. Don’t you dare go soft at the finish
line.”
I had barely ended the call with Riley when my phone buzzed again. This time? Claire’s
mom.
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Her voice cracked with emotion. “Zach… what happened between you and Claire? I heard
you haven’t seen her in weeks. She’s really sick, and you didn’t even visit. Not even when
the doctors called.”
That hit harder than I expected.
Mrs. Fisher had always been kind to me ever since we were kids. Back in high school, she
used to make us snacks. She hosted movie nights and treated me like her own.
And the first time Claire stood me up at the City Hall–when I showed up ready to sign marriage papers and she ghosted me? Mrs. Fisher found out and rushed over that same night.
a
I still remember it. She pulled Claire aside and chewed her out like I had never seen. Later,
she hugged me tight and said, “Zach, I don’t care what Claire says. You’ll always be my
son–in–law. If she doesn’t choose you, I don’t even want to call her my daughter.”
Back then, I had kept the truth to myself. I hadn’t told her that Claire didn’t love me
because she was in love with Leo. She had ditched me to chase him, not because of cold feet.
But this time? I wasn’t covering for her anymore. I had compromised myself for Claire too many times over the years. I had bent myself out of shape to keep her happy.
Well, no longer.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Fisher,” I said quietly but clearly. “Claire has a boyfriend. She doesn’t need
- me. The doctors were looking for a family member to sign for surgery, and I’m not that
guy. I have no place in her life anymore.”
I took a breath, steadying myself. “From now on, maybe talk to her boyfriend about Claire.
I wouldn’t want to cause any more misunderstandings. I’ve got to run. Take care.”
With that, I ended the call.
I trusted Mrs. Fisher would understand what I meant.
I was right to put my faith in her.
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From that day on, no one else called me about Claire–the messages stopped, and no one tried to drag me back into Claire’s orbit.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, Riley dragged me to some gathering. It was a chill night with old friends.
But of course, someone brought up Claire.
Word was, her mom ended up flying out and signing the surgery papers herself. Claire had been recuperating in the hospital ever since.
A few people glanced at me when the topic came up. Some even mentioned visiting her, bringing fruit and get–well cards, then turned to me and asked if I wanted to come along.
I was unfazed by the attention.
She couldn’t stir a single ripple in me anymore.
“Nah,” I drawled casually, picking up my drink. “I don’t really know her like that. We don’t talk.‘
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