Angel of Mine by Jessica Louise Read Free Book Online

her hand by my stitches, she waits for answers. I am so thankful that she is not in her usual frenzy, lecturing me and rushing to leave town. I assume that, for once, she must trust my judgment on what needs to be done.
    “I’m okay Mum, just a little knock to the head. There was a baby who needed his mother, she needed help, and I had Theo there to look after me.”
    She looks at me quizzically before asking, “The boy that was here by your bedside when I arrived?”
    Her curiosity to know who he is shines through. I can tell it’s killing her to find out, but she doesn’t want to push me while I lay here in a hospital bed in my current state. “Yes. Where did he go?”
    She looks hesitant as she replies, “To the cafeteria. He said he would be back in a little bit.”
    Satisfying at least part of her curiosity, I tell her, “I first saw him at the park about a week and a half ago. He just moved here, and we have run into each other a couple of times now. I bumped into him on my way to the mall, and we went for coffee.”
    My cheeks heat as I think about how close we literally came to bumping into each other, and just the thought of how close we were sends tingles through my body once again. Get a grip Ally; you’re in a hospital bed, for heaven’s sakes, talking to your mother. You’re getting all hot and bothered over a boy. So not appropriate .
    As I cough to mask my discomfort my mum asks, “Did he see?” I need no clarification to understand what she is asking me. I instantly know because we have been through this enough.
    “I trust him. He even went to the lengths to tell the lady I helped a cover story so that she wasn’t suspicious. He says he won’t tell, and I believe him. Everything is going to be okay.”
    She looks at me trying to decide whether I’m telling the truth. I must have convinced her because she nods her head and responds, “Okay honey, I believe you. I’m still not happy about it, but I do trust your judgment. Get some rest and later we will talk some more.”
    Just then, Theo pops his head back in the room to let me know he doesn’t want to intrude and is heading home. He seems nervous as he looks back and forth between my mum and me. “Um, I ah, I wrote down my number for you. Would you call me when you are up to it and let me know that you have recovered?”
    Taking the small piece of paper from his hands, I smile and tell him I will. Mum must pick up that he feels awkward, and I could hug her when she relieves his unease by saying, “Thank you for taking such good care of my baby.”
    He lets out a jittery, “Anytime,” and with a small wave of his hand, he steps out of the room. Mum settles back down beside me, and I close my eyes once again.
     

     
    The next morning, I wake up in my own bed feeling much better and decide to give Theo a call. I owe him an explanation, and a massive thank you at the least. He seemed eager to see that I was okay with his own eyes, and I agreed to meet him at our spot at the park.
    I dress in a cute little yellow sundress that Mum says brings out my eyes, and try to brush the hair over my forehead in a way that will hide the nasty looking mark there.
    As I approach, I spot him under the oak tree where I first met him, watching me as I make my way over. He reaches for my hand as I get near. I take it and let him pull me into him for a quick hug. “Hey you.”
    I step back and look up at him, “Hey. It’s great to see you. Thank you so much for all of your help the other day.”
    He looks at me intently, “Of course, you didn’t even have to ask.”
    Deciding not to leave him in suspense any longer, I declare, “I have something I need to show you.” He looks at me expectantly as I gather my thoughts and try to work out the best way to explain.
    I survey my surroundings, trying to find something that will help do the job. Dry leaves crunch under my feet after a summer of minimal rainstorms. Autumn colours litter the landscape as far as