Finding Laila: Some Changes Are Necessary Part 32

"Party's here," Cole shouts and gives my dad a handshake and my mom a hug. Each of the guys follows the same routine before walking over to see us.

Haden looks perfect. He cut his hair, despite my objections, and if I thought he couldn't get any cuter, I was wrong. We opted out of the matchy thing, because black is his thing-yet here he is in a gray fitted suit with a white shirt and a tie that does match my dress. His shy smile sends tingles down my arms and I feel suddenly very aware that everyone is looking at us.

"You look amazing," he whispers in my ear as Mom snaps pictures of us together by the fireplace.

Ree and Cole take a few pictures together before Mom drags Joey and Bailey in for theirs. Braxton and Scot finally show up and look awesome in their black tuxes with complementary ties. Of course, Mom wastes no time running them through the same song and dance as the rest of us.

"I want to get everyone together for a group shot, and then I want one of the gang," Mom orders. The guys start acting like idiots, making up hand signals for gangs, and Mom rolls her eyes, but they finally straighten up to take the obligatory prom picture.

As everyone makes adjustments to their outfits and poses for the picture, Haden's phone rings in his pocket and he darts out of the shot before Mom can take it.

"Dude, put the phone down so we can get this over with," Cole bellows.

Haden waves him off and walks toward the window so he can listen to whoever is talking on the other end. Everyone goes about their business and Mom continues snapping a few more shots before Haden finally walks over.

"Hey," he says, reaching for my hand and pulling me away. "I'm gonna have to meet you there. Mom just called and she's upset because my grandma isn't doing so well. But I won't be long, I'll meet you there."

"Do you want me to come with you?" I ask, trying to meet his eyes, but he avoids making eye contact.

"No, you go have fun. I don't think I'll be long." He kisses my cheek and takes off without another word.

"Everything okay?" Joey walks over and asks so no one else hears.

"I don't think his grandma is doing well, but he said to go on without him and he'll meet us there," I tell him.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and hugs me. "Then he'll meet us there."

I nod, and everyone hurries outside to the limo laughing and smiling. Something about the way Haden took off nags at me, but I'm trying my best to ignore it. This is prom, the night I've been waiting for since I was a kid, yet with him not here, it doesn't feel right.

"Joey," I say, as he helps Bailey into the limo, but I never finish.

He nods his head and closes the door when he climbs in. I wave to everyone as the car drives off and stand at the end of the street unsure of my choice.

"What's wrong?" Dad asks walking toward me.

"I don't know. Haden said that his grandma isn't doing so well. He said he'll meet me at prom, but I feel like I should be with him."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of car keys and hands them over to me.

"Be careful. Call to let us know you're okay," he says before kissing my head and walking inside.

I can't believe I'm about to miss my prom.

Even though I could walk the short distance to the Searle's house, these heels and dress aren't exactly the right attire. I start the car and drive a block before reaching their house and pulling into the driveway. When I step out, I get to the front door and ring the doorbell.

I should've waited.

All of a sudden I hear Mrs. Searle shouting something, and crashing noises inside. I debate walking back to the car and leaving when the door swings open and Haden's face pales; he looks completely broken.

"What are you doing here?" he asks with a hint of anger. "I told you I'd meet you there."

"I know, but you know me, I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine," he says, but his mom cuts in and swings the door open.

"Laila, you look beautiful," she slurs, walking toward me for a hug, but Haden blocks her access.

"You need to go," Haden says with a calm, straight face.

"I just wanted to see how your grandma is doing."

Ms. Searle swings her head and looks at Haden in shock before starting to cry.

"What happened to her?" she wails.

"Nothing," he answers as she falls into his arms. He wraps them around her and tries to soothe his mom, but she only keeps crying. When his eyes meet mine, they are filled with sadness and he motions for me to follow them inside while he walks her to the couch.

The living room is in complete disarray. Pillows are strewn about the room, a vase is shattered on the floor near the coffee table, and pictures are scattered all over the couch. There is a small gla.s.s on the table with a half empty bottle of tequila next to it, and the pieces start to fall into place. Haden walks her to the recliner and gets her to sit down while I walk over to the couch and begin picking up the images.

"Why did he have to go?" she cries quietly. I don't have to ask whom she's talking about. Haden's dad was the love of her life. She's never dated anyone since he died and even though she rarely shows it, I know that even all these years later, it's still fresh for her when she thinks about it.

"It's okay, Mom," Haden says with a loving calm. "Just get some rest."

There is a small box on a shelf next to her, so I walk over to set the pictures in it, but she takes my hand and stops me so I kneel down next to her. She takes the stack from my hands and flips through them until she finds the one she wants and hands the rest to me. She holds the image close to her chest and quietly cries until she's asleep.

Chapter 27 ~ Finding Caroline.

Dad: Everything okay?

Me: Yeah. Just sitting here with Haden & Ms. Searle.

I place my phone on the mantel before leaving her alone in her chair.

"Don't," Haden says when I find him in the kitchen standing still at the sink, but I refuse to listen.

Instead, I walk over and wrap my arms around his waist and hug him.

"You shouldn't be here."

Neither of us says a word and he finally turns around to face me and buries his head in my neck. Slowly, his breathing becomes normal as he relaxes, but I know he's holding back. I wish I knew what to say, but I say nothing, opting to be whatever he needs right now. When he releases me from his grasp, I look up at him and see the worry in his eyes so I reach up and smooth the furrow in his brow.

"I don't know what to do anymore."

He walks over to the kitchen table and takes a seat, so I do the same. I reach for his hand and he squeezes it and keeps his eyes trained on that sole connection. I wish I could take away whatever it is he's feeling, but something tells me I can't.

"How am I supposed to leave her?"

"What are you talking about?" I finally ask.

"When Dad died, she started drinking more. It wasn't anything too bad, but now it's out of control. Luckily, on days that she works, she's clean. But the times that she's off, well-she's really off." He scoffs to himself.

I think about it for a moment and realize that in the years since his dad died, I've never noticed her drinking.

"She hides it well," he answers, as if he can read my mind.

"So what happened tonight?"

"I'm so sorry, Lai. I wanted tonight to be perfect for you."

"It's fine." I try my best to sound convincing. "Maybe we'll go later."

He shakes his head and finally looks at me. "I need to get her to bed. She's going to be embarra.s.sed when she realizes you saw her like this."

"It's fine, Haden."

"No, it's not. I'm sick of it. You know why I left? I left because she called me in hysterics saying that she couldn't find her pills."

I try to keep my jaw from falling open, but remain quiet while he continues to talk.

"Pills, Lai. I'm done with all of this. I knew when I left that she was already drunk and I almost ignored the phone call, but I didn't. I was so worried that this time she'd do it, so I rushed over and found them before she did and threw them away. She wasn't too happy with me when I told her."

"Is that what-?" I point to the living room, implying the mess I walked into.

"Yeah, she threw a fit, and it probably would have lasted longer had you not shown up."

"So what happens now?" I ask.

"I wait until she wakes up. She sleeps some of it off and then she comes to and I help her to bed."

"Sounds like some sort of routine," I observe out loud and cringe when I realize how judgmental it sounds.

"Pretty much is." He shrugs.

"Well, then I guess we'll wait." I try for a smile, but it falls short.

"This is my mess to deal with," he says, but I interrupt.

"She's your mom and I love her, but technically, it's hers. Haden, you're just enabling her-what about your life?"

"You don't get it, she's my mom," he says, but realizes his choice of words.

"No, you're right, I don't get it. I mean, my mom gave me away because she couldn't take care of me, so I have completely different set of mommy issues."

"Ah, h.e.l.l, Lai, I didn't mean it like that."

I shake off his words and try not to read into them because I know what he means. "It's fine, really."

"I'm an a.s.s," he scolds and touches his hand to my cheek sweetly.

"She's done everything for me since Dad died. I can't just let her fall apart."

"I'm not saying to abandon her, but it sounds like maybe she needs some help-more than you can give her."

"Lai," he says as if it's a warning but I put my hand up to stop him.

"Have you talked to her about it?"

"I've tried, but she always promises that she's fine and that she's okay with my leaving. Then a night like tonight happens."

"So what do you usually do when this happens?"

He sits back in his chair and crosses his arms to signal this is it. Neither of us say anything for a while, and I wonder if I'm making things worse for him by being here right now.

The clock on their kitchen oven reads almost ten o'clock. I've been here almost two hours and she's still out of it. We could have gone for an hour, come back, and she'd be exactly as we left her. Haden c.o.c.ks his head to the side and waves me over, not saying a word. When I stand up, he pulls me to his lap, wraps his arms around my waist, and leans his head against my neck.

"I'm so sorry I ruined everything," he mutters and I know he means it.

"There's nothing we can do now," I say, trying to sound reasonable. "She needs you, and it wouldn't be the same without you there."

"I'm going to make it up to you," he promises.

"Haden?" his mom calls from the living room and he sits upright.

"Yeah, Ma." He lifts his finger to shush me and stands up to tend to her.

I can hear them talking and her apologizing but she's still out of it. I remain rooted to my chair until I hear their voices disappear as they walk away, and I bury my face in my hands.

How is it that none of us saw what was going on? I suppose, looking back, they never invite anyone over, and for the most part Haden goes everywhere else but home. This explains why he's always quiet and keeps so much to himself-probably a tough load to carry alone.

I remember my phone so I sneak into the living room and the screen lights up with missed texts.

8:03-Bailey: You're missing it. Hurry up. I miss your face.

8:38-Braxton: On your way yet?

9:47-Joey: Everything Ok?

Ree sent some pictures of everyone dancing and having a great time. The ballroom looks amazing, and seeing everyone dressed up-I can't help my disappointment. Of course I want to be there, but being there without Haden sounds equally disappointing. I tap out a quick message to Joey, since he was the last one.

Me: It's ok. Don't think we'll make it.