The Gardens Part I

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

One week later

Aleysa wakes up early and she looks over at me. "Are we going to the gardens today?"

I look outside and see the sun shining and there's not a single cloud in the sky. "Yes, we are. Jai is looking forward to it as well."

She smiles. "Really?"

"Yes, all he spoke about last night was going to the gardens with us. Do you want to know a secret?" She sits up in the bed and nods. "I don't think he's been to a garden before. I hope he doesn't get bored."

Aleysa laughs. "How can he get bored with my beautiful big sister at his side? If he gets bored I don't want him in your life."

I rise and move over to the bed. I hug her. "I love you, Aleysa."

She smiles. "I love you more, Chloe. Can you pass me my backpack I want to wear something nice today."

I climb off the bed and I walk over to the chair that has all Aleysa's stuff. I carry the bag over to the bed.

She takes it from me and she looks through it. She pulls out a pair of jeans that hasn't been worn before and a small t-shirt. "Can you help me get changed?"

"Sure," I help her out of the bed. I undo the buttons on the hospital gown. I help her into her clothes.

As Aleysa climbs back into bed Jai enters the room. He looks at her. "You look pretty. I got something for you." he pulls a teddy bear from behind his back and he gives it to her.

Aleysa takes the bear from him and she hugs it. "I love it. Thank you very much."

Jai ruffles her hair. "You're welcome. Are you ready to go to gardens?"

She nods. "Chloe's not ready though. Maybe, you should help her."

"Shut up," I mouth.

She giggles.

I pick up my backpack and walk into the bathroom. I quickly change and walk back into the room. I see Aleysa in the wheel chair and Jai's standing behind her.

He looks at me. "The nurse came in while you were in the bathroom. She put your sister in the wheelchair."

I touch his arm. "It's alright. You don't need to explain it to me. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," he starts to push Aleysa. "You don't need to come into work today. I called work and told them we won't be coming in today. I hired someone last night and he's starting his first shift tonight."

"Are you sure you don't want to be there when the new guy gets trained?"

He shakes his head. "I trust Kye. He's one of the best bartenders I've had." He opens the door to his car.

Jai lifts Aleysa up and places her in the back seat.

I fold up the wheelchair and put it in the trunk. I walk to the passenger side door and climb in.

Jai shuts the door and he rounds the car. He climbs into the front seat. He turns the key and the car rumbles to life. He looks at me and then at the mirror. "Are you ladies ready?"

Aleysa smiles. "Yes," she looks out the window. "Is Nate going to join us?"

I look out the window. "Your brother told me he would think about it. I told him what time we were leaving, but it doesn't look like he's coming."

Her face falls. "He doesn't care about me. All he ever does is plays football and hangs around his friends."

I pull my phone out of my handbag and I see a missed call on it. I see Nate's number and then I see a message and I click on it.

Nate: I will be there soon. I have to drop the guys off at school. I need to be back before school is out for practise.

I turn to Aleysa. "Look at what I got from Nate."

She takes the phone from me and looks at the message. "He's coming?"

"Yeah," I look at Jai. "My brother is coming. He won't be much longer. I'll look for him." I step out of the car and make my way to the entrance of the hospital.

Nate jogs over to me. "I thought I was late?"

I shake my head. "Never, before we go to the car I want you to know that my boss is coming with us."

He looks around the carpark. "Who's your boss?"

"Jai Marshall."

He shakes his head. "I've read magazines with him on them and they pretty much say that he's a bad guy. I don't want you around a guy like that."

I pull him towards the car. "He's not a bad guy. You'll see for yourself when you meet him. Besides, you shouldn't trust everything you read." I open the door for him and he climbs in. I walk over to the passenger side and climb in. "Jai, this is my brother, Nate. Nate, that's Jai."

Jai turns towards my brother. "Hey, man."

Nate narrows his eyes and remains quiet.

Aleysa kicks him.

He turns towards her. "What?"

She looks at him. "Don't be rude."

Jai pulls the car out of the hospital parking lot and he drives towards the gardens.

At the gardens I step out of the car and make my way to the trunk. I open it and pull out the wheelchair. I set it up before wheeling it to my sister's side of the car.

Jai opens the door and he lifts her out. He places her in the wheelchair.

Aleysa look at him. "Can you push me around?"

Jai looks at me. "Is it alright with you?"

Nate steps forward. "No, it's not. I'm going to wheel her around."

I have to talk to him about his attitude. It's not like him to talk like this to strangers. What's gotten into him?

"Jai, can you stay with Aleysa for a bit. I need to talk to my brother." I pull Nate away from them. I sit on a table and turn toward him. "I told you earlier to be nice to him. What has he done that you don't like?"

"He's going to use you like he did the other girls he's had walk into his bar. You're a better girl than the ones that have been in his life. He will hurt you and I'll be the one left to pick up the pieces when he leaves. I'm thinking about you, sis."

I look at him. "Nate, all you need to concentrate on is school and football. Everything else I'll take care of. Next week you'll be back in your own bed and your friends can come over on the weekends."

"Are you going to be home then?"

"Yes," I look at Jai. "I want you to apologise to Jai for your behaviour. Also, he's not going anywhere. So, you're going to have to put up with him for a while."

He sighs. "Fine, I'll apologise." Nate walks over to him and he says a few words. They shake hands. Nate starts to push Aleysa to the entrance of the Botanical Gardens.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net