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128 Waiting On Tomorrow (Winona)
Lisa and | sit in the living room, finishing off the champagne. It feels like the bubbles are the only thing keeping
| certainly didn't need the whole bottle. | feel a little tipsy just from a couple of glasses.
| take a sip and let out a long sigh. "I can't believe how close | cto dying today," | say, my voice barely
above a whisper. "Ashlyn is... | don't even have words for how crazy she is."
Lisa nods, her eyes wide. "I never liked or trusted her. She always had this... vibe, you know? But | never thought
it would cto this. | mean, shooting you? It's next level stalker crazy."
"Tellabout it," | mutter, shaking my head. "I'm so grateful to be alive. If it weren't for Jayden..." | trail off...
what he did hittingall over again.
"Yeah, Jayden," Lisa says, a look of amazement crossing her face. "He took a bullet for you, Winona. Without
even thinking about it. That man is still all about you."
I look down at my glass, feeling a rush of emotion. "I know. It's overwhelming. | always knew he loved me, but
this... this is something else."
"Do you think he'll make it?" Lisa asks gently.
| take a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears. "I don't know. He's in a coma. They said the next 24 hours are
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcrucial. But even if he does make it, they're not sure about brain damage. It's so terrifying. What if he can't
rememberagain." Lisa reaches out and squeezes my hand. "Stay positive."
| nod, trying to take comfort in her words. "I am. For Abby's sake, and for mine."
"Well, if nothing else, at least you know you've got a guy who's literally willing to take a bullet for you. How many
people can say that?"
I laugh despite myself, the tension easing just a bit. Lisa's irreverent humors again
trauma a little. "True. Though I'd rather he didn't have to."
to diffuse the
Lisa nods, her expression turning serious. "So, what about Judy? Do you really think you can trust her?"
| let out a bitter laugh. "Trust Judy? No way. But I'm trying to be less explosive with her. For Abby. If Jayden dies...
| can't be fighting with Judy all the time. Abby will need all her family around her."
Lisa frowns. "I get that, but Judy is... well, she's Judy. Do you really think she's capable of changing?"
| shrug, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. "I don't know. But | have to try. For Abby. She deserves a real
family, even if it's a slightly dysfunctional one."
Lisa looks thoughtful. "Showa real family that isn't slightly dysfunctional. | admire you, Winona. You're doing
what's best for Abby, even if it's hard. That takes a lot."
"Thanks, Lisa. | just hope I'm making the right decisions."
Lisa smirks again, "Speaking of questionable decisions Lance and | had a talk."
128 Waiting On Tomorrow
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| raise an eyebrow. "Oh? Is he finally ready to commit to more than just couch crashing and drinking all your
beer?"
Lisa rolls her eyes. "He's scared of commitment. | know that. Typical guy. And I'm tired of being triggered by his
nonsense. So, I've decided to start dating. For real this time."
"Wow, that's a big step," | say, genuinely surprised. "I thought you two were good together."
"We were... sort of," Lisa admits. "But | need more than sort of. | want someone who's all in, not someone who's
half-assing it because he's scared of getting hurt. Life's too short for that."
"| feel a bit sad about that really. It would have been awesfor the four of us." But then | realize Jayden has to
live first. "Oh, never mind. Just be happy. Love has never broughtmuch more than misery really. | can only
hope things get more settled." "You love Jayden? You'll be together?"
"I know I love him. I'm not in denial anymore. But, | really don't know how it will be when... if he wakes. He may
not live a-normal life again."
"You got this. And I'm excited about letting Lance go and dating again. It's exciting."
I nod in agreement, feeling a surge of pride for my friend. "Good for you, Lisa. You deserve someone who's all in.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLance will realize what he lost when it's too late."
"Yeah, well, that's his problem," Lisa says with a shrug. "I'm not waiting around for him to get his act together."
We clink our glasses together and take another sip of champagne. The bubbles tickle my nose, and for a brief
moment, | feel a tiny bit of normalcy returning.
"Whatever happens, you've got me," Lisa says firmly. "Here for you and Abby, no matter what."
| smile, feeling a warmth spread throughthat has nothing to do with the champagne. "I know. And that
means everything to me."
We continue talking, sharing stories and memories, trying to find slight in the darkness. As the night wears
on, | realize just how lucky | am to have Lisa, people who are there forthrough thick and thin.
x But even with support, the uncertainty of the future looms large. Jayden's life hangs in the balance, and with it,
. y own sense of stability. | can only hope that we'll make it through this, together.
Bill Crutchfield recounts how
| Crutchfield survived and... i i
~_! sponsored: CrutchfieldLisa and | finish the last of the champagne, | look out the window at the
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