Alana frowns. “I don’t ever want you to be like me.”
“Why’s that? You’re strong. Probably the strongest, smartest girl I’ve ever met.”
She just shakes her head sadly. “You’re stronger. You’re not afraid of your emotions, and that’s what I love most about you.”
“Say it again.” I rest my forehead against hers.
Alana looks me square in the eye. “I love you,” she says softly, almost timidly.
I pull her back into my arms securely. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear you say that.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“It doesn’t matter; you told me now.”
“I love you,” she mutters shyly into my neck. It’s adorable.
“I love you, too. Too much for my own good.”
“It will never be too much.” She hugs me tighter, and the glass still in my cheek bites into my skin.
“Mother...” I hiss, forcing Alana to pick her head up.
“Are you going to tell me what happened now?”
“Do I have to?” I reply sardonically.
“No,” she counters seriously. “You don’t have to tell me a thing if you don’t want to.”
I blink at her, confused. I think she’s so used to people keeping their affairs to themselves, her respect for privacy goes above and beyond the norm.
“What if we just get you cleaned up?”
I nod. “We’ll have to go to the drug store. I’ll need tweezers to pluck out the glass.”
“We don’t need to go anywhere,” Alana smirks, then walks over and pops her trunk. I watch, puzzled. “My father,” she explains. “The man barely utters a word to me, but he does make sure if there’s an apocalypse, I’m prepared.” She pulls out a first aid kit.
“Seriously?”
“Mmmm hmmm.” She slams the trunk closed. “I’ve also got water and flashlights if we need them.” She mentions it jokingly, but I know it’s the truth.
I open the back door of my Jeep and sit while Alana digs through the first aid kit, pulling out tweezers and disinfectant wipes. This is going to suck.
“Is there a mirror in there by any chance?” I ask.
“For what?” She stands between my legs.
“So, I can see what I’m doing.”
“You’re not doing anything but closing your eyes so I can work.” She holds the tweezers up to my face.
“You’re going to take care of me?” I ask, well, surprised.
“Yes. Why does that shock you?” She hands me a small ice pack.
“I don’t know. I guess... I... I always take care of everyone.” I look up at her, and now I’m the timid one.
“Well I always just take care of myself. So let me do this.”