Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 104151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
They couldn’t hide their crestfallen faces, and I didn’t blame them for not trying harder. I would have had the same reaction had I been in their shoes.
“Smile.” I teasingly leaned into Erin before reaching my hands across the table to squeeze my sisters’ hands. “I’m making progress. It’s a good thing.”
“Do you want to tell us anything? We’re here for you,” Sarah said.
I smiled, squeezing their hands again. “No. But thank you.” Early on, I couldn’t wait to tell my sisters about our mom and the baby she lost from overdosing. I’d kept it for so many years that I thought the only way to get past it would be to share the burden with them. But I didn’t need to share the burden anymore. I needed to let it go. No one deserved that guilt.
“You seem different,” Gabby said.
I chuckled. “I hope so. Leaving here the same as I was when I got here will be a huge waste of money for Mom and Dad. As it is, I don’t know how they’re affording this. Did they ask you for help?” I looked at Sarah.
She shrugged and shook her head.
“Did they have a fundraiser at church?” I asked.
Erin laughed. “That would have required them to tell people.”
“True.” I rolled my eyes.
Gabby chewed her nails, but she only did it when she was nervous.
“Gabbs?”
She shook her head, but she wouldn’t look at me.
“Gabriella,” I said again, reaching across the table to pull her hand away from her mouth.
She huffed. “Fine, but you can’t tell anyone that you know.”
“Know what?” Sarah asked.
“Kyle took money from his savings and gave it to Mom and Dad to pay for it.”
“Why didn’t they ask me? We would have helped,” Sarah said.
Gabby shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m just the nosey one at the top of the stairs, eavesdropping on everyone’s conversations.”
“That’s so romantic,” Erin said with a dreamy sigh.
“He’s moving back to Colorado at the end of the semester. That doesn’t feel romantic,” I said.
Sarah shot me a sad smile.
“It’s an epic kind of love,” Erin insisted. “His love for you is unconditional. He doesn’t need to be with you to love you and want what’s best for you. I think that’s so romantic.”
“It’s tragic,” Sarah said, wrinkling her nose.
“Why is he leaving?” I asked Gabby.
“How am I supposed to know?”
“Because you’re an eavesdropper.”
She stared at her non-existent fingernails. “He knows your relationship will get out, and he doesn’t want Josh living in a small town where his dad is the center of gossip.” Her nose wrinkled. “And Dad threatened to tell the school board.”
“What can the school board do?” Sarah asked. “You’re not in high school anymore.”
“They’d find another reason to fire him.” Erin frowned.
“How’s Mom?” I asked Gabby.
“Fine. I guess.”
“Does she seem depressed? Down? Anything like that?”
Sarah eyed me.
“I don’t think so. Grandma’s been at the house a lot. I think Dad’s tired of her being there, but she and Mom have long talks. I don’t eavesdrop on them because Grandma talks too slowly. I don’t have the patience for it.”
Erin snorted.
I was relieved to hear that Grandma Bonnie had been with Mom.
“Well, if she seems depressed or stressed or anything like that, give her a big hug. Okay?”
Gabby squinted for a second before nodding, but Sarah blinked away her tears, and she didn’t even know the full story.
“I heard Dad say he talked to the motel manager, and your job will be waiting for you when you get home,” Gabby said.
That surprised me, so I smiled. “That’s a relief. But enough about me. Are you a star yet?” I asked Sarah.
And for the next two hours, my girls caught me up on their lives. And I lived vicariously through them until it was time to say goodbye.
Eight days. I could make it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
JOURNEY, “OPEN ARMS”
Eve
As expected, the turkey was dry, the stuffing was soggy, and the potatoes were instant. But the pumpkin pie was surprisingly delicious.
And the six people gathered around my table were exactly who I needed—sinners with a desire to do better, and a need for other non-judgmental sinners to hold their hand, share space, and let them know they’re not alone.
Raymond said the Serenity Prayer before we ate.
After the meal, some of us gathered in the common area to play board games and work on puzzles. I thought I’d spend the day in my room crying and feeling sorry for myself. Instead, I (appropriately) gave thanks for Kyle loving me unconditionally. My parents for doing what they felt was best. And, of course, to God for granting me this new perspective.
For surrounding me with people who care.
And for saving my life.
“My family is here, if you’ll excuse me,” Raymond said, pushing back in his chair.
I continued to work on the autumn tree puzzle with two other people until they left me to visit with family as well. Finding another piece of the puzzle, I leaned over the table to place it next to an edge piece.