I slapped my hands on the arms of the chair and pushed off. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
And that’s probably the best note we could end this conversation on.
He stood up with me and rounded his desk. “Any chance you’re free for lunch this week?”
As we walked to the door together, I said, “Maybe. I’ve got some job hunting to do.”
“Well, you know?—”
I cut him a look, and he stopped mid-sentence, thankfully not finishing what we both knew would’ve been a fruitless offer.
I’d never work here again and would probably never come back after today.
Adolescence was truly over, and if there was one thing today’s excursion taught me, it was that the confusion and sadness I felt over losing and leaving this place was moreintense, more painful than anything that happened on the cruise ship.
After a brief goodbye, I walked out of Dad’s office and through the flashing lights of the casino, only pausing briefly when I reached the magnolia trees inside the main lobby.
They looked awful. Sickly and wilted.
I wasn’t sure what my future looked like, but I knew what it wasn’t.
Grown indoors or lit by neon.
6
Liem
I was justfluffing my best pillow in preparation for my late afternoon siesta when a text rerouted my plans.
Dad
Hate to ask but are you around ?
Heavens. I typed a reply immediately, making sure to add a space between my punctuation to make him feel better about his superfluous spaces.
Me
Yes, I’m at the cottage.
His reply was quick, as if he’d already been preparing it.
Dad
swing by for a min?
If the dread gathering in my stomach was anything to go by, I already knew why he was asking. I pushed the heel of my handover the bare skin of my chest, willing my body to put off full-blown anxiety until my suspicions were confirmed.
My phone lit up again, and there it was.
Dad
with bandaids if you have them
I started toward the door, only wondering for a moment if I should bother with a shirt before two texts arrived in quick succession.
Dad
do not call your mother
