Page 61 of Even Ground

“I’ll make it. You sit here and look through the rest of the photos. There are some gorgeous ones of Melly in there.”

She flicks through a couple more. “Amelia will be a little heartbreaker.”

“That she will, Mum. That she will.” I smile and push myself to my feet. Hours in a plane and then in a car have left my joints stiff, and I wince as I stand.

“Are you okay?”

“Too much sitting on my bum.” I chuckle. “I might have to go for a walk to get all the kinks out. You keep looking at the photos. Reece took me all over LA and I took pictures everywhere I went.”

I walk toward the door.

“And, Mum, if we can ever get you to fly, you’d love Hawaii. It’s magical.”

She presses her hand to her chest. “I’d love to go.”

“Maybe one day.”

Pulling open the back door, I step out into the sunshine and rub my neck. How is it possible to still be so tired when I’ve had so much sleep? How can I feel so happy to be home, but still feel like some part of me isn’t?

I’m not sure I can take another journey for a while to see Delaney.

Not until I work out how I feel.

13

Pania

The two days at my childhood home go much faster than I hoped they would.

It’s been wonderful to be at home with Mum, poring over wedding photos and sharing my stories of my time away. But real life beckons now, and I’ve got my studies to get on with. The first term was pretty basic—I’ve been making my own clothing since I was a teenager, but not everyone is that knowledgeable about the whole process, and this term we should get into more detail.

Wiremu runs his hand over the bonnet of my beaten old Honda Accord before handing me the keys.

“She’s running like a dream again, but you’re gonna have to look at replacing her sometime soon.”

“Thanks, cuz. I owe you one.”

“I used most of the money you gave me. I’ll keep the rest as a tip.”

I laugh. “You do that.”

“Have a safe trip. And good luck with your training course. Maybe you can make me something to wear.”

Opening the boot of the car, I stop for a moment to look at him before dropping my bag in. “I’m sure I can sort something out.”

He opens his arms, and I hug him tight. “You take care of yourself. If you need anything, call me.”

“I will. Take good care of Mum.”

We let go of each other. “She takes care of me, more like it.”

“Pania.” Mum comes out of the door. “Are you leaving now?”

“No time like the present.”

She cups my face in her hands. “I’m so proud of you. Shine like the star you are.”

“I love you, Mum.”

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