Page 9 of A Forever Love

“Eighty?” I supply, making him chuckle. “Do you remember the first time we went there?”

* * *

Mere - 6 years old

Carter - 17 years old

“What are you doing here, Mere?” Carter saunters into the waiting room at Kings Security.

My dad has been with this company for a year now. He’s still often sad, but today is the saddest day of all for both of us. I don’t blame him for forgetting to make my special Friday pancakes and giving me cereal instead. He also missed the fact that there was a parent-teacher conference at my school today.

“I’m waiting for my dad. Are you still moving?”

Carter just graduated from high school and will be moving to St. Peppers. He’ll go to college during the day and work at Kings Security in his free time. I can’t wait for it. I’m so glad he’s going to be close. He’s so much fun to be around. I don’t even have to call him uncle, because he’s also my friend and not just Dad’s.

“Soon.” He collapses beside me, and the whole couch shakes.

“Not soon enough!” I pout, clutching the straps of my bag closer to my body.

Carter shakes his head and lets out a laugh. As always, the sound is loud. I love it. I want him to always be happy. Someone should be.

“You and me both. So, how are you really doing?”

“I’m okay.”

“The truth, mittens.” He gazes down at me.

“You know I don’t like that name.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“Tell me the truth and I won’t call you mittens again.” There’s still a small smile on his lips as his dark hair catches the sunlight streaming through the window.

“It’s my birthday today.”

“What, are you worried you’ll be getting wrinkles soon?”

Wrinkles? I didn’t even think of that.

“I’m joking, mittens.” He chuckles, continuing to use that silly name. “How will I be able to fix it if you don’t tell me what’s going on?” Carter lightly bumps my shoulder with his own.

I wish he could fix everything. For both me and my dad.

“I don’t think you can fix my birthday, because it’s also the day my mom died.”

The smile on Carter’s lips fades. He glances away from me, a rapid pulse throbbing in his jaw. He rises from his seat and extends his hand to me. “Come with me.”

“Where?” I ask, placing my hand in his.

“Just come.” Carter’s large hand tightens around my small palm as he helps me up from the chair then slings my schoolbag over his shoulder. We pause by the reception desk, where he taps his fingers on the table. “Jena, if Keith asks, can you tell him I’m taking Mere for a ride? We’ll be back in an hour.”

Jena, the part-time receptionist at Kings, smiles at Carter, her expression different than when she looks at my dad and his other friends here. She lifts the candy jar and glances at me from her desk. “Would you like one today, Merida?”

I shake my head, just as I always do. “No, thank you.”

“Have fun with your uncle, sweetie.” She pays me no further attention and winks at Carter.

“He’s not my uncle. He’s my friend,” I correct her.

But that only gets a laugh from her. “I’m so sorry, honey. Have a great time with your friend.”

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