Page 117 of Always Us

“Hey, stranger,” I say when I answer.

“Yeah, I know. I’ve been working a lot. I wasn’t able to call you back. Sorry.”

“I’m just giving you a hard time. So do you like the job?”

“Yeah, it’s great. Way better than my last one.”

“How’s your new place?”

“Good. It’s small, but it’s clean and in a decent area. I have to work this afternoon, but I wanted to give you a quick call. Let you know I’m still alive.”

He shouldn’t joke about that. With the organization after him, I feel like I do need to check that he’s alive.

“How was the funeral?” he asks. “I mean, not like it was good or anything, but are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. We didn’t go to the funeral. Just a memorial service here at my house. We’re leaving today.”

“Will you guys be around during Christmas?”

“We’ll be back here for a week, but after that we’ll be home. Why?”

“Just wondering if you guys wanted to come to LA for a few days. You could come to the restaurant. I’ll cook you something.”

“Sure, we can do that. We have four weeks off for winter break.”

“What about the photographers? You think they’ll leave you alone?”

I always forget about that. Where we live, nobody bothers me, but if I go to LA, I risk being recognized.

“I’m not worried about it. I’ll disguise myself. Maybe I’ll grow a beard.”

He laughs. “There are so many famous people around here, chances are nobody will notice you. I’ve already seen three movie stars and I’ve only been here a week.”

“Get used it. They’re everywhere out there.”

“I gotta go, but I’ll call you later. Have a safe trip back.”

“Thanks. See ya.”

“Was that Sean?” Jade asks as she zips up the suitcase.

“Yeah. He wants us to go see him in LA over winter break.”

“What about the photographers?”

I shrug. “I’ll wear a hat and won’t shave for a week. Nobody will recognize me.”

“I wonder if Harper will try to see him when she’s home.”

“She better not. She needs to stay away from him.”

Jade sets the suitcase upright. “It’s ready to go.”

As we walk down the stairs, part of me is hoping to see my grandmother there, waiting to say goodbye. But she’s not there. It’s just my dad and Lilly waiting to take Jade and me to the airport.

As we’re on the plane heading home, I keep thinking about how much has changed the past year. Not just with me, but with my family. And with my grandfather gone, and my dad and Katherine getting divorced, things will continue to change. It makes me wonder what life will be like a year from now. A lot can change in a year.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

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