Page 17 of Switching Graves

6

Sonny

“So you’re just packing everything and leaving to save the rainforest?” Uncle Graysen asks me at the family dinner Poppy had called to announce her acceptance to Ravenshurst. His face twists in confusion, a true contrast from the joy that was lighting it up a few moments before.

Aunt Divina hasn’t stopped smiling since Poppy set down her fork and broke the news. I’m not even sure she heard that I’m also leaving. Or maybe she did, and that’s why she’s still smiling.

Twisting my lips, I bob my head in an almost too-enthusiastic nod. “It’s a great opportunity to make lasting change and feels like the perfect timing.”

I hate lying to him. I can’t even imagine his heartbreak when he discovers the truth behind all of this.

Don’t focus on that.

“All you have to say is congratulations, Dad,” Poppy interrupts.

“Of course, of course. Congratulations,” he amends, setting his napkin down on the table. “It just doesn’t seem very like you.I mean, you’ve been laser-focused on school and that job at the flower shop . . . ”

“Actually . . . I have a favor to ask you as well,” my words stumble out awkwardly. I hate doing this. I hate asking them for help. “Helen sold the shop, so I’m kind of out of a jobanda place to stay all at once. I was hoping . . . maybe I could crash in my old room for the next couple weeks, before I leave?”

Before Aunt Divina can manage to slip out one of her snide remarks, Uncle Graysen rushes out a quick, “absolutely.”

Giving him a tight, grateful smile, I drop my gaze to my plate and push around what’s left of my food. “I realized it might be time to take a break and allow myself to experience something for once. Costa Rica is way more affordable to live in, and I’ve got this awesome group lined up.”

“So, this is about money?” he asks, lowering his voice as if Aunt Divina and Poppy can’t hear him from three feet away. “Sonny, you know we’re always here to take care of you.”

Shaking my head, I stick my hands under my legs to stop myself from fidgeting. Itisabout money. But I can’t admit that to him when he’s part of the reason I’m struggling so badly.

HeandAunt Divina, who claimed that my parent’s debts surpassed their life insurance policies, leaving me with nothing.

“I just need this,” is all I can manage to say, my voice cracking halfway through.

“You’re going to get rid of us both at the same time,” Poppy chimes in teasingly, pulling their attention back to her to allow me a moment to gather myself. When I lift my gaze back up to meet hers, she tilts her head and smiles at me knowingly.

“Your mother was wanderlust as well. I think that’s part of the reason she left Ravenshurst,” Aunt Divina finally chimes in, lacing her fingers together to rest her chin on them.

Poppy and I share a knowing look.Yeah . . . that, and she was expelled.

We both recognize the positive mood she’s in and silently agree not to sour it with the truth. As complicated as I know their relationship was, I can tell that Aunt Divina still has a soft spot for her childhood best friend. She’s such a stubborn, proud woman, she’d never openly admit it. Some wounds never seem to heal—especially when there’s a constant irritant rubbing against it, like me.

“As long as this is something you trulywantto do and not some act of desperation, we fully support you,” Uncle Graysen says more gently, nodding toward Aunt Divina to not-so-subtly encourage her to agree.

“I think it’s a great idea.” Bringing her wine glass up to her lips, she adds. “See the world before you’re too tied down with a career and family.”

“Oh, you mean like you?” Poppy snarks back sarcastically, but I can see the hurt behind the tough exterior she has up.

Aunt Divina’s cheery expression drops. “Of course not, Penelope. You know that’s not what I meant. I don’t know why you always think the worst of me.”

“Seems like that’s exactly what you meant,” Poppy mumbles, twisting her fork through her food.

“I think your mom is just trying to encourage Sonny to be a little more spontaneous,” Uncle Graysen tries to soothe. Turning toward me, he lifts his hand. “Like I said before, you’ve always been so hellbent on getting that degree. Sometimes, I worry that you’ve completely missed out on your whole young adulthood because you lost your parents so early. Divina is right. It’s a good time to play around a bit.”

“Well, I’ll certainly miss her.” Poppy juts her lip out in a mock pout.

“Ooh, we’re going to be empty-nesters,” Aunt Divina declares with a broad smile, clearly past her mini-tiff with Poppy. Sheholds her glass up to cheers with Uncle Graysen, who is slightly more hesitant to celebrate.

“I can’t wait to show you around campus,” Aunt Divina chirps at Poppy, and my heart drops.

Of course, she would want to go with her. How did we overlook this enormous detail?

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