Page 7 of Made for You

Not.

I am just about done bundling up when my phone rings from inside my pocket. I pull it out, fumbling with the phone, my gloves making it slippery and impossible to grip.

I swipe the screen and answer. “Mom, hi.”

Nothing good ever comes from an unexpected call with Linda Archibault.

“Oh darling, I’m so glad I caught you.”

“What’s going on, Mom? I’m about to head out to class.”

I pace at the entrance of my tiny apartment, the party in the kitchen drones on.

“Oh well I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that Gran’s bakery flooded. Something about a pipe freezing.”

I stop pacing immediately, “What? The bakery flooded? Is it destroyed? How’s Gran?”

A million questions fly through my head.

“Darling, I have no idea.Shehad called to wish us a happy anniversary and when she walked in she told me that she had to go because the bakery was flooded.”

Right. This call wasn’t to tell me about Gran. It was a passive aggressive way to let me know she’s displeased that I didn’t call to wish her a happy anniversary. Still not happening. To say our relationship is strained is an understatement.

“Thanks. I gotta go. Talk later.”

I hang up before she can chide me for not saying anything about her.

Taking my gloves off and sitting on the couch I dial Gran’s number.

“Violet, hello dear,” she answers on the first ring, her soft voice filtering through the speaker.

“Gran! Are you okay? Is the bakery okay?” I spit out quickly.

“Oh no, dear. Everything is ruined. A pipe burst on either side of me. Everything is sopping wet from the ceilings down. I’ve called Hunter to come down and give me a look around for a quote. But we’ll be closed for quite some time, I’m afraid.”

“Hunter Keaton?” I remember playing with the Keatons when I was little. More Emma and Liam but the others were never far away.

“Yes, he opened a construction business when he got out of the military last year.” Hmm. That makes sense, I always thought he’d end up in the military or the police force.

“Well, I’m on my way to help too.”

“Oh no, please don’t change your schedule for me! You have school.”

“But I hate it, and I love you. So I’m coming. Be ready for me.”

“No. You go to school. You stay. Your mother will be so angry with me if you come here.” I can hear the worry lacing her voice.

“Gran. It’s not up for debate. I love you. You need help. I’ll see you after dinner tonight. Now I’m hanging up before you can yell at me any more.”

I wander into my bedroom, and place my phone on my desk. I have to pack, and email the school. Maybe I can finish virtually, the class is almost over. Not that I actually care. I’m only there because Linda is making me be there.

I fill my suitcases to the brim with all my important memories and favorite clothes. I have zero desire to come back here. Ever. Everything that’s left here the roommates can take or sell. I don’t give a shit. This is just the excuse I needed to get out of this life.

I pull my suitcases out into the living room and peek around the corner to see if anyone is paying attention to me. I sneak out the door and let out a sigh that I made it out of there without having to talk to any of my roommates.

I walk to the nearest train station and get on the one that will take me to the Upper West Side where my mother lives with her husband. I’ve never been more thankful that they went the traditional rich kid route and bought me a Land Rover for my twenty-first birthday. Because now I have a way to get to Gran without asking for Linda’s help.

I scan my key card to enter the underground garage under their penthouse. Tossing the suitcases in the trunk, and putting Gran’s address in my GPS before pulling out.

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