Page 54 of Shadow and Skulls

“I’m sorry.”

“For?” He doesn’t hide the hope I’ve just given him with my apology.

“I’m sorry I’ve never shown you that part of myself.”

“Kelsie.”

I hold up my hand. “No, Dad. I’m sorry that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s true. The woman you talked to was me, just a part you’ve never seen.”

He’s quiet as he thinks about what I’ve said. This is what I love about him. He listens.

I may as well rip the Band-Aid off while I’m here. “I quit school yesterday. This morning, I took the GED test. I’ll know by tomorrow afternoon if I passed, but I’m certain I did.”

His eyes widen in surprise, and he sits up straight in his chair, glancing toward the stairs. “Kelsie, what the hell is going on?”

I feel so bad about the worry I see on his face, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I take a deep breath before speaking. “I know you’re scared right now.”

He stands, shaking his head back and forth. “I’ve failed you.”

“Dad, you haven’t failed me. You’ve given me a safe place to heal and rest.”

He’s circling the kitchen with his hands in his hair.

I stand up and stomp my foot. “I don’t know how to explain this to you!” I shout. “It’s not about you, or school, or the manI was with. It’s about me … me, Dad!” I jab my finger into my chest.

The twins and my mom rush down the stairs at my outburst.

“Hey, it’s okay, baby,” she coos, grabbing me by my arms.

“It is okay, but everyone is acting like it’s not. None of you really know me. None of you!” I scream, breaking away from her and running up the stairs.

I run up to the attic, climbing into the little reading nook my dad built for me when I first came here. I’d like to say I feel bad about exploding like that, but I’m not. I’m relieved. A chuckle erupts from deep in my soul. This feels good. To get things off my chest, to know I don’t have to go back to that awful school, and best of all … I found out I’m not broken.

I pull my phone out of my pocket.

Me: I told them I quit school.

Tank: You still have your phone, so I’m assuming it went well.

Me: Very funny, but yeah, I guess it went as expected. I’ve got to go, someone’s coming. Will you meet me at the church at midnight? I have something to tell you.

Tank: I’ll be there.

My dad reaches back to help my mom up the ladder as I slip my phone into my pocket. I watch them, a warmth settling in my chest. They’re a team.

That’s what I want.

“I haven’t seen that smile in a while,” my mom says as she crosses her legs, sitting across from me in the window. My dad sits on the floor beside us.

The slow, steady thump of a basketball wafts through the window. I look down to find my brothers shooting hoops in the driveway.

“Yeah, well you guys are just too cute. It makes me happy.”

Her hand rubs over her chest as she exchanges a look with my father. I turn to face her.

“I’m sorry for what I said about the necklace. I didn’t mean it. I don’t think it’s stupid at all. I’m honored I get to wear it.”

She lets out a little sigh, shoving my father away when he tries to pull her to his lap. “I’m fine, you big brute.”

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