Page 9 of Cruel Legacy

“So I don’t have to take it.”

Scott’s voice is clipped when he says. “No, you don’t. But things will be easier for you if you do.”

This dude is working my last nerve. I fold my arms against my chest to keep from hurling my plate at him. “Easier how?”

He lowers his fork, fixes his gaze on me, and says, “The high schools in this town are very tech heavy. Canyon Falls University won’t be any different. All the students use laptops to take notes, and most of the teachers have gone paperless. You’ll need a device to access and submit your work.”

“And the car?”

“I’m sure you’re used to walking and public transportation, but there isn’t any way for you to get here from campus without us sending a driver, you catching a ride, or having a car. We thought you’d like your independence and a car would be a better fit.”

I like how he lays it out. It makes sense, but I still think it’s too much of an investment in someone they don’t know, and I can’t help but see strings and expectations. I can’t be owing anybody anything.

“Let me see if I got this straight. You bought me a car, so I’d have a way to drive here from school?” I don’t add the other part I’m thinking. What makes them think I want to come here and visit?

She ducks her head, but not before I see her face turning red. Is she blushing? “No, I um. I had my old car spruced up a bit for you.”

Yup, she’s embarrassed, but her statement gets my attention. If it’s not brand new, I’ll feel a little better about maybe using it. Sometimes.

“Would you like to see?” I give a curt nod. She pulls up a picture on her phone and passes it to me. “It’s in the shop getting some minor repairs and then it’ll be cleaned and detailed. I hope you like it.”

I look down at the picture and back up at her. “This was your car?”

“Many, many, years ago. Scott wanted me to get rid of it, but I couldn’t stand the idea of parting with it, even though it’s been sitting in the garage untouched all this time. Then when we tracked you down, I knew it had to be yours.”

I look at the picture again. The 2006 Pontiac Solstice is definitely something I’d pick for myself. And I guess if I need a way to get around, I can use it.For now. I need to make sure there are no expectations about them owning me or me owing them a kidney. “This would just be a loaner. As soon as I can get my own stuff, I’m giving yours back.”

A vein throbs in my uncle’s cheek, but my Moira nods, agreeing to my terms. Sourpuss Mercer comes back into the kitchen, taking Uncle Scott’s attention off of me. “Sir, it’s time for you to head out.”

My aunt looks over at the assistant, the happiness on her face disappears. Huh, guess I’m not the only one who thinks the woman’s abrasive. When she looks back at me, I can see she’s struggling to keep up the cheerful act. “I’m sorry Theona, we have another meeting to go to.”

I shrug, handing her phone back to her. What do I care if they work all the time? But at least they can get my name right. “It’s Thea. I prefer Thea.”

“Yes. Of course.” This time, her smile is more genuine as she climbs off the stool. “We’ll be back tonight. In the meantime, make yourself at home.”

“Uh… about that.”

She pauses, her body stiffens, waiting for me to speak. I guess she remembers me saying I make no promises about how long I’m staying. “There’s stuff in the closet in the room I’m staying in. I know I got here late, so is there a different room I should sleep in tonight? I don’t want to take up someone else’s space.”

Her shoulders relax, but I can see she’s still a little on edge. “Oh. Those things are yours.”

“Mine?”

“Yes. I thought you might need a few things since your stuff was, uh, damaged, and I wasn’t sure if you’d just be arriving with the clothes you were wearing. Are they not the right size?”

She was worried I wouldn’t have any extra clothes, so she went out and bought a bunch of stuff? My skin feels itchy. I don’t like people paying my way. It tookyearsbefore I was okay with Sasha and her grandparents, making sure I had a new outfit every year for my birthday and Christmas.

“I honestly didn’t check. I thought they belonged to whoever else stayed in the room before me.”

“No one else has ever stayed there. It’s your room Thea.”

My uncle rushes her along. She exits the kitchen mumbling something under her breath about it always being my room.

* * *

When Moira and Scott said they wanted to make sure I got settled with everything I’d need on campus. They meant it. First off, I have a single room that’s bigger than the last open bay group home I lived in. It’s not just the size of the room. It’s the huge ass kitchen, fully stocked fridge, the pantry full of snacks, the bedding, the bathroom decor, and the wardrobe full of clothes.

I didn’t even bring a quarter of the outfits Moira made me get when we went shopping over the weekend. I’m talking frilly shit, fancy shit, and snotty preppy shit. I was sized, and measured, and boob cupped within an inch of my life.

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