Page 53 of Bittersweet Legacy

I was grateful when Taylor sauntered into the kitchen, interrupting the dark thoughts which were causing me some physical pain.

“Okay, done! Want to go to my room?”

I nodded, finishing the glass in one gulp.

“See you later!” She gestured to her mom who was chasing the giggling little boy.

“That was my youngest brother Michael – or Mikey to the insiders. He is four and exhausting, but mom wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You have another brother too, yes?”

She nodded as we went up the stairs. “Yes, Peter. He is eight. He’s at his guitar lesson now but you’ll meet him tonight. You’ll see he is eight going on 50, him – a true old soul.”

The love in her voice when she talked about her brothers was so palpable it made me ache for it. I’d hoped it would happen with Archie too – but I realized after the birthday party that it would never happen and I’d been grieving this relationship that had never even started ever since.

I didn’t know what to expect from Taylor’s bedroom but I didn’t expect it to be that…. It was a mix of pink and cream with pink fluffy pillows on the bed and quite a sizable poster of Taylor Swift's new album on the wall.

I was startled by that – unsure why, there was nothing wrong with Taylor Swift. There were even quite a few songs I loved.

“An homage to your namesake?” I joked, settling on the cushioned bench at the end of her bed.

“I love Taylor Swift.” She beamed resting her hands on her heart in a dramatic gesture. “Her songs speak to my soul.”

“She is good.”

“My father got me her for my sweet 16.”

“He got you ticket concerts? VIP I bet.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “No, he got me Taylor Swift herself.”

“I…” I frowned unsure I understood. “How did he?”

“She came and sang at my party, she hung out with me for a while. She even follows me on Insta now.” She was literally glowing at this. “It was the best night of my life.”

“He got you Taylor Swift…” I whispered, unbelieving. This really was a completely different world. “Engagement rings more expensive than houses, custom-made cars, A-list celebrity rentals…” For my sweet 16 I got a night at the bowling alley and for me that was the best night ever.

I was about to tell her that when a soft knock interrupted us.

“Come in!”

Jonathan Oppenheimer walked into the room. Like his wife I’d only seen him at the introduction party, but here, in the pink bedroom with a bright smile on his lips and a softness in his eyes as he looked at Taylor, he didn’t look that scary anymore.

“Esmeralda, your father agreed for you to stay here for dinner and you may even stay the night if you wish.”

“Really?” Taylor and I gasped in unison.

Her father chuckled, his quiet adoration of her a painful reminder of my own situation.

“Yes, really.”

“Then yes,” I nodded eagerly. “I would love to stay.”

He nodded. “It’s settled then. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”

“Dad?”

“Yes, angel?”

---