Page 118 of Pucking Obsessed

I sigh, adjusting the tripod on my telescope.

I glance up at the sky. Then I smile. It’s a clear night. The stars and moon are pinpoint sharp against the black backdrop.

Perfect for stargazing.

I run my hand across the cold telescope mount. It’s gleaming bronze. It’s exactly how I always dreamed that it would be.

I’ve been desperate for a proper telescope like this, since I was a kid.

It took being frugal with my money to afford it. But then, I had a lot of practice at that back in college.

I’m sending most of my pay back to my parents.

In fact, Eden and I did a Zoom call on his computer with Mum earlier. It was evening for her, just before she switched between her two jobs.

There were shadows under Mum’s eyes like always, but she still smiled tiredly. Her brunette hair hung in a messy pony tail, and strands fell around her heart shaped face.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked, rocking in my seat with happiness.

“Sorry, sweetheart, he had to work overtime.” Mum sat too close to the ancient computer, which I’d used for my college work, like she always did. I’m sure that she needed glasses. My brow furrowed. Was she refusing to get her eyesight testedbecause of the cost? “He wanted me to tell you how bloody proud he is.”

“I lost the last game.”

Mum waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It never has. We’re both still proud of you.”

My eyes smarted with tears. “Thanks, Mum.”

“To think that my sons went to college. You’re both so smart. And now you have jobs inAmerica. No one around here can believe it. Is that boss of yours treating you right, Dee?”

Eden nodded.

Mum pressed her fingers to the screen like she believed that she could touch our cheeks, if she tried hard enough. “I miss you, boys.”

I forced myself to smile, even though my chest ached. “We’ll visit as soon as we can.”

Only, I had no idea when that would be.

“Did you get the money?” Eden burst out.

Mum looked confused. “Money, sweetheart?”

“It’ll be in your account.” The moment that I transferred the money, was the best of my life. When I actually bounced in my seat, Eden placed his hand on my knee to still me. I’d been imagining saying this to Mum for years. The feeling was better than I’d fantasized. “Just some of our pay checks. You don’t need to worry about doing anything. I’ll simply transfer it each month.”

Mum frowned. “We don’t need your money. I told you that, when you took your first jobs. You should be spending what you earn on yourselves and saving for your new lives. Let’s not quarrel over this. Just take it back.”

My expression crumpled. Deflated, I sank into my seat.

I turned my head to the side, unable to answer because my voice would be unsteady.

“It’s for a holiday.” Eden’s fingers tightened around my knee. “You need a holiday. To somewhere abroad with beaches like Spain. We won’t take the money back.”

Mum looked startled at his determined tone.

My brother never spoke like that to her. In fact, he hardly spoke more than a sentence at a time to my parents.

Mum glanced between us, before her expression softened. “This is important to you.”

Eden and I nodded.

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