Page 60 of Lodged

It’s been three months since I moved back home—three months of intense therapy, and I’m finally mobile enough to do things by myself. I still don’t remember anything, but it’s okay. The doctor said it was still too early to lose hope, so I remain optimistic about getting my memories back.

I joined Mama and Rain at the diner. Spring is in full swing, and it’s usually a busy time with tourists coming to hike and camp in the Blue Ridge—they always need an extra hand.

“Ruin, dear. Why don’t you come here before we open?” Granny calls me as she shuffles her cards.

I chuckle but happily take a seat next to her. Part of working here means trying to stay off my feet as much as possible.

As Granny continues to shuffle the cards, I hold in my hand the necklace I wear every single day. It was one of the few things I had with me when the firefighters rescued me. It’s the most beautiful jade pendant. When I asked Rain if she knew how I got it, she said she had no clue. And maybe she doesn’t, but it must have been special to me since I was wearing it the day of the accident, and I’m not big on wearing jewelry.

“Choose a card, dear,” Granny says, and I do as I’m told. She grins at me as she turns the card.

“Calling in your soulmate.” The card reads, and I frown.

“Do I have a soulmate?” I shake my head as I try to get that thought out of my mind. If I did, he would have been at the hospital along with my family.

“He’ll be here before we know it, Ruin. And you better be ready to get your feet swept off the floor,” Granny says as she continues to grin. Her giddiness is contagious.

“What are you talking about? I don’t have a soulmate,” I say, not wanting to open another door I don’t have the key for.

“Patience, dear, he’ll be here in due time,” she says as she gently pats my hand, and I shake my head. Getting up with the help of my cane, I move toward the front of the diner to open the door.

Customers start trickling in, and I greet them with a kind smile.

What if Granny is right? What if my soulmate is about to show up?

That night, once we’ve made it home, I notice Merlin seems a little nervous. Did he ask Meadow out? Would he tell me? As much progress as I’ve made in all these months, my siblings still treat me like I'm broken. And maybe I am, but I don’t want to be treated with kid gloves. I just want to feel normal again.

“Hey, Ruin, is it okay if I come in?” Merlin asks through my closed door, and I chuckle.

“Of course, come on in,” I tell him, and his boyish smile peeks through.

“What’s up?” I ask, more giddy than necessary because Merlin immediately flinches. “Is there something wrong?”

I start to worry as he comes to sit in a chair by my bed. He ruffles his hair and releases a deep breath.

“So, you know how I just graduated, right?” I nod, and he continues. “And you know I got accepted into the community college.” I wonder where he’s going with all this.

“Yes,” I say, and he bites his bottom lip, like he’s about to say something I won’t like.

“Well, the thing is, that’s not the only place I got into.”

I arch a brow in question, and he covers his face with his hands.

“Merlin, whatever it is that you have to say, it’s okay,” I tell him as I try to pry one of his hands off his face. He tentatively opens an eye, and I smile at him.

“Okay, here goes nothing.” He squares his shoulders and shakes his head. “I got accepted into Wolfe University, and I really want to go, but I’ll only go if you’re okay with it.”

It takes me a moment to comprehend what he just said, but the moment it registers in my brain, my eyes well up with emotion. Still, I'm smiling big at my little brother.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so proud of you, Merlin Joshua. Come here, give me a hug.”

He releases the breath he was holding as he steps forward to hug me.

“Did you tell me you were applying to Wolfe before the accident?” I ask him, suddenly wanting to know everything about my little brother going to college. His eyes turn sad, and his gaze leaves mine. It’s all I need to know.

“Hey, don’t feel bad,” I say, bumping his chest with my elbow. “If anyone should feel bad, it’d have to be me. How can I forget about such amazing news? I mean, look at you—the youngest MacAllister going to a big university.” I beam at him, hoping he can tell I’m genuinely happy for him. But I won’t blame him if he doubts me, I’ve been sulking in my sadness these past months. It’s time I dust off and start living again.

“Are you sure you’re not mad?” Merlin asks, and my heart melts at my brother.

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