Page 110 of Steps

She huffs and releases a long exhale. “Look whatit’s done to you, Toya. You hardly eat. You don’t appear to be sleeping either.You just seem so depressed.”

“We’ve been back from Scotland two weeks now. Youwon’t let me leave the house without you, and you have my phone. I can’t see ortalk to Kenya. Of course, I’m starting to feel depressed; you’ve kept meisolated.”

Mom scoffs. “We both know it’s not Kenya you wantto see.” She gets up from the sofa. “Dinner will be ready soon. Join us. That’snot a request.” She goes back upstairs to the main level.

I rifle my curls frustratingly. Is this going tobe my life until I turn eighteen?

At work on Monday, the receptionist informs me Ihave a phone call from a guy who refuses to give his name. My heart begins torace.Varen?

Daniel is in a meeting with other real estateagents, so he won’t know about the call or check if it’s Varen before I pick itup.

Stepping into the lobby, I ramble to thereceptionist desk, breathe deeply, then place the phone at my ear.

“Hello?”

“Hey.” My stomach sinks. It isn’t Varen.

“August. Hey.”

He clears his throat before saying, “I told himabout your phone. Do you have a pen and paper?”

Anticipation fills me again. “Yes,” I mutter,grabbing a pen and sticky note from the desk. “Go ahead.”

“24 Sutton Street. Apartment 2A. He said he’s offby two on Thursdays and doesn’t work on Sundays.” August sounds so unwilling ashe shares the information.

I fold the note and place it in the pocket of mycapri pants. “Thank you. I really appreciate this, August.”

He snorts. “Honestly, I feel like an idiot.”

“Oh, listen—”

“It’s okay, Latoya. I get it. Varen’s the guy.” Hefalls quiet for a few seconds. “Well, I have to go. See you.”

“K. See you. Thanks again.”

August hangs up, and I return to my workspace andclose the door. Leaning against it, a smile curves my lips as I take the stickynote from my pocket and look at Varen’s address.

I can finally see him. Two weeks without anycontact is utterly dreadful. But how am I going to pull this off with my momand Daniel always watching me?

I’ve been on edge from the moment I open my eyeson Thursday until reaching home from work later that afternoon.

I consider sneaking out through the garage whileDaniel and my mom are in the living room, but Alison comes home shortly withher boyfriend, Gabe.

Damn it. Too many eyes watching me.

Mom coerces me into cooking with her. I remainquiet at the table while the four of them talk about Alison’s internship andfuture plans with her boyfriend.

After dinner, I elect to do the dishes. Danielhangs back while my mom, Alison, and her boyfriend go into the living room.

Daniel lingers at the island as I pile the dishesinto the dishwasher.

“You’ve been so sad,” he mutters. “I don’t evensee you reading that much.”

I don’t respond. Daniel comes up to my side.

“It’ll pass, Toya. Just wait, the second you startschool again, your mind will be off Varen completely, and you’ll even likesomeone new.”

It hurts to hear him speak about my love in thatway. As if it’s childish. Momentary.

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