Page 74 of Castle's Cards

Izzy sniffs as if offended.

“Um, I’ve always been smart. It's not my fault that you don’t read the pamphlet for your own birth control pills.”

I laugh out loud and lean over to ruffle her hair.

“OK. OK. Whatever. I’ll take a test, okay? Are you happy now?”

“Happy isn’t the word I’d use. I’d probably say that I’m satisfied that you’re making smarter choices.”

“Cool!” I say sharply before smiling and leaning toward her. “Ready for your first day of school?” I ask. Izzy crinkles her nose and pushes my face away.

“Get your puke breath away from me.” She lets out a slow sigh and shrugs. “I guess I’m ready. Ready as I’ll ever be.”

I smile. She’s been taking this really well ever since she and Carter talked a few weeks ago. It was surprising when she started handling things more maturely, but I’m grateful. Which is why I grab her hand and squeeze.

“Hey, you’re handling this really well, you know.”

Izzy looks heavenward.

“As if I have a choice,” she says, but she smiles at me as she says it. We both look up at the looming stone building. I don’t blame her for not being excited. I wouldn’t have wanted to go to this school at her age, either. But when I looked at the reviews, parents are saying that it’s one of the best schools in Chicago.

The tuition costs more than I’ve made in my entire lifetime, but luckily Carter offered to cover it. I was hesitant at first, but I think that’s only natural. He insisted, though, and pointed out that anywhere else would cost twice as much and not be as good. There’s apparently no public school in this district, so our choices were either this one or Candlevayer two blocks down the road. And Candlevayer’s reputation is less than stellar.

“Yeah, but you’re being a super good sport about this.” I grin and smooth her hair. She chuckles and shakes her head.

“Honestly, I’m freaking out about starting a new school, but it’s only for a few months and then I’m graduating! That’s all that matters, right?” She grins and I nod before pulling her into a hug. She turns her face away but lets me squeeze her.

“I am so proud of how mature you’ve become. How did I get so lucky with a sister like you?”

“You keep asking that. Have you ever considered that maybe I’m the lucky one?” We both look at each other and giggle.

“All right, you need to get going or you’re going to be late. And it’s never a good look to be late on the first day.”

“Words to live by. See ya.” Izzy gets out of the car and closes the door. For a split second I feel guilty as I watch her peers stare at her walking toward the front doors. Maybe I should have asked Carter to borrow the Porsche or something. Izzy turns and waves, and I immediately feel a little better.

If anyone can show these rich kids what cool really means, it’ll be Izzy.

I pull out of the parking lot and hit the road. Luckily no more waves of nausea roll over me as I continue on my journey. When I hit the stoplight just before coming to our neighborhood, the corner store catches my eye. Before I can change my mind I swerve into the parking lot and head inside.

My feet take me where I need to go without much thought, and before I know it I’m standing in front of a shelf filled with tiny pink boxes. I swallow as I take in all my options: Instant Results! Four Tests in One! Electric Window! Early Detection!

I lick my lips, almost overwhelmed by all the options. Without thinking I grab a box and hurry to the self checkout, swiping my card and rushing to the car without the receipt.

When I reach the safety of the car I look down at the box I grabbed. Digital early result. I guess that’s as good as anything else. I sigh and drive the rest of the way home in silence.

After getting home I head up to the bathroom, ready to take the test. I take a deep breath and set it on the counter of our bathroom. Just as I’m about to sit on the toilet, though, my phone rings with a call from the prison. I gladly answer it, welcoming the distraction.

After a long conversation with my dad (or as long as one facilitated by a prison could be, at least) I need to get ready for my lunch date with Carter. That’s why I’m telling myself I didn’t take the test, at least. The truth is that I’m nervous about taking it, so am putting it off for as long as I can, which is making me feel at least a bit better.

It’s not that I don’t want to have kids with Carter or be pregnant. In fact, when I really think about it, I would love both of those things. But I don’t know how Carter would feel. What if he thinks I’m trying to trap him? What if he’s not ready?

We haven’t really talked much about the future and there’s no way of knowing how he’ll take this. There are so many things we haven’t talked about, serious things, and we’re not yet at a point that I think I should be asking those sorts of questions.

“Addy?” Carter asks. I blink, coming out of my thoughts. I smile at him across from the table. He looks up at the waiter and I shake my head.

“Oh! I’m sorry. The fried chicken salad, please.” The waiter smiles politely as I hand him the menu. Then I look at Carter. “How was your meeting with the lawyers?”

“Great! They’ve already registered the non-profit name and set up the tax information. Everything is really coming along.”

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