Page 143 of The Apple Tree

Gabby chewed her nails, but she only did it when she was nervous.

“Gabbs?”

She shook her head, but she wouldn’t look at me.

“Gabriella,” I said again, reaching across the table to pull her hand away from her mouth.

She huffed. “Fine, but you can’t tell anyone that you know.”

“Know what?” Sarah asked.

“Kyle took money from his savings and gave it to Mom and Dad to pay for it.”

“Why didn’t they ask me? We would have helped,” Sarah said.

Gabby shook her head. “I don’t know. I’m just the nosey one at the top of the stairs, eavesdropping on everyone’s conversations.”

“That’s so romantic,” Erin said with a dreamy sigh.

“He’s moving back to Colorado at the end of the semester. That doesn’t feel romantic,” I said.

Sarah shot me a sad smile.

“It’s an epic kind of love,” Erin insisted. “His love for you is unconditional. He doesn’t need to be with you to love you and want what’s best for you. I think that’ssoromantic.”

“It’s tragic,” Sarah said, wrinkling her nose.

“Why is he leaving?” I asked Gabby.

“How am I supposed to know?”

“Because you’re an eavesdropper.”

She stared at her non-existent fingernails. “He knows your relationship will get out, and he doesn’t want Josh living in a small town where his dad is the center of gossip.” Her nose wrinkled. “And Dad threatened to tell the school board.”

“What can the school board do?” Sarah asked. “You’re not in high school anymore.”

“They’d find another reason to fire him.” Erin frowned.

“How’s Mom?” I asked Gabby.

“Fine. I guess.”

“Does she seem depressed? Down? Anything like that?”

Sarah eyed me.

“I don’t think so. Grandma’s been at the house a lot. I think Dad’s tired of her being there, but she and Mom have long talks.I don’t eavesdrop on them because Grandma talks too slowly. I don’t have the patience for it.”

Erin snorted.

I was relieved to hear that Grandma Bonnie had been with Mom.

“Well, if she seems depressed or stressed or anything like that, give her a big hug. Okay?”

Gabby squinted for a second before nodding, but Sarah blinked away her tears, and she didn’t even know the full story.

“I heard Dad say he talked to the motel manager, and your job will be waiting for you when you get home,” Gabby said.

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