Page 4 of Cross-Check

“I can attest to that. I still wish you would have moved in with me. I have two extra rooms,” Grace says.

“Well, Cora couldn’t move in with you, and the college covers my room and board if I stay here, so it made sense.”

It’s true. Being a freshman on the grant I’m on, I’m required to live in a dorm on campus. I don’t mind it, though. I don’t need my brother hanging around all the time, which I know he will be doing with Grace living there.

“I appreciate you sacrificing for me,” I tell Peyton.

“Anytime, boo.” She winks.

“Well, next year you are both moving in with me, no questions. Don’t even argue, Peyton. You know I don’t want your money. I let you go this year for Cora, but next year it’s us. Got it?” Grace gives a pointed look.

I hold my hands up. “Yes, ma’am. Do you order my brother around like that? Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

We all laugh at that.

“You get all your stuff from orientation and all that?” Grace asks.

“Yep. I even got signed up for this volunteer work at the local child welfare agency. I guess they need people to supervise visitation for some of the easier cases. It’s a new initiative they are starting. I’m excited for it,” I tell them.

“Oh, child welfare is hard, though, right? Seeing those kids not being placed with their parents?” Grace asks.

Peyton gives me a look. She gets it like I do. I grew up without a father and had a mother who worked all the time. Peyton lost her parents. We get where these kids will be at mentally. At least partially.

“It is, but someone has to do it, and I feel like I can make a real difference.”

She beams at me. “You have such a wonderful heart. If I wasn’t so overwhelmed with my schedule this semester, I would volunteer too. Remind me next semester, and I will try to work it in.”

I know the company could use more volunteers, but I won’t be reminding her. I want this to be something for only me, but I still say, “Of course.”

“I will not be volunteering,” Peyton starts. “Does it make me a bad person if I want to stay as far away from that field of work as possible?”

“Not at all. You lived it already. You don’t need to make it your entire life. Some people want to give back while others want to move on with their lives. That’s normal,” I tell her, remembering something one of my teachers in school once said to me.

It’s your choice where you take your life. You are a product of your raising, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t veer from the course you are on. Only you decide what your destiny is.

It has stuck with me ever since. Even on the preplanned road that my brother and mother put me on, I still think about what my destiny will be.

“I feel for the kids, but it’s not something I can handle mentally. I’m proud of you for giving it a go. If it’s too much, don’t feel bad for quitting. Trust me, those kids need someone who cares, not someone forcing themselves to be there,” Peyton tells me.

It makes me wonder what happened to her growing up. I know the basics, but she never wanted to go into it further. Not that I blame her. I wouldn’t want to dwell on the worst parts of my life either.

“Anyway, I start training on Monday for that. I should be able to sit in on my first visitation by the end of the week.”

Grace stands, coming to give me a hug. “So proud of you, babe.”

Peyton comes over, hugging me too, putting us in a big group hug. “We are all going to do great things one day,” Peyton murmurs.

“I wish I knew what I wanted to do,” I admit softly.

“You’re a freshman. It will come to you,” Grace comforts me.

When we pull back, I change the subject. “There’s a party tonight at one of the football player’s houses. Either of you want to go?” I ask.

“Sorry, I have work. I have to be there at seven. What time is your party? I can walk you there so you aren’t alone,” Peyton offers.

“No thanks. A few of the girls from orientation are meeting downstairs. We were going to head over together. Grace, you in?” I ask.

“Clay and I have plans, but I can ask him to change them. You probably should have someone there looking out for you.” Grace picks up her phone, but I put my hand over it.

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