Page 21 of Hate the One You're With
Emmersyn: I never met my father and Mom died when I was fourteen.
Caleb: So it’s just you and your grandmother?
Emmersyn: Yep, but she says we’re enough family, her and me. She mentioned it during Grandpa’s funeral. I’m still trying to figure out how that’s plenty, though. It’s a matter of time, I guess.
Caleb: Let me see if I understand this. Your grandmother left you alone while she went on a trip grieving?
Emmersyn: I’m eighteen and Duncan is around.
Caleb: Obviously that’s enough.
Emmersyn: :Shrug:
Caleb: You’re not what I expected.
Emmersyn: Were you expecting me? That’s a little weird.
Caleb: My parents talk about you a lot. I mean, you and Clarissa seem to get into trouble pretty often. Mom mentions you every time I call. It’s like you’re part of the family.
Emmersyn: Like the evil mascot?
Caleb: :Laughs: Not at all.
Emmersyn: Somehow I feel like you’re making fun of me.
Caleb: Not in the slightest. Anyway, I just wanted to double-check if the money came from you and thank you for helping us out.
Emmersyn: It’s the least I could do for my bestie.
Caleb: Let me guess, the bestie code?
Emmersyn: Obviously.
Chapter Thirteen
Emmersyn: Your sister said you have to go back to base or quit soon, is that even an option?
Caleb: Honestly, I don’t even know if that’s an option but that’s what I told Mom when we received the medical bills. I just learned that the house has not one, but two mortgages and . . . I don’t know how to help.
Emmersyn: But if someone gave you a solution, would you take it?
Caleb: What kind of solution? Selling my kidney? I already considered it, but I don’t think I’ll get enough.
Emmersyn: No, but there arealways other options.
Caleb: If I’m desperate enough, maybe I would. They can’t lose the house. It belonged to my grandparents. I wish I knew when things got this bad.
Emmersyn: Life sometimes is unpredictable and you might never get an explanation of why things happened. You just have to learn to adapt.
Caleb: Where did that come from? A fortune cookie?
Emmersyn: Mom, she was very wise.
Caleb:Sounds like it. Have you ever been in a place where you have to make choices, and none of them seem right? Feel like there’s no hope and life just . . . It’s fucking hard.
Emmersyn: Sometimes. I’m somehow in a weird predicament right now.
Caleb: You?
