Page 64 of Hers to Kiss
Bertie sighed. She ran her fingers through her hair and then made a face when they got caught in a slight tangle at the end of her ponytail. “I think he’s in denial. I don’t know how he’s going to handle her being gone and with Pete not going to Cornell. He’s not talking to us, but he has to accept it now.”
“Yes, he does. Speaking of dads…”
“Did you go to the grave?”
It was comforting to Keke that Bertie could read her like a book. They truly were kindred spirits. Keke nodded. “Mom was there. Six-month anniversary. We patched things up.”
Bertie smiled. “I’m proud of you, Keke. It’s not good holding on to all of that anger.”
“I’m proud of me, too.” Keke lifted her chin and smiled.
Bertie rolled her eyes. “We know,” she said sarcastically.
“I mean it,” Keke countered. “It took a lot for me to let it go. I still feel a little funny about it.”
“Oh, of course you do.” Bertie rubbed Keke’s arms. “But now it’s all you. You’re the reason you’re going to succeed and not your father’s disapproval.”
Fear crept up Keke’s spine and threatened to take residence in her heart. She fought against it, silently telling herself she won an audition based on merit and not anything else. Her dreams were within reach; it was up to her now to grab them.
“What about you, Bertie?” Keke looked around the restroom, noticing the leaky faucets and flickering lights. “You ever going to leave this place? Go back to college?”
Bertie groaned. “You, Mom, and Peter are relentless.”
“You have talent, and we don’t want to see that go to waste.”
Bertie smiled. “Thank you. And I’m definitely, really close to doing it.”
They shared a laugh. Bertie’s expression sobered. “Not until after I’m sure Dad can handle this place on his own. I’ll start interviewing for more counselors next week.”
She wouldn’t pressure Bertie any more. She had enough to stresses pulling her in multiple directions; most importantly, she had to be there for her mom. But Keke was confident the old Bertie would be back and probably graduate earlier than expected.
Keke blew out a breath and squared her shoulders. She held out her hand. “I accept the dissolution and the instatement of the one rule.”
Bertie laughed and shook her hand. “So be it.”
Keke and Bertie clung to each other. “I’m going to miss you,” Keke whispered.
“Don’t stay away too long.”
* * *
“Ican’t believe we made it,” Bertie said as she entered the office. Her arms hung loose at her sides, and she slumped into a chair behind her desk.
“Where’s Dad?” Pete asked. He hadn’t been around since yesterday. He’d left the hospital, and they weren’t sure whether or not he had gone back to see their mother or not.
“He’s probably inspecting the bunks. Making sure we wiped every cobweb out.”
The kids had left an hour ago. Bertie and Pete went through their cleanup checklists in record time. They wanted to visit their mother as soon as they could.
“Well, he won’t find a thing.”
“Did you tie up the boats?” Bertie flashed a teasing grin.
“Those boats will never leave the dock again.”
Bertie laughed. Her face more relaxed now than he’d seen in a while.
“Why don’t you go back to school,” Pete said again. “Let Dad handle things here. If he can find help as good as Lea and the others, he’ll be okay.”
