Page 101 of Authentically, Izzy
“I am. No matter how long people have known each other.” She began to pace as Brodie stood to his feet. What was she talking about? “A family already has particular expectations and roles. There are dynamics already set up.” Her voice broke, raw. He shifted a step forward, but she continued pacing. “You can’t just expect me to believe my opinion is going to make a difference when your family already has places I don’t fit into.”
“But those grow with time.”
She turned to face him, her eyes red-rimmed. “You can’t just walk into a family and expect it to be the same. To really belong. Even if you’re blood-related to them. It’s stilltheirfamily.”
She blinked as if her confession shocked her.
Brodie stared back, replaying her words, attempting to make sense of her response.Theirfamily? Outsider? Air burst from him like a punch to the stomach. Had she felt like an outsider in her own family all this time? Unable to chart her own future because of the fear of being rejected or unheard? His mind reeled through what he knew about her. She’d taken a job with her cousin because her cousin needed help. She’d taken the job at the library because her aunt needed help. She’d gone to a community college so her uncle and aunt’s finances would not be strapped with “another” kid in college. Could all those things be byproducts of a deeper uncertainty?
He shuffled a step forward. “Isabelle—”
“I can’t.” She shook her head and pressed her palm against her stomach. “I . . . I need to go for a walk or something. Sort this out.”
“Of course.” He ran a hand through his hair and glanced down Welcome Street in Skern. “Of course.” He backed toward the ladder door, gesturing for her to follow. “Skern is a good place to walk. Think. And there’s an excellent pastry shop at the end of Welcome Street, situated directly across from the park.”
She nodded, her eyes glossy with unshed tears, and all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and fix everything. But it seemed he couldn’t reach her pain. This time, only Isabelle could reach those hurting places. Brodie offered a little prayer—as he helped her down the ladder—and a heavenly touch.
***
Text from Izzy to Luke:Do you have time for a chat?
Luke:Hey, aren’t you across the ocean?
Izzy:Yes
Luke:How much is this text costing me?
Izzy:You’re hilarious. Not. I’m using Wi-Fi.
Luke:That island has Wi-Fi? That’s good to know. I thought you were going to have to pull out the Morse code.
Izzy:Luke, really. I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.
Luke:Why?
Izzy:Luke!
Luke:Okay, but I can’t get ice cream to you from here.
Izzy:Sometimes I hate you.
Luke:I know.
Izzy:Did you ever wonder why I was closer to you than either of your sisters? That I could talk to you about almost everything?
Luke:Have you been nipping at some of the native nectar on Brodie’s island? Because I’m really not ready for a repeat of your conversation about Joe Kingsley from junior year. There are some things male cousins do NOT need to know. I’m actually getting nauseous right now.
Izzy:I’m not drunk, Luke. I was having a conversation with Brodie (after a text from Josie) and, well, Brodie was trying to get me to open up to him, to be... well, he called it “authentically” me, and I realized that I don’t know if I’ve ever been truly authentic with anyone since I was twelve years old.
The phone suddenly buzzed in Izzy’s hand and she brought it to her ear, turning her face away from the table of two under the open patio of the bakery only a few feet away.
“What’s going on? Are you okay? What did Josie do?”
“No, it’s not just Josie,” she whispered, warmth pooling in her eyes at the sound of his voice. “And I’m not in any trouble. I just... I just—” Her voice caught and she swallowed.
“Do you need me to come and get you?”
She sniffled through a weak laugh and wiped at her eyes. “I love you, Luke.”
