Page 72 of Tell Me When It's Over

When I pull out my phone to see if Mom texted me saying she’s on her way, there’s only one message waiting for me.

Kyler: I’m sure I’ll have to twist your arm, but the store was out of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, so I bought death by chocolate instead. Hope you’ll have some with me so I don’t have to eat it all on my own.

I laugh at the text because he doesn’t even like chocolate ice cream. I’m the only one that does. And it’s exactly what I need after today, so I simply send a smiley face emoji and slide my phone back into my pocket while waiting for Mom to arrive.

Thankfully, she doesn’t forget this time, and when I climb into the passenger seat, her smile is big, her eyes are bright, and I blow out a tiny breath knowing whatever has been between us lately is gone.

“Hi, sweetie. Good day?”

It is now.

My fourteenth birthday is spent making a mess out of the large kitchen, laughing at the flour all over Kyler, Mia, and me after we got into a little food fight while making the cake batter. Beth walked in, saw the disastrous state of the room, and walked right back out again. Not that I blame her.

After we’re done cleaning up, which took longer than it did for the cake to bake, and the time it took to whip up some frosting for it, I’m perched on the counter with the last present in my hand and a huge smile on my face, my legs swinging back and forth as my two favorite people watch me. “I love it, Mia.”

The phone case that doubles as a wallet is the same shade of violet that’s on Violet Wonders logo, and I wouldn’t be surprised if its custom made that way because I doubt Mia Bishop went on Amazon to buy it as is. “There’s more. Unzip it and check out what’s inside.”

Even Kyler looks curious, his eyes darting down to the contraption in my hand as I do as she says. My lips part when I see the card inside, specifically, the dollar amount. “Mia—”

“I don’t want you to say anything.”

“But—”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “If I gave you that amount in cash, you’d put it into your savings like you’re trying to run away.”

What? “Why would I run away?”

Kyler’s interest is piqued over that too.

She looks at me, a sympathetic frown on her face, before a light sigh escapes her lips. “I overheard you and your mom arguing the other night.”

I pale instantly, not even able to feign innocence when Kyler’s eyes snap to mine. “I thought you said everything has been going good with you two? Where the hell was I?”

I look down at the $500 gift card to one of Mia’s favorite stores in the mall that she’s taken me shopping at before. “You were at Gordy’s hanging out. It’s not a big deal, Ky. Promise.”

“You told your mom you didn’t want to leave here if something went wrong,” Mia cuts in, ratting on me.

I feel both their stares pin me to my spot, my legs no longer swinging, my smile gone. How can I explain that I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop? That I’ve seen Mom leave the house thinking she’s with Harry, only to find out she’s not. She goes unaccounted for, for hours, and I half expect to see her on a tabloid at the store. When I asked where she went a few nights ago, she told me she met up with Harry at his favorite restaurant. But I know that’s not true because Harry came back and asked where Mom was. Not knowing what else to do, I lied for her. I lied to the man who was trying to be a father to me, who seemingly liked my mother, and I felt horrible about it.

Instead of telling me anything that eased my worries she gave me her typical, “That’s none of your business, Leighton.” I expected it. Hoped I wouldn’t hear the lackluster answer, but saw it coming. It still makes my stomach hurt.

“Lenny,” Mia says softly, her hand resting over mine. “We’re here for you. Talk to us. You’ve been quieter than normal, and Katherine hasn’t been…” I meet her eyes, wondering what she’s noticed about Mom. There’s hesitation in her gray hues. “Your mother hasn’t been very warm to you lately, and I have a feeling that’s why you’ve been down. You love her.”

Nibbling on my lip, I lift a shoulder.

Ky squats down, eyeing me from below so I can’t look away. “If there’s something you’re worried about, Mia and I can help. You know that. Right?”

I nod, but there isn’t anything they can do. If I tell them I think Mom is cheating on Harry, what will they do? Will they tell their father—our father? Will they investigate themselves? Kyler doesn’t like Mom and Mia isn’t far behind. What if this gives them the ammunition they need to get rid of her, and in turn, me?

Fear drenches all other feelings, and my heart plummets to the bottom of my chest. If something happens with Harry, I doubt Mom will stay here. She’ll take me away, somewhere far from here, and I won’t be able to see them again. How can we afford California when we could barely afford to live anywhere else we’ve been?

I do save up all the money Harry still gives me just in case that happens. With Mom barely holding down a job, I need to be prepared. Because one thing she’s always taught me is that nothing good ever lasts.

I look at the two people who I’ll miss more than they could possibly know if, or when, things go awry—because they always do when Mom is involved—and I can’t even tell them that. There aren’t words to describe the hole in my heart that having to leave here will cause. Everything I’ve dealt with would be worth it if Harry decided to take me in and I stayed, but would I? All I’ve even known is Mom. Her moods, her routine, her need to leave on a whim when it strikes her.

When I had to say goodbye to Ms. Wynona the day we moved, she’d told me, “Your mother is a gypsy, Lenny. She just needs to find that someone special to settle down for.”

Selfishly, all I ever wanted was to be that person. I want Mom to settle down for me. Not some guy, not money, not because she needs a change in scenery. For once, I want her to choose her daughter, to love me, to let me have friends and a stable home.

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