Page 4 of Saving Tatum (Trace + Olivia 4)

I made the drive home blasting the radio and singing along. I enjoyed the noise because once I got home there would be nothing but silence.

Once upon a time we’d been a happy family. We’d laughed and talked and sometimes even fought. But that was before Graham died. Now we were broken, merely a fragment of the family we’d once been. We lost the glue that held us together.

My dad buried himself in work, and when he was home he was always angry, yelling at me and telling me to do better.

Mom retreated into herself. Her eyes now held a vacant, lost look. She stared listlessly for hours out the window, and it was like she was always watching for Graham to return.

I worked hard to be the perfect daughter, to be noticed by them, but it did no good.

I didn’t know why I kept trying.

I parked in the driveway and headed inside.

The house was dark. Not a single light on. Unfortunately, that was normal.

“Mom,” I called out. No answer. “Mom?”

I found her standing in the kitchen by the sink, looking out the window. She didn’t move as I approached.

“Come on, mom,” I whispered, taking her hand in mine and pulling her away.

I led her to the living room and forced her to sit on the couch. I turned the TV on, but it wasn’t necessary. She wouldn’t watch it.

“I’ll make dinner.” I kissed her forehead.

She did nothing to acknowledge my words. It was like I didn’t exist…or maybe she was the one that didn’t exist. Watching someone you loved wither away to nothing was hard. She’d lost a lo

t of weight since Graham died seven years ago. I swear, she couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds. She was skin and bones.

I really hated the look that was always in her eyes now. Like she was lost and didn’t know where she was. It hurt that she couldn’t be strong enough to be there for me. At the same time, I understood. Graham was the golden boy. He was the perfect son and brother. I loved and admired him. He was my best friend growing up and unlike other siblings we never drifted apart. I missed him every day, but I refused to shut down like my parents. Graham might be gone, but I sill deserved to live my life.

I made dinner, took a plate to my mom, and then sat by myself at the kitchen table.

It didn’t matter if my mom or even my dad was here, I was always alone when I was home.

The moment Graham was buried we stopped being a family.

I knew in the amount of years that had passed I should be over it, but I wasn’t. I missed my mom and dad, but there was nothing I could do to fix the mess we’d become.

I was torn about leaving. Most people had already moved out of their parent’s place, but I was scared of what would happen to my mom if I left. I was starting to crave my independence, though. I felt trapped by the memories here. I wanted a fresh start, but I wasn’t sure I was going to get one.

I guessed only time would tell.

Chapter Two

“Tatum!”

I jumped and fell out of my chair.

“Dammit Jude!” I exclaimed, glaring up at his laughing form.

“Shhhh!” Hushed a girl at the table beside me in the library.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” he chortled, reaching a hand down to help me up. I refused his hand, getting up on my own. I would never need Jude’s help—you know, except for with my paper, but that didn’t really count…right?

“Don’t you ever do that again,” I glared at him, wiping my jeans free of lint and Lord knows what else that coated the library floor.

“No promises,” he grinned, taking the seat beside me.

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