Page 158 of Shattered

They had spoken a few times about their shared history with that horrid excuse for a human being, but had usually ended up being cut short by someone else walking into the room.

“I didn’t really know him when he hurt me. But it was different for you. He was your only family for so long. I just can’t wrap my head around that. I know it’s not the same as what happened with my dad, but I think a part of me will always feel this need to try to fix the relationship or forgive my dad because he is my dad and he is my family. But Christian…” She paused and took a deep breath. “I just can’t imagine having that relationship and then…” Millie paused again, then awkwardly laughed. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”

Sam wrapped her arm around Millie and thought for a minute, trying to find the words.

“I think I’ve realized that you don’t have to forgive someone to move on. If it’s toxic, and has really only ever been toxic, then what are you going to do? I couldn’t control his actions any more than I can control the sunrise. What Icancontrol is how I react to what happened. A few weeks ago, I made the decision that I wasn’t going to let him control any other aspect of my life. I won’t forgive him, but Iamforgetting him. And that’s all I can do. With your dad,all I can say is you didn’t do a damn thing wrong. If he wants to repair the relationship, then he needs to put in the effort. Don’t let anyone guilt you into thinking you need to be the one to reach out. That’s on him. And if he doesn’t, then just know he's the one missing out.”

Millie nodded just as Callum walked up with bags of new paint and brushes thrown over his shoulder.

“What’s the damage?” Callum tentatively asked as he surveyed the two women with forlorn looks on their faces.

Millie perked up then. She yanked Callum’s card out of her back pocket and teased him as if she was going to hand it back, but then quickly shoved it in her purse.

“Only three, no, four pairs of shoes. Make-up is next!” she exclaimed as she shoved the two dresses and the bags filled with shoe boxes into his hands and walked ahead.

“I’m going to go into debt with her, aren’t I?” Callum asked as he looked back at Sam.

“I think that’s a pretty fair assumption,” Sam agreed as she gave him a quick kiss. “Good thing you’re such a successful business owner so you can afford to spoil us.” She gave him a wink and then ran ahead to catch up with Millie.

November

Sam was trying to decide how exactly she was going to get through this meeting. Not due to nerves, but due to the fact that anytime she caught Ms. Ashlyn’s eyes, she knew she would break out in the biggest smile.

She knew this meeting was a serious matter, but she also knew Ms. Ashlyn was presiding over it and, even though it was a topic they had yet to speak about due to a possible conflict of interest, she had no doubts that her funding would be reinstated. She was almost through with Bio 428 and hadn't received anything below an A on every single assignment. She would have to completely fail the final just to end up with a B. She had also overheard Callum telling his mom one night at dinner about Sam’s 4.0 GPA, and about how she would likely get into any med school of her choice.

Ms. Ashlyn pretty much frequented their apartment on a weekly basis by that point. They had dinner together almost every Tuesday night. And then there were the random girls days Ms. Ashlyn would come up with out of nowhere. She, Millie, and Sam would tell Callum they were going to the mall and somehow wind up in Charleston, or Charlotte, and one time even Atlanta. By all accounts, Sam was just family at this point.

When she came walking into the house with bags of new things, Callum would just shake his head. But deep down, she knew he loved it.

Sam would always have Kristin. They were like sisters. But there was something different about the relationship she’d formed with Millie and Ms. Ashlyn. Something more.

“Miss Williams?” that same short man from before called out, indicating they were ready to begin.

Sam walked into the bright room with a wide eyed smile. She just wanted to get this over with so they could head to lunch before her afternoon lab.

That smile quickly faded when Ms. Ashlyn was nowhere in sight.

“Where’s Ms. Clemmings?” Sam questioned as she looked between the six member panel before her. The same fussy man from the previous session now sat in what should have been Ms. Ashlyn’s seat.

“She will not be attending this meeting. It has come to light that you and Ms. Clemmings have a closer relationship than she has with the other recipients and, due to that, it was decided that she would not be a part of this meeting.”

Sam swallowed. Her nervousness had somehow come careening back and slammed directly into her chest.

She slowly sat down in the seat and waited for the panel before her to speak. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long.

“We have reviewed your transcript and your current standing in Biological Sciences 428 and find that you have adequately met the requirements for reinstatement of your funding.” She almost couldn’t breathe. Less than a minute ago, she’d been more than sure they were about to strip it all away. “However, if any more errors come to light over the next few weeks, then we will be forced to rescind that.” The man stated each word with utter disdain, as if it pained him to give her back the money that she had rightfully earned.

The next few minutes were a blur. A wonderful, relief-filled blur.

When she finally made it outside, she ran up to Ms. Ashlyn and wrapped her arms around her neck.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t be in there. They told me right before the meeting started so I couldn’t even text you to give you a heads up,” Ms. Ashlyn stated as Sam held her tight. “But at least now you know you rightfully earned it yourself. No one can say you were given any edge over the other recipients.”

“Thank you.” Sam was all but crying into Ms. Ashlyn’s hair.

“Shh. It's over. You have your funding, and I am starving.” Ms. Ashlyn pulled back and brushed the curls off Sam’s shoulder.

“Thank you.”

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