Page 29 of Never Quiet

Chapter Six

September 2014 (Age 16)

Bill arrived to pick up Amanda for a month-long stay with her grandparents in Boulder. Harrison and Morgan were bringing Callileah to keep her company.

It wasn’t like Amanda needed to be in school anymore.

She’d completed all her high school classes and would officially graduate in December. As soon as she had her high school diploma in hand, she planned to enroll in the local community college. Once the registrar tallied her college credits, she’d have her Associates within weeks. She already had some of the credits toward her Bachelors.

Then she had to decide what she was doing.

Her entire plan regarding school and college had been turned upside down in the past three years but she was trying to make the best of it. With so much time far from home, she’d accomplished even more than she intended.

She wouldn’t experience her senior year, prom, or graduation. All of which made her a little sad, angry, and frustrated. Then again, there was a time she had recurring dreams that she wouldn’t be alive to enjoy them.

One upside was that Davis had recently graduated high school and Erick had been in college for two years. It made her feel a little bit older psychologically to have high school behind her.

Callileah was one of the few people who understood. Since the younger girl was in and out of surgeries and ongoing physical therapy, it made it impossible to maintain a normal school schedule. Her fathers hired a tutor who ensured she was well ahead of other students her age, but she would only ever really understand school through movies.

Another bright side to being ahead in everything was that Amanda had plenty of time to spend with her family and help with things like the fifteen-year anniversary of Caroline’s art gallery.

Preparations had Amanda running around excitedly for weeks. She loved helping her grandmother and Tara with countless tasks to prepare for the charity event.

The proceeds benefited addiction research and mental health programs since they were prominent issues within the art community. Invitations went out to every artist who’d ever been featured and most responded with donated art while many planned to attend.

Caroline had held a ten-year gala and waited five years to hold another one. When Amanda asked about the gap, she explained, “Having so many artists in one place has to be unique. If I were to hold it annually on the anniversary, it wouldn’t be special. This ensures the demand stays high.”

Two days before the gala, Callie and Amanda were working on their isolations on the roof of the warehouse in the sun. Harrison and Morgan watched from the covered seating area Nate built while they randomly called encouragement.

Amanda had just returned to a standing position when a voice yelled, “Hey, ho!”

Jerking her gaze to the door leading inside, she screamed. Davis stood in the threshold. Racing across the roof, she threw herself into his arms and he lifted her, spun her, and set her on her feet.

“What are you doing here? How are you here?”

He shrugged. “My parents got an invite to the gala and I really wanted to talk to you about something.”

“First, what? My grandmother sent Dylan and Lizzy an invite? How…? I had no idea! I love her for that. Second, why do I get the impression you’re going to tell me something crazy?”

“It was kind of bizarre to get fancy mail from Lang Gallery. My dad was on the phone in his office for over an hour. Then he said we were all coming.” He pointed over her shoulder. “We’re in that hotel two blocks from you.”

“It’s new. I want to see inside it while you’re here.” Eyes wide, she said, “Holy crap. I’m so rude! This is my honorary little sister Callileah. These are her dads, Harrison Delkin and Morgan Styles. Everyone, this is Davis.”

The men shook his hand with big grins on their faces. Morgan said, “We’ve heard a hundred stories about you. It’s good to meet you at last.”

Callie stared at him with her hand on her hip. “You’re even cuter in person. I’m cautious about becoming boy crazy so don’t shake my resolve.”

Davis nodded seriously. “Understood. I’ll tone it down.”

“Oh, I can see that’s impossible. You’re like Grandpa Bill. You have a lovely stillness that fascinates.”

Frowning, he asked, “Uh, how old are you?”

“Eleven but I’m smart and mature for my age.”

“I can tell. Mandy has told me so many great things about all of you. I feel like we’ve met before.” He smiled down at Amanda. “Your grandmother is gorgeous. That’s what you’re going to look like.”

“Everyone is downstairs right now?” He nodded. “Callie, we have to go.” She added to Davis, “Everyone is trying to remember to call me Amanda. Will you try?”

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