Page 92 of Give Me a Reason

“You’re at home?” Finn asked.

“Good-bye, Finn.” There was an aching finality to my words as I hung up the phone. It hurt to let him go, but it was the right thing to do.

“I’ll be right out,” I said to my mom before I checked my email. There was one from Gia. She wanted to see me this morning. I had just enough time to shower and eat. Then I needed to deal with my life like an adult.

After my shower, there was another message from Finn.

Finn:

I’m going to fix this.

I didn’t feel anything because there was nothing he could do. I’d screwed things up, and it was time to face the consequences. I needed to meet with Gia, and I should probably apologize to Ireland. It was going to be a long day. Then tomorrow, I’d start over again. I’d look for a job, and hopefully, if I saved every penny I earned, I could get a place.

I shivered at the thought of living how I did before. It was either that or my childhood bedroom. I didn’t have the luxury of being picky. This was my life, and I shouldn’t have thought it could be different.

I went out to the kitchen, dreading the conversation with my parents.

Mom was plating eggs for Iris. I heard the lawnmower out back. Dad must have been getting a head start on the yard work.

“Just eggs for me,” I said as I sat at the table. It was cracked and worn and never failed to remind me of working on homework or helping Iris with hers.

“I love having you here. Don’t get me wrong. But what happened?” Mom asked as she set the plate of scrambled eggs in front of me.

Iris shot me a sympathetic look. Neither one of us liked to be the center of our parents’ attention. We didn’t want them worrying about us.

“I screwed up,” I said, feeling miserable. “I thought I could have it all, but I was wrong.”

“What are you talking about?” Mom asked as she sat next to me.

“Finn was my roommate Ireland’s brother. We were keeping our relationship from her.”

“Aria,” Mom said, disapproval in her tone.

“I know it was wrong, and he said he was going to talk to her, but he never did. Then my boss caught us. She has a rule against dating coworkers.”

“Did you get fired? Is that why you’re here? Not that I don’t love when you visit, but your things are in garbage bags. This feels permanent.” She gestured around her with her hands.

“I’m not sure. I have a meeting with my boss soon.”

“You go in there with your head held high, prepared to list all the amazing things you did for her business.”

“How do you know I did amazing things?” I asked.

Her face softened. “Because I know you. You put your whole heart into everything you do.”

“You have to say that because you’re my mom.” Tears stung the back of my eyes.

“You’ve always been that way. Helping others before yourself. I selfishly took advantage of your goodwill over the years.” Mom fell silent, shaking her head when I opened my mouth to disagree. “I’m not proud to admit that. But it’s why I’m positive you did the same with your boss and Finn. They were lucky to have you.”

I nodded because the lump in my throat prohibited speaking at the moment.

Mom patted my arm. “I don’t think it’s as bad as you’re thinking. They’d be idiots to let you go.”

I smiled, even though I wasn’t feeling her optimism. “Thanks. You always know what to say.”

“It’s the truth,” Mom insisted.

I ate a bite of the cheesy scrambled eggs. I might not have wanted to come home, but I always felt good here, like I belonged. It felt bittersweet because I felt like I belonged in Finn and Ireland’s world too.

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