Homeless Heart

My father gave me one of his rare wry smiles, and that's when I knew that we might have made some progress. Before my father could speak, we heard my mother and Lizzie chatting and laughing as they came back into the room. My father cleared his throat and shook my hand.

"You have a deal."

Lizzie gave me a heart-warming smile, and I couldn't sit still any longer. I let go of my father's hand and walked over to Lizzie, picking her up and twirling her around until we were both dizzy. The sound of my mother clearing her throat made me put Lizzie down and smile at my parents.

"Shall we leave your father to rest." Phin looked at his father whose eyes were already closed.

I was lost in my own thoughts as we descended the large staircase when my mother finally spoke up. "Did you have a nice birthday?"

Snapping out of my own head, I smiled. "Yes, Mother, thank you for the gift."

"I am glad, and maybe we can come to your next one?" I regretted the uncertainty I saw in her eyes.

We stopped at the front door. Lizzie took my hand and her touch helped me from getting overwhelmed.

"Yes, that might be nice." I was unsure if I meant it.

As we walked out to get in the car, I realized I’d told my father about contacting the lawyers but hadn't had a chance to talk about my inheritance with my mother. We'd have to save that discussion for another day. I looked over at Lizzie's smiling face, and I knew I was one step closer to my future.