won’t happen. You can have both and still be happy.”
“Can I?”
Her grandma nodded. “I know that you can. You’re bright.
Tenacious. Beautiful. You’re my granddaughter and you’ve
always been such a kind, warm soul, but you’re tough beneath
all that. You won’t let hatred and bitterness win. That’s how I
know everything will work out.”
“I’m not tough like you and grandpa,” Haley whispered.
“Pssshaw.” Her grandma waved a hand in Haley’s face.
That hand then landed on her shoulder and turned into a hug.
Haley held on tight. “You’re every bit as tough as us. You’re a
part of us, by blood and by merits of being raised by us. You
might be sweet and gentle, but you’re a fighter too.”
Haley didn’t feel like a fighter. She didn’t feel like she had
any fight left in her at all. Not when it came to resisting this.
She felt like she’d been ghosting through the last month. She
wasn’t just losing minutes here and there, she felt like a part of
her soul had been torn out and she was only half there without
it. What fight she had left was dedicated to being in total
agreement with her grandma, even if she didn’t see how it
could work.
That’s how they ended up in Haley’s car, driving out of the
city. Haley’s grandma answered all of her doubts and
questions with her customary patience.
What if she’s not there?
She’ll be back. She lives there.
What if we’re not welcome?
I’m sure that’s not the case. If it is, we’ll camp out in your
car in her driveway.
What if she calls the police?