Chapter One
Sarina
I am running so late for class. I have been up all night, studying for this test in philosophy that I overslept and now I am going to miss it. I make it just in time and by the time the test is over, I feel drained. What I wouldn’t give to be at home with my mom, drinking one of her famous shakes with a hint of lemon in them. I can feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, but my hands are filled with books and I can’t answer. “How did your test go?” My roommate asks me as she gets ready for her next class.
“I don’t know. I hope it is good. I was up all damn night.”
“Don’t I know it. You and the light were the reason I barely slept.” Oh. I feel bad.
“I’m sorry Sarah. I hope I didn't keep you up too long.”
“It’s ok, Sarina. I know how it is. Well, I have to go. See you later.”
As she walks out, I hear my phone buzz one more time and remember I missed a call. Picking it up, I see the name of a man that has starred in my dreams from the moment I saw him at my seventeenth birthday party. I walked down the stairs and literally had to stop myself from tripping and making a fool of myself. To say he was handsome is an understatement. This man was a walking sex God. When I found out he was my father's accountant, my heart fell realizing he was so much older than me. There is no way he would be interested in a girl like me. So, I wonder why he is calling now. Dayton, hi.” I know I sound like an idiot, but I don’t know what else to say.
“You need to come home, Rina. Something has happened.”
“What do you mean? What has happened?” I ask him, panic beginning to take over. I can feel my heart palpitating.
“Just come home.” he hangs up. I grab my coat and purse, jump in my car and drive like a bat out of hell. It isn’t until I get to my house and walk in the door that I know for sure whatever it is, I probably will not recover from it.
“Dayton, what’s going on? Where are mom and dad?” I look around the room and see nothing out of order. “Where is Lorelei?” I ask, realizing my little sister didn’t come and greet me.
“I don’t know how to say this Sarina.” I can see the concern on his face, and I begin to feel light-headed. Oh, God.
“Dayton, what has happened?”
“Your parents were in a car accident tonight coming home from a charity function. I’m afraid...they didn’t make it.”
“Wha... what? No. You're lying. Where are they? I want to see them. MOM! DAD!” I find myself screaming throughout the house, convinced…or maybe trying to convince myself it is all a dream. It isn’t until I have gone through the whole house, that I realize this is actually happening to me. I make it back to the living room, look at Dayton and everything goes blank.
“Rina. Wake up, baby.” I hear this whispered but am not sure I hear it right. It doesn’t matter either way. I have to figure out what I am going to do.
“Oh my God. Where is Rory?” My mom was obsessed with Gilmore Girls.
“She is fine. Mrs. Ballis took her home with her for the night to give you some time to yourself. She is bringing her back by lunch tomorrow.'' I take a deep sigh, knowing I couldn't handle her four-year-old spunk right now. Let alone explaining to her that she won’t see our parents again.
When I was 14, my mom came home from work sick. She was a lawyer for a major firm in Chicago. My dad was also a lawyer, but he practiced corporate law at Cortero Enterprises, whereas my mom was a divorce attorney. Anyway, she came home sick and when it didn’t get better for a week, my father finally put his foot down and demanded she went to the doctor. Imagine to the surprise to all of us, my mother included, when she came home telling us she was pregnant. She had me late in life, and when she didn’t get pregnant again, she assumed she had gone through early menopause. I was excited. I had always wanted a sibling. Someone I could spoil and teach things to. Now apparently, also someone I have to raise.
I look at Dayton, unable to sustain the tears. Shaking my head, I let it out, no shame or embarrassment. Everything in me is in pain right now. My parents and I were incredibly close. For fourteen years we were all each other had.
“I… I don’t know what to do. Wh--what do I do now? What happens to Rory? I…” Falling to the floor, I sob. Just a little over an hour ago, I had direction. A guide for my life. Plans. Goals. Safety. Love. It has all been taken from me. How am I going to overcome this?