Piper,
Congratulations on getting through your first year of college. I know, for a fact, that I'm the proudest brother in the entire world. It helps my case that Ethan is busy with Violet's graduation—half his pride is going to her. You're going to do great things one day. This is only the first step.
This should help you enjoy your summer.
Love,
Mal
My heart melts. I lean in for another hug. Mal wraps his thick arms around me and squeezes tightly. He really gives good hugs.
It almost makes up for my parents not being here or giving a fuck about me.
I blink back a tear.
That's not happening.
I'm not crying over their absence.
There's a lot of love in my life— more than in most people's. My parents aren't ruining that.
Period.
I have to prove Mal right. I have to prove I am bound for great things. I have to prove that I don't need my parents around. That I did everything without them.
Mal motions to the present. "Go ahead."
It's almost too pretty to open.
But almost isn't enough to stop me.
I pull off the bow and rise to my tip toes to stick it on Mal's forehead. He chuckles, grabs the bow, and sticks it to my back.
Ah, two can play this game.
But presents first.
I tear open the hot pink paper and rip through the white cardboard box underneath.
My hands hit a smooth fabric.
Nylon.
And canvas.
And plastic.
Huh?
I tear at the box one more time. Cardboard flutters to the tile floor and lands on top of heaps of pink paper.
The counter is still dotted with pink.
With a raspberry pink rolling duffel bag.
It's a suitcase.
Why did Mal get me a suitcase?