I am tempted to read through the texts from my mom but I do a quick check through her social media instead. My parents loved and supported me, but our relationship was strained for a long time. Louisa is a successful lawyer married to an accomplished doctor and philanthropist. Elijah is finishing his last year to get some sort of advanced engineering degree and proposed to Nicole only a few months ago.
My siblings have never made me feel less than, but I can’t help but feel like the failure of the family when we’re all together. Though all it takes is one look at Everly and I know she’s better than any degree or high-paying job. I love my daughter with all my heart and don’t regret a single thing.
Not finding anything worrisome, I put the phone back in Everly’s room—after skipping tomorrow’s alarm, that is. Kissing the top of her head, I go into my room and start packing my suitcase. I already talked to Aunt Kim and she’s more than happy to have us. She’s my dad’s sister and helped me out by paying for Phoenix when I was struggling. Dad has always said I get my love of horses from her. Going to visit her was the highlight of my summers as a child, and I hate that it’s been over a year since we’ve seen her.
Life just got away from us.
But I make a promise not to let it anymore. It’s too short. Too fleeting. I want to make the most of the days I have, and I want more than anything for my daughter to enjoy her days.
“You’re coming with us,” I tell Mr. Meowster. “I think you’ll like it. Or maybe hate it. Aunt Kim has a dog. But there is a wonderful screened in porch for you to bird watch.”
The fat gray cat doesn’t seem impressed. I run my hand over his fur and then go to my closet, packing everything I can fit into my suitcase. I’ve always been an over-packer and have to be prepared or my anxiety goes sky high. I never thought much about consequences before and was a classic it’ll happen to someone else kind of person.
Then I got pregnant.
Lugging my suitcase downstairs, I put it by the back door and start filling a box with random household items I probably won’t need but don’t want to risk it. Silver Ridge is a small town, but it has stores. Still, I’m tempted to bring the air fryer and my mini composter but draw the line at those items.
“You’ll need to come,” I tell my assortment of house plants. I bring those out into the car and then go back inside, Louisa’s voice echoing in my head. It makes me hesitate, teeth sinking into my bottom lip. We’re close to the end of the school year. It’s stupid to pull Everly out of school when the end is in sight.
But it’s idiotic to put my daughter’s mental health at risk for the sake of a grade. She’s not doing too well in her classes this year because of her social struggles. My plan was to call her off school tomorrow since it’s Friday, stay the weekend, and then consider coming home Wednesday or Thursday after a week off.
It’s been a long time since I’ve done something impulsive like this. But I can feel it deep in my heart that this is exactly what she needs.
“Mom!”
Heavy hands land on my shoulder, giving me a shake before my covers are ripped off.
“Mom!” Everly’s panicked voice causes me to shoot straight up.
“What?”
“My alarm didn’t go off! I’m late for school!”
Oh, right. Flopping back down, I do my best not to smile. “No school today.”
“Mom, it’s Friday! Tomorrow is Saturday. How could you forget?”
I turn my head against my pillow, unable to keep the smile off my face.
“Mom!” Everly shakes me again and I start laughing. “What? What’s going on?”
“You’re not going to school today.”
“Why? Did I get expelled?”
I sit back up. “No. Why would you—never mind. You know how I said I wanted to see Aunt Kim soon? Well, today is soon. Soon is today?” I shake my head and sleepily push my brunette hair back.
“What?” Everly blinks several times.
“I thought we could use a change of scenery. Like now,” I say and Everly looks at me in stunned silence. “Unless you don’t want to go.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.” I playfully nudge her. “I talked to Aunt Kim last night and she’s happy to have us come help her with the animals.”
“But what about school?”
“I already emailed them to say you won’t be there today.”
“I really don’t have to go to school today? I can skip?”
“Yes,” I laugh and the look of relief that takes over her face almost does me in. I don’t want her to hate school like this. And she loves learning, so the only reason school isn’t enjoyable is because of other students. “I already packed up a bunch of stuff, but you need to get your own crap. I’ll make coffee while you get to it.” Instead of getting up, I lay back down, pulling Everly with me. She climbs under the covers and I wrap my arms around her.