“Right? Dodged that bullet. I guess my point is that although I still love it here, some of that is because it’s comfortable. My family and friends are here, but sometimes I wonder…”
“Wonder what?”
“If I could have done more—been more.” She shrugs and walks to the door, using her elbow to turn off the lights. “I just think you’re a really smart, talented girl and you shouldn’t hold yourself back because of the guys. You don’t want to turn around and resent them one day.”
“I can’t imagine that happening. I mean, they’ve all got plans—dreams of their own. I’m the one that’s confused.” Honestly, this conversation has only made me have more questions. What if they want to move on and I’m the one holding them back. I mean, there has to be a reason Jake seems so hesitant to take things further with me. And Charlie? Maybe that’s what’s behind his worry. He’s leaving and doesn’t want to get attached. I’d had sex with Dexter and George long before college was our biggest concern—back then it had been about a different kind of survival.
We step out into the cold, fresh, mountain air. I look up at the sky where a million stars shine overhead. Despite the fact I’ve only lived here for a short time, I know the truth about why I’m hesitant to plan for the future. Lee Vines is the first time I’ve felt truly at home somewhere, and the idea of starting over once again terrifies me.
The next day the notice comes in the mail. I’ve seen it before—State court system emblem in the corner. I pick it up off the front desk without saying a word and walk quickly across the lawn toward the coffee shop. Dexter is wiping off the counter when I enter. I hold it up.
“Did you get one of these?”
He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out the envelope, tossing it on the counter. “All of us.”
It’s a court summons for the hearing for the twins' dad.
“I thought we were done with this,” I say. “What did the boys say?”
“No one wants to go but if we don’t, he may get out on probation or something. I think we have to go on the record.”
“Are they home?”
“I think so.”
I walk out the door and into the house, calling out their names. No one responds, but I hear Crowley barking in the back yard. I head to the kitchen and see the twins through the window. I step outside.
“Hey,” Charlie says when he sees me. He’s lounging in a metal chair while George taunts the dog with a braided rope toy before throwing it.
I hold up my summons. “I heard you got one, too.”
“Yep,” George says. Crowley wanders off from the toy and sniffs the fence line. “Can’t escape the old man.”
“Well, maybe this will be it?”
The twins share a look. I think they both know they’ll never be fully rid of their father.
“Okay,” I try again, “at least the rest of us will be there with you?”
George walks over and slips an arm around my waist. “You know, that does make it a little better.”
“I talked to Mrs. DeLange,” Charlie says. “The charges are pretty big. The judge can give him some jail time.”
I look between them. “How do you feel about that?”
George’s jaw sets. “Part of me wishes he could just sober up and become a better person, but we’ve all seen how that goes.”
Charlie snorts in agreement. Crowley runs across the yard and jumps in his lap.
“Whatever happens, we’ll make it through. You’re eighteen. They can’t make you go live with him again.” I know it’s not much of a consolation. Having a crappy parent sucks. The system sucks. They never should have been sent back there in the first place.
“The only good thing about this is that since we’re part of the foster system, we qualify for some additional financial aid,” George says, a small smirk on his lips. “Two kids going to UC Berkeley’s gonna get expensive.”
I look at Charlie. “You heard.”
“Got the acceptance today.”
The stress and angst over the hearing vanishes, taken over by something else. I slip away from George and move toward Charlie, who nudges Crowley off his lap. I’m in his arms before he’s even standing. “I’m so proud of you.”