Page 128 of When Sky Breaks
“Just take it one step at a time.”
“It’s like you’re some magic guru. You always know the right things to say to me.”
I huff out a laugh, ruffling her hair. “Thank my therapist, aka my uncle. After that, uh, day at the cliff, I clung pretty hard to him. He was the only person familiar to me in Cali, and without him, I’m not sure where I would’ve ended up.”
Most likely in the depths of hell.
Sky takes my hands and puts them on either side of her face. “I’m so glad he was there for you. I don’t like to think about what might’ve happened to you. It makes me hurt.”
Pressing my forehead to hers, I say, “I don’t feel like that anymore. Being home has helped so much. Being around familiar faces and people who are kind. Like your dad and Colonel, Benny, Lina, and even my mom. But,” I kiss her temple, her cheeks, and finally her lips, “it’s you and your complete faith in me that’s driven those demons into the dust they came from. This isn’t about me, though, Shortcake. It’s about you and your mom. No matter when you decide to contact her, I’ll be here.”
One more sappy look in my direction, and she hops to her feet. “My god, I love you. I’m doing it now. No more waiting.”
She sits at the little desk in her room, cluttered with so many notebooks and books. It reminds me of high school Sky and her penchant for organized chaos, as she called it. She’s so fucking cute, even now, as she stares down at the phone, laying face up, finger poised, knowing this moment will forever change her. “What if she doesn’t answer?”
“You won’t know until you try. Can either call back later or leave a voicemail.”
“Okay,” she says, clicking through her contacts, “I’m doing it.”
“I’m right here.”
She mouths thank you while the phone rings, her fingers shaking as she folds them in her lap. This is huge for her, and I’m proud she’s taking the next step. I only hope she can get some answers she’ll be all right with.
After three rings, I think no one is going to pick up, but a girl’s voice answers.
“Hello?”
Sky stammers and clears her throat, wiping her hands down the tops of her thighs. “Uh, hi, is this—I’m looking for Dannie Winters, please.”
The girl sounds no more than like ten years old and I worry the number is wrong.
“Like Aunt Dannie?”
A jolt runs through my stomach, and Sky must feel the same as she darts her eyes quickly to me before going back to the phone.
“Uh, yes—I’m Sky Winters. Dannie was—is my mom.”
The line grows quiet. So quiet, Sky checks to make sure the line isn’t dead.
“Let me get my mom. Don’t hang up,” the girl rushes out.
Sky and I exchange another look.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She nods. “I think I’m talking to a cousin.”
“It sounds like it. And an aunt?”
Her eyes widen with the idea.
“Um, hello, who is this?” Another voice comes on the line, this time sounding much older.
“Hi. I’m just trying to find Dannie Winters. I got her number from a former friend of hers. I’m Sky Winters. Her daughter.”
The silence is suffocating, and I know it’s killing Sky.
I move and crouch beside her, lacing my fingers with hers so she’s got something solid to hang on to. She leans her head into the crook of my shoulder.