Page 17 of The Lucky One
Aerodynamic force in wind turbines...
I glanced up from my book after having read a few lines without absorbing anything. Across from me, Kiki’s nose was hidden behind the pages.
Suddenly, my thoughts weren’t the only thing in this room distracting me.
Love on Shaky Ground
Emily
Nine years ago...
I sat on the stairs hugging the wall, trying to make myself small with my teddy bear Willi. Papa was yelling like a giant angry bear and it scared me. “So ungrateful! I bust my ass providing for this family! All I ask from you is that you take care of the kids!”
I could barely understand Mama through her sniffles and sobs. “I work too, Wolfgang. I have a part-time job. And I take care of the household and the kids. I’m exhausted. I simply asked for you to spend more time with them.” Her voice sounded shaky, like she was scared too. Then there was this big crash.
Hot tears rolled down my cheeks and I hugged Willi tighter. Mama and Papa never talked, just yelled. They thought I didn’t know but I heard it every time.
“Emi?”
I almost squeaked when a hand came down on my shoulder. It was Lucas. My tears ran even harder as the yells from downstairs started up again.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Lucas said, his voice sounding like a cozy blanket. “Let’s go to my room.”
I followed him in and we sat on his bed. “Mama and Papa are fighting again,” I said.
Lucas looked down, like he was sad too. “You’ve been hearing them?”
“Yeah,” I whimpered, and he hugged me. “I hate that they fight. They always fight.”
“They’re grown-ups. And grown-ups fight, Emi.” He patted my head. “It’s normal, okay?”
I stopped crying and looked up at him. “It is?”
He nodded. “Yeah, it happens. I’ve seen it in movies.”
“So I don’t have to worry about losing Papa?”
“I don’t know.” His voice wobbled. “But I promise you’ll always have Mama and me. We’ll be here, and even if we can’t be, you’ll find someone who will, because you’re lovely and you deserve it.”
I buried my face in my big brother’s chest. He was my hero. Always let me come to his room, even when he had friends over. His room was my safe place.
“Can I stay here with you tonight?” I asked.
“Of course.”
My throat felt scratchy from all the crying. I closed my eyes, letting my brother be my shield from all the scary stuff.
The next morning Mama looked sad, but I told myself it was normal that grown-ups fight. Lucas said so.
Now...
“Shooting star!” I gave Jon’s shoulder a playful pinch. “Make a wish!”
“It’s your wish. And I’m not doing that corny shit,” Jon quipped, but his eyes remained fixed on the night sky.
“Don’t pretend,” I teased, a smile tugging at my lips. “I know you like stargazing.”
We had driven Tim’s BMW up a desolate road to Boonville’s highest peak. The clouds from earlier today had swept away, and the stars gleamed as if to give us a private show. The crisp pinpricks of light in the darkness by far surpassed anything I had seen in Germany.