Page 24 of The Lucky One

“Where’s Paul?” I asked. He was the only one missing in this family gathering.

“He went to the library to study,” Henry said proudly. I nodded. Was that the truth or was he avoiding me?

“I wanted to ask you something,” I told them.

“What is it, honey?” Gena asked.

“If there was a way for me to stay in America... could I keep living with you?”

The candy wrappers floated to the floor. Henry broke into a grin, then threw his wife a look: she was the decision-maker in this house. Gena walked back to the couch, ignoring the wrappers scattered over the parquet. “You want to stay in America?”

“I know this must come as a surprise seeing as I’ve been a bit closed off lately, but I love you guys.” I looked down at my hands, rubbing them together. “I feel safe here and happy, like I can be my true self.” And Jon is here... my happy ending.

“What about your family, honey?” Gena asked.

“I miss them, but I feel like staying here would be the best for everyone.” Something stung in my heart to say it. I was picking a different path than Mama and Lucas. It didn’t mean they weren’t my home. But sometimes you had to make sacrifices for your ultimate happiness, just like my mother did back in the day.

“I mean...” Gena looked at Henry, who nodded, beaming. “You’re already like a daughter to us. We would love to have you.”

I ran into their arms, squealing, “Thank you!” and they pressed me tight against them.

Eventually we let go. “We need to research how you can get a permanent visa,” Gena said, stabbing her index in the air.

Henry jumped up and hurried out of the living room, returning moments later with his laptop. “Could you apply for another school visa?” he asked, but I shook my head.

“Unfortunately there’s a rule that it’s limited to a year. I could get another school visa in college, but that’s too far away since I’m still just a junior.”

Henry nodded, and Gena peered at the screen. “It says we could adopt you for a visa,” she said hesitantly, darting a glance at me.

I shook my head. “I couldn’t do that to Mama,” I said, and they nodded their understanding. It would already be difficult for her if I stayed in America. I could never cut all the strings.

The doorbell rang. I had a suspicion about who it could be! I jumped up, not caring that I hadn’t even brushed my hair yet, and rushed to open the door.

“Hi, Little German.” Jon gave a nervous little smile.

I fell into his arms, ready to announce that Gena and Henry were trying to find a way for me to stay in Boonville, but something made me hold my tongue.

We still had to find a solution—if there even was one. And it was all so fresh and new with Jon. Maybe I was going too fast? Did he even want me to stay?

I didn’t want to scare him away. So I kept it to myself. For now.

Starting the Race

Paul

I’d expected Jon to randomly show up in my room in the basement, plugged into the couch with a basic apology up his sleeve. But five days had passed since his return and he still hadn’t shown up. I wanted him to be the one to reach out. Protocol dictated, after all—he was the one who left. I was mad at myself for starting to dial his number twice already.

Communication with Emily had gotten worse too. Whenever I was in the kitchen—Emily wasn’t. When I was hanging in the living room—she was at work. When I knocked at her bedroom door—she wasn’t home.

To cope, I established a routine: early morning runs on the secluded school track, studying at the college library after class. In this daily quest for normalcy, I often bumped into Kiki. We didn’t act surprised anymore and headed straight to our usual table. Yesterday she’d brought me a hot cappuccino, and today I’d stopped by the bakery for some motivational cake. She ate it with a smile, and for the rest of the afternoon I tried not to watch the smudge of icing at the corner of her lips. Neither of us mentioned Jon or Emily. It was a silent pact: “Hi,” “I’ll be right back,” “Could you pass me that book,” “See you soon?”

I felt guilty for not offering her a ride as we left the library that evening, but I didn’t want to send the wrong signals. It was around sunset as I got to my street. I almost forgot to hit the brakes when I saw them standing close, intertwined in each other’s arms, Jon’s gaze fixated on Emily as if she were the sole person in the universe—shoot, hit the brakes!

I screeched to a stop a few feet past the house and reversed into the driveway. By the time I’d parked the car, things had changed. Emily and Jon now stood a good five feet apart, Emily rubbing her arm, Jon studying the pavement. Why wouldn’t he look at me?

I slung my heavy bag over my shoulder and got out of the car. When Kiki had asked whether I forgave him, I figured I’d know once I saw him again. But here he was... and this fucker wouldn’t even spare me a glance. Instead he turned to Emily, whose eyes kept shifting between his and mine. “I’ve got to head home,” he said, placing a swift kiss on Emily’s hairline. “Tell Gena thanks for the chat.”

Emily nodded, and Jon stuck his hands into his pockets and shuffled down the driveway without acknowledging my presence. I drew in a sharp breath, struggling to keep my chill, but everything was going crimson again. If someone here had the right to ignore someone else, it would be me!