Page 47 of Only You
Lucy and I went to the school the following morning, met with the principal, and enrolled her.
“You went here?” she asked.
“I did.” I smiled. “Please do me a favor and stay out of trouble. And whatever you do, do not tell your teacher she’s fat and ugly. You’re a Harbor and expected to act like one.”
“I’ll try to be on my best behavior, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Lucy.” I hooked my arm around her and squeezed.
“Okay. I promise.” She laughed.
Pulling out my phone, I called her school back in Chicago.
“This is Alex Harbor. I need to speak with Principal Carrington, please.”
“Mr. Harbor, how are you?” Principal Carrington picked up the call. “How is Lucy feeling? I know she hasn’t returned to school since her suspension.”
“ I wanted to let you know that Lucy will not be returning to your school.”
“Oh? Why not? If this is over her suspension, we can work things out. I know what I said before, but?—”
“It’s not about her suspension or what you said. We’re moving out of state, and I’ve already enrolled her in another school. They will be calling you to have Lucy’s records transferred. Please make sure it’s done ASAP. And another thing, no more donations will come your way from me. Goodbye, Principal Carrington.” I ended the call.
“Yeah, goodbye, Principal Carrington,” Lucy spoke in a snotty tone.
“Lucy.”
“Sorry, Dad.” She sighed.
My phone rang, and when I glanced at it, I saw Katherine was calling.
“Hey, Katherine.”
“Hi, Alex. Are you home?”
“I will be in about ten minutes. Why?”
“I was going to drop by to discuss the primary bedroom and bath remodel.”
“Sounds good. As I said, I’ll be home in ten. I’ll see you then.”
“See you, Alex.”
“Why is Katherine coming over?” Lucy asked.
“She’s helping to remodel the primary bedroom and bathroom.”
When we arrived home, Lucy went upstairs to change into her bathing suit, and I went into the kitchen for a bottle of water.
“Did you get her enrolled?” Mara asked.
“I did. Katherine is on her way over. Send her up to the room when she gets here.”
“Will do, Alex.”
I placed my hand on the door handle and slowly opened it. This was the first time I’d been in my mother’s room since I’d left Harbor Falls all those years ago. Mara made sure to have all her things cleared out and donated to charity before I arrived.
I stared at the bed as memories flooded my mind. Memories of my mother lying there, curled in a ball for weeks after Athena died. Her bed had become her safe zone, and she’d barely left it.