Page 129 of Sunday Morning
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
PHIL COLLINS, “AGAINST ALL ODDS”
My confidence waned.Everything Isaac brought out of me started to dissolve with each passing day. Had he cheated on me and ended it, I would have felt less pain than the uncertainty of abandonment.
“Sarah!” Eve and Gabby barreled down the porch stairs when I arrived for dinner Thursday night.
“Oof!” I laughed as they hugged me at the same time.
“Please say you’re staying,” Gabby begged, taking my hand and pulling me toward the house as Eve grabbed my empty backpack that I needed to refill.
“I’m staying for dinner,” I said.
“That’s not what I mean.” Gabby huffed.
“What’s it like living in a motel?” Eve asked as we stepped into the house.
“Sometimes it’s nice. But sometimes it’s lonely.”
“Sweetie, I’m so glad you made it.” Mom wiped her hand on her pink apron before hugging me. “I made tuna noodle casserole, your favorite.”
“With extra potato chips?”
She laughed, releasing me. “Of course.”
I darted my gaze around the entry.
“He’s working,” Mom reassured me.
“Do you need help? If not, I’ll go pack up more of my stuff.”
Mom’s smile faded. “Gabby’s helping set the table. Do what you need.”
“Okay.” I headed up the stairs, and Eve followed me. “How much trouble did you get into for the tequila?” I asked, tossing the bag onto my bed.
“Enough.” She wrinkled her nose. “I'm grounded for a month, and I have to clean the wax off the church floor under the candelabras.”
I grinned, but it was bittersweet—a memory of Heather that I didn’t want to forget, even if it was a reminder that she was gone.
“But Dad said if I show I’m trustworthy, I’ll get your car.”
I grunted while shaking my head. “Save all the money you can. You’re going to need it when he kicks you out in a couple of years and gives that car to Gabby.” I riffled through my closet.
“What makes you think I’ll get kicked out?”
I laughed. “You’re sixteen, and you had a stash of alcohol in your room. You’ve already said you can’t wait to have sex. I was way more disciplined at your age.”
“You mean obedient?” She plopped onto my bed.
“I suppose I do.” I glanced over my shoulder, fighting the urge to react to her devilish grin.
“You look so sad.” Her smile melted into a frown.
I hugged several shirts and two pairs of jeans. “He left me,” I whispered.
“Isaac?”
I nodded.