Page 51 of P.S. I'm Still Yours
I put two and two together. “Do you work at Sandy’s?”
She nods. “For three years now.”
I can’t believe she still lives in Hillford.
Growing up, she couldn’t stop saying how eager she was to get out of this town. I’m guessing her extended stay has something to do with her dad—he got diagnosed with Parkinson’s a little before Mr. Wilder died.
Knowing Jamie, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d put her life on hold to take care of him. She’s always been so grateful to him for raising her and her brother all on his own after their mom bailed.
I circle back to my initial question. “How did you know I was here?”
“I knew someone had bought the house, but I didn’t know who. You can imagine what went through my head when I heard we had a delivery for this address. Under Evie’s name, no less. Then I rang the doorbell, and your mom opened the door. I thought I was hallucinating.”
“Girl, it’s been ages. We have so much to catch up on.”
She grins. “Well, then I guess it’s a good thing you’re staying for the summer.” She must notice the question marks multiplying in my eyes because she adds, “Your mom told me all about her flooded apartment.”
I have to admit I thought seeing her again after all these years would be awkward, but it’s like nothing has changed—well, apart from Jamie’s new eyebrow piercing and her haircut.
Her hair used to be much longer. Not only is it shoulder-length now, but she also dyed it light brown with amber highlights. It sure is a big change from her natural blonde hair.
I’m not sure where to begin. “So, how’s everything?”
“You know, same old, same old. My life’s pretty much all work these days. I’m starting college at the end of the summer. I was supposed to enroll earlier, but I had to defer to take care of my dad.”
“Right. How is your dad?”
Color drains from her face.
Shit.
“He, um… He passed away three months ago.”
Nice going, Hadley.
“Jamie, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“What happened?”
“He had a stroke. Although, if I’m being honest, his quality of life was declining super fast by the end. He couldn’t walk. Or swallow. He told me when he first got diagnosed that if it ever got to that point, he’d want to go, and, well… he got his wish.”
I ache for her. “How are you holding up? Really?”
“Some days are harder than others, but I’m getting there. It’s Cal I’m worried about. He’s been in denial since it happened. He went away to college and missed the last years of Dad’s life, and I think he hates himself for it. He just got back for the summer, and he won’t even acknowledge Dad.”
“Hold on, you mean he took off while you stayed to take care of your dad all by yourself?”
Sounds a bit selfish.
She nods. “Yeah… but I understand why he did it. He knew if he stayed, he’d break. We couldn’t both break at the same time.”
Memories of Jamie’s brother, Callum, return to me.
Gray, Vince, Cal, and Kane used to be this inseparable quartet growing up—granted, Jamie and I tagged along everywhere they went, so it was more like a sextet. The little shits couldn’t go a day without landing themselves in trouble.
“I was actually thinking about that time Gray dared Cal to lick that guy’s bald spot the other day, and…” Her words trail off. “Oh my God, Gray.”