I changed Marco's party to a New Year's party because it makes mores sense.
Chapter 53: Fix You
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace…
… And I will try to fix you
Ashley
I set the plastic cups down on the table and turned around to survey the scene. Keg in the corner, multiple bottles of liquor on the table, and Ellie's laptop hooked up to the sound system. Marco quickly placed some finishing touches on the decorations- including hanging up his own silver disco ball. I laughed as Craig did a few disco moves under the ball before heading over towards me.
"Hey," he greeted, pulling me into a kiss.
"Break it up, lovebirds!"
I squealed when I heard Paige's voice. "Paige!" I cried out, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. "I'm so glad you're here!"
She laughed and held me out at arm's length. "Did you think something as little as a car accident could stop me?"
Tears formed in my eyes, and I hugged her again. "Well, I was scared anyway."
"I'm fine. So, where is everybody hiding?"
"Everybody?" I snorted. "Everybody's here. Look around!"
Paige flipped her hair behind her shoulder and looked around the room. "Well, I see Marco, Jimmy, Spinner, Hazel, Emma and them, Jay and- ew! What are Jay and Alex doing here?"
"They're with Sean."
"Where's Sean?"
"Him and Ellie went to go get some firewood. Marco's insisting on having a fire."
"Oh, so Ellie's here?"
"Um, yeah. She is Marco's best friend." I narrowed my eyes as Paige looked away outside a window. "Why?"
"No reason," she answered quickly. A little too quickly. And when Paige answers too quickly it can only mean she's hiding something.
"Are you sure?" I pressed.
"I'm sure, Ashley," she giggled. "God, don't look so serious. I just wanted to know where the little freak was."
"Paige…"
"The little freak is right here."
Paige's eyebrows shot up and she turned around slowly to meet Ellie's scathing glare. "Oh, uh, hello." She waggled her fingers nervously.
"Hi," Ellie replied, a saccharine smile on her face.
"Well," Paige looked around at me, Craig, and Ellie. "Ta!" And she was off.
Ellie watched as she ran off to join Hazel, Jimmy, and Spinner on the other side of the room. "Looks like somebody's feeling better."
"Yeah, she sure recovered fast," Craig mused.
I watched as a series of emotions flashed across Ellie's face. She cleared her throat and crossed her arms. "Whatever. So, you guys having fun?"
I leaned back against Craig's chest and shrugged. "Yeah, it's nice to see everybody. It seems like a long time since we've all been together. Getting along."
"Yeah, well, we'll see how long the getting along part lasts," Ellie remarked.
"Why, you planning on starting something?" Craig joked.
Ellie glanced over her shoulder at Paige. "Let's just say that if someone starts something with me, I'm going to finish it."
"Can't you two just get along for once?" I begged. Seriously, I can't remember a time that we've all been able to hang out without those two getting into some argument. And their arguments are always over the dumbest things. I think they both like the sound of their voice way too much. It's hard to always be in the middle of them.
Ellie rolled her eyes and grabbed her drink. "I'm going to go find Marco."
Craig squeezed his arms around my waist and kissed the top of my head. "They're just way too different. You gotta deal with it. They'll never be friends."
Paige
"So my parents said we'll probably take a little trip to the mountains to go skiing or maybe even to Hawaii if I want. I think I'd rather go to Hawaii. I mean, I can go to the mountains and ski anytime, right?" I giggled and looked at my friends for their opinions.
Hazel nodded, "Definitely Hawaii. Sand, ocean, hot boys in swim trunks…"
"Hey!" Spinner put a protective arm around me and squeezed me towards him. "This girl's taken, remember?"
"Aw, honeybee!" I kissed him on the lips and pinched his cheek.
"You guys are making me sick…" Jimmy teased, nuzzling his face in Hazel's hair. Hazel beamed up at him.
I laughed and took a sip of my beer, glancing over the top of the cup at the crowd of people that had formed. Ashley and Craig were looking through the music play list; Jay and Alex were making out and dancing in a corner; Towerz and some of Jay's other loser friends were all playing a drinking game; Ellie and Marco were watching the game and having a conversation… I let my eyes rest on Ellie for a second.
Did she worry about me? Was she happy when she found out I came out of the coma? Did she ever cry for me? Why did she paint my nails? There are so many answers I want from her, but I don't even know how to ask the questions.
"Earth to Paige?" Hazel waved a hand in front of my face, and I snapped back to attention.
"What?"
"You were staring off into space."
"Oh, yeah… Yeah, I think I'm going to go, um, pee. I'll be right back."
I slowly made my way past the card table, catching a brief snippett of Ellie and Marco's conversation.
"- seemed pretty happy. I mean, maybe they'll make it?"
"They could, Els. It's a possibility."
Hmm. Who might make it? I strained my ears to hear more as I walked out of the living room, but they were talking too quietly. I sighed and wrapped my arms around me as I made my way up the stairs. I know I told Hazel and them that I was going to the bathroom, but I really just wanted to get out of that room. For some reason, the air in the room had given suffocating me, and I no longer felt comfortable in there. I quietly opened the door to Marco's bedroom and snuck in, escaping to my quiet place while the party continued downstairs. I walked around the room, taking in the essence of Marco, and observing all the things that made him so unique.
I ran my hand over his soccer and drama trophies before reaching his framed photos. I smiled at photo of him, me, and Spinner taken at the lake one day. We had all packed a picnic lunch and had spent the entire day playing volleyball and cooking out. It had been the perfect day. My eyes moved from the photo to one of Marco and Ellie. For so long I had wondered what the hell he saw in her. She was always so weird and closed off. And Marco's so open and friendly.
But now I guess I can see that they both light up the room in their own different ways.
"Ahem?"
I spun around quickly and stared at the person who had just interrupted my alone time. Ellie Nash. "What are you doing here?" I accused.
"Um, putting Nikki's coat in here," she snapped. I watched as she threw Nikki's long coat onto Marco's bed where all the other coats had been placed. I took in her trousers and form fitting turtleneck. Both black. Her red hair was pulled back loosely.
"What's your problem?"
I shook my head. "What?"
"You're staring. And you're in my way."
"Well, excuse me…" I snorted, stepping out of the way of the door. I crossed my arms and stared down at my shoes as she stood there. Suddenly I- I, Paige Michaelchuck, queen of Degrassi fashion- felt out of place in my bright turquoise sweater and short miniskirt. Since when do I feel out of place and uncomfortable? Being in a coma must have really messed with my mind.
Ellie stopped in the doorway and turned slightly towards me. "Are you feeling better?"
I looked up surprised. "Yeah, I am."
"That's good."
She was about to leave for good this time, but I couldn't let her go without getting my answers. "Why did you visit me?" I blurted out. My voice sounded foreign in the room that had suddenly become all too quiet and all too cold.
She couldn't look at me. Instead she just stared straight ahead. "I didn't."
"Yes, you did."
Finally her eyes met mine. She looked uncertain. "I don't know. I just did."
"You talked to me."
"I did?" Her eyes seemed to beg me not to say anything else. That if I remembered something she had told me to just never bring it up again. To just forget about it.
Tough, Nash. I don't just forget things. "Yeah, you wanna explain the things you said?"
There. That gives her notion that I know more than I really do. After all, I only remember a few snippets of conversation.
She sighed and turned her body towards me. "Listen, Paige, stop with the pretenses, okay? You've never given a shit about me before so why all of a sudden have you become so goddamn interested?"
"That's not true. I helped you when you were cutting!"
"You turned me in."
"You thanked me. That means you appreciated what I did. You can't take that back."
"Whatever. I don't have time for this. Whatever happened in the hospital, it doesn't matter now."
"Why's that?"
"Because you're better now. Don't pretend like you want to be my friend, okay?"
"Ew. I never said anything about being your friend."
"Exactly."
We looked at each other for a second. In that second, however, a lot was communicated. She's right. We'll never be friends. I don't want to be her friend. She doesn't want to be my friend. I don't really know what this interest I have in her is, but it's not a need for her friendship or companionship. It's more like a need to… to fix her or something.
Ellie looked at her watch. "Well, I should get back down there. Marco might need some help with something."
My shoulders sagged with disappointment. I had been hoping that somehow I could get her to talk to me again. "I'm a good listener when I'm conscious, too, you know."
"What's that mean?"
"You talked to me when I was in a coma. You told me things. That's not fair. I can't remember everything you said but I know it must have been important. So why can't we talk now?"
"I told you things because you couldn't hear and couldn't respond and wouldn't remember."
"You wouldn't have visited me if you didn't care about me. Even if it's only in the tiniest way possible."
She didn't say anything.
"So…" I continued. "Thanks."
She nodded slightly and left the room. I took a moment to compose myself before heading back down to the party. So we'll never be friends. That's pretty much a given. But I like to think that we have this sort of unspoken agreement that if we're ever in trouble, we'll be there for each other. I gazed at her as I retreated down the stairs. I just wish I could remember the things she had told me, the secrets she had shared with me.
She must have felt my eyes on her because she instinctively turned her head towards me. We stared at each other for a second before I raised my glass slightly.
She raised her glass of wine right back at me.
And that was our toast.
Sean
"You know who's back up in this motherfucker!" Jay screamed at the top of his lungs raising the joint above his head.
I laughed and turned to Nikki, who was right by my side. She smiled back at me and shook her head in amusement. "Give me that," she grabbed the joint from Jay's hand and took a quick hit off it. "Who's next?"
"My parents' furniture better not smell in the morning," Marco complained as he passed by, a tray of appetizers in his hand.
"Whoa! Bring those back here!" I grabbed a handful of the baked potato things Marco had probably slaved over all afternoon.
"Relax, del Rossi…" Nikki smirked and shoved the joint under his nose. "Take a hit."
"I think I'll pass," he blanched and started to walk away.
"NO WAY!" Nikki squealed and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "Do it!"
All of a sudden everyone in the corner was chanting "do it" as Marco contemplated his options. I leaned against the wall warily, taking a drink of my beer. The party was definitely getting started by this point. Jay had made a few phone calls and even more people had showed up- including the Montreal crew.
Marco took a short hit and handed back to Jay. "There, happy?"
Everybody laughed and went back to passing around in their circle. I went back to observing the crowd. Ashley and Craig were still hooking up in the corner. Hazel, Paige, Manny, and Emma were all dancing to the music. Spinner was bonging a beer with Jimmy and Ellie was… Ellie was…
I narrowed my eyes and looked for her. Oh. There she is. She was standing on the complete opposite side of the room from everybody else. I burped and looked at my cup. Well, it looks like I could use a refill. And since Ellie is sitting by the keg…
"What's up?" I asked as I refilled my cup.
She looked up slowly, a few strands of hair falling into her eyes. "Not much."
"Having a good time."
"Yep."
"Looks like it." I gestured towards the four empty champagne bottles in front of her.
"Oh, I only drank three."
"Oh, okay," I laughed. "That makes it better." I pulled a chair over to the little table she was occupying.
"You think I should talk to him?"
"To who?" I questioned.
She put a palm to her forehead and sighed. "Jimmy," she mumbled.
I glanced over at Jimmy, who didn't seem to really be affected by the fact that he and Ellie were in the same room as each other.
"Maybe you should wait until you're sober?" I offered. I burped again and leaned back in my seat.
"Gross, Sean. I don't know. I might talk to him."
"Well, I know you'll just do what you want to do anyway."
"So should I talk to him?"
"Ellie…"
"Because I feel like I should… But what do I say?"
"The truth."
"I don't even know what the truth is," she frowned.
I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Then you should wait."
"I think I'm going to do it." She struggled to get out of her chair a little bit. I stood up quickly and held her as she stumbled a little.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fiiiine," she drawled.
I laughed and wrapped a hand around her upper arm. "How about I help you?"
"Will you?" she looked at me with big hazel eyes.
"Sure." I glanced back over at Nikki, but she was talking to Towerz. She wouldn't miss me if I helped out Ellie for a second.
"Are you drunk?" Ellie asked me.
"Nope. Getting there, though."
"You hide it well," she commented.
I laughed and ruffled her hair. "Unlike you. Come on, just a few more steps."
"Jimmy," Ellie cried out in a strangled voice. Loud.
Oh God. If she hadn't intended to make a big scene, she sure had now. Jimmy looked at her warily, as well as did the rest of the group around him.
"I wanted to say- I wanted to say I'm-…" she yelled, scrambling out of my arms towards him.
I held her back and put a hand over her mouth. "Dude, could you just come over here?" I asked Jimmy.
He glanced at his friends and shrugged. "What's up?" He asked me.
"Ellie wants to talk to you."
"Oh."
"Jimmy, I just want to say that- that I'm sorry for the other night. I didn't mean to be like that. I'm not usually like that. I was- I was- I was I don't know."
"Whatever."
She looked back at him. "That's it? Just… whatever?"
"Yeah. It's in the past."
"But- but aren't you going to apologize?"
"For what exactly?"
"For saying horrible things to me?" Ellie wiped at her face and fidgeted with the bracelets on her wrist. "You said I was-…"
"I remember what I said. And I don't think there's anything I need to apologize for."
I rolled my eyes. "Will you just apologize to her?"
"Why don't you stay out of this. You don't even know what's going on."
"Actually I do. She told me. And you hurt her. So maybe you need to be a man and say you're sorry."
Jimmy looked back and forth between me and Ellie. He sighed and leaned forward towards Ellie, taking one of her hands in his. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. It wasn't right."
"Do you think horribly of me?" My red-head slurred.
Jimmy laughed at the sour look on her face. "No, I could never think 'horribly' of you. Okay?"
"Okay," she breathed, falling into me a little bit.
"So… anything else?"
"No. Bye."
He shook his head, amused, as Ellie's head crashed into my chest, and I caught her before she fell. "Someone needs to go pass out for a little bit." I carried her over to an empty couch and laid her out on it. "I'll wake you when the ball drops."
"So did I ever thank you for the wonderful sketchbook and pencils?" Nikki wrapped her arms around my waist, and I turned around.
I pretended to think about it. "No, I don't think you did," I teased. She kissed me, and I pulled her closer.
"Did you know we'd last this long?" she asked me, her eyes drooping a little in her drunken stupor.
"Nah," I responded truthfully. "You?"
"Nope," she laughed. We kissed again, longer this time. I pushed her up against a wall and let my hands slide down to her waist. She responded by grinding her hips against me.
"Break it up! Break it up!" Jay stepped in between us and tore us apart. "The hookup police has arrived."
"Man, what the hell are you spouting off?"
"Poetry, sucka."
Nikki let out a peal of laughter, and Jay looked around in bewilderment. I chuckled myself at the lost look on his face. He was far from gone.
"Shouldn't you go and pass out somewhere?"
Jay scratched his head and shook it. "Naw, I have to keep Lexi company when the New Year begins."
"Well, it's good to hear that you still know what day it is."
"Hey, you guys, five minutes!" Marco shouted from the doorway to the kitchen.
"Who knew I'd ever hang out with that fag!" Jay shared in amazement.
Nikki let out a snort. "Yay, Marco's so… typical. You know?"
I didn't actually know what she meant by that. I don't think Jay did either, but he laughed anyway before heading off to go find "his woman" as he put it.
"So…" I looked back at Nikki. She snapped her attention back to me from whatever it was she had been staring at.
"Yeah?" she shouted as someone decided to turn the music all the way up.
"I should make sure Ellie's up. I promised her."
"Aw, she can get up herself. Hang with me!"
"It'll only take a second-…"
"Sean…" Nikki pouted. I shrugged and wrapped my arms around her, pressing my lips forcefully against hers.
I'm usually not one for holidays, but New Years is pretty cool. I mean, you just hang out with your friends and get drunk and get kissed at Midnight by a hot girl. And the fact that Nikki and I have been able to get over the funk we were in a for the last few weeks just makes this new year that much better. So maybe this can be the start of a good year for me.
Ellie
My eyelids fluttered open as someone kept shaking me. "Get up!"
I opened my eyes slowly and focused on Marco's face in front of me.
"Sleeping Beauty, the ball is going to drop in two minutes! Find yourself a hottie and get your midnight kiss!"
"Now I know you're drunk…" I mumbled as I sat up slowly. The room spun around in front of me, and I smiled. I was feeling pretty good.
Marco laughed and stood up. "Whatever. Just don't expect me to be your kiss this year. I got my own hottie waiting…" He gave me a thumbs up and jogged back over to Devon, who was saving a place right in front of the TV.
I looked around the room. Suddenly I was made very aware that I was probably the only single person in the entire room. I sighed and stood up, wobbling a little on the stiletto heels of my boots. Well… I wouldn't be single for the rest of the night… I had just spotted a prime date.
I grabbed the full bottle of champagne from the bucket of ice it had been chilling in. Perfect. I licked my lips and stared intensely at the bottle as I tried to open it.
"FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
I looked up to see the ball drop but there were too many people crowding the television. Instantly the room dissolved into twosomes macking on each other, making the already full room even more claustrophobic.
The champagne bubbled over the top and I tried to suck it all up from the bottle. All I ended up doing was make an even bigger mess of myself. I plucked a spare glass off of the table next to me and filled it with the champagne, staring at the small bubbles that filled my glass.
"FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
I squealed as Brayden tipped me back and landed a big kiss on my mouth. I responded passionately, wrapping my arms around his neck.
I took a small sip of my champagne and shook my head. The small sip left a sour taste in my mouth, and I quickly took a big gulp to wash it away. Might as well let the couples have their alone time. I grabbed my bottle and made my way to the sliding door that led to the small patio outside.
What are you doing out here?
Just thinking.
About?
You.
Me?
Yeah. You.
Care to share?
I really care about you.
He smiled.
I finished my glass and threw it on the ground. I might as well just drink out of the stupid bottle. I tipped the bottle and took a big swig, hoping that I'd get drunk enough that I wouldn't be rethinking these stupid, unimportant moments between me and Brayden.
What'd you get for number three?
37.
Really?
No, I'm making it up.
Oh, shut up…
The silly banter we always had with each other.
What are we watching?
You'll see.
It's Toy Story, isn't it?
Maybe.
It is.
So?
We watch this every time.
It's a good movie.
I agree, but every time?
Hey, be happy I'm even watching a movie with you, Miss-let's-analyze-every-single-moment.
Oh, shut up and kiss me.
I went to take another drink, but the bottle was empty. I threw it to the ground and waited for the comforting sound of it shattering. It didn't. I stared up at the sky and shivered in the cold air. Maybe this will be the year I forget about him.
I've said that the past three years.
"Have you seen Nikki?"
I glanced up from my spot on the couch and looked at Sean… or the multiple Sean's I was seeing…
"No," I answered.
"You okay?'
"I'm fine."
"How many of me are you seeing?"
"Five."
He laughed and ran a finger down the side of my face. "You need to stop drinking."
"That's okay." To prove my point I took a drink of my beer.
He took the cup away from me and set it on the coffee table. "No, seriously. Someone should get you home."
"I'm staying here with Marco."
"Good. Have you seen Nikki?"
"You already asked me that."
"Oh. Well…"
I leaned my head against the back of the sofa and looked up at him. He licked his lips and leaned back also. "I guess I'll just wait for her here."
I didn't say anything. I became preoccupied with my belt buckle.
"Ellie?" His voice was throaty.
I looked up.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year," I repeated.
I don't think either one of us leaned in first. It was more of a mutual decision between both of us. We made our way towards each other, intent on touching, to feel something.
And I don't know which one of us pulled back first. We both kind of realized that what we were about to do was wrong. That it would just wake up old feelings. We made space between us on the couch and cleared out throats. Sean folded his arms across his chest, and I stared at my hands between my knees. And we just sat like that on the couch for the rest of the night. But every now and then are knees would bump.
Nikki
I felt Towerz hands rake through my long hair, tugging at it and making it hurt enough to feel good. I responded hungrily as I smashed my lips against his, pressing myself even closer to him, if that was even possible.
I feel bad that I'm doing this to Sean. I really do. But how am I supposed to resist these feelings I have for his friend? What Towerz and I feel is true. Sean and I are just pretending. And soon the whole façade is going to blow up in our face.
I pulled away breathless. "I should get back to Sean…" I admitted sadly.
Towerz gave a nod. He understood.
"We'll do this later?"
He nodded again.
Ellie
"Thanks for giving me a ride home."
"No problem," Devon replied, turning the radio down a bit. "It's the least I can do for my little matchmaker."
I smiled and rested my head against the window. "You're happy with Marco, aren't you?"
"Definitely."
"He's happy, too."
Devon glanced at me with a big smile on his face. "You think?"
"Yep. I haven't seen him this happy in a long time."
"Good. I'm glad I make him happy."
"Okay, and turn left here."
I stared out the window as we made our way up the long driveway. The heat in the car blasted my face, but my forehead was cool from touching the window. Everything looked peaceful outside. The trees were barren, the ground was glistening from the melting snow, and the sky was clear.
"You moving?"
"Huh?" I looked at Devon's profile.
He nodded his head at the front of the car. I followed his action and saw the big moving truck parked in front of my house. What? I noticed the brown leather chair sitting in the driveway, ready to be loaded in. My dad's chair. His favorite chair. The one that's in his study. Or was in his study for that matter.
"Are you moving?" Devon asked again.
I didn't bother responding. "Thanks for the ride. Bye."
I hopped out of the car and slammed the door shut before he could say anything. He waited a second before driving off. I stood in the same spot, glancing at the chair. Why was that chair outside? Deep down I knew the answer, but I wanted to lie to myself. I wanted to believe that it wasn't really happening.
A strange man came outside carrying a tall floor lamp. He set it next to the chair and turned around to go back inside. As soon as he disappeared inside I started to take my few hesitant steps forward, all the time keeping my eyes focused on that stupid chair.
"Elle-bear?"
I didn't bother to look up. I felt my dad walk towards me and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Elle-belle?"
"Stop," I ordered.
"Honey, you knew it had to happen."
I shook my head silently. No, I didn't know that it had to happen. I thought I'd have time to bring my parents back together. I thought my parents would be able to reconcile. For me.
"It won't be that bad! You can come over and have dinner with me. And you can stay with me on weekends. And you can have parties at my new place. And-…"
"And I'll never see you again," I murmured, as the impact of what was really happening hit me.
"Sure you will."
"No. I won't. I barely saw you when you lived with me. Why would I see you more when you don't?"
My dad didn't have an answer.
"Where's Mom?"
"Inside."
"Is she okay?" my voice almost cracked, but I closed my eyes and willed myself to be strong.
"Ellie, it won't be that bad."
"Is Mom okay?" I asked again, looking up at him this time.
"Sure."
"I need to be with her."
"Don't you want to say goodbye to me?"
I stopped walking and turned around. "Stay."
"I can't."
"Yes, you can."
"It's not that easy."
"Yes, it is. You forgive."
"She hurt you."
"So have you. And you're hurting me now. More than she ever has."
"I'm sorry."
I nodded and looked at the ground before looking back up. "Yeah, me too. So, if you leave, I don't think I want to see you again."
"That's not fair, Ellie!" My dad took a step forward and tried to reach out to me. I stepped away.
"Mom loves you. I love you."
"And I love you."
"And you love Mom!" I cried tearfully.
He didn't say anything.
"Look at you! You can't even deny it. You love her. So why the hell are you doing this?"
I wiped furiously at my eyes, intent on not letting my dad see me cry. The movers quietly closed the back of the truck, trying not to interrupt our moment.
"This is too hard. I love you."
My dad waited for me to say it back.
I shook my head, more confused than ever by what he was hoping to gain from leaving us. I didn't understand at all. "You used to be the only thing holding this family together, and now you're the only thing tearing it apart," I choked out.
He reached forward to grab me in a hug, but I ducked out of his reach and ran into the house, slamming and locking the door behind me. Never had I felt more childish in my entire life. I wiped away my tears with fists and held back my sobs. I had to be the strong one now. No way was my mom going to make it through this if I wasn't strong enough for the both of us.
I slowly made my way up the stairs, tired and rejected. I could already hear my mom crying from behind her bedroom door. I opened it quietly and walked over to her shaking form under the covers. I sat on the side of the bed and stroked her dark brown hair.
"Shh… It's okay, Mom. It's going to be okay." I grimaced at the big lie I was letting escape my lips. Nothing was going to be okay. Nothing was ever going to be okay as long as my family wasn't whole. My mom's shoulders shuddered with each gasp she let escape. This was really hurting her. She'd probably be taking off a week or two from work to get through this. I'll have to make sure there isn't any alcohol in the house. And I'll have to make sure she has something to eat for lunch each day while I'm at school. And I'll have to make her dinner. I rested my head against the headboard of the bed and sighed deeply. This whole situation was really going to wear me out.
Thanks, Dad, for once again making me the adult of the family.
Extra long chapter because I'm a horrible author. Hopefully this makes up for it. Tell me what you think! Comments and suggestions encouraged and welcomed! I love my fantastic reviewers!
