Hey, thanks again to those who left comments on the last chapter, I'm very grateful. Please, if you have a comment or opinion regarding the story, tell me. I love to hear constructive criticism as I only want to get better at this ;) Enjoy this chapter. Oh and btw, for some reason, the line breaks weren't working for me for some reason so thats why there aren't any...
There's a Paragraph or Two, Devoted to the Memories we Shared
It just didn't register. How could this have happened? She didn't think it would hurt as much as it did, they were never that close and since she went, she'd always hated her to an extent. She hated her for giving up because she hated quitters. And that was what she was, a quitter. But it still hurt like nothing she'd ever felt before. He rocked her like a baby after she heard but it didn't help. Nothing would help. She couldn't bear to accept it. Summer couldn't bear to accept the fact her mother had died.
The letter she had received that morning was from Kate Roberts' lawyer. He had said that Kate had been battling a very strong form of ovarian cancer and had known that she would die. She had wanted to get in touch with Summer, but sadly, she had died before she had the chance. The letter asked Summer to make her way up to West Palm Beach, Florida, where her mother's house was. The lawyer said he wanted to meet with her to discuss some details and help to arrange a funeral for her.
Summer was heartbroken, despite the stormy relationship she shared with her mother, but losing a parent was something Summer found hard to come to terms with. It weighed on her mind like a ten tonne weight. After receiving the letter, Summer spent most of the day on the phone to her father and arranging to fly up to Florida the next day. Spencer sat helplessly by her side and tried his hardest to comfort her, but it was hard. Eventually, Summer couldn't hold it in anymore and just fell into Spencer's arms, her small frame overcome with grief.
Shelley was giving Seth the silent treatment, and he had no idea why. Ever since he'd spoken to Summer last night, Shelley had totally broken off all communication except from 'change the channel' and 'pass the chips'. Seth was going back to the conclusion he'd made in high-school, that women were just crazy. Seth had barricaded himself outside on the balcony currently, just enjoying the Cali sun and staying well away from Shelley. He heard the doorbell go and heard Shelley sigh loudly before answering it. Following her opening the door came the shrill shriek of 'SETH!' He padded over to the front door and received a glare from his girlfriend. Seth shrugged helplessly as she slammed the bedroom door.
Before him stood Spencer. Seth nodded to him.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"Hey Seth, I was just wondering, what days are we filming this week?"
"Um…" Seth racked his brain, "Wednesday and Thursday I think, but just Thursday morning."
"Oh right…"
"Why, what's up?"
"I just have to go outta town for a few days this week, to Florida."
"Florida?"
"Yeah…" Spencer shuffled uncomfortably.
"I think you should probably know this Seth. Summer's mom died last week," Spencer admitted. Seth's mouth dropped open and his pulse raced.
"What? Oh my god, is she okay?"
"No, not really… She found out this morning. Apparently, she has to fly to Florida as there are some consequences following the uh, death."
"Oh…" Seth whispered, looking at the ground.
"Well, I'd better go," Spencer sighed, looking at his watch.
"Oh yeah sure um, just tell Summer I'm so, so sorry and if she, you guys, need anything at all, we're here for you both," Seth said with all the sincerity he could muster.
"Thanks man," Spencer nodded before turning away and walking back down the hall. Seth softly closed the door and slowly eased down onto the floor.
Even though he had very faint memories of Kate Roberts, which pretty much consisted of a short dark haired woman dropping Summer off at school in her Beemer, Seth still felt like he had lost part of him. He couldn't understand why he felt so sad when he had never actually talked to the woman. Maybe it was because he knew how bad Summer would be taking the news. He knew how much Summer's mom had meant to Summer and how much her leaving affected her. But Seth knew that Summer would be broken into pieces at the thought of her mother dying. Seth held his head in his hands and let out a long, laboured sigh.
Summer and Spencer touched down in Florida at noon the flowing day. Summer had barely spoken a full sentence since yesterday evening and had reluctantly removed her sunglasses whilst on the flight, quickly swapping them for an eye mask so as to hide her red, bloodshot eyes. Spencer hadn't said much to Summer either, he didn't know exactly what to say. He'd never really lost anyone that close and couldn't understand the feeling that Summer felt. He just supported Summer as best he could.
Summer had directions to the lawyers office and the couple planned to travel there after meeting up with Summer's father, who was flying in from New York. Once they arrived at the hotel and Summer saw he father, she ran over to him like a little girl and collapsed into his strong arms. It was like she was a little girl who's scraped her knees and was running for comfort from her daddy. This situation was just a larger version of that. Neil looked as upset as she did and the pair sat alone in his hotel room while Spencer sorted out transport to the lawyers office.
Half an hour later, after Summer had meticulously re-applied her eye makeup and sunglasses, the three arrived at the lawyers office downtown. The lawyer, a Mr Karl Shelton, was a middle aged man who looked pristine in a sharp Armani suit. His office was very posh with dark polished mahogany desks and large vases of lilies dotted around. The place smelt strongly of pine air freshener, the whole office seemed very stuffy and artificial in Summer's mind. The three sat on dark leather chairs before his large desk, Summer in the middle of both the men.
"Shall we get started then?" Karl asked them. Spencer placed his hand over the top of Summer's and Neil squeezed Summer's other hand.
"Yes," Neil nodded.
"Okay, Kate Roberts was aware she was terminally ill and did write an up to date will before she passed. Also, she wrote down a list of her wishes for a funeral and private requests. Her body is currently in the town morgue and will be released tomorrow morning for burial. And there is the matter of care for Callie," the solicitor faced the three, looking unfazed. Summer looked up for the first time since entering the room.
"Who?" Summer asked, her voice quiet and uncharacteristic of her.
"Callie Bea Roberts, Ms Roberts' daughter," Karl replied. Summer's heart pounded. Her daughter? But she was her daughter. How could she have another daughter?
"I'm sorry, did you not know about this?" Karl asked the three, who looked like they clearly hadn't.
"No, we weren't aware of this," Neil stated.
"Clearly," Summer mumbled under her breath. Karl took a deep breath, sighing and leaned forward.
"Well, I wasn't aware that you didn't know about this, the way I saw it was that Ms Roberts had told you before her death. Well I have no other information on Callie except this letter from Ms Roberts to Summer Roberts," Summer looked back up at a thin white envelope in his hand, "Apparently, this should explain everything to you," he shrugged. Summer took the envelope in her hand and stared at it. She slowly got to her feet and excused herself from the room.
She ran across to the dark stairs leading to the fire escape and she perched on the bottom step. Summer bit her cherry glossed lip and stared down at the envelope.
'This should explain everything to you…"
Summer inhaled deeply before slipping on finger underneath the sealed lip of the letter and gently tearing it open. Inside lay a neatly folded piece of paper. Summer took it out carefully and unfolded it, to read the 'explanation.'
Sum,
If you're reading this, then I can only offer my deepest heartfelt apologies. I'm sorry for leaving before getting the chance to explain to you in person. I feel like such a failure, I felt like one the minute I left you and your father and that feeling has been with me ever since. I was stupid, I knew I had a lump, but I was stupid enough to leave it. I was scared. And now, here I am.
It's hard to say everything I've wanted to say to you since I left in one letter, oh how I wish I could have made it to see you. I got to New York, but you'd moved, to LA they told me. But I got even sicker and I just couldn't get there. I have no-one to blame but myself. But I hear good things about you, I know about your company, Callie uses all your stuff, she loves it. And I hear you're getting engaged. I'm so proud of you baby, I knew you'd be successful, I always knew it.
But I can't make up for what I did to you and your Dad all those years ago and I'm not going to even try to apologise, I know you'll probably never forgive me. I still don't know what drove me to leave, I guess I just felt out of place in Newport. It wasn't my home, the people were to fake and fabricated. I gave up too easy, I quit. And it would break my heart to see you make the same mistakes as me, so please Summer, don't be a quitter.
You're probably confused about Callie. Well, she's your sister. After I left your father, I got into a relationship, a bad relationship, with a guy who was nothing like your father. He was abusive, disrespectful and dangerous. But, I got pregnant. And I just couldn't bear to abort this baby. I remembered how I felt when I found out I was expecting you. It was such an amazing feeling, I hope you can feel it one day. When I told him I was pregnant, he didn't take it well and left me. But believe it or not, it was the happiest day I had since I left you. I was finally free from him and I had another little person coming. Callie was born and I fell in love with her, just like I did with you. Her eyes sparkled like yours and she was just like you. I still felt the pain from turning my back on you but Callie helped me through it. We were a team. I told her about you, her wonderful big sister who was pretty and successful. She grew up dreaming of meeting you, and I dreamt of returning to you. Last year though, I fell ill. Callie was shell shocked. She didn't want to lose me and I didn't want to let go of her. But I had to, nature had its way.
Callie is now 15 years old. She can't go and find her father and my parents are gone so this is what I'm asking you Sum. I know I owe you more than you owe me but this one favour is the only thing I pray for you to accept. Summer, you always were an amazing person, from when you first looked up at me I knew I'd always love you. I didn't stop loving you when I left, it was between your father and I, but I still think of you both so often. The only regret I ever had was leaving you two. The one thing I want to ask you is if you will take care of my Callie. She is just as special as you and for you to take care of her, would make this pain easier to handle. I'll be able to rest peacefully knowing both of you are safe. My girls. Summer, even though the last time I saw you was when you were 13, I know you'll be a mature, intelligent young woman who has so much potential to become anything she wants. If you look after Callie, then she has the potential to be just as amazing as you are. I'm not forcing you, I have no right to do that, I'm just pleading with you to consider this. It would mean everything to me.
I'm sorry I had to tell you this through a letter, I owe you so much Summy. You'll always be my baby girl and I'll always love you, know that. I just wish I could have told you this sooner. Now its too late. I've left this all too late. An old foolish woman is all I am. I know you wont make the same mistakes as me, you're too smartr. You mean everything to me, always have, now all I ask is for you to grant me my dying wish. Money, houses and jewellery is pointless. I'm leaving you my baby, I'm leaving you your sister.
I love you honey and I'm sorry for everything. I don't deserve a daughter like you.
Love always,
Mom
X
Summer wiped away the salty tear that was making its way down her cheek. Her eyes stung and her heart thrashed against her chest. She picked the envelope back up and a photograph fell out. She picked it up in her shaking hand and saw a picture of her on her 5th birthday. Her dark hair was curly and was accessorised with a bright pink bow. She wore a cute pink Summer dress and white sandals. Beside her stood her mother. Her skin glowed in the summer light as she held her daughter in her arms. She was laughing and Summer was grinning cheekily.
The scene made Summer's heart ache and she held the photograph to her chest. She breathed out slowly, and let her head fall into her hands.
"Bye Mom," she whispered.
Summer emerged back into the lawyers office half an hour after she'd read the letter. She'd composed herself, but she still felt like a lost child. Looks can be very deceiving. She took her Dad to the side and began explaining what the letter had said, but not letting him read it. It was her private letter and she'd never trust anyone enough to show it to them. Not even Spencer.
When Summer explained about Callie, Neil stared at the floor, breathing deeply and thinking hard.
"So she wants you to look after her?" he asked.
"Yeah…" Summer breathed, looking distant.
"So? Are you?"
"I don't know… I mean I know she's my sister… oh god, I have a sister!" Summer shook her head, feeling like this was all some kind of nightmare and she'd wake up in a second with Vixen sat on her stomach.
"Truthfully? Yes, I want to do this… for Mom. But I have no idea who this girl is and what will Spencer say?" Summer glanced over at her fiancé, who was typing something into his Sidekick.
Neil smiled widely at his daughter and pulled her to his chest.
"Oh Sum, your mother would have been so proud of you." He kissed the top of her head and sighed. Summer glanced up at her Dad, trying to ignore the anxious feeling brewing in the pit of her stomach.
That evening, Spencer took Summer out for a meal in the nicest restaurant in town. He knew dining somewhere glitzy and luxurious would help to lift his fiancée's mood.
"Spencer honey, I have something to talk to you about…" Summer leant over and placed her hand over Spencer's, squeezing his thumb.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, you know the letter my Mom wrote to me? She kinda asked me a big favour…" Summer said slowly, biting her lip. Spencer turned to face Summer, sensing that she was anxious.
"What…?" Spencer replied slowly,
"Well, in the letter she explained all about Callie. And it turns out she's my sister, my Mom had her a few years after she left my Dad. She's 15 and, now my Mom's gone, she has no one."
"What about her Dad?"
"He walked out on my Mom when she told him she was pregnant, apparently he was really nasty…"
"Oh…"
"Spence," Summer took both his hands and moved closer to him, "You're a really great guy, a smart guy, and I'm betting you know what's coming, so I wont insult your intelligence by stating it. All I have to say is… losing my Mom was unimaginable to me, I can't seem to function properly since I found out. My head's all over the place. But I know that she wanted this more than anything and even though she owes me more than I owe her, I need to do this." Spencer stared deeply into Summer's eyes, which were beginning to water. He sighed and squeezed her hand.
"Okay," he whispered, nodding gently. Summer let out a huge sigh and fell forwards into his arms, just glad that he understood, she knew he'd understand.
Summer stepped out of a cab into the watery Florida sun, pushing her Marc Jacobs sunglasses up. She was stood outside a small coffee shop near the beach. This was where she'd arranged to meet Callie. Summer had gone to see the lawyer the day after she received the letter, wanting to arrange a meeting with her sister. She had later found out Callie was currently staying at a group home, property of social services. Summer had now been in West Palm Beach for almost a week, Spencer had flown back to LA, having to film some final scenes and begin planning his promotional events and interviews for the upcoming release of the movie. Her Dad had gone back to New York last night, Summer insisted she'd be okay.
Summer walked forward entering the coffee shop. She checked her watch. 1.15. She was early, on purpose. She wanted to down at least one large caramel latte before taking part in this event. She ordered her coffee and sat at a table by the window. She began rapping her nails on the table, anxiety rising.
15 minutes later and 1 coffee down, as Summer was anxiously watching the door, a teenage girl entered. She had smoky brown hair and sparkling mocha eyes that glimmered and brightened up her face. She was very tanned and wore a pair of skinny jeans, a bright blue halter top and a pair of silver ballet flats. She scanned the coffee shop and when she saw Summer who was biting her nails, Callie began to walk over.
"Callie?" Summer asked as she approached the table.
"Yeah, oh my god I can't believe this!" Callie smiled widely, with an air of disbelief in her voice, like Summer was a celebrity or something. Summer got up and hugged Callie.
"I'm so sorry honey," she said as she hugged.
"Me too," Callie replied quietly. They broke apart, silent before Summer gestured for Callie to sit down.
"You want a coffee?"
"Sure, um a tall latte with extra caramel would be good," she smiled.
"Sure thing." Summer called over the waitress and ordered Callie's drink. They looked at each other, Summer taking in her sister. Her sister. It sounded so weird! Callie was doing the same to Summer and eventually burst out laughing.
"I can't believe I'm sat here with you!" Callie burst out.
"What? Why?"
"Not only have I been dreaming of meeting you like my whole life, but you're like, famous!" Callie gushed.
"I'm not famous!" Summer spluttered, "Rich yes, famous no." Callie laughed and reached inside her purse, pulling out a copy of Vogue. Summer smiled and nodded.
"Well yeah, there is that…" she nodded.
"So Callie, how are you coping?" Summer asked. Callie's smile dropped and she lowered her gaze.
"Okay I guess, its just so hard without her, y'know?"
"I know…"
"I miss her, I just wish I could go home and she'd be there again, like she used to be."
"Its okay," Summer squeezed Callie's hand, her eyes bold and sincere.
The coffee came and Callie stirred in some sugar.
"So, are you staying at a group home?" Summer asked.
"Yeah, I hate it, all the kids are annoying and one never brushes his teeth, disgusting." Callie wrinkled her nose and Summer's heart ached.
"Look Callie, I have something I want to ask you…" Callie looked up.
"Before Mom died, she wrote me a letter, in case she didn't get to speak to me before she… y'know, and she told me about you. I was really shocked at first, that I had a sister I'd never known but she went on to tell me that with her gone… you'd be alone. It broke my heart, knowing you'd be alone, and Mom's too so she asked me to look after you…" Callie's mouth dropped open and she stared at Summer.
"Okay I know we don't know each other, like at all, but I know you hate it at the group home and you'd love it in LA…" Summer babbled quickly.
"LA?"
"Yeah, you could live with me and Spencer and go to school there, it'd be amazing, you'd have everything you want, I'd be able to take care of you financially but also, I'd like to get to know you, make up for those 15 years we lost. And I owe it to Mom," Summer smiled sadly. Callie continued to sit in what appeared to be shock.
"Callie?" She looked back to Summer and gulped.
"Are you kidding?"
"No, I'm serious…" Summer frowned.
"Wow…" Callie whispered before looking back to her sister, "Of course I'll live with you!"
"Really?"
"Of course!" They jumped up and hugged each other, beaming with delight.
Despite the heartbreaking situation both had been through in the past couple of weeks, they could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Both had lost a mother, but they had gained a sister, and a friend.