Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
UNICORNS AND CELEbrITIES
TRU
My meeting with the Wards went better than I anticipated.
I could tell they were shaken by the conversation.
I was surprised that Henley was the one who went to bat for Cassidy.
Bree seemed apprehensive about the whole thing, but that's understandable. I couldn’t tell if she didn’t believe me or just didn’t like what she was hearing.
It clearly threw them, realizing their daughter was having this much trouble reading.
Bree Ward is gorgeous. She's tall, with long blonde hair, sun-kissed cheeks, and hazel eyes. She looks like the girl next door, only a little more glammed up. I can't help but wonder why the two of them aren't together anymore, but it seems like they're on good terms.
I clear out of the classroom and head home, excited to see the kitten. I checked on him earlier in the day, and he was sleeping, but it was still hard to leave him behind. He’s so sweet and cuddly. When I walk in now, he's still sleeping, but I pet him and he opens his eyes and moves toward me.
“Hi, little guy. How did your day go? We've got to come up with a name for you.
I still can't believe you're a little prince. What shall we call you?” Only funny names come to mind like Ralph or Steve.
“Hmm. Maybe Earl.” I giggle at the thought.
“Earl of Silver Hills. I like it. Funny, but also a big name to live up to. I think you can handle it.”
He stretches and curls into my lap. I carry him into the kitchen and get some formula ready. He drinks it, and then I put him in the litter box, and he takes care of business. I smile like a proud mother, and then snap a picture of him and send it to my mom.
Your new grandkitten.
She texts back within seconds.
Mom
You're kidding. Oh my goodness, that is the cutest kitten. He’s tiny!
How did you know he was a he right away? I assumed she because—LOOK HOW ADORABLE HE IS.
Mom
Boys can be adorable too.
If you say so. In this case, it applies.
Mom
I’m sorry. Are you twelve or twenty-four? I feel like I’m being transported back in time.
LOL I guess I’m channeling middle school. Ooo, I have news for you! But first…his name is Earl. What do you think?
Mom
Well, I was thinking you’d pick something a little cuter for that sweet face, but…if you say so.
The Earls of the world would be so offended by this conversation.
Mom
Well, they can hardly be offended if you’re bequeathing such a cutie with that name. What other news besides a kitten? That’s a big deal. You’ve never owned a pet…well, except for that mouse you tried to bring into the house when we lived in Minnesota.
It was cold. But yes, you’re right. It’s a big deal. He showed up at my house and it felt like a sign that I’m in the right place. And then, even better…I got a full-time job at Silver Hills Middle School as an eighth-grade teacher.
Mom
Trudi Eloise Seymour! I knew you’d get a job there! This is so exciting! I’d call you right now, but Dad has the morning off and is still asleep, but I AM ELATED!
I can tell by all those exclamation points.
I set my phone down, sadness creeping in through my excitement because my mom is on the other side of the world, tiptoeing around her life. And I’m here, attempting to create a new one.
I look down at Earl and pet his soft head. “I need more friends. Not that you don’t count. You will be the best friend I’ve ever had, I can already tell. But I need some human ones too.”
Moving a lot has taught me to make friends quickly, but I haven’t learned to hold on to many.
I have a couple of friends that I keep in touch with occasionally.
It just sucks that we all live far apart.
I met Maria in Guatemala. She’s three years older than me and took me under her wing when I lived there.
We started out writing letters when I moved and then switched to email, and we’ve kept that up.
And Krystal, my roommate during freshmen year, is in New York, so we’ve seen each other a couple of times since then, but not much.
Even in college, I changed schools several times, moving when my parents did. I didn’t want my mom to be stuck with my dad and still held onto the hope that she’d realize she was worth more than the way he treated her, the way he treated us.
My dad never lifted his hand to hurt me. That would have taken too much effort. Instead, he pretended I didn’t exist…until some invisible switch would go off, one I invariably wouldn’t see coming, and then he flung his words, lazily slinging them like darts to see what would sting the worst.
You look like a cow in that dress.
You’ll never get a boyfriend with that face.
Why are you so stupid?
And the list goes on and on.
For years, I tiptoed around him like Mom did, but when I got my driver’s license at sixteen and had a taste of freedom, I got louder. I defended Mom when he berated her. I rolled my eyes when he insulted me. Once, I laughed when he said no man would ever want me.
“Fine by me,” I said.
It shocked him so much, he was stunned silent.
He didn’t mean the things he said was my mom’s argument…and it still is. At this point, I don’t really care if he means the things he says or not. I had to get away from him before I started believing it.
“Ugh,” I tell Earl. “I don’t want to go down this dark spiral. How about we go for a little walk? It feels like spring out there. You can ride in my sweatshirt.”
Earl blinks up at me and I decide that’s answer enough. I grab my zip-up hoodie draped over the chair and put it on. My tennies are by the door and I tuck Earl in my hoodie where he can still see out if he wants.
I end up walking longer than I expected to and end up at Luminary Coffeehouse. Peeking in the window, I see a neon sign that says The Celestial Donut hanging behind the counter and that convinces me to go inside. I love a good cinnamon roll and a good donut.
I walk inside, already loving the vibe. I look down to make sure Earl is hidden, and he is.
The ceiling is detailed wood painted in black and the walls are white with sunny-yellow touches that cheer everything up.
Local artwork is displayed on the walls and it ranges from wildlife and fairies coming out of the forest to monsters that look friendly enough to sit down next to. I love the place already.
A cute older lady is behind the counter—Clara, her name tag says—and she grins when she sees me.
“Welcome to Luminary. What can I get for you?” She makes me feel at ease instantly.
“Well, The Celestial Donut sign caught my eye from the window. I had to find out what that's about. What else is here?”
“Oh, we just added The Celestial Donut to our menu. It’s a passion of mine…
beyond coffee, which is another great love of my life.
” She laughs. “There’s any kind of coffee imaginable, and if it’s not on there, tell me what you want and I’ll try to make it.
” She points to the chalkboard where the drinks are displayed in flourished handwriting and the names are fun with whimsical names that fit the place.
“I’m enchanted,” I tell her.
She beams. “Take your time if you need to think about it, but I'm here if you need me. It's slow this evening.”
Just then I hear laughter and I turn to see a stunning woman with long dark hair and a gorgeous man next to her. They're laughing at something their little boy has said. I overhear the women sitting at the table behind me gasp.
“Oh my God, he has the best laugh. I can't believe Weston Shaw actually comes here.”
I turn and look at the three women. They’re staring at the couple I couldn’t tear my eyes from, completely starstruck.
“I told you,” the woman in the middle says. “That's why we’re here. You didn’t believe me, but I heard they all come here. Well, our favorites anyway. Henley, Rhodes, Bowie…PENN. Oh my God, can you imagine seeing Penn and Henley in real life?”
Of course, my ears perk up when I hear Henley’s name. That’s not a common name around here, right? It’s gotta be my Henley. I mean, the one I’ve met. He’s obviously not mine.
“I’m more of a Bowie and Rhodes’ girl myself, but damn, they’re all hot,” the third woman says.
“Weston and Henley all the way,” the first woman says. “You know what? All of them. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to choose.”
They all laugh. What are they talking about?
When I turn back to Clara, I must look confused because she laughs.
“Are you a Mustangs fan too?” she asks.
“Mustangs?”
Her eyes widen. “Colorado’s football team? Winners of the past three Super Bowls?”
“Oh, football…” I laugh awkwardly. “I could only imagine wild horses galloping by.” I shake my head like silly me.
“That is their logo,” she says, still laughing.
I crinkle my nose. “I’m afraid I’m not up on the sports. I usually have my nose in a book or I’m outside…with my nose in a book.” I wave my hand and laugh with her this time. I lean in. “So, is that guy over there on the team or something?” I whisper.
“He’s the quarterback,” she whispers back.
My mouth falls into an O.
Wait. Does that mean Henley is—
Earl chooses that moment to make his presence known. His head pops out of my sweatshirt and Clara yelps. I rush to apologize for bringing a pet inside without asking permission but she’s gushing about how adorable he is.
“I wasn’t planning to do anything but walk…but the donuts.” I point to the sign, still feeling bad. “Hopefully no one is allergic.”
“True,” Clara says, looking around. She winks at me. “I think we’re okay.”
“Thank you. In that case, I’ll take that unicorn donut right there. I can’t resist. I got a job today. Actually two jobs this week! Feels like I should celebrate.”
“Congratulations. That’s amazing! Where are you working?”
“Wiggles & Whimsy and Silver Hills Middle School.”