Chapter Eighteen #4
Kelsey swiped her nose with the back of her hand.
“Mine just said she didn’t want to be a mom anymore.
” The words came like stones. “She moved overseas with her friend and wrote me a letter explaining it was better if I stayed with Dad. Like she decided for me.” Her mouth crumpled.
She pressed her lips together, like she could push the emotion back down.
Rowan reached out and touched the edge of Kelsey’s knuckles. “We were never the problem,” she said. “They couldn’t handle the love we needed. That’s on them.”
Kelsey let out a sound, half laugh, half sob. Her shoulders dropped. She leaned against the sink. “It feels like it’s my fault. Sometimes. Like I asked for too much.”
“You asked for what every kid asks for.” Rowan’s throat burned. “You’re allowed to want your mom. You’re allowed to be mad at her. And you’re allowed to be okay without her tonight. All of it can be true.”
Kelsey’s breath evened out. The red rim around her eyes softened. She pressed her palms to her thighs and stared at the tile for a beat. “This is a lot.”
“I know.” Rowan let a sigh spill from her.
“I had a great dad, though, and so do you. And it may feel really weird to tell them about your period, but they just want to make sure we’re okay.
Sometimes, they act silly because they don’t know what to do.
They’re scared, too. That they’re not enough for us. ”
Kelsey listened with serious eyes and slowly nodded. “I never thought of it like that.”
“They chose us. Yeah, they mess up, but your dad’s not going anywhere.
” Sensing she’d lectured enough, Rowan smiled and stood.
“Now, let’s get you some good dessert. Like I said, you may get cramps like most of us, so just take some ibuprofen.
And you may get super emotional. Like, if someone bumps into you, you’ll start bawling.
Better to let it rip than keep stuff inside, then it passes quicker. ”
Kelsey laughed and groaned. “I hate that! Ugh, I’ve been so extra this week.”
“Totally normal. You can text me or call me anytime, day or night, especially if you have questions or just want to vent.” She gave a small smile. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Kelsey reached out and hugged her. “Thanks, Rowan. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
And just like that, Rowan realized she loved this beautiful girl with all her heart.
She hugged her tight, letting her breathe and rest in a safe space. Neither of them rushed.
When they broke away, they smiled at each other.
She squeezed Kelsey’s hand in support and when they stepped back into the shop, the air felt cooler.
Outside, the lights had gone more golden.
Someone was passing around shaved ice. Kelsey’s new friend Mia, another follower in the cult of Brie, waved her over, already making space on a towel. Kelsey glanced at Rowan.
She nodded. “Go have fun.”
Rowan watched her go. Mia shoved a giant blue shaved ice into her hands. Kelsey sat, shoulders curled in, then lifted when someone told a joke. She laughed. Her face eased.
Rowan headed for Everett.
He’d moved closer to the fringe of it all, like he wanted to be nearby in case he was needed but away from the crowd. He looked up as she neared. His eyes cut past her, then toward Kelsey. “Is she okay?”
“Kelsey got her period,” Rowan said, simple. “First time. She’s fine now.”
Everett froze. His face reflected a riotous array of emotion before he settled. “Is she okay?” he asked roughly. “Oh God, isn’t she too young?”
“Not at thirteen—it’s the average age. She’s fine. I told her what to do and we talked a bit about some of the stuff she may be feeling.”
“I better get her and bring her home.”
He moved but Rowan stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Everett, let her stay. Being with her friends and doing normal things is better than being stuck in her bedroom with her phone.”
He stiffened, but didn’t snap back. He seemed to be trying to process, and at that moment, she realized beneath all that workaholic manner and need for control was a man who was simply trying to do the best he could for his daughter.
His gaze shot to Kelsey. She was laughing at something, and eating her ice with gusto.
The girls giggled in the group. Her face was open and now calm.
Rowan continued. “She talked about her mom. Needed to hear from someone who’s been there. Her hormones are going crazy, so you may get the worst of it. Just be patient with her.”
“I can do that. Does she . . . need me?”
Now it was Rowan who touched his cheek, sensing he needed contact.
“Always. But not right now. I’m not sure if she’ll tell you or not, and I didn’t want to break her confidence, but I think it’s important you know.
If she brings it up, just be open and listen.
She doesn’t need you to solve any problems. She just wants a safe space. ”
It was what all women craved, a soft place to land to gain the strength to get back on the battlefield. Kelsey had already gotten too many lessons for her age. But she’d used them and built character, keeping her heart open anyway.
“Okay.” He seemed to settle. Dragged in a breath. “That was scarier than hearing the hotel opening ended in disaster.”
She laughed and let her hand drop. “Teen girls usually are.”
“Thanks for being here.” His voice came out gruff, thick. He blinked a few times, and for a moment Rowan wished this weren’t going to end with the summer. The thought surprised her, but she refused to examine it any further.
“You’re welcome. How about we get some shaved ice and watch the sunset?”
His slow smile lit up her insides. “I think that’s a great idea. Lead the way.”
She did.