Chapter 3
One Thursday morning in March, I go down for breakfast and see Sue with a worried expression on her face. “Everything okay, Sue?”
“I believe so. sweetheart, I got a call from your caseworker at CPS. She wants to stop by and talk to you after school.”
“Oh. Well, we’re doing fine, so I’m sure it’s something routine,” I wave her off. “They have to check in every so often with foster homes.”
After a delicious quiche, I grab my jacket and backpack to walk to school. I have a math test today and a chemistry test. Both require all my concentration, as I’m still having trouble focusing or caring about my grades.
When I arrive home with a headache after a long day of testing, Mary’s car is already in the driveway. Going through the back door to the kitchen, I wave. “Hey Sue. Hi Mary. Let me put my stuff away, and I’ll be right down.”
I trudge up the stairs, drop my backpack and jacket on my desk chair, and throw my hair into a messy bun.
It’s too long now, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to cut it since the accident.
Jake loved my long hair. He used to play with it all the time, whether we were doing homework or just watching tv.
It happened so often that he didn’t realize he was doing it most of the time.
Back in the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and flop down at the round table. Sue and Mary both have cups of tea in front of them, so I grab a double chocolate cookie from the plate in the center of the table. Sue was baking again because the cookies are still warm. Yum.
Mary is in her usual ill-fitting business suit with a sour expression on her face. “Summer, how have you been since we last saw each other?” Mary inquires.
“Sue has been wonderful putting up with my moody self,” I tell her, taking another bite of chocolate decadence. I notice Sue has lowered brows and pinched lips. She didn’t greet me when I got home either. I wonder what’s wrong.
“I’m glad to hear that. Sue tells me you’re still in therapy and attending school regularly.” Mary interrupts my scrutiny of Sue.
“Yeah, therapy has helped a lot. I’m doing better overall. School still sucks, but it is what it is.” I told her about the bullying I was enduring at school shortly after my first placement, but she insinuated I was exaggerating, so I never brought it up again.
Mary gazes at Sue, and they share a loaded look before she shifts her attention back to me.
“Summer, I’m here today because I have some news.
If you remember when we first met, I was trying to find a relative of yours to take you in.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t successful at the time, but I’ve kept digging and I’ve finally found someone. ”
I look at her quizzically. “Why did you keep looking all this time? I’m happy here with Sue.” There’s no family left. Nana, Mom, and Lily bee are gone. I’m the only Easton now.
“It’s always our intention to reunite children with their families. It is our policy. We do not give up searching until the child ages out of the foster system. Often, we are unsuccessful, but in your case, we were lucky. Summer, we have found your father.”
Uh…I must’ve misheard her. There’s no way.
I glance over at Sue in shock, but she has her head down, staring at her teacup.
Don’t panic, Summer. Keep taking deep breaths.
I’m not a huge fan of life-altering situations since the accident.
My therapist says I have a form of PTSD, which causes me to freak out over big changes.
My father…I mean, I knew I had a father out there somewhere, but he was a one-night stand passing through town when my mom was 18. She knew nothing about him or even his last name. My birth certificate just says Zander under the father’s name. Mom never looked for him, happy with her lot in life.
She had me and finished college. Her mom helped take care of me while she was in school.
Mom was a free spirit and became a freelance artist. That enabled her to stay home and raise me while she worked.
Lily was another one-night stand when I was nine.
We didn’t have a lot of money, but enough. We were happy.
“Summer?” Mary tries to catch my attention, snapping her fingers in the air.
I lean back in my chair. “Yeah, sorry,” I reply, feeling dazed. “So, what does you finding my father have to do with me and Sue?” I ask warily.
“I’ve contacted him, and he was shocked, but is thrilled about being a father. Apparently, he never had children of his own, but always wanted kids. He knows all about your situation,” she says, emphasizing the last word. “You will be moving away to live with him as soon as possible.”
No.
No, no, no.
My breath comes in quicker.
My father…
I can’t breathe.
Moving…
Dots start forming in my line of vision.
Sue…
I sway in my chair.
“Summer!” Someone yells as everything goes black.
“Summer sweetheart,” I hear Sue say. “Open your eyes for me now.”
I slowly blink my eyes open in a daze. There’s a cold cloth on my forehead, and Sue is leaning over me on the kitchen floor.
“There you go. Welcome back.”
The world spins for a second when I sit up. Why am I on the floor? What just happened…oh, shit. Mary wants me to move away.
“Easy now. Wait a minute before you get up, sweetheart.” Sue tucks my hair behind my right ear with worry lining her face.
“I’m okay,” I try to reassure her. Not really, but I’m not in danger of hyperventilating again, at least.
Sue helps me up and back into my chair, going to the fridge to grab orange juice and a glass. “Here, take a sip of this. It should help.” She sets the tall glass in front of me on the table.
While sipping the juice, I contemplate the information she told me.
This is huge—a big change that I don’t like.
I feel like life is kicking my ass again without being recovered from the last injury.
Gazing at Mary and Sue, I confess, “I want to stay here. I don’t want any more upheaval in my life.
I’ve had enough to last me several lifetimes. ”
“It isn’t your choice, Summer, and even if it weren’t our policy to reunite families, there are extenuating circumstances.” Mary pointedly looks over at Sue.
“What extenuating circumstances?” What could possibly cause an issue with my living here? Sue and I get along great.
“Summer, remember when I went to see the doctor a few months ago?”
“Yeah, but you said everything was fine, Sue.” I can feel anxiety trying to ramp up again in my body, muscles tensing as my heart rate increases.
“I am fine, for now. But my doctor informed me I have early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Right now, I have few symptoms, but they will eventually worsen.
When Mary told me she found your father and how excited he was to meet you, I told her of my prognosis.
” She grabs my hands between hers as her eyes turn glassy.
“I love you, sweetheart, and I have enjoyed having you here with me so much. You’ve given my life purpose and zest. I will always be here for you, and we’ll stay in touch. Every day if you want…”
I jump up from my chair, pulling my hands back.
“No!” I shout. “Mary, I’m not leaving Sue when she’ll need someone to take care of her, and I’m not leaving Jake.
I’m all he has left in this world,” I yell, vibrating with anger at this situation.
“I won’t live with my father. I’ve never even met the man!
I refuse. No more changes. I won’t lose anyone else I care about.
” I run upstairs to my room, my breath puffing out of my lungs as if I’m running a marathon, slamming the door behind me.
The tears fall in a never ending torrent as I climb under the covers and pull them up over my head. It’s too much. I can’t take anymore. I refuse to let go of Jake and Sue, and I don’t want this. My heart feels like it’s being torn apart all over again.