Chapter 11
I’m washing the breakfast dishes early the next morning when there’s a knock on the door. Drying my hands on the dish towel, I walk over and open it to find Mary and Zander. Yikes, I haven’t brushed my hair yet, but at least I’m dressed. “Good morning.”
“Hello Summer. I’m here for my last official visit as your caseworker,” Mary tells me.
I raise my eyebrows at her. That’s news to me. “Okay?”
“I’m sure I mentioned it to you or Sue,” she replies as I move out of the way for them to come in. I look over at Zander, but he just shakes his head, frowning at Mary.
Sue must have heard the voices echoing down the hall from her office as she joins us. “Oh, this is a surprise. Hello Mary. Hi Zander. What brings you by?”
“I’m sure I mentioned our final meeting now that Zander has signed all the paperwork.” Mary purses her lips, annoyed we weren’t expecting her.
Sue looks over at me, but I just shake my head no, so she plasters on a smile. “Would anyone like a drink?”
“We’re fine, Sue, thank you,” Zander says as he takes a seat at the table with Mary. Sue and I grab the remaining two chairs.
“Summer, everything is complete for your release into the custody of your father. He is officially your legal guardian now. I’ve given Zander a copy of all the paperwork he signed this morning. Did you pick up your transcripts yesterday from school?” Mary asks in her usual brusque tone.
“Yeah, they were ready when I turned in my textbooks.”
“Good. Are you all packed? When does your flight leave?”
Um, what? My eyebrows lower as I look over at Sue and Zander in question. Sue has a frown on her face. Zander closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Summer and I will talk about her plans to fly back with me, Mary. I told her we would decide that after we met.”
“CPS was expecting you to leave today now that the paperwork is signed. There’s really no reason to delay the trip. I’m here to escort Summer off the premises, as Sue is no longer her foster parent.”
I’m not ready. I’m not ready, I think to myself as I feel panic rise inside of me.
Sue grabs my hand and squeezes. “That is unnecessary, Mary. Summer is welcome to stay here until she’s ready to leave with Zander,” she responds in a calm voice, trying to keep tensions low.
“But she can’t. You’re not her responsibility anymore, Sue. She has no legal reason to stay. It would be highly inappropriate,” Mary bristles.
Zander is staring daggers at Mary across from me. “Mary, I am her legal guardian now, correct?”
“Well, yes, you are.”
“As her legal guardian, I am asking Sue if she can stay here for a few days as Sue’s friend.” Zander looks at Sue, raising his brows.
Sue catches on and smiles. “I’d love for Summer to stay with me for a few days.”
Zander smiles at her in return before winking at me. “I give permission for Summer to visit with Sue for a few days before we fly to Charleston. Any other issues, Mary?”
Mary looks between all of us around the table, tapping her fingers on the wood. “No, I don’t suppose there is,” she says, standing up. “My report will show a satisfactory resolution for everyone involved. Good luck, Summer,” she offers and briskly leaves.
We all look at each other, but I’m not sure what to say.
Zander sighs and rubs his hands down his face.
“I don’t care for that woman,” he mutters, then glances at me and Sue.
“I’m so sorry for showing up unannounced this morning.
Mary said you both knew we were stopping by after our meeting, so I didn’t bother texting.
Clearly, I shouldn’t have listened to her. ”
“It’s no problem, Zander,” Sue pats his hand. “You handled her beautifully. Now that all of that is finished, why don’t you give Zander a tour, sweetheart? I think I’ll finish up the fruit tart I started last night. Let’s celebrate being free from her.”
I look up at Sue in surprise. “Sue. I’ve never heard you say a bad word about Mary since I met you.”
“I didn’t feel I could express my opinion until now, as we had to interact with her as part of CPS. Now that she’s gone, good riddance!”
Zander chuckles. “I’d love to see the house if you’re willing, Summer,” Zander smiles at me, then looks over at Sue. “How long until that fruit tart is done? Mal was telling me how amazing your baking is yesterday.” He rubs his stomach. “I can’t wait to try some.”
“It won’t be long. Now, you two get going. I’ll holler when it’s ready.”
I get up from the table and look over at Zander, noticing he’s still in his wool coat. “Do you want to hang up your coat before I show you around?”
“No thanks. I haven’t been this cold since I was at West Point,” he shivers. “I think this cold front is going to turn me into a popsicle. There’s a reason I chose the South to retire in. I’m a wimp in cold weather,” he jokes.
I nod. “So, obviously, this is the kitchen and dining area.” I take him down the hall and point out Sue’s room, bathroom, and office. Next, we round the stairs to the living room.
“Ooh, a fireplace. Gimme a minute.” He runs over and places his hands out in front of the fire. “Ah, that’s nice.”
“You know it’s not actually cold in here, right?”
“Hey now, when you get so cold it settles in your bones, it never goes away, I swear,” he places his hand over his heart.
I smile and shake my head at him. “Well, whenever you’re ready, we can go upstairs.”
“Okay, okay, I think I can survive,” he winks.
We head upstairs, and I show him the spare room and bathroom, and then we stop at my room, and I start to feel nervous again, fidgeting.
He asks permission to enter, so I give him a nod.
He walks in and slowly turns around. “It’s a nice room, Summer.
Why are you nervous for me to see it? You seemed fine downstairs? ”
I look down at my feet as I wait by the door.
“I’m not sure. Maybe because it’s mine? I mean, there are few personal effects in here, but it’s where I live.
” Or maybe it’s because it’s not really personal, not like a normal teenager’s room should be.
It’s basically the same as when I moved in with Sue.
My clothes, backpack, and school stuff are as personal as it gets in there.
“I can understand that. But I promise you there’s nothing you could show me, or even say, that I will ever judge you on, okay?”
“Okay,” I mutter. How can he say that for sure when he doesn’t know me, though?
He comes back out into the hallway with me. “Want to watch some tv while we wait for the fruit tart?” Nodding at him, we head back down to the couch where Zander sits at the far end, giving me my space. “I know you guys watch the Food Network. Want to turn that on?”
I nod and grab the remote, finding the correct channel. Geez, things are awkward now. I messed up with my room and now I can’t communicate. I’m frustrated with myself. We sit quietly and watch Guy’s Grocery Games.
“I’ve never watched this network before. I assumed it was just people standing and cooking. This is great,” he says excitedly. “I love games.”
He really gets into the show, calling out to the contestants as they race around collecting ingredients, and he cheers when they find the secret ingredient. As the winning team races through the store, he chants “go go go” repeatedly.
Sue comes in to check on us and laughs when she sees Zander so invested in the winners.
“Oh man, they missed the last two ingredients. What a bummer,” he frowns. I’m sure he’s exaggerating his reactions to lighten the mood, which is greatly appreciated, but he might be a cheeseball.
“I’m going to have to order this channel when we get home, Summer. I’m afraid I don’t have it right now.”
Sue squeezes my shoulder, then comes around to sit between us on the couch. “The fruit tart needs 30 minutes in the fridge before we can eat it.”
Zander turns to face us. He observes me for a moment before concluding something, nodding his head. “Would it be alright if I talked to you ladies about a few things, or do you want to wait for another day?” He asks, looking between us.
Sue looks my way, raising a brow, leaving the decision up to me. “Is this a heavy conversation?” I ask.
“It’s not bad, but I’d like to discuss some decisions we need to make.”
“Can I video Sarah?”
“Of course, whatever you need, Summer.”
I jog upstairs and grab my laptop. Setting it on the coffee table, I dial Sarah. “Hi Summer.”
“Hey Sarah. Um, I’ve got Sue and Zander with me. Zander wanted to discuss some decisions we must make. I thought you could join the conversation?”
“I’d be happy to, Summer. Hi Sue. Hello Zander,” she calls out as I adjust the screen so she can hopefully see all of us. Both Zander and I slide closer to Sue to help.
I lean over to look at Zander. “Spring break in South Carolina is the week after next, which means you have two weeks before starting school. That provides some wiggle room for flights. I also wanted to invite Sue to fly down with us to Charleston when we leave,” he says.
“My treat. It’s entirely your choice, but I wanted to make the offer if that made things easier on everyone. ”
I look over at Sue, stunned. I was not expecting that at all. In fact, it never occurred to me. Sue looks thoughtful as she looks at me. “That’s very kind of you to offer, Zander.”
“Summer,” Sarah pulls my attention. “What do you think of that idea?”
I look down at my laptop. “Surprised. Honestly, I never considered it.”
“Do you think it would help you settle in Charleston if Sue were there with you? Or would it hinder your progress to move forward?”