Chapter 41
Murmurs wake me in the morning. I debate ignoring them, but my mind reminds me everyone is here.
Stretching my free arm above my head, I open my eyes.
Seb and Bay are still sleeping below us.
Tilting my head, I see the murmurs are Jake and Nick talking.
A second of panic fills me at Jake seeing me snuggled into Nick, but Jake smiles when I meet his eyes. “Hey sleeping beauty.”
“Morning, handsome.” Nick squeezes my hip and then slides out from under me, going to the bathroom. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Yeah, great. E is making breakfast. That Nick guy is quiet but cool. He said he’s met me every day this week. Is that true?”
“Yup. Shouldn't be much longer, and you’ll remember his face. You remember what I told you about him though, right?”
“Yes, you mother hen, just not his face.” Hitting him with my pillow, I sit up to stretch properly. Laughing, he asks me what we’re doing today.
“Sleeping,” comes a muffled voice from below. Smiling, I get up to take my turn in the bathroom. The guys hung a shower curtain across my shower to use this morning. Smart. I grab a quick shower and then dress, putting my hair up in a messy bun.
Entering the kitchen, I don’t see Jake, but Dad is up. “He is taking a shower in Z’s bathroom. I purchased a shower seat for him to use here,” Alex tells me.
This guy. “Thank you, that was very thoughtful.”
I grab a plate and fill it with fruit and waffles. Taking a seat beside Bay, I dig in while people talk around me.
Next week is the last week of school, which means exams for most, but seniors are not required to take final exams if they’re passing all their courses. All of us have chosen not to, so we’re sort of on vacation.
After everyone is awake and fed, the topic of work and plans comes up.
I’ve decided to get a head start on the Finn schedule, and I’ll be starting at the plantation soon.
Seb, E, and Nick want full time with Finn this summer.
Alex and Bay will be part time. Jake has three more physiotherapy appointments, and then he’s done.
Jake is also starting grade 11 on Monday with his tutor.
For today, we’ll be relaxing. E, Dad, and I bake some muffins. Seb and Bay are watching tv. Nick, Alex, and Jake are out back. I think Nick is assessing Jake’s strength.
We spend the rest of the day being vegetables. Food, movies, and tv.
That evening, I get a call from Sarah. Excusing myself to my bedroom, I get comfortable on the bed. “Hey Sarah. This is unusual. Is everything okay?”
“Just fine, Summer,” she smiles. “I need to talk to you about your therapy. As you know, I’m an adolescent therapist, and you just turned 18. This is usually the time we discuss next steps.”
“Oh. I never thought of that. Are you leaving me?” Crap, life was going so well. Sarah is like an extra limb I can’t live without.
“No, not right away. Over the next few months, we need to transition you to an adult therapist. I have several I think you would be happy with.”
Tears overflow my eyes. Losing Sarah. How do I do that? She’s my problem solver, my safety net, the Summer whisperer. “I…I’m overwhelmed at the idea, Sarah.”
“I understand, but think back. How often have you needed me this year?”
Going through my memories, I realize it’s rare that I’ve had to call her. We still talk every week, but it’s not problems we discuss, just life updates. Huh. “Well, you caught me there. Still, you are family, Sarah.”
“I appreciate that, Summer, truly, and I have a unique offer for you.” She gets a contemplative look in her eyes before fortifying herself.
Sitting straighter and taking a deep breath, she continues.
“I’ve been debating this for weeks. It’s very unusual and feels unprofessional, although it's not. Could you call your father to join us?”
Curious, I nod and yell for Dad. A minute later he’s at my door. “Hi darling. What do you need?” He smiles.
“Sarah wants you to join us,” I shrug, sliding over so he can sit beside me on the bed. Dad seems surprised but joins me.
“Hello Zander,” Sarah smiles. “If you can bear with me for a moment, I’d like to offer a new scenario to Summer.”
Dad nods, “Of course.”
“Summer, as you know, I’ve been meeting Zander for dinner monthly when he’s in Savannah. It has been strictly friendly, I assure you.”
Sarah seems nervous, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her unsure before. “I know.”
“Six months ago, he approached me, wanting to date.” Sarah now has a look of disapproval on her face, while Dad is grinning. “I said no, obviously, as you were my priority and it may have complicated your progression.”
“Worth a shot.” Dad is unrepentant, still smiling.
“Now that you will transition to a new therapist, I cannot deny my feelings for Zander. He has gotten under my skin despite my best efforts.”
Oh my gosh! Eeeee! I’m so happy for both of them! “That’s incredible. You have my permission to date, or whatever. Not that you need it, but yes. Sarah, what do you need to make this comfortable for you?”
“Well, transitioning to a new therapist will take time. Our professional relationship would need to finish before I agreed to date Zander.”
I interrupt. “Can I talk to you as a friend until I’m comfortable with someone new? You pointed out that I haven’t really needed your expertise in a while. We’ve just been talking, not solving problems.”
“Come on, beautiful,” Dad goads. “You’ll be in Summer’s life as a maternal figure, if I have my way, so you’ll be giving her advice and supporting her in that capacity. Just start now.”
Sarah looks exasperated, or maybe annoyed? I’m not sure. I’m used to sympathy, kindness, and understanding, not the spitfire she’s showing Dad right now. Oh, I think she’ll be a handful, and Dad will enjoy every minute of it. “I agree.”
Sarah sighs, and I laugh. “Are you sure you are comfortable stopping our sessions so abruptly, Summer? This is not how I normally do things.”
“As long as we can talk if I need to, I’m fine.
Promise.” Looking up at Dad, he couldn’t smile wider if he tried.
He’s the cat that got the canary. Despite my plan to live here for my first year of university, he needs someone in his life.
I don’t want him alone, and I think Sarah is perfect for him.
Sarah seems to think. “Summer, you are very special to me, regardless of who your father is, and I would very much like to stay in your life. You are an extraordinary young woman. Since I am flying up for your graduation, we can use that weekend as a trial run. Does everyone agree?”
“Sure, and I think you are exceptional as well, and I’m so happy you’ll still be in my life,” I smile at her.
“On one condition,” Dad says. “You stay here at the house, no hotel.”
“You can’t help yourself, can you? You just have to push.” Sarah looks aggravated, but her eyes are sparkling. “Fine, agreed, but I’ll be in the guest room.”
“Done,” Dad instantly accepts.
“Summer, I’ll forward a list of three therapists to your email, and my take on each person.
Please review the information when you have a moment and let me know which one you would like to talk to first, and I will be on the call with you.
When you are comfortable with one, I’ll send them a copy of your files to review, and we can proceed from there. ”
“Okay, Sarah, will do.”
“Good. I’ll see you on Friday unless you need me before then. Bye.”
Closing my laptop, I smile up at Dad. “So how long have you been crushing on Sarah?”
“Since our first dinner,” he admits. “I knew she would turn me down when I asked her out, but I wanted her to know I was interested. I’m shocked she brought it up today, but thrilled,” he grins.
Getting serious, he continues, “I, we, would never compromise your mental health to be together, darling. I hope you know that. I left the ball in her court after my declaration, hoping one day she would agree, but you come first.”
Hugging him, I tell him I know that. “You guys will be perfect for each other. I’m happy for both of you.”
Kissing the top of my head, he pulls back. “Thank you, darling. That means everything.” He excuses himself back to the living room.
I take a few minutes to let all these fresh revelations settle.
I’m giddy for Sarah and Dad. Not having her as a therapist is a colossal blow, but if she’s with Dad, I can still talk to her whenever.
I have a vague memory of her telling me she only worked with kids when we first met, but it slipped my mind. Seems like an excellent solution to me.