Chapter 28 Elyse
ELYSE
I found Holly in the backyard the next morning, sitting cross-legged on one of the lounge chairs with Eden curled up beside her. She was staring at her phone, her brow furrowed in concentration. As I approached, she quickly locked the screen and set it face-down on her lap.
"Morning," I said, trying to keep my voice casual. "Sleep okay?"
Holly nodded, absently scratching behind Eden's ears. "Yeah, fine."
I sat on the edge of the adjacent lounge chair. "Uncle Drew's making pancakes. Your favorite, blueberry with that vanilla bean whipped cream."
"Cool," she said, but her enthusiasm seemed forced.
I took a deep breath. Drew and I had stayed up half the night discussing how to approach this conversation. We'd agreed that directness with kindness was the best approach.
"Holly," I began gently, "we noticed last night that your mom texted you."
Her shoulders tensed immediately. "You were spying on my phone?"
"No, sweetie. I just happened to see the name at the top of the screen when you checked it." I kept my voice even, non-accusatory. "We're not upset. We just want to make sure you're okay."
Holly looked down at Eden, avoiding my eyes. "It's no big deal. She texted a few days ago. I was planning on telling you, but it was only the once. I keep checking to see if she's replied."
Drew appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands on a dish towel. He caught my eye briefly before stepping out to join us, taking a seat at the foot of Holly's lounge chair.
"Pancakes are almost ready," he said, then added carefully, "Holly, your aunt and I aren't trying to invade your privacy. But we care about you, and we know your mom's... situation... can be complicated."
Holly picked at a loose thread on her shorts. "She says she's doing better. She found a place to stay nearby. She wants to see me."
My heart sank, but I kept my expression neutral. "That's... interesting. Did she mention where she's staying? Or if she's in a program?"
"Not exactly," Holly admitted. "But she sounds different this time. More together."
Drew and I exchanged a glance. We'd both heard this before—from Rachel, from my parents, from Holly herself. The cycle of hope and disappointment was all too familiar.
"Holly," Drew said, his voice gentle but firm, "we want you to have a relationship with your mom. We've never wanted to keep you from her. But we also want to protect you from getting hurt."
"I'm not a little kid," Holly protested, though her voice wavered slightly. "I know what she's like. I know she might still be... you know... using."
I moved to sit beside her, careful not to crowd her space. "It's not about your age, honey. It's about how addiction works. Your mom loves you, I know she does, but when she's using, she can make promises she can't keep. Say things she doesn't mean."
"Or mean things she shouldn't say," Drew added quietly.
Holly's eyes filled with tears. "So what am I supposed to do? Just ignore her? She's my mom."
"No," I said quickly. "That's not what we're saying at all. We just think maybe we should approach this carefully. Maybe start with supervised visits, or even phone calls with one of us around. Not to eavesdrop, but to be there for support."
"We're not asking you to shut her out," Drew clarified. "We're asking you to let us help you navigate this. As a family."
Holly wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "What if she's really trying this time? What if she's actually getting better? Don't I owe it to her to give her a chance?"
My heart broke for her. For the hope in her voice, for the loyalty she still felt toward Rachel despite everything. I remembered feeling the same way about my sister, time and time again.
"Of course you do," I said softly. "But you also owe yourself protection. And boundaries."
Drew reached over and gently squeezed Holly's knee. "What did she ask for specifically? In the text?"
Holly hesitated, then unlocked her phone and handed it to me. The message was brief.
Mom: Hey baby girl. Miss you so much. Got a new place and things are looking up. Want to see you this weekend. Can you meet me at the pier on Saturday? Don't tell your aunt.
The last sentence made my blood run cold, but Holly's response to her mother spoke volumes. She didn't hesitate to draw me and Drew into the meeting.
Holly's was the last text in the window. She was telling the truth. She'd been checking regularly to see if Rachel had responded.
I kept my expression neutral as I passed the phone to Drew.
"Holly," I said carefully, "when someone asks you to keep secrets from the people taking care of you, that's usually a red flag."
"I know that. She just knows you guys don't like her," Holly mumbled, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes.
"It's not about liking or not liking," Drew said, handing the phone back to Holly. "It's about trust. And right now, your mom needs to earn back everyone's trust... including yours."
Holly was quiet for a long moment, then asked in a small voice, "So what do I do? Just not respond next time?"
"You can respond," I said. "You can tell her the same thing you did this time. That you'd love to see her, but it would need to be with one of us present. If she's really doing better, she'll understand that boundary."
"And if she pushes back or gets angry," Drew added, "that tells you something important too."
Holly nodded slowly, processing. "What about the adoption? If she's back, does that mean...?"
I reached for her hand. "Nothing's changing unless you want it to, Holly. The adoption is about making official what we already feel. That you're our daughter in every way that matters. Your mom will always be your mom, but Drew and I want to be your parents too, if you'll have us."
"Even if my mom comes back?" Holly asked, her voice small.
"Even then," Drew assured her. "Families are complicated, kiddo. There's room for all of us in your life, as long as everyone is healthy and safe."
Holly wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "Okay. I'll just wait to see if she texts me back."
I squeezed her hand. "That's really brave, Holly. And really mature."
"And now," Drew said, standing up, "those pancakes aren't going to eat themselves. Who's hungry?"
Holly managed a small smile. "Me. Definitely me."
As we walked back into the house, Holly between us, I felt a mixture of pride and trepidation.
We'd navigated this conversation better than I'd feared, but I knew it was just the beginning.
Rachel's reappearance would complicate everything.
The adoption, Holly's emotional stability, our family's new normal.
But looking at Holly's face, still tearful but resolute, I knew we'd get through whatever came next. Together.