Chapter 75
She had to be home for when Mom left for work, but she couldn’t resist a detour to the school.
The kids were getting out, and Anna stayed on the other side of the street, half-hidden behind a tree, watching as Caroline bounced through the doors, her rolling weekend bag trundling behind her, her face glowing and excited, in a huddle with her new best friends.
Holly linked her arm in Callie’s and Anna could see her baby sister almost burst with the joy of it.
Goodbye, Adelaide. There’s a new girl in town.
Middle school dynamics were harsh, but Anna only cared about how Caroline was doing, and watching her wave goodbyes and laugh with other kids as the core four girls headed to Holly’s mom’s SUV, Anna was glad Caroline was on track to be one of the popular kids.
And she was going to be beautiful. No amount of sabotage from Anna could ever change that.
Seeing Caroline so happy as she disappeared into the car gave Anna a surprising quiet calm.
Maybe she’d see her again and maybe she wouldn’t, but whatever happened, Callie would be okay eventually.
She had too much natural sunshine to let any clouds, however dark, keep her in shadow too long, and she was tough. She’d make Mom see the sunshine too.
Anna was about to kick the scooter off when her phone buzzed. She thought it might be Todd apologizing for the other deputy, but it was Melissa messaging. You wanna do something tonight? I could come over?
Anna could think of nothing she’d like more than to drink and smoke with Melissa and pretend everything she believed was simply a crazy dream, but this wasn’t Melissa’s fight. No can do, she messaged back. I’m on Grandma duty.
I could come after she’s asleep?
Sorry, I’ve got a massive headache. I’m being lame. Tomorrow?
There was a pause. Maybe hurt feelings. Adult friendships weren’t so different from teenage ones.
Sure. Feel better.
Tomorrow. There would be a tomorrow. She kicked the scooter into action and rode through the honey heat. There had to be.