“But that?—”
“Oh myGod, Chloe, I’m trying to tell you that I got a job.”
I open my mouth to respond, then shut it again like a dumbfounded fish.
“Uh…what?”
“I got a job!” There’s an excitement in her tone that I haven’t heard in a long time, and I shift the phone to my other ear, gripping it tighter.
“When? How? I mean…holy shit.”
“I should have told you right away. I wanted to wait until the bonus officially dropped into my bank account…but I realize now how stressed you’ve probably been, and, well… I should have told you sooner. I’m sorry.”
“Oh my God, Kyla, a job! That’s incredible!” A swell of pride practically swallows me whole, and I choke back a sob. I had spent so many years feeling responsible for her. Taking care of her. And yes, part of that was my fault for not giving her the reins to her own life sooner. But I also saw her as incapable of being an adult. And I should have given her more credit. I should have believed in her. It would have probably made it easier to let go. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, sissy,” Kyla says with a sniffle, and it’s such a contrast to the last time she was crying on the phone to me, begging me to send her money as soon as I could. Now the tears are because she has been able to make things happen for herself—and she’s proud. “So, rent is covered for the next month, and… Well, we may not need to pay rent after that, depending on what you decide to do.”
“Me? Why?”
“The job is in Germany.”
My heart nearly stops beating. Well, that’s how it feels, at least. Because that is a bomb I was not expecting her to drop.
And yet, while Iwantto feel crushed that my sister and I won’t live in the same apartment anymore, let alone the same country, it’s also sort of…a relief. I’m proud of her, yes, and it’s bittersweet, knowing our relationship might change. But I also feel lighter, and excited—not just for her, but for myself. For what my life might look like, no longer feeling like I’m tied down and responsible for another person.
I suspect I’ll have some new feelings about that when I get home. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
“Where?”
“It’s that position at the European Space Agency I interviewed for over the winter. I thought for sure it was a lost cause by now, but they called last week. Offered a pretty big bonus, too!”
“I wish I could give you a big hug.”
“When you get back, we’ll celebrate. But I want to get back to your dilemma. Because now that you don’t have to fix our money problem, you could just get on a plane and come home. You don’t need this job. You don’t need to mend things with Molly. So, what do youwantto do?”
I’m quiet for a long while, thinking. Because Kyla’s right.
I don’t have to do anything. Molly is an adult who made a decision; I don’t have to live with her consequences. And I could quit before I’m fired. I could get a non-film job and get out of this industry for good. I could teach. Or I could go into communications, like my producer friend had.
But…none of that feels right. Not for me, but also not for the situation.
Leaving Molly to figure her shit out in the middle of Italy, and then potentially get sued for breach of contract? I couldn’t let that happen to her. Especially not after what I said to her at Mount Etna.
And I wasn’t going to let Glen down. I had agreed to fix my mistake, and I needed to follow through.
When I share these thoughts with Kyla, her response is warm and supportive.
“That’s fair. You’ve always done the right thing, Chloe. Even when it’s hard.Especiallywhen it’s hard,” she says, and I feel like I’m going to start crying again.
“Thanks, sissy. I have to go and?—”
“Wait,” Kyla interrupts. “Go fix things with Molly and your job. But can you also promise me you’ll find Nolan and apologize, too? This guy sounds like a walking green flag. And youdeservethat.”
My chest squeezes at the mention of Nolan, and I clench my eyes shut to keep the tears from spilling. I had been such an ass, the way I snapped at him.
“I panicked,” I croak, pushing the heels of my palms into my eyes to rub at them while balancing the phone between my ear and my shoulder. “And you’re right. About everything. Why haven’t I gone to you for advice sooner?”
She laughs. “Because I’m a ball of anxiety most of the time, and everything scares the shit out of me? Even this job, if I’m being honest. Shit, I’mterrified. But even being halfway across the world, I plan to be there for you when you need me. I’m going to be a better sister, I promise.”
