Hanna paused before answering. “No. I don’t think I need him to, but I would like him to. Chang’e deserves our line to recognize its roots.” I nodded. “I don’t know how to go about speaking with him about it.”
“I don’t think that is something you have to worry about right this second. And maybe you could find the immigration records, or something like that.” Wendy smiled, and I agreed.
“Wendy is right. You are focused on the wrong thing. How do you feel about everything?” I pushed her to focus on herself for a minute. “Push aside what anyone else might think about these revelations. Just how are you feeling?”
Hanna took a deep breath. “Vindicated.”
I tilted my head. “Why?”
“Because my father was so obsessed about being descended from Tsukiyomi that it became relentless. I told my father that we couldn’t focus solely on Tsukiyomi. We had to stop relying on a Goddess that had turned her back on us. But now…I realized I was right, but for another reason. He was focused on the wrong goddess.” She sighed. “Vindication was probably the wrong word, but I’m tired.”
Wendy yawned. “I’m exhausted.” She looked over at me. “But I am honestly blown away. I never thought I descended from any God or Goddess, but to learn that my family were probably vikings. That’s cool.”
Micca turned to her. “Vikings? How do you know?”
“Máni, he is a Norse god.” Wendy smiled. “I chose to do a report on the Norse pantheon when I was a child.”
Micca sat back. “So you didn’t have to be told?” Wendy shook her head. “That’s good, but also a little upsetting.”
“Why?” Wendy chuckled.
“Cause you already know about your god. I’m clueless about mine.” Micca crossed her arms.
Toya laughed. “Typical.”
“What?” Micca pouted more. “What’s so freaking typical?” She tossed her arms up.
“You get bratty and whiny when you’re tired.” I pointed out, and everyone else nodded. She opened her mouth and then stopped to think about it. She just ended up nodding and sighing.
“You’re right.” She yawned and rubbed her eyes.
“But.” I pushed myself to my feet. “It’s time to turn in. We have to get up early in the morning and we have to plan our next steps.” Everyone else stood as well. “Goodnight.”
“Night Amy.” We all trudged up the stairs. I stopped off and checked on Carly. She was huddled in the middle of her bed sound asleep. I wanted to hold her, but after everything, I barely knew her and I didn’t want her to be afraid of me. So I closed her door with a soft click before heading to my room. I listened to the soft click of the other doors as I made it to the bed and slid inside of it.
Today had been way too much. So much happened that my battery had completely run dry. How was I going to take care of a child? How was I supposed to be here and there at the same time? I groaned as I thought about home. I wanted to be with my mother, but having to face Morgan and Shannon was going to be hell.
But that was tomorrow’s issue.
Chapter Sixteen
My alarm was screaming at me, and I rolled over with a groan. “Please Goddess. Let me sleep.” I cracked open my eyes. Then, like clockwork, groans from my friends carried down the hallway.. I heard a distant ‘please Goddess no’ and that made me laugh.
There was a soft knock, and I called out. “Yeah?” Thinking it was Toya, I stood and stretched. I turned to the door to find a small face staring up at me and I hurried over. “Hey Carly.” I pulled the door wide and crouched down. “Good morning.”
She stared at me for a few minutes and I could see tears gathering in her eyes. “Can…” she trailed off and rubbed her nose on her sleeve.
I reached for her. “What’s wrong?”
She bit at her lip for a minute. “Can you help me pick out my clothes?”
I smiled softly. “Of course I can.” I didn’t realize she needed help with this still. I was out of my depth.
Almost as if she read my mind, she sniffled again. “I normally pick my clothes, but.” She stopped and wiped her eyes.
“But what, baby?” I pulled her closer to me. She resisted for a minute before she relaxed against me.
“I wanna look my best to say goodbye to daddy.” She wiped her eyes again. “So, can you help me?”
