I don’t say anything as I forcefully shut the door behind me.
My room has always been my sanctuary. The yellow pineapple lamp Lin bought for me sits on my IKEA nightstand. Strands of twinkle lights zigzag across my ceiling. It’d taken two hours and three extension cords to make it happen, but the result makes it look like a starry night. My yellow throw rug, aside from all the nail polish stains, matches the little yellow pineapple trinkets I have lined up on the shelf above my desk.
My pineapple obsession has been a reputable part of me ever since I was younger. It was usually Whitney, Raegan, and Lin who gave me pineapple-themed presents for Christmas. Aside from my lamp, I also owned three pineapple candles, two golden pineapple bookends, a knitted pineapple tissue holder, and a pineapple-shaped clock radio.
I leave my suitcases in the middle of my room and flop face-first into my bed. It smells like home—like my coconut lotion and clean linens and a little bit like the warm, dewy evening. I think of Grams’s room being invaded by strangers and try not to cry.
I hear my phone buzzing excessively in my purse. I completely forgot about the group message I’d sent Lin, Whitney, and Raegan. Aside from my room, they’re the next closest comfort to me right now. I dive into my bag and retrieve it.
LIN: ARE YOU REALLY BACK IN CEDARVILLE?
WHITNEY: i had no idea you were coming home
RAEGAN: so happy, love!!!! xoxo
LIN: SUPER happy! Omg. It’s been forever. Can I see you?
WHITNEY: are you coming back to school
LIN: Well duh, Whit. It’s not like she’s dropped out.
RAEGAN: i could use more help with Leadership Council stuff!
LIN: BFF REUNION. LET’S GET MILKSHAKES.
WHITNEY: nothing is open now!
RAEGAN: love ya, K. so excited to see you tomorrow!!
LIN: I’m coming over now then!
Frantic, I type a quick reply to all three. I tell Lin not to come over, that I’m exhausted and I’ll see her at school tomorrow. She sends back a frowny emoji, but disappointing Lin is the least of my worries. Because a small town like Cedarville loves gossip. And my life feels like it’s spiraled enough to make headlines.
My cell phone rings.
I expect to see Lin’s name appear across the screen, but it’s not her. Instead, I read:MARGARET—SOCIAL WORKER.I freeze, debating whether I should answer, but quickly decide it would probably be a good idea.
“Hi, Margaret.”
“Kira, hello!” Her voice is chipper. “I’m so sorry to call so late, but I figured you must be home by now.”
“No, it’s okay. And you’re right. I’m home.” I glance around my room, feeling the comfort of being in a space that’s so purelymine.
“Listen,” she says, adopting a more serious tone. “I just wanted to check in and say that if you sense that there’s anything unusual about your father’s behavior, don’t hesitate to call me, all right?”
She continues talking, but my brain zeros in on those words: unusual behavior. I wouldn’t call my homecoming usual, exactly, what with three alcoholic strangers staying here for the foreseeable future. But that’s not what she means.
Is it?
“—we’d rather your dad continue getting help and have you with your Aunt June if things escalate again.”
I try and stop the uncertain thoughts spinning through me. “I understand.”
“Excellent. If you need anything, I’m just a phone call away.”
“Thanks, really,” I say more confidently than I feel.
Once we hang up, I stare down at my phone. Calling Aunt June to tell her everything seemed like a good idea before, but now I’m not sure. If June tells Margaret about this living situation, or worse, if Margaret decides to schedule a check-in and finds out, there’s no question about it. Because my mom is out of the picture, I have no other choice. I’d have to go back to Portland. And that’s not what I want. Now that I’ve texted my friends, I realize just how much I’m looking forward to seeing them. If I want to stay in Cedarville—if I want myoldlife with my dad again—then the answer is easy. I can’t let anyone find out these people are staying here.
