Something passes over me, but I quickly mask it with a smile. “For sure, J.”
She raises her eyebrow and opens her mouth, but I stop her before she can say anything.
Not today, we can’t ruin today.
“Did anyone make it for you?” I ask, but she shakes her head, her bedazzled cap catching some sunlight in the process, and this hug we share is entirely different.
“I mean, unless little Whiskers suddenly found a way to drive a car,” she says cheekily. The image of the all-black kitten she recently adopted driving a car causes me to laugh. I give her a side hug, silentlyaffirming thatI’mhere for her at least, and hoping she knows that the people in her life who have passed are extremely proud of her.
“Bianca, we need to go!” I hear, and see Mom waving excitedly at Jamie. Josh smiles at me while tapping his watch, and I nod. Turning toward Jamie, her brown eyes gleaming with understanding, I give her one last hug.
The giddiness hasn’t left my chest since I walked across the stage and switched the tassel on my cap. I open my diploma sleeve back up, eyeing my name in a bold font. As we drive home, Josh accidentally goes over a pothole, mumbling a hushed apology. I grab the door panel to steady my uneasy nerves, and a different sensation fills me. One of slight dread, where I need to shift my mind from diving back into those memories. I take deep breaths as Mom reaches her hand behind her, and I grab it, my fingers shaking slightly.
After a bit, my heart rate returns to normal. I squeeze her hand, leaning back and focusing on the scenery outside the window. When we first got here to Philadelphia, Mom and I went to live at my paternal grandma’s, being that Mom’s parents passed away long before I was born. It was hard starting in a new city, in a new school, but I eventually got used to it. However, after about eight months, she passed, and it hurt more than anything. Grandma was all I had left of Dad.
“Bianca.”
I wake from my slight daze, and Mom is turned around in her seat as we slow in front of a fancy mansion. More specifically, Josh’sex-wife’smansion. I blink harshly, almost as if I’m dreaming, and then an annoyance simmers lowly in me. Mom gives me a sympathetic smile as Josh moves to get out of the car.
“Olivia’s coming?” I ask curiously as he shuts the door, my eyes moving to pin Mom down with a look. “You know she doesn’t like me.” She rolls her eyes and waves her hand as if to say I’m being dramatic. Olivia’s become tolerant of Mom over time, but only just, and I don’t have the heart to tell her the truth since Mom wants to win her over. The few times Olivia and I have been in the sameroom, I’m either ignored completely or barely tolerated. I have no idea why, but after the first couple times, I’ve given up trying. Sighing, I look out the windshield to see her being spun around by Josh as he praises her for graduating after hersecond attemptat senior year.
“I’m sure that’s not true, hon. Besides, Josh’s wanting to take you two up to Beaumonte as a graduation present,” Mom says, and my eyebrows raise at the mention of the most expensive restaurant in the area. I finally nod, as that is a really nice thing regardless.
“Congratulations! What can I get you?” The waitress looks at me with kindness in her eyes, and a small huff comes from Olivia as she flicks a black curl behind her ear. A soft guilt forms in my stomach, but given I’m the one still wearing my graduation robe, it makes sense why the waitress made the assumption. We all quickly order our drinks, and thankfully, we’re able to place our dinner orders as well, and she nods before scurrying off.
Josh continues chatting with Olivia and Mom, when another person comes over with our drinks. My eyebrows raise at the service, but again, it’s the Beaumonte. A waiter crosses the dining hall with a dessert cart, the portions smaller than normal. I turn back to see Josh walking off to take a call, and smile as Olivia looks up from her phone in my direction, her brown eyes connecting with mine.
“Hi,” I say, waving a bit, while she nods plainly in my direction. I glance back down at my drink, embarrassment spreading through me. The waitress comes back while Josh is still away, and I gasp, surprised as a small cupcake is placed in front of me with a candle and a little note, causing me to look up at her.
“Could get fired, but here’s a little something on me.” She winks, and I pick up the note, seeing the words “Happy Graduation” on it. I mouth a thank you, and she nods slightly before walking off. Mom claps a little at the sweet gesture, giving me a thumbs-up.
Josh returns promptly as another waiter sets down his plate of food. Seeing it, he smiles and gently stops Mom from going for abite. She looks up, confused, before he grabs her hand and closes his eyes. Understanding dawns on her as she grabs my hand and Olivia gives me hers, reluctantly.
Opening his eyes, he says, “Kate, you won’t believe what Tony told me over the phone.” I perk up at the news. Olivia turns toward him like a puppy waiting for his next words, and he sits back, adjusting his tie. “We’re expanding, andIwill be in charge of our new office.” A smug smile overtakes his face.
Mom shrieks, and he looks over at her before she hugs him. Olivia and Mom crowd him with congratulations, and I offer some of my own. He thanks us before he scans the busy restaurant, seemingly looking for something. He catches the eye of someone and gives a small wave, then glances back at us with a certain look.
He clears his throat before placing his napkin over his lap. “I’m relocating to Los Angeles, Kate.”
Time stops. I swear, the breeze that’s continual in this place shuts off. Mom’s hand freezes on his outstretched arm. My fork clatters, and his eyes home in at the sound.
“Los Angeles,California?” Olivia asks, and I level her with a dry look. She turns and glares once she notices my expression, then returns her attention to Josh. “But that’s so far away,” she whines. Josh scooches closer to her while Mom moves to rub my hand as I stare in disbelief.
“I know. Though, you’ll be starting college soon. UPennwill definitely keep you busy,” he says, and even though I’m hurt once again by her college news, it’s nothing compared to the emotions Josh stirred up by bringing up Los Angeles.
Los Angeles . . .
That’s where I used to live.
That’s wherehelives.
Josh is glancing Mom’s way. “It’s also in a month’s time, and I really want you to come with me.” She gasps. “Kate, I know we’ve only been officially dating for a year, but I’ve known you longer than that. I see a future with you, and it starts with this move.” Her jawdrops open before she slides her gaze to me, and I look at her, trying not to betray anything that could sway her decision.
I know I may not wholeheartedly like Josh based on really unsubstantial things. Though, after years of hearing Mom yearn for love again, I would hate to be the reason she doesn’t take the jump.
She looks back at him, and I mentally prepare myself, as I know what she’ll say.
“Okay.”
