He leans in, like he might kiss me good-bye. I want him to, but I sidestep him and tell Evan to buckle his seat belt. Cameron holds up his hand in a wave to both me and Evan, and then turns and walks back inside his house.
I get in the truck and let out a held breath before looking sideways at Evan. He’s happy, clutching his bag of treats, excited to get home to show our dad. I can’t tell him he’ll be leaving with Kathy. I can’t tell him that.
***
Kathy’s dark blue minivan is in the driveway, and as I park, I find her waiting on the front porch of my house. I wonder how long she’s been here. I wonder how pissed she is.
“Aunt Kathy!” Evan squeals when he sees her. I drop my eyes and turn off the engine to get out.
I walk around to Evan’s door, and before I even open it, Kathy’s rushing down the stairs toward us. I can only imagine how much she hates me for this.
As soon as he gets out, Evan runs to her. “Aunt Kathy,” he yells. “I got pancakes.”
“Hi, sweetie,” she says in her quiet, patient voice. I don’t want to look at her. I keep my palm on the handle of the car door, facing the street.
“And Cameron let me play pool and Kendra gave me books!”
“That’s wonderful. It sounds like you had fun.”
They grow quiet, but I keep my back to them, afraid to turn around.
“Savannah,” Kathy says. It isn’t mean, never in front of Evan, but it is a controlled anger. I take a breath and turn.
Her eyes sweep over me, her arm protectively around my brother’s shoulders. And even I have to admit it looks maternal. “Are you okay?” she asks calmly.
“Yes,” I lie.
“And your arm?” She nods her chin toward it.
“Broke my wrist.”
“Another fight?” she asks, her face registering disgust.
“No,” I say. “An accident.”
She stares at me for a long moment, not believing me, but maybe not caring enough to argue. I bite on the corner of my lip, my real fear bubbling up.
“Are you going to keep him away from me?” I whisper.
She blinks rapidly, declining to answer. She looks down at Evan and he hugs her as hard as he can. He loves her. I should be happy that he loves her because he deserves that—to love someone who can take care of him. But it hurts, like a glaring light on how I’ve failed him.
“Evan,” she says softly. “You’re going to stay at my house for a while, honey. Okay?”
“Okay. Can Savannah come too?” he asks.
Kathy’s lips thin. “No. She can’t,” she says. “Savannah has school.” Evan’s expression clouds, but I’m quick to reassure him.
“It’s fine,” I say. “Besides, I’ll see you soon.” It’s not true, but I can’t deal with truth right now. I’m not sure I’ll be able to breathe once Evan is gone. I’m barely holding it together now.
Kathy meets my gaze, and there’s a bit of pity in her eyes. She swallows hard and nudges Evan’s shoulder. “Say good-bye to Savannah,” she says quietly.
The words are a train wreck in my chest, but I fight it back. Evan comes over to stop in front of me, reaching into the small plastic bag he’s been holding. “I made you a present,” he says, and takes out a rolled-up paper. I worry that he senses it, that he senses this is the end. I nod toward it, unable to talk.
Evan unfolds the paper like it is a royal scroll and holds it up for me. I whimper for a second but choke it back.
It’s a house. A big, beautiful, pink house.
“That’s for me?” I ask, tears spilling over onto my cheeks.
