My wish to visit here as often as I can.
My wish for Sue to visit.
Sarah and I discuss our relationship as well. She assures me that nothing will change on our end. She’ll still be available whenever I need her.
“Ok Summer. With your permission, I’d like to forward your questions to Mary, who can send along your list to your father.That allows you to get answers as quickly as possible. Does that sound good?”
I take a deep breath in, slowly letting it out. I might be handling this better, but it’s still overwhelming. “Do it, Sarah. I’ll email you Mary’s list and Zander’s as soon as we hang up here.”
Sue squeezes my shoulder in comfort.
“Wonderful. You are doing really well, Summer. I’m proud of you. Remember, one moment at a time. Perhaps you and Sue can visit Mal and Jake today? It’s not your regular day, but that will allow you to get the information you need from Mal, and visiting Jake always helps you feel better.”
I glance over at Sue, who is already nodding. “That’s a splendid plan, Sarah, and we can bring Mal some cookies.”
I smile. These two women really mean the world to me. I wouldn’t be here without them.
After Sarah says goodbye, I go over to help Sue collect the mess from breakfast.
“I have this. You write your email to Sarah and grab a shower. We’ll head out after you’re finished.”
“Thanks, Sue.” Quickly typing out my two lists for Sarah, I grab my laptop and head upstairs to get ready.
In no time, we’re pulling up to the care facility. I start to fold and unfold the list for Mal I printed out before we left.
Sue pats my hand. “Everything will be alright, sweetheart. Mal will do anything for you and Jake. You know that.”
We enter the front door to find Mal behind the desk. “What a lovely surprise seeing you two today. How is everyone doing?” Mal says with a big smile on her face. She is wearing dark purple scrubs today with deer and trees printed on them.
“Hi Mal, I think those are my favorite scrubs yet,” I comment.
“Good morning, Mal. We brought homemade cookies for you.” Sue sets the plate on the counter.
“Now, I’d never turn down cookies from you, Sue. I swear you can bake anything,” Mal replies. “And thank you, Sugar, they’re new. Come on over and sign in for me so you can go see Jake.”
“Uh, before that, I wanted to talk to you about something, Mal,” I swallow, feeling a shiver run through my body. There’s no reason to be nervous. Mal has been awesome to me since the moment I met her. The stress is ignoring common sense right now, though.
Mal looks back and forth between us. “Of course, anything you need.”
I’m a coward. I feel overwhelmed again and turn to Sue for help. She gives me an understanding nod. “Mal, CPS is always looking to reunite families. Mary met with us on Thursday and told Summer she found her father.”
“My word, after all this time.” Mal touches her heart. I look up at her as my eyes well up. “Oh, Summer honey, you’re going to have a dad. That’s amazing news! I bet you’re worried about Jake and leaving us all, aren’t you?”
I nod as Sue hands me a tissue from her purse.
“Sugar, this is an opportunity for a fresh start in life. We don’t get many of those. To move on from the past. That’s exactly what you need. I often wished you could start anew somewhere away from here and all the reminders of everything that has happened.”
My eyes widen at that statement. “What?”
