My father…
I can’t breathe.
Moving…
Dots start forming in my line of vision.
Sue…
I sway in my chair.
“Summer!” Someone yells as everything goes black.
“Summer sweetheart,” I hear Sue say. “Open your eyes for me now.”
I slowly blink my eyes open in a daze. There’s a cold cloth on my forehead, and Sue is leaning over me on the kitchen floor.
“There you go. Welcome back.”
The world spins for a second when I sit up. Why am I on the floor? What just happened…oh, shit. Mary wants me to move away.
“Easy now. Wait a minute before you get up, sweetheart.” Sue tucks my hair behind my right ear with worry lining her face.
“I’m okay,” I try to reassure her. Not really, but I’m not in danger of hyperventilating again, at least.
Sue helps me up and back into my chair, going to the fridge to grab orange juice and a glass. “Here, take a sip of this. It should help.” She sets the tall glass in front of me on the table.
While sipping the juice, I contemplate the information she told me. This is huge—a big change that I don’t like. I feel like life is kicking my ass again without being recovered from the last injury. Gazing at Mary and Sue, I confess, “I want to stay here. I don’t want any more upheaval in my life. I’ve had enough to last me several lifetimes.”
“It isn’t your choice, Summer, and even if it weren’t our policy to reunite families, there are extenuating circumstances.” Mary pointedly looks over at Sue.
“What extenuating circumstances?” What could possibly cause an issue with my living here? Sue and I get along great.
“Summer, remember when I went to see the doctor a few months ago?”
“Yeah, but you said everything was fine, Sue.” I can feel anxiety trying to ramp up again in my body, muscles tensing as my heart rate increases.
“I am fine, for now. But my doctor informed me I have early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Right now, I have few symptoms, but they will eventually worsen. When Mary told me she found yourfather and how excited he was to meet you, I told her of my prognosis.” She grabs my hands between hers as her eyes turn glassy. “I love you, sweetheart, and I have enjoyed having you here with me so much. You’ve given my life purpose and zest. I will always be here for you, and we’ll stay in touch. Every day if you want…”
I jump up from my chair, pulling my hands back. “No!” I shout. “Mary, I’m not leaving Sue when she’ll need someone to take care of her, and I’m not leaving Jake. I’m all he has left in this world,” I yell, vibrating with anger at this situation. “I won’t live with my father. I’ve never even met the man! I refuse. No more changes. I won’t lose anyone else I care about.” I run upstairs to my room, my breath puffing out of my lungs as if I’m running a marathon, slamming the door behind me.
The tears fall in a never ending torrent as I climb under the covers and pull them up over my head. It’s too much. I can’t take anymore. I refuse to let go of Jake and Sue, and I don’t want this. My heart feels like it’s being torn apart all over again.
Chapter 4
I wake up slowly after a fitful night of napping and tossing around, still under the covers, as the events from yesterday replay in my mind. I’m completely numb. During the night, my emotions became nonexistent.
There’s a knock at my door. “Summer, it’s me. I have some tea for you.” I hear the door open as Sue comes in. “Oh sweetheart. I’m so sorry. Will you come out and talk to me, please?” She asks. “Summer?”
I roll away from that voice towards the wall, taking the blankets with me.
“Okay, well, I’m going to leave your tea on the bedside table. I’ll come and check on you in a while,” she whispers.
I hear the click of the door and fall back asleep.
Sometime later, Sue comes back to my room. I’m now lying on my back, staring at the ceiling with my sheets and comforter tangled around my legs. I still feel numb. There’s just…nothing left. She takes a seat on the edge of my bed. “Sweetheart, I know that you’re upset, but you need to drink something for me, please.”
I hear the words, but…nothing. I stare at the ceiling as Sue leaves again.
