By the time they pulled back into Rolani’s driveway, the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Spirit had left an hour ago, claiming she had unpacking to do butreally needing space to process seeing Monshay after all these years.
Monroe had been quiet since they got home, retreating to her room to finish homework while Kennedi started dinner. Now, as night settled in and the house grew darker, Kennedi could hear Monroe’s footsteps padding down the hallway.
She appeared in the kitchen doorway, still in her school clothes, backpack abandoned somewhere upstairs.
“Hey, Roe.” Kennedi looked up from the stove. “You hungry? I’m making spaghetti.”
“Not really.” Monroe slid onto one of the barstools at the island, fingers tracing patterns on the marble countertop. “Can we talk?”
Kennedi turned the heat down and faced her fully. “Of course. What’s up?”
Monroe was quiet for a moment, then, “Are you gonna tell Uncle Ro what happened today?”
There it was. The question Kennedi had been waiting for all evening.
She moved around the island and sat on the stool next to Monroe, turning so they were face to face. “Do you want me to tell him?”
“I don’t know.” Monroe’s voice was small. “He’s gonna be so mad. Like, really mad. And he’s already dealing with so much.”
“Monroe, look at me.” Kennedi waited until the girl’s eyes met hers. “Your uncle loves you more than anything in this world. You are not a burden to him. Ever. You understand?”
Monroe nodded, but her eyes were glassy.
“What happened today wasn’t your fault,” Kennedi continued. “Your mom showing up at your school, making a scene—that’s on her. Not you.”
“I wish she would leave me alone. I miss Daddy and Granny too.”
Kennedi pulled her into her arms. “I know, baby. You got a lot going on. A lot of big girl emotions. We’re going to get through this together.”
“So that means you’re sticking around?” Monroe asked, hope glittering in her eyes.
“I hope so. Your big-head cousin is coming soon, so yeah, I think I’ll stick around.”
Monroe was quiet again, processing. Then, softer, “Do you think she meant it? About getting clean?”
Kennedi considered the question carefully. This was the hard part—navigating hope and reality with a kid who’d been let down too many times already.
“I think...” Kennedi chose her words carefully. “I think your mom probably believes she means it when she says it. Addiction is an illness. So wanting to get clean and actually doing the work to get clean are two different things.”
“So probably not.”
“I don’t know, baby girl. I hope so. For your sake, I hope she gets it together one day.” Kennedi paused. “But you can’t wait around for that to happen. You’ve got to accept who she is right now. If not, you’ll set yourself up for disappointment.”
Monroe nodded, tears spilling over now. “I wish she was normal, you know? Like, why can’t she be a regular mom?”
Kennedi hugged her tighter, and Monroe collapsed against her, shoulders shaking. “I know. I’m so sorry, Roe. I’m so sorry.”
They stayed like that for a while, Monroe crying into Kennedi’s shoulder while Kennedi rubbed her back and let her get it all out. When Monroe finally pulled away, her eyes were red, but she looked lighter somehow.
Truthfully, Kennedi didn’t want to tell Rolani, but she was sure he already knew. He’d threatened the school last time, and he’d put the fear of God in them. Someone had probably called him the second Monshay stepped foot on campus.
Little LA started moving, a flutter that grew into a distinct kick. Monroe’s eyes widened.
“He’s moving!”
“Yeah, he’s been active all day.” Kennedi took Monroe’s hand and placed it on her belly. “Feel that?”
Monroe’s whole face lit up as another kick landed right under her palm. “Oh my God, that’s so cool! Does it hurt?”
