“There’s really no easy way to say this, Cooper. Your parents were found in their car behind the grocery store about an hour ago,” Officer Riley says. “They had overdosed.”
My breath catches in my throat.
“The paramedics did everything…”
The pounding in my ears drowns out his voice. A hand comes down on my shoulder, and I jump.
“Did you hear me, son?” Officer Riley asks gently.
“My…” I gasp and try again. “Are they… Did they…?” I can’t get the words out.
“I’m real sorry, Cooper…”
I stand abruptly, cutting Officer Riley off mid-sentence. I hear my name being called, but I don’t pay it any attention. I have one singular thought—Teddy. The walk to the science hall is a blur. One second, I’m leaving Mrs. Maxwell’s office. The next, I’m jerking the door of the chem lab open. I walk down three rows and past two tables. I can hear Mr. Ingram complaining in the background, but nothing matters.
Nothing until warmth wraps around me, and a familiar voice asks, “LB?” My knees give out, and I crumple to the floor. The tears I’ve been holding back spill over, and then I’m being swept up into a pair of arms that have always been safe. As I curl into his chest, I hear myself saying, “They’re gone, Teddy. I’m all alone. Why did they leave me alone?”
“You’re not alone, LB. I’m right here. Forever and always,” he says.
I still don’t know which hurt worse. The promise no fourteen-year-old should ever have to make, or how terribly wrong he turned out to be.
Everett - Age 14
Two Weeks Later
LB and I are cuddled up on the couch when the knock at the door comes. We haven’t been farther than three feet apart since the social worker told us that his uncle would be arriving today. We haven’t spent a single day apart since we met seven years ago. Now he’s moving four states away. Over 1,300 milesseparate Georgia from LB’s new home in Nebraska. I haven’t been able to breathe right for a week now, knowing that I was losing him.
Mom opens the front door, and in walks Mr. Greene. When his gaze lands on us, the iron grip LB has on me somehow manages to tighten even further as he buries his head in my neck. The small whimper that escapes him makes me glare at Mr. Greene. He’s probably a really nice guy, but right now, I hate him with everything in me. If he hadn’t come along, nobody would have ever contacted LB’s uncle, Silas. He would have just stayed here with us. We would have continued to be a family.
“Hey, Cooper,” Mr. Greene begins. “Your uncle got into town about an hour ago. He’s very excited to see you.”
LB shakes his head but otherwise doesn’t move. A small sigh escapes Mr. Greene that only makes my anger grow. How can he be irritated with a kid whose life he’s destroying?
“Look, I know this is difficult,” Mr. Greene says, scrubbing the back of his neck. “But like I said, your uncle really is excited, and he drove all this way. We really shouldn’t keep him waiting.”
“I don’t want to go. Uncle Silas and I don’t even know each other. Why do I have to go live with a stranger? I want to stay here, with Teddy—and Mom, of course.” LB throws a sheepish smile her way.
She gives him an indulgent smile, and Mr. Greene turns to face her. As they share a look, the brief moment of lightheartedness slips away. Mom takes a deep breath before moving over to the couch and sits on LB’s other side. She places a hand on his back, rubbing in small circles.
“I want you to know something, Coop. So I need you to listen and hear me. Can you do that for me?” Mom asks.
Hearing the seriousness in her voice, LB turns to give her his full attention. “Yes, ma’am,” he responds.
“This will always be your home. Everett and I will always be your family. We love you so much, and nothing will ever change that. However, the judge has decided that it would be best for you to be with a blood relative. As much as I want to keep you forever, we can’t ignore the judge’s order. You and Silas may not know each other very well now, but remember there was a time when you and Everett didn’t know each other at all. And look at the two of you now. You will get to know Silas and hopefully grow to love him. If you ever need anything, you know where home is, but right now, we have to do what is expected of us. Okay?”
“I love you too, Mom.” Tears are pouring down his face now. “I hate this. I’m scared. Everything is changing, and I don’t know how to be without Teddy. He’s a part of me,” he says, resting his hand on his chest. “But I know I have to do this. I just—I’m going to come home as soon as I can. I promise. So don’t let Teddy get a new best friend. Ground him if he tries!” I snort and squeeze him, forcing him to lean back into my hold. He shifts into a more comfortable position as he continues talking to Mom. “I love you guys so much. Y’all gave me love when nobody else did and showed me what a real family looks like. I just hope you don’t forget me, because I’ll never forget you. As soon as I turn eighteen, I’m coming home, if you’ll let me.”
“The second you turn eighteen, I’ll come get you myself,” I cut in. “Nobody will be forgetting you, LB. As if we even could. You’re kind of memorable.”
Cooper smiles at me like I hung the moon, then stands and faces Mr. Greene. I watch his spine stiffen. “Okay, sir, we can go now,” he says.
The two of them walk to the front door, where the two suitcases we meticulously packed sit. LB grabs their handles as Mr. Greene opens the door. I step up and give him a kiss on hisforehead, heart shattering inside my chest. They make it about halfway down the walkway before I panic and shout, “WAIT!”
“Everett,” Mr. Greene begins.
“No, please. Cooper forgot something in my room. It’s really important! I just need two minutes.” The confusion is clear to see on LB’s face, but he doesn’t call me out on my lie. I race down the hall, and my bedroom door slams into the wall as I barrel through. I say a mini prayer that there’s no hole as I scramble to grab the gift bag hiding on the top shelf of my closet. I sprint back towards the front door, part of me terrified that my best friend will already be gone.
When his face reappears in my line of sight, I slow to a more normal pace. My racing heart has nothing to do with exertion. Approaching LB, I hold the bag out to him as I scuff my shoe against the ground. It seemed like a decent enough gift when I got it, but now I’m not so sure.
