Abbi’s uptick in attention does make it hard to relax, to lean into taking it day by day. I just want to spend time one-on-one with Luke, but she’s always insisting on joining us. We have learned, though, that she has little patience for baseball, so we’ve been going to a lot of the Cape Cod Baseball League games. We cheer on the visiting players playing for Northport, who all know Luke and congratulate him on the high school team’s win.
He laughs it off, pretending it’s no big deal, and says he’s just happy Northport is getting the attention it deserves.
In my time alone, I’ve finished the first layer on my thirdapplication piece, the future me. Iris showed it to someone in the program and told me my chances of getting in are really high. I haven’t mentioned my new complications, though. I’m not sure if I’ll get to go, even if I do get in.
Maddy has been working overtime like crazy, but we’re going to try and meet up tomorrow. I’m not quite ready to go home and face the inquiries from Mom, Dad, and Abbi about how I’m feeling (tired but fine) and what I’ve been up to with Luke (none of their business).
“What are your friends up to tonight?” I ask Luke.
“I think they’re going to the later game out in Harwich.”
“More baseball?” I joke.
“Too much baseball?” He laughs.
“Maybe not too much, but more than I’m used to. I call picking the destination for our next date.”
As he merges carefully into the traffic going west, I spot the sign for Provincetown. “What about P-town? There have to be so many new galleries since I was there last. And this artist I follow on Instagram has some work up in a gallery that I’d love to see.”
“Remember that drag brunch when your dad got pulled up to the front and they made him dance?” Luke chuckles.
“Oh my god, I totally forgot about that. What a dork.”
“How did henotknow the moves to the Macarena?”
I shake my head as I laugh harder. “I have no idea. Abbi and I definitely went through a line dancing phase.”
“Do you think your parents will be okay with us going that far?” he asks, glancing over at me. “It’s a long drive, and it gets really backed up in the summer.”
“I’ll ask them.” I slide a little toward him on the bench seat and kiss him on the cheek. He takes one hand off the wheel and places it above my knee, drawing little circles with his thumb.
“Okay, if you’re sure you’re up for it.”
“I’m sure.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sera
Mom and Dad said yes to the Provincetown trip last night, but now over breakfast they’re second-guessing. Abbi surprises me by coming to the rescue.
“If you haven’t noticed,” she says, “Sera’s heart readings have been steady. I think doing more helps.” She fills my coffee mug to the allowed line and pushes it my way. Luke knocks on the sliding glass door and slips in as they discuss the length of leash I should be allowed.
“Morning, Luke,” Mom says, giving him a smile to let him know this isn’t his fault but also not his place to weigh in. He comes and stands next to me by the counter, and I lean against him. He slips his hand into the back pocket of my shorts, where no one can see. I pinch my lips together to keep my giggle in.
“I don’t know,” Dad says from his spot at the kitchen table. “You have an appointment in Boston soon. Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“I think that’s another reason why she should go,” Abbipushes, snapping open the binder with the records of my check-ins since the incident written in her careful hand. “Who knows what Dr.Lee might say then. What if we have to go back to Brookline?” Even though I’ve been okay since the night after the blood drive, my entire family has reverted to micromanaging me like they had to last summer. I needed it then. I don’t need it now.
“I guess that’s true,” Mom says before taking a slow sip of her tea.
“I can go with them if you want,” Abbi offers, “but Luke is really responsible, and he’ll know what to do if Sera feels off at all. Right?”
Luke nods. “Absolutely.”
“Sera also knows what to do when Sera feels off,” I mutter under my breath. Luke squeezes my hand.
“Okay, then,” Mom says, getting up and placing a kiss on the top of my head. “Come home if you’re feeling tired at all. But have fun.”
