She continued shaking her head. “I’m so happy that we moved in there. This has been the best summer of my life. At first, I was just stoked because it was Nick Locke’s house and I love his podcast. And then, when we got there, I was freaking out because the house is a mansion right on the water. But after being there, meeting Bella and Naomi, and Nick and Parker, and Carmen and Jada, Kurt and being a part of their world, I don’t know, I just… I feel different. I know I’m only fifteen, but I feel wiser or something. I definitely know I’m not going to care if some guy doesn’t text me back.”
I knew that this new perspective might wane once she was actually interested in a guy; hearts were easily broken, but I felt lighter than I had in months as I sat on the bed with Callie.
“Anyway, I’ll let you sleep. I just wanted to say thank you, and I love you, and I’m so proud that you’re my mom.”
“I love you, too, baby girl. And I’m so proud that you’re my daughter.”
She hugged me once more before standing up. Before she left, she pulled the blackout curtains closed. I laid back down and wasn’t sure what I’d done to deserve her, but I was so grateful to have her.
I had just closed my eyes when the sound of my phone ringing on my nightstand sounded. With effort, I forced them back open and turned to grab my phone. When I did, I saw that the clock showed two hours had passed since I’d laid down. I also saw that it was Gary calling. I got instantly lightheaded as my heart sank and tears filled my eyes.
“Hey.” I sniffed as I answered the call.
“She’s gone.”
It was what I knew I was going to hear, but that didn’t make the reality of hearing it any easier.
