Speaking of Dad, he’s doing okay. Aunt Lucy told him that if he didn’t start going to therapy she would pull the plug on our monthly checks, so he’s been seeing someone. At least it gets him out of the house. He had an interview for a job at the bank but they chose someone else. He told me he was overqualified for it anyway. Anyway, I think me having a job will be great for our family. I’m leading by example! Also, it’s good for me to have a little space and something that I can call my own.
I’m enclosing $20 for you to use at the canteen with Matt. Maybe treat yourselves to some ice cream or frozen Snickers bars on one of these super hot days. Tell him I said hi and give him a big hug from me.
Oh! In other news, I’m trying to give up smoking. Your science fair project really had an impact on me! It’s no wonder you were the runner-up. It was very informative. Now that I know how very bad those Newport Lights are for my body, I’ve cut down to half a pack a day. I’m hoping that by the time you get home from camp I’ll be done with that bad habit!
I love you more than anything and hope you keep having fun in the sun!
Forever yours,
Mom
I heard from my mom four more times that summer. Her letters shared stories of all the neighborhood gossip, spread eagerly by the ladies she ran into at Pathmark. She sounded happy, and I was glad. Even though bagging groceries was about as entry-level as entry-level could get, I was proud of my mom for sticking it out and keeping her head up about it.
Every day, Matt and I chose mail duty as our assignment, spending hour after hour sifting and sorting through incoming envelopes. I waited and wondered, but by the last week of camp, it became obvious that I’d been searching for a response from my dad that would never arrive.
Chapter fifteen
Present
Istart spending so much time at Matt’s that I have to force myself to come home every so often to do mundane tasks, like laundry. Being home shifts everything; what once felt comfortable now feels weird to me. I’m like a stranger in my own space. Still, as Jess says, it’s never a good idea to get lost in a guy. You always have to maintain your own identity.
I mean, never mind the fact that we’re not together.
One Sunday afternoon, I’m making a meatloaf to bring over to Matt and Brett’s for dinner while a load of wash is in the dryer when my cell phone rings. Wiping my hands on a dish towel, I swipe at the screen with my pinky, answering it.
“Hello?”
“Hello, my niecey.”
“Ah, why hello, my auntie.” I smile at the familiar greeting.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m good. Just making a meatloaf.”
“Oh, that sounds nice. It’s a good day for a hot meal like that. It snowed three inches here just a little while ago.”
“Really? No snow here. Just windy out. So, what’s going on by you?”
“Nothing much. Just figured I’d give you a call to check in since it’s been a few weeks since I last spoke to you.”
“Has it?” I try to remember. “I guess, yeah.”
“How’s everything?”
“Good. Can’t complain. Actually, there’s been an interesting development in my life.”
“Oh?”
“Do you remember Matt Thompson?”
“Of course. He was the young man from your sleepaway camp, right?”
I smile. “Yes. Well, it’s quite the story. I found out not too long ago that he recently suffered a stroke.”
“Oh, Taylor. I’m so sorry to hear that. He’s so young.”
“Yeah, it’s sad. He has a daughter, too. She’s six years old. Brett. She’s adorable.”
