Page 12 of Don’t Be A Stranger

Because there’s no way in hell that Freddie and Estelle Hollis hate Lily. She’s their entire world.

I continue. “I’m sure they just want you to have a good summer before heading out here.”

“I know.” She sighs, tugging on the fabric of her long sleeve shirt. “I just really wanted to see you and Summer.”

“We want to see you too. We’re starting to have Lily withdrawals.”

Her laugh catches me off guard. The sound has been rare these past few months. I’d probably argue that it’s been the past few years, but her hospital trips don’t seem to be helping any.

“Lily withdrawals?” She quirks her eyebrow.

“Yeah. It’s a serious problem, okay? Eight months without seeing you is getting me antsy over here.”

To prove my point, I pretend to scratch the skin on my neck, tugging on the collar of my polo.

I see movement from the corner of my eye and look over to see Summer sticking her head out from behind the building.

“Hey.” I find myself trying to sit up straight.

Summer waves and takes the spot on the floor next to me, but I notice the amount of space she makes sure to keep between us.

Her mouth opens to speak but whatever she was going to say is completely forgotten when she sees whose face is on my phone screen.

She gasps and rips the phone from my hands. “Hi, Lils! Don’t worry, your favorite person is now here.”

Lily waves back but it starts to get glitchy.

Damn it. I thought we were in the clear this time.

Summer pouts and stares at my phone as if it’s the culprit of the terrible service and not the fact that Lily is literally out at sea right now.

“We’re having a hard time hearing you, babe.” Summer raises her voice as if that’ll help.

Lily says something else and this time I can at least make out something along the lines of her not having a favorite.

Summer apparently hears what she wants because she smiles and says, “I’m going to take that as you agreeing with me.”

Lily’s response comes out staticky. Now her camera is following in pursuit.

“Lils?” I lean closer to Summer, only to get Lily’s attention, of course. “Do you want to just call us back later?”

I can make out just enough of Lily’s thumbs-up and little head nod before both Summer and I wave our goodbyes.

Summer hangs up the call and hands my phone back to me. “She looked like she was having fun.”

“Oh, yeah,” I respond sarcastically. “Tons. She was telling me about all the water activities she’s been doing.”

Summer flicks my forehead at the implication of Lily finally getting in the water and her not even being around to see it.

“I’m gonna get her in the pool one day,” Summer huffs, that determination of hers making an appearance.

“I mean you got pretty close that one time.”

The image of Summer ridiculously dancing around when Lily willingly sat at the edge of her grandparents’ pool just two summers ago takes over my mind. Lily had given a shy smile as Summer sang her heart out and made sure to let Lily know she was proud of her. Even if the water only went past her ankles.

Summer has been trying to help Lily get over her fear of water for years and I don’t think she’s stopping anytime soon.

“Is she okay, though?” Summer leans back against the wall, those dark eyes looking at me.