As soon as I was alone, I pressed the green dial button. I was ready to hear Piper admit this had all been a misunderstanding, but the sinking feeling in my gut told me that was likely not where this conversation was headed.
Piper picked up after two rings. As soon as I saw my sister’s face, the floodgates opened and I began to sob.
“Calla, no!” Piper exclaimed, already tearing up herself. “What happened? They said I wouldn’t hear from you for weeks.”
“So you know?” I cried. “You know everything?”
She bowed her head and slumped her shoulders. Her reaction told me everything I needed to know.
“How could you?”
“It’s for your own good!”
“No, it’s definitely not.” I swore when I got out of here, I was going to kill my sister.
“Yes, it is. You do nothing but mope around.”
I started to cry harder.
“You’ve lost all your friends, Calla. You spend all your time alone and you can’t even write anymore.”
“I have you and Mom.”
“And we aren’t enough. Do you know how much Mom worries about you? Did you know she turned down a vacation to Italy with her friends because she couldn’t fathom leaving you for a month?”
My heart cracked with guilt. She hadn’t told me about any trip.
“I never would have asked her to do that,” I said, the fight leaving me.
“You didn’t have to ask. She did it because she loves you. We both do. But that’s why we need you to move on. We need you to start living your life again.” Her voice was gentle now.
“I can’t.” My lips quivered.
“Calla, it’s been two years. You’re a shell of the person you used to be. You can’t live like this anymore.”
My head hung in defeat. I knew I had become a recluse, but I’d thought that was justified. I hadn’t realized I’d become a burden to the people I loved the most.
“Look,” her voice cracked. “We all loved Michael. I can never imagine what you went through—what you’re still going through.”
I wiped my cheeks, my heart thudding at the mention of him.
“But he never would have wanted this life for you, Cal. He’d want you to be happy. He’d want you to thrive. He’d want you to find love again.”
My shoulders sagged at her words. I could deny it all I wanted, but they were true. He wouldn’t want me to be so alone.
“I’m scared,” I finally admitted.
“I know you are. But it’s time to try.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I sat with her words for a few seconds before letting out a shaky breath. “For you,” I said. “And Mom. I’ll do it for both of you.”
“And Michael,” Piper added.
“And Michael,” I whispered.
“I love you, Calla. Be open, okay?”
“Love you too. I’ll try.” It was the best I could offer her as we said our tearful goodbyes.
