“Why don’t you stay?”
May shakes her head slightly and smiles. “I will next time.” Then she’s gone.
Before the girls get here, I quickly grab my phone and fire off a text to Nate.
Me
Can you please bring that letter over to mine tonight, once the girls have left?
I don’t have to wait long for bubbles to appear.
Nate
Of course, I will
Nate
I miss you
My smile stretches wide across my face.
Me
I miss you too xx *heart eyes emoji*
The doorbell rings, and my heart rate spikes, but then the unmistakable chatter and laughter from my girls reaches my ears, my shoulders relax, and I let out a breath.I need to get agrip.I walk to the door and see the silhouettes of my friends, but when I open it, I can’t help but feel a flood of emotion as Thea stands with them.
She offers me a small, awkward wave. “Hope I’m still invited.”
I let out a loud laugh, through sheer disbelief and relief that she’s here.
Emmy links her arm through Thea’s. “I’m looking forward to all the tales of a bratty Hayleigh.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, very funny. Come on in, I’ll give you the grand tour.” I step aside as my friends and sister walk through my door.
Suddenly, I’m hyper aware of everything that needs to be done here. Do they like it? Do they think I’m stupid for buying this place? Will Thea tell me I need to pack up and go back home with her?
Emmy’s head pops around the door frame, her brow cocked. “You do realise I can hear you thinking from in there?” She throws her thumb behind her. “We’re so proud of you. We love this home you have, and we’re here for you.” She holds out her hand, and I realise this is one of those moments that May talked about.
So I take my best friend's hand.
**********
I have not laughed the way I did tonight in a long time. It felt so freeing to let everything out and share all my worries with my friends. Daisy promised she would work through more meditation sessions, Lacey promised to kick Sylvia’s backside once she has the baby, and Emmy told me that we may not be sisters by blood, but we are by choice.
Then there’s Thea.
I stand back, as she says goodbye to my friends, embracing each of them as if she’s known them her whole life—Thea, who has never been one for hugs and kisses. Growing up, I was sojealous of the attention my mother and father would give her. The opportunities she had, and the way they were always so proud of her, but never of me.
Now I see it for what it truly was. She was trapped, as much as I was, only she didn’t have the guidance of her granddad, who told her to fight back and showed her there was another way. It’s another thing that’s been holding me back, the resentment in myself for failing her, for failing to take her away or stay and fight for her.
Tonight, she fit right in, like a puzzle piece that we never knew was missing. If only I could get her to stay.
She shuts the door behind our friends, and when she turns round, her smile drops, and so does my stomach because this feels like a goodbye I’m not ready for.
She rushes forward and throws her arms around me, holding me tight. I gently stroke the back of her hair as I whisper. “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to leave.”
