“According to Phoenix, pretty damn sure. She hasn’t said much about it, but I’m getting the feeling that this is not the first drop-off she’s done.”
“She probably burned way too many bridges and had to come to you,” Taryn said. She winced at her blunt words. “Sorry, I’m not trying to hurt your feelings.”
“I promise you won’t hurt my feelings. I have no delusions about the kind of person my sister is. She’s just genuinely not a nice person. I would never say these things in front of Phoenix, but I’m fairly sure she knows who her mother is. At the end of the day, she loves her because she’s her mom, just like I love her because she’s my sister. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to protect her anymore. The moment she left Phoenix and drove away was the moment Phoenix became my priority.”
“You’re going to give that girl an amazing chance and a better life,” Taryn said gently. “And we’re all going to help you.”
“You already have,” I promised. “Are you guys coming to tour the new lake house?”
“Of course,” Taryn promised. “I think the guys have dinner handled between all of them.”
Dani nodded in confirmation. “Oh, also, Cy made sure that his stylist got Phoenix hooked up. I tried to covertly take a picture of her. I blurred out her face, of course, but just so they had an idea of what her style is.”
Honestly, that was genius. There was no quicker way to lose a teenager than proving you didn’t understand them. I wanted Phoenix comfortable and confident as she navigated the unfamiliar.
Gathering up my things and shutting down my computer for the night, I went to collect Phoenix.
“Hey, are you good to go? We have a tour set up for a new place. Are you excited to see it?” I asked.
“You don’t have to do all this for me,” she said quietly. “I’m used to sleeping on couches, Aunt Bea.”
“Sure, I do. We can’t be squeezed into a one bedroom,” I argued.
“I’d much prefer honesty. Just be upfront with me the best you can, okay?” The depths of her warm, brown eyes were full of pain and I wished I could take it all away.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Truth?” I asked, looking her right in the eyes. She nodded, determined to face reality. “I called your mom to try to get some answers. She has yet to answer me. So, I gave her twenty-four hours to respond, or at least give me temporary guardianship so I can get you enrolled in school and to a doctor if you need it.”
“I’ll be behind.” Phoenix’s voice came out small.
“Has she not been keeping you enrolled?” I tried my best to keep the horror off of my face.
“She had me enrolled in some online classes, but it wasn’t a good program,” she admitted. “It was through my last district and severely underfunded. There was no supervision or new information.”
“Well, if we need to, we’ll catch you up. The school is small. There’s no denying that Willow Lake isn’t exactly a big city, but that also means your teachers might be more willing to help you if you’re willing to put in the work.”
“I’d like that,” Phoenix admitted. “I just don’t want you having to go all out for me like this.”
“Another truth,” I said, voice breaking. “It nearly killed me not being in your life. I just wanted to protect myself, and I know that’s selfish, and you deserved better from me. But I was young and not ready to be a mom, and I had spent years of our parents coddling her and me being the villain. Yet, I wasalwaysthe one cleaning up her messes.”
Phoenix sighed, running a hand through her cropped hair. “I know that feeling.”
“I’m sorry she made you grow up faster than she should have.”
“I wish I could say I was surprised that you’re nothing like she described. Her story was that you abandoned the family,”
“Of course it was,” I said with a sigh. “But it couldn’t be further from the truth. I didn’t want to abandon you and I didn’t do it willingly, either.”
“I understand,” Phoenix said. It was easy to see she meant it and that killed me, too.
Glancing at my watch, I let out a sigh. “Okay, let’s go see our new home. Your mom will get back to me.”
“I’m not so sure she will,” Phoenix said, still skeptical. “But either way, thanks for fighting for me.”
“Always, Phoenix,” I said with enough conviction that she froze. It took her a second before she managed to brush it off.
We walked back to the apartment to get the car and drive across town. I pointed out what few businesses Willow Lake had to offer. At least it was more now than it used to be.
