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I gently pull my hand from her. “I’m staying.”
Uncle briefly closes his eyes with a pained expression.
Aunt’s mouth opens and closes like a fish. “W-what?”
“I’ll stay with Dad.” I swallow. “I’ll call and visit. I promise.”
“Is that your final decision, pumpkin?” Uncle asks with a note of sadness.
I nod once.
He passes me my backpack. “Your phone and necessities are in here.”
“Thank you.”
“No. No, Elsie. Don’t do this.” Aunt grabs me by both my arms like a dying woman holding onto her last breath. “You can’t leave us.”
“I’m not leaving you, Aunt. I’ll visit.”
A sob catches in her throat as Uncle pulls her back.
I watch them as Uncle drags a numb Aunt towards his car. A tear threatens to fall free, but I seal it in. I won’t cry.
I will not cry.
Dad holds me to him by the shoulder and Knox — who has been watching the entire scene silently — smiles.
I smile back with so much internal peace.
Aunt and Uncle aren’t my only family.
8
Elsa
On Friday night, Dad takes us to a fundraiser held by one of his friends.
Oh, and it’s in London.
I’m not panicking or anything.
Scratch that, I’m totally panicking.
He told me that I could stay back in Birmingham if I wanted to, but it would make him happy if I stood by his side in his first official appearance.
I couldn’t refuse him. Truth is, I want to appear on my father’s side. I want the world to know I’m his daughter.
We have been separated for too long.
Knox is the most excited amongst us. He’s game for any party — his words, not mine. He’s wearing a stylish dark blue suit with rolled-up sleeves and a white T-shirt with Metallica’s logo on it.
When Dad told him he can’t attend a fundraiser at a duke’s house with that shirt, Knox rolled his eyes and buttoned his jacket.
I laughed so hard when he said, “You just insulted the die-hard metal fans. Happy, Dad?”
I swear Knox and Dad have the strangest, most entertaining interactions ever. They’re so different and yet, they’re in tune. Knox’s competitive streak about being Dad’s favourite is so entertaining, but can also be threatening sometimes.
If Eli didn’t die so young, I wonder if his relationship with Dad would’ve been the same as Knox’s.
