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“Hello, sweetheart.”
I spin around to find Mom and Dad walking down the hallway. “What are you guys doing here?”
“When you called to cancel and told us about your neighbor, we were worried. We wanted to check on you and see how things were going,” Mom says, stopping in front of me. “I also brought you and Lizzie food. I figured you probably haven’t eaten all day.”
“We haven’t.” I stare at my mom in awe. Is this what I’ve been missing out on all these years? “Thank you.”
She shrugs like it’s not a big deal, and squeaks when I wrap her in a giant hug.
“How’s your neighbor?” Dad asks. “You said her name is Edna?”
“She’s good. They’re running some more tests. Hopefully, she’ll be out of here soon.”
“And then what?” Mom asks.
“I don’t know. She doesn’t have family. She only has Lizzie and me.”
Mom squeezes my hand. “She’s lucky to have both of you.”
“Will you guys stay for a little while?” I ask, not ready for them to leave. Dad was right, I’ve never really needed my parents—at least that’s what I used to tell myself. I know now how untrue that was. I need them, and having them here feels right.
“Absolutely.”
I hear the soft click of a door and turn around to see Lizzie come out of Edna’s room.
“Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, what are you guys doing here?” She hugs my mom and then my dad before returning to my side.
Mom’s eyes bounce between us before settling on Lizzie. “We wanted to be here for Aiden. And for you. We brought you food,” she says, nodding to the bag of sandwiches in my hand. “It’s not much, but it should hold you over for a while, and it’s got to be better than the food here.”
“Thank you so much. I’m starving.” Lizzie takes the bag and motions for us to follow her into the waiting room. “Edna’s out like a light, so this is perfect timing. I’m sorry we had to cancel our dinner plans tonight.”
“Don’t even think twice about it,” Mom says, sitting beside Lizzie on the small plastic couch. “This is where you need to be.”
Lizzie and mom duck their heads, talking about who knows what, and Dad stands next to me. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Yes, I’m great. Better now that we know Edna is going to be okay. And things with Lizzie, they’re good.”
“And work?”
I sigh and nod for Dad to follow me out of the room. “They offered me a promotion.”
“To what?”
“Head of the gaming division. It comes with a fancy office and an even fancier salary.”
“Aiden.” Dad’s face lights up as he yanks me into his arms. “That’s wonderful, son. Congratulations.”
“It isn’t wonderful.”
Dad frowns. “What do you mean? Why not?”
“This is awful timing, Dad. They want me to relocate.”
“To California?”
I nod. “I just got Lizzie, and now I’m supposed to…what? Just pack up and leave? I can’t.”
“Take her with you.”
