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I shake my head and bite the corner of my lip to fight back my tears. “Plans changed. It wasn’t necessarily what I expected, but this will be good.”
I wonder how long it will take me to say that over and over until I believe it. In the comfort of my brother’s best friend’s arms, a single tear falls down my cheek as I watch my dream burn to ash.
“I can’t believe you graduated today.” I press one hand against my heart while the other dramatically wipes a fake tear away. “Oh, you grow up so fast.”
I mean it; watching Haylee and Dani walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, I felt like I was watching a montage of their life. I know it hur
t both of them that this was a monumental moment, one of many more to come that Emmett missed. Would they ever get easier?
Dani shoves me as we walk out on the back deck at our parents’ house. “Whatever, asshole. This was you and Em, just last year.”
She pokes at my chest, and I laugh. Even in the darkness, I know that she’s rolling her eyes.
I’ve missed this playful side of my sister. It’s been over six months since she has been herself. Lately, though, she’s made more of an effort, so it’s a step in the right direction to having my sister back. She relaxes back on of the lounge chairs overlooking the pool, and I follow suit.
I look up at the night sky. Man, I’ve missed this too. You can’t get this type of view in the city. I turn to my sister.
“So, what’s next, sis?” I’m sad that she’s chosen to defer college a year and won’t be joining Haylee and me in the fall.
Dani lets out a long breath as if she were soaking up this moment. Her eyes meet mine, and she smiles. It doesn’t reach her eyes, but it’s still a smile, so I’ll take it.
“You know, I don’t know. I plan to spend this summer figuring out exactly what’s next. I’ve always had a plan, and well, now…” She looks away.
I quickly rise and join her on her chair, swatting at her leg to scoot over. She laughs, but the light of the moon reflects on her tears.
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her into my chest. “It’s okay not to have a plan. I’m more of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy.”
I feel the vibrations of her laugh against my chest; She buries her head further into my chest.
“I know. I just don’t know what I want my life to be now. It’s time I’ve figured it out. Time to start a new chapter in my life.” Her grip around me tightens, and I pull her closer.
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “I know it’s scary, but we’re all here for you to figure it out. I’m always here.”
“Can we just sit here and worry about it all tomorrow?”
“Yeah, Dani, we’ll worry about it tomorrow.” I lie here with my sister in my arms as I listen to her breathing evening out.
I am excited to see what her new plan will bring to her future. If there was one thing we learned from losing Em, it’s that life is short. We need to live every chance we get for him. I hate that she has spent the last six months not living and enjoying the one life we have.
“You sure you don’t want me to wait and ride with you?” I stand in my sister’s doorway while she hurries around her bedroom in her robe, her hair wrapped up in a towel.
“No, you ride with Mom and Dad. I’ll finish getting ready and meet you there soon.”
We’re meeting the Hanks at Boatyard, one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Annapolis to celebrate the girls graduating.
My parents stop in the hallway.
“Dani, you’re not ready yet?” My mom places her hands on her hips.
My sister grunts. It looks like a party in Dani’s room. I chuckle to myself.
“No, Mom, I’m running behind. I just told Zach that I would just meet you guys there.”
“Okay, sweetheart.” Mom steps up to Dani. “I’m so proud of you, Danielle Kathryn.”
Dani wraps her arms tightly around my mother’s waist. “If you guys never leave, I can’t get ready. So, unless you want to miss out on whatever today’s specials are and hang here, that’s cool with me.”
“The girl has a point.” Dad kisses her forehead.
