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“That’s great. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Even though the doctors were hopeful that he could regain feeling and control over his limbs, my dad seemed to be sure that this was his inevitable reality. I was determined to keep things positive for him. The mind controls the body more than we’d like to admit.
He turned his head to me again. “You don’t have to stay up with me. I know you’re tired from teaching dance for hours.”
I shook my head and leaned my head on his shoulder. “I’m happy to stay up with you. I like this time together.”
He rested his head on top of mine. “You’re a special one, Ivy. Thank you.”
Try as I might to enjoy the episode, my heavy eyelids fluttered shut. I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, Dad was nudging me awake. I jolted upright.
“Make it so!” I exclaimed. I blinked a few times, trying to remember what the episode was about. “I was watching, I promise.”
Dad laughed. “It’s okay, Ivy. You’re not fooling me.” He pointed at the wet spot on his shoulder. “I didn’t have the heart to wake you up, and you left your mark.”
I wiped my mouth quickly. My drooling habit struck again. “Ugh, gross. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry I had to wake you up, but I have to get back into my wheelchair.”
I nodded, awake and alert now. I got off the couch and helped my dad back into his chair. This was why I stayed up with him every night. Even though he said he was capable of getting in and out on his own, I lived here for a reason. I always worried that he’d be lying on the floor alone, needing help, while I was sleeping peacefully in my old room. We all slept better when I stayed here with him.
“Good night, Ivy. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He wheeled back to his room where my mom was (hopefully) sleeping soundly. I headed to my room, exhausted from the day, and fell asleep immediately.
A text message alert woke me up the next morning. Amy had no respect for early morning sleep.Getting on the plane now! Can’t wait to see you tonight!Amy and Lucas were planning on staying at my house for a couple weeks until they found their own place. They’d rented a storage space while they were in Georgia, and they didn’t exactly want to move in with Lucas’s former roommate, Nate, now that they were married.
Yes! We will have an epic reunion tonight!I texted back. My eyes drifted shut as I petted Waffles, the gray cat that came with me to my parents’ house. It was only seven-thirty, which was way too early for me. My phone buzzed again. I flopped my head over, expecting a message from Amy, but got one from her brother instead. My heart started racing immediately.
Good morning. Hope you have a wonderful day today.
I pressed the phone to my chest and smiled. That was a good thought to wake up to. Scott was not a man of many words, but the fact that he thought of me and wanted to send me a message sent butterflies racing through my belly.
I sent a smiley face back to him, but before I could type any more words, a rambunctious seven-year-old barreled into my room.
“Wake up, Ivy!” Katy bounced on my bed.
I groaned. “How many times have we talked about this? I need my beauty sleep.” I pulled the covers back over my head, and Katy and I engaged in a tug-of-war fight for the blankets. A moment later, Katy stopped pulling. I relaxed back into my bed, half wondering why she had given up the fight, but too tired to care.
Her voice jolted me awake. “The Prince? Who is that?”
Of all the texts to have open.“No one!” I exploded out of the blankets and grabbed my phone out of her hand.
“Yuck. I hope it’s not a boy.” She still thought boys had cooties. Gotta love that age.
“Never, Katy. I never text boys.” I glanced upwards for the bolt of lightning that was sure to strike me for that lie.
“Well, good. Let’s go have breakfast. Amy’s coming home today!” Katy bounced off of my bed and out of the room.
With a sigh, I pulled off the covers and got out of bed. I shuffled down the hall in my pajamas and slippers. It may have been August, but my feet were always freezing cold. The smell of coffee, homemade cinnamon rolls, and bacon greeted me in the kitchen. Katy was already curled up on the couch watching her favorite show, Bluey.
“Hey, Mom,” I said. She stood at the stove, manning the bacon. Or maybe it was “womanning.” Either way, she was handling the most important part of breakfast. Her long brown hair was tied up in a messy bun at the top of her head.
“What are you doing up so early?” she asked, her brown eyes narrowing in confusion. How Katy and I had ended up with my dad’s features always confused me, but our sisters in between us, Hazel and Luna, had Mom’s dark hair and dark eyes.
“First Amy texted me, then Katy barged in.” I rubbed my eyes in exhaustion.
She laughed. “Sorry, my love. Maybe the coffee will help you wake up.”
I opened the cabinet and pulled out my favorite mug, bright purple with the phrase “Feel the Rhythm.” It was giant, just the right size for a morning like this when I needed extra caffeine to function.
“Are you excited to see Amy?” my mom asked.
