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“It’s okay, sweetie,” Mom says. “Shhhh, stop crying.” She takes me by the hand and leads me into my room where she gently pushes me toward the bed.
“Can you stay here for a few minutes?” Mom asks. “I’ll be right back.”
I look up at her in alarm. “God, Mom, please don’t tell Dad!”
Ramona shakes her head. “No, honey, that’s not what I’m going to do. Don’t worry. Just try to relax and I’ll be back soon.”
She leaves and closes the door behind her with a soft, muted click. I flop down on my bed and wipe my nose on my arm. I can’t believe that just a few hours ago, I was right here, plotting to leave home and live with Dane forever.
And now look what’s happened. I’m back at square one, except it’s even worse because I still can’t believe he kicked me out. When did this all go so wrong? When did he decide that I was no longer worth loving?
Or maybe he never loved me at all?
When my mother returns, she’s carrying a tray with two steaming mugs of tea and a plate of cinnamon buns. The sugary confections smell incredible and despite my sorrow, my stomach rumbles at the thought of comfort food.
“I thought you could use a snack,” Mom says quietly. She sets the tray down on my desk and passes me a mug of tea before settling down in the chair. “Tell me what happened, honey.”
I bite my lip and swallow hard. The tea feels good in my hands – the ceramic is soothing and warm, and I can feel that I’m finally starting to relax. But I still don’t think that talking to my mother about Dane is a good idea.
Especially considering what I know now.
“Thanks for the tea,” I say in a soft voice.
Mom nods. “Gina made the cinnamon roll dough last night. She was going to bake them this morning but when I saw that your bed was empty, I couldn’t sleep.” She pauses and I can tell there’s something else on her mind.
“You made these?”
Mom nodded.
I reach for the tray and take one. It’s warm and topped with gooey icing that smells incredible. After taking a huge bite and chewing, I smile at my mother. In all my years at home, I can’t remember the last time she baked.
“It’s really good,” I say.
“Gina did all the work, I just put them in the oven,” Mom replies modestly. She shifts uncomfortably in the chair. “Honey, I know about Trim Acres. Your father told me. You don’t have to go. I think you’re beautiful the way you are.”
“Is that why you brought me the cinnamon rolls?”
Mom flushes guiltily. “I just … well, I know I haven’t always been the most accepting of your size. But I just want you to be happy, and I don’t want to send you off to that horrible place if you don’t want to go. It isn’t fair to you.”
I bite my lip and nod, feeling relieved. At least there’s one less thing to worry about now.
“But I know something else is going on,” Mom says. This time, she sounds a little more confident of herself. “And I want you to tell me what it is. I’m worried about you, Em.”
I swallow nervously. “I … met someone, Mom.”
“A boy?” Mom asks, her face lighting up. “Like, someone from school? Emma, that’s wonderful news.”
For a moment, I think about lying. But I can’t lie to my mother – for one thing, she’d never believe me. And for another, I owe her the truth.
“No,” I say after a long pause. “I met someone. He lives out in the woods by himself, he’s a hermit. He used to…” I trail off nervously. “Well, it doesn’t matter. But I fell in love with him.”
Mom nods. But her face is pale and I can tell that she’s still concerned.
“And things were going so well, Mom, he’s so great – you have no idea. He’s smart and poised and he respects me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m a loser.”
My mother smiles. “That’s wonderful, honey, but—“
“He’s Dad’s mortal enemy,” I continue. “His name is Dane Lowe.”
“Emma!” Mom gasps. Her jaw drops and her already-pale face turns white as a sheet. “You can’t be serious!”
A fresh wave of tears comes to my eyes and I try blinking them away but it’s useless. Soon my face is covered with hot salt water and all I can do is sob.
“And he kicked me out when the truth came out,” I cry. “And Mom, I love him so much! It hurts so bad! I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
My mom is silent for a long moment.
“Please,” I beg. “Please help me figure out what to do. I can’t stay here – not with Dad! And Dane doesn’t want me.”
