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“No. I’m not moving across the country for a man. I’m doing it because I know you’ve found your place. You’re home. And Luna grew at least an inch since the last time I saw her which was only a few months ago. I don’t want to miss her growing up. And I miss you. You’re all the family I have.”
I felt myself tearing up.
“Are you mad?”
“No. I’m not mad.” I wiped my tears. “I’m happy.”
“Good, because I lied. I’m not finishing my semester. I already transferred.”
“What?” I asked as there was a knock at the door.
“Answer your door.”
“Oh my god!” I rushed to the front of the house and flung the door open.
Ashley was standing on the other side. She had a carrier with Mr. Purrfect in one hand and an overnight bag in the other.
“Surprise!”
Just like the first time she’d shown up unannounced, I pulled her into my arms and began to bawl.
“Hey, are you okay?” she hugged me.
“I’m just so happy that you’re here!”
I was still holding her in my arms when my phone rang again. This time when I looked down, I saw that it was Richie’s mother calling.
“It’s Mrs. DiNardo,” I told my sister as she came inside.
“I’ll talk to her,” Ashley grabbed at the phone but I held out my hand.
“No.” Ashley had zero filter and this was a situation that definitely required a filter. I took a breath before pressing the green button. “Hello.”
I hadn’t heard anything from them or Richie since the night he broke in and I wondered if this was it, the call I’d been dreading that he was in jail, the hospital, or worse.
“Skylar,” Mrs. DiNardo sniffed and my hand covered my mouth as I braced myself to hear the words I’d been terrified to hear. “Skylar, thank you!”
Wait. Thank you?
“Wh…what?” I asked lowering my hand. “Thank you for what?”
“Put it on speaker,” Ashley stage-whispered as she let Mr. Purrfect out of his carrier.
I shook my head but she took the phone out of my hand and did it anyway. I was too confused to stop her.
“For everything you did for Richie,” she gushed as her voice came through the speaker. “You saved our boy!”
I looked at Ashley, not having any idea what she was talking about.
“I don’t know who Hank is, but please thank him for us.” Mr. DiNardo said. “Richie says he owes his life to him.”
“We talked to him today,” Mrs. DiNardo explained. “I guess it’s pretty strict where he is, so today was the first day he was allowed a call and, Skylar, he sounded so good.”
“He says it’s the first time he’s been sober in over five years,” Mr. DiNardo added. “Those other places he went for help were jokes, but this place is the real deal.”
“Thank you, Skylar. Thank you for not giving up on him.”
“Um…” I was speechless. “You’re welcome.”
