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Chapter eighteen
It’s Still the Six of Us
Rae
“Begood.Anddon’tdo anything that I would have your asses for,” Katie says with a grin, looking us over. Then she pulls Miles into her arms. “I love you.”
“Ma…” he says. But I can tell he’s sad, too. Katie runs a tight ship, but she’s overflowing with love, too. He squeezes her tightly.
We’re standing in one of the campus parking lots saying goodbye to our parents. Most of them, anyway. Joel’s parents and Mackie’s mom left earlier today. Now it’s only Miles’s parents, Aaron’s parents, and Mom and Dad.
She whispers something to him in Korean, then he whispers something back.
“I love you, Ma,” he says before he lets her go.
“I love you, too. And the rest of you,” she says looking around at us. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go now,” she says to Andy as he pulls out of a hug from Miles.
They say goodbye and then it’s Cathy and Bob who step forward. They wish us all luck and then Cathy pulls me into her arms. “Thank you for caring for my little boy. I feel so much better knowing that you’re together.”
And the tears that I’ve been pressing down all day rush to my eyes.
“I’ll always take care of him,” I whisper to her. We share one last squeeze before she lets me go.
I know this is as hard for her as it is for my parents. Aaron is their only child, and they’ve always been very close.
Aaron and his dad share a warm hug and a laugh about something, then he pulls his mom into his arms.
“I’m gonna be okay, Mom. And so will you. You and Dad will have plenty of fun. And you can still call me when you have your coffee on Saturday mornings.”
She laughs and sniffles back tears. “I love you, honey. You have your whole life ahead of you and you’re going to do amazing. I’m proud of you, and… oh, I better stop now or I never will.”
She lets him out of her arms, but he kisses her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
She nods and gets in the car with Bob. They give us a wave as they drive away.
Then it’s down to my parents, and I can already feel myself losing it. But when I look over at Sarah, who is fighting tears, I’m done for.
I hug Dad while Sarah hugs Mom.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, honey. Don’t take anyone’s shit, and remember, the worst thing anyone can tell you is ‘no.’”
I smile at him. “The best advice you ever gave me,” I say with a laugh.
Mom kisses Sarah’s head and whispers something in her ear. Sarah nods. Then we switch.
“Momma… thank you. For everything. For being the one who always said you didn’t want more kids but collected all my friends and loved them as your own, anyway. For showing me how to love and live. You helped me become who I am. I love you.”
“Gosh, Rae. You’re gonna destroy me with those words. I love you, my baby.”
We hold each other tightly as I hear Sarah whisper to Dad, “Thank you for teaching me what love and family is. Thank you for seeing the best in me, even when I’m at my absolute worst. Thank you for choosing me every day. I wouldn’t be here without you, Daddy. I love you.”
I think we’re all crying at this point.
“Oh, honey,” Dad says, choking up. “I’ve loved you your whole life. I promise you that. And I always will. You and your sister are my heart, and I will always be here for you. I will always choose you, love you, and support you. Promise me you’ll always take responsibility for that love.”
“I promise,” Sarah whispers.
