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I’m stunned into silence. Here I thought I was getting kicked out and instead Mr. Shaw is inviting me in—to his family, permanently.
Mr. Shaw pats me on the back and smiles at how Kat fawns over me. Henry stands and exits the room, a permanent storm cloud over his head. I don’t even know if I want to stay here, but I do know I have no options. We had no Plan B and never discussed what I’d do if something happened to Mom.
“Thank you, Mr. Shaw. I don’t know what to say,” I stammer.
Kat won’t stop hugging me, beaming up at me with eyes full of hope. If I stay, it will be for her. Kat feels like my only remaining family member on this earth.
“Say yes! You can continue your studies, stay in your same room, and accompany Kat to the beach, just as you’ve always done since you arrived here.”
“If you’re sure it’s okay, and if it’s what you want, Mr. Shaw?” I want to say something about Henry but can’t even broach the subject. It’s obvious he despises me, and I make his life miserable. Maybe Henry’s focus on me keeps him from despising his little sister, and if I can buffer her contact with him, then I’ll feel like I serve a purpose in this family.
“I’ve always wanted a son like you, Heath, brave and strong, a go-getter who’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves,” Mr. Shaw gushes.
I swallow and pray Henry isn’t listening, as this seems like a direct insult to his real son. Henry already resents me and doesn’t need any more reasons to lash out at me.
“Thank you,” I tell my mother’s former employer and accept his awkward hug. “I can try to pick up where my mother left off,” I tell Shaw.
The estate is now without its multi-tasking housekeeper who oversaw daily operations. Shaw allowing me to stay is likely his way of keeping the extra help without hiring new staff.
“Nonsense!” Shaw barks. “You’ll be my son and enjoy all the privileges that come with that title. Besides, Katelyn would never let me hear the end of it if I allowed you to leave Wainscott Hollow. Say you’ll stay and be an honorary member of the Shaw family.”
I nod and Kat leaps into my arms with renewed vigor.
The clouds are low and turbulent when we put Mom in the ground. A somber pastor presides over the grim ceremony, where the four of us huddle against the cold of the brewing storm. The lack of attendees only accentuates that Mom and I only had each other. Mr. Shaw and Kat are sympathetic, but how well did they know her? She was the friendly face who scrambled their eggs and folded their laundry. Peggy was my whole world. And now she’s gone, I truly feel like an orphan.
Rebecca Shaw’s gravestone is a few steps away, and I catch Kat glancing in that direction every time the wind blows or the sky rumbles. Henry didn’t come. It’s obvious he doesn’t care whether we live or die, and I’m certain there will be hell to pay as soon as I’m alone with him. But I know Kat wants me here, and I’ll do anything for her. She’s the only person left in this world I care about.
Kat drops a single blood-red rose onto the lowered casket, and Mr. Shaw grabs a handful of dirt and says a blessing as he throws it over the coffin. I stand and look into the hole as a single tear slides down my cheek.
I reluctantly close this chapter of my life, while another I didn’t ask for opens in front of me.
“Goodbye, Ma. I’ll love you forever and see you in heaven someday.”
I release my rose and follow it with a handful of dirt.
The ache inside me grows and expands like the wide-open Montauk sky.
Later that night, I run into Henry in the kitchen. He’s making a sandwich like I came in to do.
With Mom gone, there’s no one to make meals or ensure we’re all fed.
I turn on a dime when I see him, not up for his petty battles while I’m mourning my mom.
“He’ll get tired of you eventually, and you’ll be back out on the streets,” Henry tells me without turning around.
I retrace my steps to confront him and catch him licking yellow mustard off a steak knife. It’s important to stand my ground with this asshole, not let him see me cower because any sign of weakness is a way in for him.
“He kept you,” I say.
Henry’s glare is lethal. He hates that I have a camaraderie with his father lacking in their relationship, a natural ease when the two of them are combative at best.
“I’m his fucking blood! What are you? My sister’s little playdate. Cause Kat’s too crazy to have any real friends.” He smirks.
