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It makes me so happy to see the relationship he has with her. I was so worried us moving away would affect her badly, but she wouldn't hear of us not going. She was all for us following our dreams. And about four months ago, Brandon managed to get her on a new drug trial, and so far, it's working.
I fiddle with my star pendant as I look for the next box to unpack. Brandon took it to the jeweler and had the chain mended for me, saying I could wear it for luck for my new job. Not that I think I'm going to need it. Something about this job just feels so right for me, but the gesture was so sweet.
I find the box with all my picture frames, and one by one I place them on my dressing table. There is one from our little staff room on our last day, Brandon, Miles, Scarlet and me so elated that the Scorpions had won the season for the first time in years. It's going to mean Miles has some pretty big shoes to fill now that he’s taking over from Brandon as coach. But I'm sure he can do it.
Palm Springs High is going to have lots of changes when they return back from summer break. The dance department has a replacement for me. Scarlet was sad to see me leave. We achieved so much together in just one year, but she's found a new dance teacher who is just as promising, so I'm sure she will be able to achieve all the goals we had in our five-year plan. I still feel a little guilty for leaving her, but I know this is what's best for me.
And the biggest change I guess is the principal. Scarlet's boyfriend, Joe, our school’s old English teacher, has been handed the job. And as for Jerry, apparently, he turned up at a Palm Springs police station three days after he so suddenly disappeared after the football match. I'm told he was very apologetic and confessed to embezzling millions from the school in the time he served as principal, all to cover his gambling debts. He has been charged and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Less than what he deserved, but it's something.
The last photo I find is of my family, all of us from the party Mom held last week. She gave this to me yesterday, so I don't forget her and the rest of them. As if I could. She has taken my leaving the hardest of everyone, but she's happy for me at the same time, just worried I will be so far away. She threw an over-catered going-away party for me last week and invited Brandon. Things had been easing off as my entire family got used to the idea that I wasn't the baby who needed protecting anymore, but the party was the first official time he and my dad talked to each other. I know things are never going to be perfect between them, but if they can at least pretend to get along, then it certainly makes life easier for me.
My phone rings in my pocket, and I take it out, seeing Amelia’s name flashing on the screen. “Hey, Sis." I hold the phone between my shoulder and ear so I can continue unpacking my clothes while we catch up.
"Hey." She sighs heavily like it's been a long day. She has been so much more open with me since she told me about her business relationship with Brandon and how she wasn't coping. It's brought us so much closer together. "Calling to check in. Did all your stuff arrive okay?"
"Yes, we’re just getting the apartment set up. I'm still pinching myself. I can't believe I'm actually here." She must be able to feel my excitement because I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face since I stood out front of the three-story brownstone apartment, with vines growing up the walls, just like you would see in a movie. It's perfection.
"When do you start your new job?"
"Monday, and I can't wait."
"Great news." She says the words like I'm telling her I'm going to a funeral. She sounds flat.
"Amelia, is everything alright? You sound strange." I stop unpacking and take a seat on my bed so I can focus on her.
There's a long pause. "I'm sitting in the hospital with Connor."
I feel sick for her instantly. Neither of her kids has ever been to the hospital before. She must be panicking. "Oh my God, why didn't you lead with that? Here I am jabbering on about my move. What happened?"
"He had an accident at the skate park. It was a pretty bad fall, but he’ll be okay." Why don't I believe her? She sounds close to tears.
"Alright, then why do you sound so rattled?"
I hear her suck in a deep breath. "I don't think I can even say it out loud," she mutters, her voice almost a whisper.
I sit up a bit taller. "What's going on?"
"They did some blood test just in case he needed an infusion from the loss of blood."
Now I'm really panicking, my little nephew has to be alright. "Okay, he's not sick or something?"
"No, he’s fine. Once his break heals, he’ll be okay." She pauses like she can't find the words. "His blood type, it showed... there is no way he could be Declan's son."
Declan’s her ex-husband. She was with him since just after high school. How is that even possible? "What?"
"Biologically he can't be his."
I don't like to ask my sister this because I don't think it's something she would ever do, but I don't see how else this could’ve happened. "Did you cheat on him or something?"
"Oh my God, that's what everyone is going to think, that I'm some slut who cheated on her husband." I hear the panic in her voice. She sounds like she is going to hyperventilate.
I'm making this worse after she called me for help. "So, I take that as a no. Is anyone there with you? I don't think you should be alone right now."
"Mom and Jasmine are on their way."
"Okay, you need to just calm down, alright? Take some deep breaths for me. Millie, it's going to be okay. We're all here for you to help figure this out." I don't really know how when I don't understand how this is even a thing, but right now, I will tell her whatever I can to stop her from panicking while she waits for the others.
"I'm calm and breathing. It can't be, no, I couldn't have got the dates wrong," she mumbles.
