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“Yes. It’s downstairs. I can show you.”
Mrs. Andover nods. “Lead the way.”
My mom takes her downstairs while Nova and I remain in the kitchen,
I put my arm around her. “Guess you’re staying.”
“I can’t believe she’s doing this. And leaving your dad.”
“She’s not leaving him because of you. There were clearly issues there I didn’t know about.”
“How do you feel about your parents divorcing?”
“It’ll be a change, but if they weren’t happy, I’m okay with them splitting up. I never thought they had much of a relationship. My dad was always at work and my mom was always with Jenna and me. They didn’t really do anything together.”
“Where do you think your mom will go?”
“She’ll stay here. My dad will move out and give her the house.”
“What if that lady doesn’t let me stay here?”
“She will. She’s not going to waste time trying to find you a home when you already have one and you’re almost an adult.”
Nova looks up at me. “What about you? Are you okay with me staying? You won’t get sick of me?”
“Never.” I kiss her. “This is what I wanted.”
My mom returns, but that lady isn’t with her.
“Where’d Mrs. Andover go?” Nova asks.
“She went to her car to get her laptop.” My mom smiles at Nova. “Welcome home.”
“I can’t thank you enough for doing this. I’ll pay you as much as I can. My job starts this weekend, but I’m going to get another one for during the week. And I can cook dinner and clean and get groceries for you and do whatever else you need.”
“Nova.” She sets her hands on Nova’s shoulders. “You don’t need to do any of those things. And you are not paying me one cent.”
“But—”
“You’re not my tenant. You’re a member of this family. You don’t need to pay rent or get groceries. And I don’t want you getting a second job. I want you to go to school, relax, and have fun. It’s your senior year.”
“I’m not sure she knows how to do that,” I kid. “The relaxing and having fun part.”
“Then it’s your job to teach her.” My mom stands back, looking at Nova and me. “But Iwillneed to set some ground rules.”
“For what?” I ask.
“You two living in the same house. I never intended for my teenage son to be living with his girlfriend. I expect both of you to stay in your rooms at night, and yes, I will be checking.”
“Fair enough,” I say, knowing there are other ways to be alone with Nova. My Jeep. Jace’s basement. The cabin. I’ve got tons of ideas.
Mrs. Andover comes back and asks Nova to sit with her and my mom while they fill everything out. I go up to my room and take out the box of photos I have in my closet. I find the photo of my biological parents—the only one I have—and wedge it in the mirror above my dresser, next to the one of Nova as a kid. For years I had to hide those photos, but I don’t have to anymore. I don’t have to hide Nova, or my past, or who I am.
It feels so damn good to be free of those secrets. But it feels even better to have Nova back.
29
August
