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I haul my heavy backpack up the five million steps to the front door and droop as I carry it into the Atwater lair.
I don’t stop until I get to the kitchen, but what I see when I get there gives me pause and cheers me up a little.
Mom is standing at the counter with a red spatula and a mixing bowl. Hayden is standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist, her body cradled against his while he watches her cook.
They are adorable.
I haven’t been noticed yet, so when Mom smiles and tips her head back for a kiss, I know I’m witnessing a private moment between them. I should make my presence known, but I don’t want to intrude.
“You’re supposed to be helping,” Mom teases.
“Iamhelping,” Hayden insists.
“Helping distract me,” Mom tosses back.
“I’m sorry. I’m working to accomplishmyend goal, not yours. I should have been clearer.”
Mom grins as he moves her hair aside and bends to kiss her neck. “And what isyourobjective here, counselor?”
I love seeing Mom happy, but I don’t want to overhear much more of this conversation. That little reminder of their happiness was all I needed to cleanse my fatigue and bolster my commitment to peace as I enter the kitchen. “Hey, guys.”
Mom automatically starts to move away from Hayden to put an appropriate amount of space between them, but Hayden pulls her right back.
“Hey, honey. How was studying at Hannah’s?”
“Not great.” I hoist my heavy backpack and drop it on a chair at the island. Unzipping it, I reach in for the papers Mom has to sign since it’s the start of a new school year.
“No?” Mom asks worriedly.
I shake my head. “The Wicked Witch of the West is back, and she thinks I’m one of her flying monkeys this year. She’s making me plan a guest list for a party I am almost certainly not even invited to.”
Mom’s frown deepens. “Do you want me to call her mom?”
“No. Jackie sucks, too. It doesn’t matter, it’s not a big deal.” I flash her a smile. “Just a long day. I’m happy to be home.”
“Who is the Wicked Witch of the West?” Hayden asks, trying to catch up when he has no clue what I’m talking about.
“Anae Richards.”
His dark eyebrows rise. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot she would be in your grade this year. You shouldn’t hang out with that girl, Parker. She’s very troubled.”
“Tell me about it. Unfortunately, my best friend is her stepsister,” I inform him. “Now, we’re even in the same grade. Unless we adopt Hannah, avoiding Anae isn’t really an option.”
“Well, be very careful. She should be in prison, or at the very least, getting long-term psychiatric care.”
“Mm-hmm,” Mom murmurs pointedly. “And why isn’t she?”
His eyebrows rise. “Hey, I wasn’therlawyer.”
He wasn’t, buthisclient was the reason Anae got off with such a light charge.
“It doesn’t matter now. She’s out, and we all have to deal with her.” I hoist my backpack. “Since I can see you already have help making dinner…”
Hayden nods solemnly. “I’m very helpful.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “… I’ll go upstairs and do a little more homework.”
“All right. You have about 45 minutes until dinner will be ready,” Mom says.
