Josie: Where r u now?
Me: Hey. Haven’t even made it home yet. Supposed to meet a friend for a coffee first.
Josie: Can I get your parents address? In case I can get away from the store?
Me: Sure.
I text the address before poking change into the parking meter. When I enter the coffee shop I’m glad to see it isn’t crowded. There’s an empty table near the windows. I order an iced coffee and head for it. This meeting has been coming for a while and I’m surprised at the excited, anxious feeling fluttering in my belly.
I’ve seen one photo of Isabella while researching online. I’m curious. I was surprised when I learned her age and Wesley’s real age—both a decade older than myself.
I scan the cars as they pass on the street.
The café’s door opens. A woman steps inside and holds the door.
A young girl with chestnut hair and chocolate-colored eyes in a wheelchair enters, her grin lopsided. She’s young, female version of Wesley.
“Harper!” She wheels to the first table in her way and stops. I realize I should’ve chosen a better table and hop up to switch seats.
“Hey there. How did you recognize me?”
She tilts her head. “Your picture is attached to your email address. I asked Mom to show me since you guys are friends. Your picture is so old. You’re much prettier in person.”
“Oh. I don’t ever go online.” I glance up at Isabella. We’d agreed that she would tell Charley I’m a family friend. It’s the truth.
Isabella is blonde and slim, with a heart-shaped face. Her coloring matches mine and it’s startling that we sort of resemble one another. We could be sisters.
“Hi Harper. So nice to finally meet you,” Isabella says.
I hold out my hand and she shakes her head. I’m confused, but then she takes the steps to close the distance and hugs me. When she draws back, she has tears in her eyes.
“Yes, finally.” The hug feels nice, the kind from a long-lost friend. I’m intensely relieved that it isn’t weird at all.
Charley attempts to move a chair to the side of the table. “Mom?”
“Got it. Don’t be so impatient,” Isabella says, arranging our table so Charley has plenty of room. She looks to me. “You two sit tight and I’ll get some drinks.”
She walks to the counter and I smile at Charley. “So. Tell me about your school. What’s your favorite class?”
Charley launches into detailed explanation of her computer classes that she loves. “My dad taught me how to code, so I’m way ahead of all the other kids in the programming class.” She pauses. “You knew my dad, right?”
“Yeah. I did.” I keep my voice neutral even though the thought of Wesley and his secret double life still affects me. “He was a coder?”
Something sad flickers across her features only for a moment. Then, it lifts. “Pft! He was the best one around. There’s the guy in my programming class who looks exactly like Harry Styles.”
“Who’s that?” I grin at her.
“You don’t know.” Her lips quirk. “One Direction?” She grabs her phone and searches for something to show me.
Just like that, her focus changes from talking about her dad to a cute boy she has a crush on. When Isabella returns with the drinks for her and Charley, I can’t stop smiling.
I’ve done the right thing. Revealing the truth would only hurt an innocent girl. Maybe someday, Isabella will tell her. I don’t know. But I’m glad it’s not for me to decide.
I drive to my parents’ house with the lightest feeling in ages. Pulling into the driveway is surreal. It’s a modest neighborhood with houses lined in a straight row. It’s the house I grew up in. A massive oak shades the front lawn and there’s still a bare spot where the grass doesn’t grow.
The curtains of the front window pull back and Mama’s face appears. She waves and the curtain drops.
My belly does a nervous flip as I park the car. I’d hoped she would run outside and greet me.
Although we’ve been cordial on the phone, I know they’ll never forgive me for running off with Wesley and only leaving a note to explain.
I get out of the car. Baby steps.
Mama opens the door and waits for me. Her smile is huge. “Where have you been? We thought your flight landed at two-thirty.”
I can’t stop myself from running to the door and hugging her. “Mama, I’ve missed you so much.”
I feel like I’m back with my best friend, my confidante, my mentor. I swallow the lump in my throat.
She hugs me back and pulls me inside. “It’s so good to have you home.”
The minute I walk inside, I glance around and my throat tightens. Maybe my homecoming isn’t going to be easy after all. “Where’s Daddy?”
I search my brain for all the reasons he’d be missing. Maybe he had a church function he couldn’t miss. Or someone is in the hospital.
“He’s in the kitchen.” Mama takes me hand. “Come on. He’s watching the oven. Cookies are almost done.”
“Oh. OK.” I walk with Mama through the house and into my favorite room. It’s the one I’ve thought about the most when I missed home. The aromas of chocolate and vanilla hit me. And a different scent drifts through the air.
I turn the corner behind Mama and all I see are flowers. Flowers everywhere—on the table, on the counter beside the oven, on the rolling cart with the microwave. There are roses and lilies and sunflowers.
“Has someone died?” I mumble. There has to be a dozen arrangements scattered around the room.
She grins at me. “They’re all for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that. This must’ve cost a fortune.”
Daddy pulls a pan from the oven and tosses the mitt aside. He holds out his arms, waiting for me. “Sweet Angel. It’s about time.”
I fling myself into his arms. “Daddy.” His arms close around me in a tight, comforting hug. He smells of the same aftershave he’s worn since I was a kid. It’s as though I never left.
“It’s good to have you home,” he says. He releases me slowly. “This young man sent all the flowers.”
My head jerks up. “What?”
Daddy takes my shoulders and turns me. “Leo. He sent them.”
Leo sits at the far end of the table. “Hi,” he says softly.
My heart lodges in my throat. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Yes. I know.” His intense gaze studies me. “I’ve been telling your father that you may throw me out. But I wanted to meet your parents in case you decide to forgive me. Actually, Josie scared me pretty bad. She didn’t tell me you were only visiting. But that doesn’t matter. I still would’ve come.”
My mouth tips up at one corner. Oh, interfering Josie. You’ve gotta love her. “You need to do something about your sister.”
“Yeah. I’ve been trying for years. There’s no stopping her.” He grins. “I’m going to a hotel room. You should spend time with your folks. But I have more to say to you. If you’ll let me.”
I only nod, overwhelmed and conflicted. Leo shakes Daddy’s hand and Mama walks him to the door. Then, he’s gone.
I sit at the table and scoot a vase of pink roses to the side so I can see my parents. “I…um…dated Leo, and we broke up. That’s what all this is about.” I wave my hand at the flowers.
“He seems like a very nice man.” Mama smiles. “He told us he lives next door to you. He also told us about his parents and twin and his writing. Oh, and that online thing. Blog?”
My mouth drops. “He told you all that? How long was he here?”
Daddy takes the seat next to me. “Maybe half an hour.”
I stare at Daddy. “And he just started giving his whole life history?”
Daddy chuckles and shakes his head. “He said he wanted us to know everything about him. That boy sure is over the moon for you. I like him all right, and he’s a talker. The gift of speech. Has he ever thought about the ministry?”