Page 1 of Choosing Skyler

Prologue

Brady

“I’m so sorry, man. At least she made it through the holidays. Jillian was always a sucker for a good Christmas,” my best friend, Devon says through tears as we load his luggage into my trunk.

He just flew into town to help me arrange the funeral for my mom. We knew this was coming but I don’t think anyone is ever ready. She fought the hard fight for four years before that bastard, cancer took her from us. She had two years of surgery, chemo, and radiation. Then, another year in a clinical trial that we were sure was the answer and the last year knowing that there was nothing more to do but wait it out.

“Yeah, she was still pretty lucid at Christmas too. I’m glad you were able to make it to spend the holidays with us. I think that was her last really good day. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you came back for this. I know airfare isn’t cheap and you just left here three weeks ago,” I say seriously.

“Man, quit with that shit. She’s the closest thing to a mother I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Besides, I used my dad’s credit card to book the flight. It’s the least he can do since Jillian practically raised me,” he says with a sad smile.

“Are you going to see him while you’re here this time?” I ask, even though I know the answer.

“I’m not even wasting my time with that asshole right now. This trip is for you and Jillian. I’m not avoiding him or anything, but I’m not chasing him down just for us to avoid each other. Besides, I’m sure he’ll be at the funeral. He wouldn’t want the neighborhood to think poorly of him,” he says sarcastically.

“Yeah, you're probably right about that,” I reply knowingly. “We’ll head home so you can wash the trip off before we head to the funeral home. They said we don’t need an appointment. Someone will be there all afternoon,” I tell him as I turn down my street.

Thankfully, Mom had the foresight to know how hard this would be. She arranged everything last year when it became obvious that she was terminal. I argued that she didn’t know what would happen, but she knew better. So, today all I have to do is schedule the service and take them the dress she wanted to be buried in—the one Devon and I gave her at Christmas just a few weeks ago.

Two days later Devon and I sit in the front pew of the Virginia Beach Baptist Church while the pastor talks about my mom entering the gates of Heaven. I’ll be honest, I’m pretty pissed with God right now. If anyone deserved a long life it was my mom. She loved and cared for everyone she met. But here she is, lying in a wooden box at forty-five after fighting breast cancer the past four years.

Devon puts his arm behind me on the pew and pulls me into his side. While the sanctuary is full of my mom’s friends and acquaintances, we are the only two in the family seats. We hold on to one another the way we have since we were three.

Later that night, after all the mourners have left and the food has been put away, Devon and I kick back on the couch in the living room of my mom’s house and breathe for what feels like the first time all day.

“I’m going to grab a beer. You want one?” I ask Devon.

“Hell yes!” he answers.

We pop the tops and sit in the quiet for a minute before he asks me, “What now?”

“I don’t know, man. I feel lost. I mean, I know I need to finish college. I only have a year and a half left, but I don’t know if I’ll survive here that long with her gone. Taking care of her has been my whole world. It feels so empty without her here,” I tell him.

“You could always transfer to Thorngrove University and finish college with me. I know it’s different from anything you know, but the classes are the same no matter where you attend school, right?” Devon says hopefully.

“I can’t transfer mid-year without repeating junior year. I may look into it this summer and graduate from there next year though. I hate that you have to leave tomorrow. I know you have to get back to school, and I don’t want to sound like a sap, but I miss you, man. It’s been tough enough the past couple of years, but I had Mom, ya know?” I say before finishing my beer.

“Don’t hesitate to call anytime, Brady. You know I’ll drop whatever and talk you through it. I miss you too. That’s why I’m hoping you seriously consider coming to Thorngrove. We could hang out senior year, party like animals and graduate together like we always planned. This isn’t the end, man. Not for you. Don’t forget that,” Devon tells me seriously.

“I guess you’re right. I’ll finish out this year and check into a transfer this summer. I just don’t feel like there’s anything left here for me. You sure the sad guy from back home won’t cramp your style with all your new friends?” I laugh.

“Hell, no! My only real friend is Skyler, and we spend most of our time living like mallrats and checking out hotties,” he scoffs.

“So, you’ve told me. I’m glad you have a friend out there you can hang with like that. I’m surprised you didn’t scare ‘em all off with your crazy.” I smirk.

“Naw, Skyler is the perfect counter to my crazy. Kind of like you’ve always been.” Devon laughs before looking up at the clock. “Shit, it’s after one. I guess I’m gonna hit the sack. My flight leaves at nine. You good?”

“Yeah, I’m headed that way too or I’ll never be up to drive you to the airport in the morning,” I say even though I know I won’t be getting any sleep tonight. I have too much on my mind. I need a plan for my future—whatever that looks like. I don’t like the idea of my mom’s house being left vacant, but I know I can’t stay here long-term. The silence without her is just too loud.

After dropping Devon off at the airport, I head straight to my advisor’s office at Wesleyan to ask about a transfer. There’s no way I’m staying here for another year. I find out that it’s going to be harder than I thought it would be. My advisor tells me that the degree programs have to match, the credits have to line up just right and I may not get a dorm since I’m starting as a senior.

It doesn’t matter, though. If I can’t transfer then I’ll drop out, get a job in Thorngrove, and move there anyways. There’s nothing here for me. Devon is the last person on earth I have any real love for. I want to be wherever he is. Now, I just have to make it through the next six months.

Chapter 1

SixMonthsLater

Skyler

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