Page 142 of The Apple Tree

I couldn’t speak past my emotions, so I just nodded, not wanting to let her go.

She released me and pressed her hands to my cheeks. “I love you.”

I nodded.

Gabby hugged me next. “At least you’re not pregnant.”

I laughed through my tears.

“Has he said anything to you about me?” I asked.

Gabby stepped back, knowing exactly who I meant by “he.” Her smile faded as she shook her head.

I smiled to hide my pain, and I shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“I knew you weren’t on a mission trip,” Erin said, wrapping me in her arms.

“Of course you did.”

She released me and frowned. “I should have known. I knew you drank sometimes, but not?—”

I shook my head. “It’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault but my own.” I looked around. “Where are Mom and Dad?”

Gabby nodded at Sarah.

“I told them you needed nothing but happiness and good vibes. Let’s be honest; they are pretty much the opposite of that,” Sarah said, sliding her blond hair over her shoulder.

“True.” I chuckled. “Let’s go outside.” I untied my sweater from my waist and pulled it over my head.

We sat at a picnic table, and it was a little breezy, but the sun was out, and the temperature was close to sixty.

“Will you get served Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?” Gabby asked.

“Gabbs!” Sarah elbowed her. “We agreed we wouldn’t make her feel bad.”

“What? I’m just making small talk.”

I laughed. “It’s fine. I’m sure they’ll serve dry turkey, soggy stuffing, and flaked mashed potatoes. But I’m okay. I had a breakthrough in therapy on Monday, and for the first timesince I got here, I feel like I need this time away from home. I discovered I have more healing to do than I thought when I arrived.”

They couldn’t hide their crestfallen faces, and I didn’t blame them for not trying harder. I would have had the same reaction had I been in their shoes.

“Smile.” I teasingly leaned into Erin before reaching my hands across the table to squeeze my sisters’ hands. “I’m making progress. It’s a good thing.”

“Do you want to tell us anything? We’re here for you,” Sarah said.

I smiled, squeezing their hands again. “No. But thank you.” Early on, I couldn’t wait to tell my sisters about our mom and the baby she lost from overdosing. I’d kept it for so many years that I thought the only way to get past it would be to share the burden with them. But I didn’t need to share the burden anymore. I needed to let it go. No one deserved that guilt.

“You seem different,” Gabby said.

I chuckled. “I hope so. Leaving here the same as I was when I got here will be a huge waste of money for Mom and Dad. As it is, I don’t know how they’re affording this. Did they ask you for help?” I looked at Sarah.

She shrugged and shook her head.

“Did they have a fundraiser at church?” I asked.

Erin laughed. “That would have required them to tell people.”

“True.” I rolled my eyes.

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