Page 257 of Finding Us

The past couple weeks, I’ve been so busy with school and Jade and dealing with my shoulder that I haven’t really worried about our safety. Plus, since we have the security system and the burglar is dead, I felt like Jade and I were safe. But then something like this happens, with the fake cop, and I’m reminded I can’t let my guard down.

CHAPTERFIFTY-NINE

JADE

Right at noon, Frank and Ryan arrive in the rental car. I run outside to greet them.

“Happy birthday.” Ryan says it first, then Frank.

“Thanks.” I give them both a hug. “And thanks for coming. I’ve missed you guys. Come inside. I’ll give you a tour.”

“Where’s the husband?” Ryan asks.

“At class. He’ll be back soon and then we’re all going to lunch.”

“Did you lose some weight?” Frank asks, concern in his voice. “You look awfully thin.”

“I lost weight when I had the flu. My stomach still isn’t back to normal. But I had four donuts for breakfast so that should pack on the pounds.”

“Garret let you eat donuts?” Ryan asks. “I told him he had to feed you right.”

“The donuts are just a birthday treat. Any other day he makes me eat healthy stuff for breakfast.” I open the front door for them. “So here it is.”

Frank walks in and looks around. “It’s very nice.”

“Yeah, I like the granite.” Ryan’s in the kitchen. “Dad’s getting granite just like this. He picked it out a couple weeks ago.”

Frank’s new house is almost finished. He’s been sending me photos of it during the construction. The house is all one level with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

“Do you think the house will be done on time?” I ask Frank.

“Actually, it’s ahead of schedule. You’re still coming for Thanksgiving, right?”

“Of course. I can’t wait. It seems like forever since I was back there.”

“That reminds me. Your former algebra teacher gave me this.” He pulls an envelope from his pocket and hands it to me.

“What is it?” I rip it open.

“It’s an invitation to speak at an event he’s involved in. It’s scheduled for the weekend you’ll be home. He stopped by the house last week and told me about it. He and his wife both volunteer for an organization that helps young women who are struggling because of a difficult past. This group helps them get job training, counseling, whatever they need to move forward.”

Inside the envelope is the invitation describing the event, along with a note from Mr. Gatlin, my former teacher, saying he wants me to be a speaker. He wrote down his phone number and email address.

“Why would he want me to speak at this thing?”

Ryan puts his arm around me. “Because you’re an inspiration to others.” He says it dramatically, like he’s kidding.

“Yeah, right.”

“It’s true. That’s what he said. Tell her, Dad.”

“Mr. Gatlin said you’d be an excellent role model for these young women.”

“What am I supposed to say to them?”

“That’s up to you. But I’m assuming he wants you to talk a little about your past and then tell these girls how you became the success that you are today.”

Hearing him say that makes me feel like a loser again. I’m not a success. I have no clue what I’m going to do with my life. I need to tell Frank and Ryan my news. I just want to get it over with.

---