Page 257 of Wild Card

“This is huge, honey. We have to celebrate,” Mom gushes.

For a split second, an excited thrill glides through me, then reality crashes in. “We can’t celebrate without family and friends. Grandma and Grandpa will be devastated.”

Mom chews on her lip, reminding me of many times growing up, her plotting to get around something.

“But I could do dinner. No one will think oddly of having a nice dinner with my parents, who are reconciling,” I add, watching them close. “You are reconciling, right?”

“We’re working through some issues.” Dad’s blasé response has me swinging my eyes between them.

“Do not tell me I’m headed to therapy for years for you to work through some issues.”

Mom watches my dad with so much love, it pours out of her. “Willow, your dad and I want to make sure all three of our children are okay with it. I messed up and know my complacency toward Rylee was a huge reason for our split. Going forward, we will be a team.”

“I’m totally okay with it,” I rush to say. “Chase will be, too.”

“Your brother still holds resentment; I need to make amends.”

“Love changes everything, and he’s totally in love. Believe me. And on the off chance he’s stuck on holding a grudge, I’ll handle it.”

She smiles gratefully. “We will see how things play out. But for now, it’s about you. What can I make you for dinner? Do you have any cravings?”

“Before the incident, I was craving Thai.”

“Thai sounds good.” There’s a flicker of disappointment in her gaze, and I realize she wanted to cook something special.

Mom always was a great cook. Unlike me, she had no aversion to grocery shopping, The house was always stocked with our favorites. Our schedules may have taken us in different directions every night, but she often had home-cooked meals ready.

“How about you surprise me? Anything but barbeque.”

Her face lights up. “I need to get to the store.”

The sudden urge to yawn hits, and I can’t cover my mouth fast enough. Both exchange a knowing grin. “Someone needs a nap.”

Taking the biggest exam of your academic career, putting on an act for your grandma, and witnessing your separated parents having sex will take a toll on anyone.

The epinephrine of the day is wearing off for sure.

She urges me backward, lifting my feet and slipping off my sandals. Her eyes rake over my ankle. “We need to ice this.”

“Stupid shopping cart.” I don’t dare tell them about the encounter with Joseph.

My body sinks into the plush leather and my eyelids get heavy. “Maybe a little snooze will reenergize me.”

A minute later, a cold compress is pressed across my ankle and a blanket falls over me.

I drift off to sleep cradling my lower abdomen.

The last thought that crosses my mind is almost comical. Here my parents are babying me while I baby the peanut.

Funny how things work out.

What is that delicious smell?

I think my stomach growls, but sleep wins over and I slink back into darkness.

Floating… Flying… suspended in animation… Is this what an astronaut feels like? My body is weightless, bouncing on clouds.Oops, must have missed the cloud because whatever I’ve landed on is hard.

Hard, but so warm.

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