Page 131 of Seven Letters

Riley stood in the kitchen, hands on hips. ‘So, let me get this straight. We were invited to the house after the Communion, then disinvited, then re-invited to call over at six o’clock when the party is essentially over? I had plans and you’ve called me back home for this?’

‘Yes,’ Mia said. Adam had sent her a text asking if she, her father and the others would please come to the house.It would mean a lot to Izzy, he’d written.

‘We’re doing it for Sarah, and most of all for Izzy,’ Mia said.

‘We’re all going, even Granddad?’

‘Yes, because it’s Izzy’s day.’

‘Even though Adam is a prick?’

‘Language, and yes.’ Mia had wanted to tell him where to shove his last-minute invitation, but when she thought of Izzy in her dress, so hopeful and so sure her mum would wake up, she knew she had to go there.

‘Dad?’ Riley turned to Johnny. ‘What do you think?’

Johnny swung his car keys around his finger. ‘We need to focus on Izzy. It’s up to us to be there for her out of respect for Sarah. If, God forbid, anything happened to Mia, I’d have wanted Sarah to show up for you.’

‘Yeah, but you wouldn’t have shouted at her and banned her from the hospital or the house, like Adam has.’

‘Who knows how I’d behave if I was in his situation? Lookit, I agree he’s treated Mia and Granddad terribly, but he’s deranged with grief.’

‘He’s deranged all right,’ Riley said. ‘Mum, don’t die because I’m not living with Dad if he turns into Adam.’

Mia finished wiping down the countertop. ‘I’ll do my best. By the way, you were great with Izzy this morning. She looked perfect. Well done.’

Riley shrugged. ‘I was happy to. I remember my Communion Day as being a really great day and Izzy’s is … well, it sucks.’

‘Yeah, it doesn’t get worse than having your mum being in a brain-dead coma on your Communion Day,’ Shocko agreed. ‘I thought mine was bad because my dad got really drunk and started doing Elvis impressions.’

‘And he’s so bad at them.’ Riley grinned.

‘The worst,’ Shocko said. ‘But after a few whiskeys he actually thinks he is Elvis.’

‘Parents can be so embarrassing.’

‘Yours are pretty cool,’ Shocko said.

‘Thanks, Shocko.’ Johnny patted his shoulder. ‘Although I’m not sure Riley agrees with you.’

Riley dipped a biscuit into her tea. ‘You’re not the worst.’

‘Gee, thanks,’ Mia said.

Riley grinned at her. Mia smiled back.

‘We should go.’ Johnny looked at his watch.

‘Why don’t you come too, Shocko?’ Mia suggested.

‘Oh, no. I don’t want to crash the party.’

Johnny held up his car keys. ‘The more the merrier, and Riley’s always happier when you’re around.’

‘It’s not me that makes Riley happy, it’s Zach.’

‘Zach?’ Mia spun around.

‘Dude!’ Riley hissed.

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