Page 42 of The Rules We Broke
“Ella Lu, what are you doing here so early? You’re going to miss church.”
“I need to talk to you.”
She instantly stilled. “What’s wrong?”
I sat next to her and laid my head in her lap, like I used to as a child. Her fingers brushed through my hair—careful, like she didn’t want to ruin my work. I didn’t care if she did.
I told her everything. The day with Brady and Caroline. The phone call. His promise to fight for me.
And then I cried.
I expected a full-throated scolding about that Jackson boy. But she didn’t say anything. Her silence scared me more than anything else.
I lifted my head. She looked somber, her hand soft on my cheek.
“Aunt Lu, please have the angioplasty. I love being with you, but I need to get back to Atlanta. Coming back here was a mistake. And I’m worried sick about you. I don’t know what I’ddo if I lost you. You’re the only person who’s ever really loved me.”
She blinked hard. Tears shimmered in her eyes. A rarity.
“My sweet girl,” she whispered. “I think you’re loved more than you know—or want to admit.”
“What does that mean?”
She didn’t answer. Of course she didn’t.
“I have a bargain,” she said instead.
“Okay . . . ”
“I’ll schedule my procedure for tomorrow—if you agree to stay through the holiday season.”
I blinked. “What kind of bargain is that? I feel like this is a conspiracy.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Ella Lu.”
“Why do you want me to stay?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Want to let me in on those?”
“Not at this time.” She smiled.
I sat up. “You’re not playing fair.”
“There’s nothing fair about life, baby girl.”
I exhaled, resigned. “Fine. I agree.”
Aunt Lu clapped her hands like she’d just sealed a business deal. “Now that that’s settled, it’s time for you to get to church.”
She handed me her cosmetic bag. “Hurry and fix your makeup, sugar. You’re going to be late.”
“I don’t want to go to church,” I muttered, sounding about ten.
“Nonsense. You hold your head high and show them what being an Eaton is all about.”
I fixed my tear-stained cheeks, retouched my eye makeup, and reapplied my lipstick. Then turned back to her, silently asking for approval.
