Page 182 of Before We're More Than Friends
On the Saturday before Easter, Moonlight woke me up with loud meows as she walked over my stomach. I giggled before rubbing her head. She lifted her butt in the air and purred loudly, melting every part of me.
Penrose let out a noise from the floor, upset that Moonlight had taken her place on me while I was sleeping.
“Sorry, girl,” I said as I picked Moonlight up. “But a kitten is much lighter than you.”
Penrose shook her head.I’m still superior.
“Don’t worry, Pen.” I reached down to rub behind her ears. “No one will ever take your place.”
Penrose’s tail thumped against the floor as her eyes widened with happiness.
It’d been a week since Moonlight joined the family, and she and Penrose had finally warmed up to each other. When Moonlight had first come home, she hid under my bed while Penrose barked at her to no end. Now they were able to stay in the same room without making a ruckus.
They’d love being sisters.
When I went downstairs and into the kitchen, Mom, Nonno, and Arielle were at the table eating waffles.
“Good morning, princess,” Mom said with a smile. “Your waffles are on the counter.”
“Thank you.” I grabbed my plate and sat next to Arielle, who wasn’t devouring her food like she usually did. “Are you ready for today?”
“Yeah,” she said as she picked at her waffles, but I wasn’t convinced. And it wasn’t a surprise that she was nervous, too. I’d thought this prison visit wouldn’t be as nerve-racking as the last one, but since Mom’s reaction had completely rocked our family, I was worried about what would happen this time.
After breakfast, I went back to my room to get ready. While I brushed my hair, an Instagram notification popped up from my Raining Gems account. Isabelle had liked my most recent post, one of the bracelets I made for my new Moonlight collection.
I stared at the notification before picking up my phone. I switched to my personal account to see that she had liked my most recent post there as well, photos of me and my friends at Battle of the Bands. Sucking in a breath, I clicked on her profile and pressed the message button.
Raina
Hey, girl, it’s been a while. Thanks for your order at Raining Gems.
I picked up my lip gloss, not wanting to put on much makeup in case there would be tears, when my phone pinged again.
Isabelle
Hey, girl, been thinking about you! Happy to see your business doing well!
I smiled, my heart squeezing in my chest.
Raina
Thank you, been thinking about you too
I didn’t know what else to say—what did you say to someone you hadn’t talked to in almost three years? But for now, this would be enough.
The ride to prison was full of silence, except for Nonno singing to old songs on the radio from time to time. My mind wouldn’t stop racing with how this visit would affect us. Did Dad know that Mom was in the hospital because she missed him? Did he know she was going to rehab? Had Mom sent him any letters since the last visit?
My stomach flip-flopped as Mom pulled up in the parking lot. Mom and Nonno exchanged an anxious look at each other before squeezing hands. I did the same with Arielle, and she gave me a small smile.
The slow walk into the prison was painful, and waiting for Dad to be brought out was even worse. I just wanted to get this over with, but at the same time, I wanted to enjoy my time with Dad. I had no idea when I’d see him again.
Nothing was promised anymore.
After a few long minutes of waiting, Dad came out with the officer. His eyes lit up as a smile spread across his lips. “Girls.”
Unlike last time, Arielle and I ran over to hug him. Tears burned in the back of my eyes as I stroked his uniform, remembering how good it felt to hug him. The anger I had from what he’d done was still there, but my love for him took over in this moment.
“I miss you, Dad,” I whispered, my cheek rubbing against his beard. “I miss you so much.”
