Page 1 of The Perils of Pretending
Chapter 1
Sadie
I,SadieRoseAshcombe,solemnly swear toneveranswer Grandma Alice’s call while distracted by workeveragain.
I can’t believe I got roped into attending an extended family trip all because I kept reading the manuscript I was editing instead of paying attention to what Grandma was saying.
“Mom, I really don’t want to go,” I complain for the tenth time, rolling my jeans on top of my bed in my nineteenth century brick condo. I slam them into the hardback purple suitcase lying on the wood floor. The amount of luggage I’m bringing is insane, but a girl needs options when staying in Alaska. And just because we’ll be outdoors doesn’t mean I can’t look cute.
“I know you don’t, but you told Grandma yes,” Mom says through the speaker of my phone.
I grab a jacket, folding it in half. “She said she was calling to see how you liked your birthday present she sent. How was I supposed to know she’d sneak in a question about the family reunion?”
“By listening.”
“Ha-ha,” I deadpan.
“You’re going to be fine. You’ve survived one hundred percent of the interactions with the Ashcombes in your life. This trip will be no different. Besides, this is the best chance to complete the bucket list your dad left for you.”
It’s as if someone tore out my heart like a used and unwanted sheet of notebook paper and crumpled it in their hands. I stop rolling my pajamas. Mom’s right. I have survived being around them, and there’s no other way I could afford (at least Grandma Alice pays for the trip she forces us to attend) the activities Dad had planned for us to complete when I turned sixteen. I just wish Dad could be with me as we check each item off the list instead of Mom and Brody doing it with me at a family reunion.Look at the positives. This trip is giving me the opportunity to bring me closer to Dad.
I pick up the yellow notepad page resting on my nightstand and stare at Dad’s handwriting from twelve years ago as he planned our trip. The loopy letters are precise and controlled. He always wrote in cursive. I gingerly trace over the faded black ink with my fingertips, doing my best not to rip through the wavy spots I created with my tears when Mom gave me the paper a few days ago. She remembered she’d kept it stored in Dad’s desk drawer in his home office. She’d meant to give it to me sooner, but had forgotten about it until I called and complained about going to Homer.
I read the list Dad left for me.
Sixteen Adventures for Sadie's Sweet 16 Trip
Fishing
Kayaking
Hiking
Berry picking
Helicopter tour
