Page 119 of Mistaken Identity
Week’s smile was soft. “Joy used to love calling you Audi.”
“She did,” I agreed.
That had been where I’d gotten the nickname Audi, after all.
Once Joy had called me that one single time, it’d stuck.
Everyone called me that, and that was why it’d hurt so bad when Creole had stopped.
Speaking of Audi, she turned her face away and started to cry, looking for something that Week couldn’t offer her.
“On that note,” Week said. “I have to go. I’ll miss my flight.”
“Same,” Dad grumbled. “I can’t wait to make this move permanent.”
Dad and Telly were moving in together permanently, and Dad had two weeks left at his job on Dallas Fire before he made the switch to the fire station nearest Telly’s place.
They’d been doing the long-distance thing for all this time, and as of next month, they’d finally get to have each other full time.
I was sad that my dad wouldn’t be close, but I was happy that he’d finally have his happily ever after.
My mom was now in a state-funded home that saw to her needs as well as they could.
They had her in state-mandated therapy as well, this time with a doctor that actually knew what he was doing.
The last time I spoke with her, she was doing a lot better. She even admitted that she’d been wrong, and that she shouldn’t have gone into such a deep depression with another child at home.
I agreed and told her as much.
I wouldn’t ever be close to my mom again, but I did wish the best for her, and I didn’t want to see her suffer.
She’d never meet my children, though.
That was one line I’d never cross.
Dad jerked his head toward the door, and I pulled Audi out of Telly’s arms and handed her off to Creole, who was already lowering her shirt.
Week handed me Joy, and I walked into the hall with them to say goodbye.
It was Dad who said, “You hear that Goodwin’s body was found?”
My brows rose. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Boater caught him on a trot line at the bottom of the lake.”
My grin was swift. “Bummer. I’d hoped he would stay sunk for a bit longer.”
Week popped me on the shoulder. “See y’all in a few weeks.”
People probably thought we were crazy, coming to Hawaii to have our girls, but we wanted them to know that they belonged in both states equally.
One day, this place would mean as much to them as it did to us.
“Love you, kid.” Dad pressed a kiss to my head. “Take care of your girls.”
“Always.”
“Is that my baby sister?” Lottie asked, gasping.
