Page 26 of Four Simple Rules
“Prembrook?” I ask, furrowing my brows.
That wasn’t the college we had selected together. We were going to go further up north. He had a full ride to play baseball there, and I would attend the Horticulture program. Although it wasn’t as good as ISU’s, I was willing to risk my future for the boy I thought I loved.
“Uh, yeah,” Jesse says, clearing his throat. “Wasn’t able to go to CaliState after…” His face falls, and his eyes trace the wood forming the dining room table.
“It’s okay, Jesse,” Grace whispers with concern, reaching over and taking his hand. Gently she squeezes it with reassurance. “After what Robert did.” A shiver works through her entire body, locking up with guilt.
“It is what it is, Mom,” Jesse says softly. “After he shot me, I couldn’t go to college on time and play. I kind of gave up on my dream and turned my back on baseball. The head coach at Prembrook took one look at me and knew who I was. He had offered me a partial scholarship the year before. He asked me to come to practice and help. So, I did. He really helped me out of my funk, and then I fell in love with coaching.” The more he speaks, the more his passion breaks into his tone, giving away the pure joy he feels coaching.
“We’re all happy that you found your passion,” Grace says, squeezing his hand one last time. “I’m just so happy you could take over for the old coach.”
After several more rounds of awkward questions and conversation, our plates are empty, and our bellies are full.
“We’ll clean up if you guys want to go relax,” Jesse offers, collecting each of our plates from the table.
“Thanks,” my father says, squeezing his shoulder.
“No problem,” Jesse says, offering him a smile.
“We’ll see you two in the morning, then. We’ve got a lot of plans before the big reception. I’m just so happy you could come and join us tomorrow, Blake.” Grace steps in, squeezing me into another hug. “Your father missed you a lot. And he’s very proud of the woman you’ve become. Your mom would be proud, too.”
I swallow hard at the mention of my mother. At one point in my life, she was a stable human being—a teacher. But after Gavin, she lost herself in the grieving process.
“Thanks,” I croak, blinking rapidly as she pulls away, leaving me in stunned silence.
My father and she walk hand in hand toward the main bedroom on the opposite side of the house, leaving me with Jesse.
“Tulip,” Jesse says, breaking me from my thoughts. “Want to get the pizza boxes and put them in the recycle bin?”
“Sure,” I murmur, stuck in the thoughts of my mother.
“Mom-mom is still missing,” I whisper into my knees, nestled deep in our special tree, hiding from everyone but him.
My haven from the cruel words and shouts filling my home. Sometimes, I can’t stand living there.
“They’ll find her, Tulip. I’m sure she’s just out having a drink or something.” Jesse tries to be reassuring to me, but he fails when the worry sits written all over his face.
“No. I think…” I trail off, shaking my head. “I don’t think she could take it anymore. Not after…”
“Yeah,” he says, swallowing hard. “Gavin.”
My eyes snap to his glossed-over eyes as he sucks in a haggard breath. “Maybe we should go back?” Jesse says, clearing his throat. “She might be back by now,” he says with a shrug, offering me his hand.
“Thanks,” I whisper, clutching his fingers as we emerge one by one from the tree. “You really think she’ll be, okay?”
“Yeah. She will be. She’s your mom. She’ll be fine.” His confidence dries up my tears as we walk hand in hand toward the maze of woods, coming to the spot between our houses.
Walking out from between the houses, my entire body stiffens. Three police cars sit in our driveway with their lights turned off. My heart races out of my chest as my stomach swirls. The familiar sensation of chills runs down my spine.
Something is wrong.
Without wasting a breath, I break away from Jesse and sprint through my front door.
“Dad?” I shout, running in with my heart beating a million miles a minute. “What happened?” I freeze at the sight of my father, resting on the couch with a blank expression. Nothing rests behind his dark eyes.
Several of his police officer friends gather around him, putting their hands on his shoulders and squeezing softly. They murmur words I can’t quite catch over the sound of the pounding echoing in my ears.
“Dad?” I rasp.
