Page 35 of The Secret We Keep
“What is it?” I step closer.
“Open it.”
I’ve already got the box open. “Holly, it’s beautiful.” I pull out a necklace with an M on it. “I love it.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I hate to love you and leave you, but I have to go.”
“So soon? You sure you don’t want a tea first?” Her leaving feels a little like abandonment.
“I’ll grab one on the road. It’s like an eight-hour drive and I need to get home, pack, say goodbye to my mum and dad. I’ll be back before you know it, though.”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Okay.” My tone sounds lost.
She opens her arms and pulls me into a hug. “Sorry I can’t spend your birthday with you.”
My arms remain by my side, completely unsure of how to tell her I want her to stay. “I might have a job by the time you get home.”
Holly pulls back. “You heard from them?”
“They said I’d hear back by today.”
There’s a brief silence between us. “And you’re going to take it?”
The uncertain tone of Holly’s voice makes me look up. “I don’t think I have a choice.”
She sighs. “Yes, you do. But I’ll support you whatever you decide.”
I’m at a loss for words. “Thank you.” We both turn and head to the front door. “Hope you have a great trip,” I say meaning it, at the same time as my heart sinks. We hug again, this time for a little longer. “And thank you for my gift. I really love it.”
“It’s my pleasure. Now, call me every day because I will be bored out of my mind no doubt.”
“I will.” I wave her off, closing the door once she’s driven away. With my head back against the wood, I listen to one of my parents getting out of bed. Must be Mum by the quick pace of her feet.
“Morgan?” she rushes out, making it to the top of the stairs.
“Yeah?” I call back but not too loudly so as not to wake my dad.
“Everything alright?” Her tentative eyes search me.
“Fine. Holly stayed here last night. Had an early start, that’s all.”
Mum sighs a relieved breath. “You scared me.”
My lips pull. “Scared you? Maybe you should go back to bed,” I say with humour in my tone.
She comes down a few steps to get a better look at me, glancing at my necklace. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure.”
“In that case…” Mum spins and makes her way back upstairs only to come back down a few moments later holding a gift. “Happy birthday, hun.”
I hold out my hands for the present. “Thank you.”
We make our way to the kitchen, and I unwrap theHappy Birthdaywrapping paper. “What is this?”
“Don’t be silly, you know what it is.”
A phone. Yeah. “But you know I don’t want one.” I smile loosely, trying to appease her, not wanting to sound rude.
