“Do you expect me to have a fucking party back at my house?” I lash out at him and he huffs.
“I’m letting them know that we’re okay, asshole. Their bus is on the other side of the lot, and I’m sure they would want to know that it wasn’t one of us taken away in that ambulance.”
“Fine. But my house isn’t open for everyone. You’re not even invited.”
I slouch down in the seat and close my eyes. I want to burn the image of that birth certificate from my brain, but it’s all I see.
Kai David Armstrong-Moore
Fuck.
Sam
Present
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age 23
“HEY,” CASSIE SAYS, pulling me out of my haze. I’ve been in a fog all morning, unable to shake the cobwebs from my head. I haven’t slept in what seems like days. This time of year is especially difficult. My parents’ birthdays are this week, and it’s an unwelcome reminder that they aren’t here with me.
I shake my head and force a smile. “Sorry, it’s been a rough week.”
Cassie knows all too well how hard it is on me. She’s dried my tears on more than one occasion. “I’m so glad you have your aunt. She’s awesome and can help in any situation.” Her words of encouragement do anything but that. They only remind me of everything I have lost.
“Aunt Peggy’s the best,” I respond, thankful that I have her support.
Cassie pulls me against her firmly and squeezes. “You’re amazing, Sam. You know that?” I let her pull me tighter. “I say this all of the time, but I’m so proud of you. You went to college, got a nursing degree and now you’re here, in one of the best neonatal intensive care units in the state. You did this all yourself.” She hugs me tighter and then releases me to look into my eyes. “And you brought me along for the ride.”
“I’m not doing it alone,” I say humbly. “I’m still living in my Aunt’s house.” My aunt took me in right after my parents were killed. She has a large home in Villanova and I have my own space there.
Aunt Peggy’s a personal assistant and housekeeper to some guy who moved to the area when I was in nursing school. I think she said he’s a musician or something like that. He’s barely ever home, and she basically takes care of everything while he’s away. She’s been doing this type of work her entire life. The last family she worked for moved out to California when their daughter landed a role in a television sitcom. She worked for them for almost twenty years, and they were devastated when she told them she couldn’t move with them. We argued about it, actually. She insisted that she stay with me, and I feel tremendous guilt over this. I wish she was able to go out to California; it would force me to finally do things for myself and on my own.
I wish I wasn’t her obligation. Her burden. I absolutely hate it. Which is exactly why I’m saving every dime that I earn, so I can get my own place and let Aunt Peggy finally live her own life, instead of feeling the need to take care of me.
“Well, you’re doing a fantastic job. Someday you’ll get to do this for a husband and kids.” Today, we’re wearing our pink teddy bear scrubs. Our unit coordinates our scrubs each day of the week, and today is pink teddy bears.
“Right,” I say sarcastically. “And don’t forget the little detail of a husband. Or lack thereof.”
“There are dozens of men patiently waiting for you to wake up and dive into the dating pool.”
“Dozens?” I say, raising my eyebrow and giving her my best smirk possible. “Now that’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?”