Chapter 1
“Kayleigh! Get up or else you’re gonna be late!” my mom yelled from outside my bedroom door. This was not the kind of “wake up call” I had wanted. A text message or phone call would have sufficed, even though she’s just across the hall.
It had been three months since my mom told me about my sudden moving to California to live with my father. She claims it’s because her and Matthew, my stepdad, have important business to take care of in Paris, France. But I know my mom better than she knows herself – which is weird. After their wedding five years ago, my mom found out that she was two months pregnant. Because of the unexpected pregnancy and previous complications with me, she decided to postpone their honeymoon. Unfortunately, a month later, she had a miscarriage. She was so devastated that she stayed home and worked for six months. As a real estate agent, I don’t know how she possibly managed that, but she did.
When she told me that she and Matthew were going to Paris for two years and I would have to stay with my father for that time, I couldn’t believe it. I was in such a shock that I didn’t speak to her for two weeks. My mom, the one I’ve looked to for everything for seventeen years and called my best friend. I know those were the longest two weeks of my mom’s life because they were the longest two weeks of mine. But she needed to know that I was hurt. Now, on the day that I was scheduled to leave, I began to get upset all over again.
I haven’t spoken to my father, Nathanial Stewart, since the day he walked out on me when I was seven years old. My mom had gone to work that Saturday so it was a father-daughter day for us. We were making spaghetti and meatballs for supper when he got a phone call. I was stirring the sauce when I heard him say to the person, “yeah. No, I’ll be out in a sec.” He came up behind me and said, “Sky? I need to go outside for a second, okay? I’ll be right back.” When he went out the door, I went to the living room window. As a little girl and his only child, my father always had surprises for me. Whether it was a new Beanie Boo or a white gold charm for my bracelet, I got a gift at least once a month. As I looked outside, I saw my father and his co-worker, Gabrielle Mitchell, talking. I didn’t care at first because I knew my father and Gabi were close and I liked her. It was when I saw my father go down on one knee and propose that I started to dislike her. When she said “yes”, I immediately hated her.
She was like family – my father’s best friend and co-worker. She came to all my birthday parties and always called me her “unadopted daughter” when we went out together. I felt betrayed by her, but I felt more betrayed by my father. He came inside and passed by without acknowledging me. He completely forgot that we were making dinner together and that it was our day. He stormed up the stairs and to my surprise, he came back down with his suitcases packed. He walked towards me, put his wedding band on the coffee table, kissed my head, and left. He didn’t even say “goodbye”.
I was so upset that I felt lost in my own house. Lost. There was no way I was going to call my mom and freak her out. I turned off the stove, grabbed the house phone and dialled my Uncle Blake’s number. He was the only sibling my mom had that was still alive and I kept in touch with him every so often. At the time, he lived so close to us that he ran over the minute I called him. Ever since that day, I’ve neither seen nor spoken to Nathanial. And I was perfectly content with that. It’s not that I hate my father – I honestly don’t. I just don’t like him. I mean, he’s my father. I’m always gonna love him and he’ll always have a place in my heart. But what he did to me ten years ago, I’ll never forget and I’ll never forgive him for it. Everyone keeps telling me to let it go, but I can’t. Mainly because when I called my uncle, I found out some very…interesting... information.
The real reason my dad proposed to Gabrielle, besides that he “loved” her, was that she had a child for him. My father and mother were married for three years before they had me. Ever since I was born, his affair with Gabi had been going on. As a result of it, I apparently had a sibling that was two years younger than me that I’ve never met. To be honest, I’ve never really had an interest in meeting this child. It was just too hurtful. It reminded me of the way my dad betrayed me and my mom. It made me feel like he no longer loved us – more so me. This child, to me, was the exact representation of abandonment.
But now was not the time to think about that. I was pissed enough about having to leave. Right now I should be focused on relaxing and meditating before I got up. I didn’t want to miss my flight so my usual hour-long yoga would have to be postponed until tonight. So instead, I decided to lay in bed with my eyes closed and I breathed.
After a five-minute meditation, I rolled over in my bed and unplugged my iPhone from its charger. Looking at the screen, I saw that I had a text message from my boyfriend, Austin, and that it was 8:15a.m. I had a little over an hour to get ready before I had to check in at the airport. Unlocking my phone, I opened Austin’s text. As I read it, I began to cry.
’Good morning, beautiful. I know I’m meeting you at the airport but I just had to let you know – no matter where you are, you’ll always be my one and only. I’m truly gonna miss you. Kisses for life <3’
“Kayleigh Skylar DeMelo!” my mom screamed again, this time from her bedroom. “If I don’t hear you in the shower in two minutes, so help me God, I’m dragging you out of that bed and into the shower – clothes and all!”
“My gosh,” I sighed. “Mom! I’m up! Chillax!” I called to her, as I tossed my sheets and hopped out of bed.
“I don’t care if you’re up! You need to be in the shower! You’ve got thirty seconds or else it’s hell and powder house!”
Grabbing my slippers and robe, I ran into my bathroom and turned on the water. My mom’s “powder house” threats never ended well and I had already vowed to leave Miami in good graces.
Fifteen minutes later, I was showered, dressed and packed to go. All that was left to do was say goodbye. Goodbye to my mom, goodbye to Matthew, and goodbye to my best friends. I knew this day would come eventually but I didn’t expect it to come so soon. As I fixed my hair in the mirror, I thought of the text that Austin sent me. Yes, I was dreading saying goodbye to my best friend and “sister”, Alexis, who I’ve known my entire life, but for some reason, saying goodbye to Austin seemed to hurt ten times more and I couldn’t figure out why. As I left my bedroom for the last time, I locked the door and put the key in my – sorry, the – bathroom cabinet. If I kept it with me in California, it would only be a reminder of what I’ve lost and what I’ve had to leave behind.
“So today’s the day, huh Sky?” asked Matthew as he came into the kitchen. Too “fascinated” with my coffee, I didn’t answer.
“Skylar? You okay?” he asked, tapping my arm lightly. Matthew was the only person I allowed to call me by my middle name. No one – and I mean no one – had permission to call me “Skylar” or “Sky” except Matthew. Not even my mom. It was something my dad and I shared when I was younger. When Matthew came into my life nine years ago, he became the father-figure that I prayed for each and every night. After a year of being married to my mom, he asked me if I would mind calling him “dad” – and I didn’t. In exchange, he won the privilege to call me “Skylar”.
Snapping out of my daze, I said, “Huh? Oh, hey dad. Morning. What’d you say?”
“Morning, sweetheart. I was just wondering if you were okay. Your coffee seems very interesting this morning.”
“Oh. Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just that…”
“Today’s scary, huh?”
“Well…yeah…”
“But…?”
“Austin sent me the sweetest good morning text, like he always does, right? But this one…this one triggered something. I mean, I read it and it just hit me that I’m leaving in an hour. I have to say goodbye to him and…I don’t know. Something just feels weird…or…or...wrong,” I said, as I took a sip of my coffee.
“Oh, Sky. Sweetheart, don’t stress okay? It’s gonna be alright,” he said, giving me a hug. “I promise.”
“How do you know?” I asked, choking back tears. “I mean, seriously. Have you ever been shipped half-way across the country to a parent you don’t particularly like? And on top of that, had to end a four – almost five-year – relationship with the best guy around?”
“Well, no. But I just know these things. And besides,” he said, as he put two slices of bread into the toaster. “Nellie and I are only gone for two years.” As he made his coffee, my dad asked, “How about we make a deal?”
“It depends. Does this ‘deal’ involve cash?” I joked, as I wiped my tears and drank my coffee.
“Actually, it does. If you can get through a year at Nathan’s place, I’ll give you $1500 and an all-expenses paid trip for you, Alexis, and Austin to go wherever you want.”
“Really, dad? You would do that?”
“Well, of course. You’re not my daughter but you’re my only daughter. I gotta spoil you somehow. But I’m only gonna spoil you if you survive. So, we got a deal?”
“Yeah! Thanks!” I exclaimed, as I got up and gave him a hug.
“Kayleigh?” my mom called from upstairs. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, Shanelle! My stuff’s already in the car!” I called back, rolling my eyes, only to see her coming into the kitchen. I love and respect my mom but sometimes I like to mess with her and call her by her first name.
“Okay. You may be leaving but that doesn’t mean you can step out of line, missy. I can still bust your ass. You are still my child,” she joked. “If you’re ready, then let’s get going. I have errands to run.”
As I watched my mom give my dad a kiss and turn to go out the door, I smiled. I knew my mom, Shanelle “Nellie” DeMelo-Vincent, was gonna be okay without me. After all, she was in the tender, loving care of Matthew Vincent. As my dad hugged me goodbye, he said “Don’t cry, Skylar. I won’t forget you. I’ll still be here for you when you get back.” It wasn’t until I was in the car that I realized what he meant. As I backed out of the driveway and looked in the rear-view mirror, I saw the tears falling down my face.
