My Family’s Suitcase Was Always Too Small for My Future Chapter 03

My Family’s Suitcase Was Always Too Small for My Future Chapter 03

The doorbell rang.

I set the last dish on the rack, swiped at my eyes, and went to answer it.

“Package for you. Just need a signature.”

My diploma.

Something in my chest unclenched. I could leave now.

“What came in?”

Grant was behind me. Coffee in hand, he glanced at my face, at whatever he saw there that passed for a smile.

“My diploma.”

He nodded, already turning away. Then he stopped.

“I still owe you a graduation gift. What do you want?”

That caught me off guard. He actually remembered.

Not that I’d been expecting anything.

I thought about it. Then I looked up.

“Come with me to get my shots tomorrow.”

HR required vaccinations for everyone relocating to the Southwest. Standard protocol.

“That’s it?”

He looked surprised.

I nodded.

“That’s it.”

He shrugged and said sure.

The next afternoon, I had my bag packed and was waiting by the door.

Grant came out with that look, the one that meant I wasn’t going to like what came next.

“Tessa needs to run to the mall for the trip. I’ll drop her off first, then go with you after.”

“I already have an appointment.”

“Push it back. She flies out tomorrow.”

I shut my mouth.

Tessa’s eyes went red the second she saw me hesitate. She twisted the hem of her shirt, voice small.

“Forget it. I don’t need to go shopping. Take Maren.”

Grant didn’t even blink.

“Don’t be silly. You’re going on vacation. Of course you need new clothes.”

Then, like he realized how that sounded, he turned to me.

“What do you think, Maren?”

I looked at him. His face asked me one thing. His eyes told me another.

They were all waiting for my answer.

But we all knew the answer was already decided.

I held it together for a beat. Then I smiled.

“Go ahead.”

Grant’s shoulders dropped.

Tessa bounced over and kissed my cheek.

“Thanks, Maren!”

“Sure.”

I went alone.

Then I booked a train ticket for the next day.

When I got home, Tessa was showing off her haul to Mom and Dad.

She saved the best for last: outfits she’d picked out for each of them.

Mom was beaming until she spotted me. The smile dropped.

“I’m not trying to start a fight, Maren, but look at your sister. She thought of us. She always does. When’s the last time you did?”

“With what money?”

Tessa could afford gifts because Mom had handed her a stack of cash before the trip.

Mom knew the money was hers to begin with. She used it to twist the knife anyway.

“Excuse me? Are you saying this is my fault? You’re twenty-four years old, Maren. When are you going to stop keeping score with your little sister?”

She hadn’t expected me to push back. The surprise on her face lasted about half a second before anger swallowed it whole.

“I’m twenty-four. One year older than Tessa.”

“Enough!” Dad’s voice cut through the room.

“You’re a grown woman. You don’t talk to your mother like that.”

Grant stared at me like he didn’t recognize who he was looking at.

“What’s gotten into you lately?”

That was all Mom needed. Her eyes welled up, and she turned and disappeared into her bedroom, every inch the wounded mother.