The Suitcase They Threw Out, The Ticket I Bought To Leave Chapter 04

The Suitcase They Threw Out, The Ticket I Bought To Leave Chapter 04

We pulled up to Duke right before dinner.

Hunter rushed off to finish his own check-in, giving me quick directions before heading to his dorm.

Mom texted me: [Your dad and I are leaving tonight. Come have one last family dinner with us.]

I changed my route and walked to the private dining room. People were already seated around the table.

Mom, Dad, Nadia, plus three unfamiliar girls.

One girl tilted her head. “Nana, is this your sister? You never mentioned her in high school. We all thought you were an only child.”

Panic flickered across Nadia’s face. “No, this is my cousin.”

My grip tightened on the door handle. I looked straight at Dad, who quickly averted his eyes.

Mom stayed completely calm, picking bones from a fish fillet and placing flaky pieces onto Nadia’s plate. “That’s right. Nana’s cousin also got into Duke.”

My vision blurred. I couldn’t stay another second. “I just remembered I have somewhere I need to be. I’m leaving.”

I pulled the door shut behind me. I could still hear Mom speaking softly inside. “Nana’s been spoiled growing up; she’s never shared living space with roommates. Please look out for her.”

Cousin. The word looped in my head as I wandered across campus.

Eventually I reached a massive tree inside Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a wooden plaque nailed to its trunk.

Rumor had it that if you prayed sincerely here, your wishes came true.

Three years ago, Hunter and I had visited this spot, promising we would come back once we started college.

Back then he’d looked straight in my eyes and wished we would stay together forever.

My own wish: Be worthy. Earn Mom and Dad’s love. Be good enough for Hunter.

Maybe I’d been greedy, asking for three things at once. God hadn’t granted any of them. My parents never grew to love me, and Hunter’s affection had faded long before today.

Tears rolled down my cheeks, my chest tight and burning.

I had gotten accepted to Duke, but Cornell’s acceptance letter had arrived later. I’d hesitated at first; the north was so far, the trip home would take days. Then one night I overheard my parents talking with Nadia.

“Mom, if Wally’s also going to Duke, will you stop loving me?”

“Never, baby girl. You will always be my precious princess. We’ll drive home for you any time you want.”

“What about Wally?”

“Her? She’s cold-hearted. She never bonded with us. She doesn’t want this family, so we don’t want her.”

No matter how much I achieved, the favorite child got all their love.

I would choose myself instead. I just needed my things, and then I would leave.

My phone pinged. A text from Dad popped up: [Look after your sister while you’re on campus.]

Right after that, Hunter sent a voice note. “Wally, meet me at the campus football field at ten. Nana and I have a surprise for you.”

I ignored both messages and boarded a flight heading north.

…

Hunter waited for me at the field all night. Furious, he blocked my number.

It wasn’t until Experiential Orientation the next day that he realized I was missing from campus. Dread washed over him.

“Where is Wallace Moore?”

The Orientation Leader assigned to my supposed group stared back, confused. “We don’t have anyone by that name in our crew.”

Hunter’s head spun. He finally understood something was terribly wrong.

His fingers shook as he dialed Dad’s number. “Uncle Jude—Wallace never showed up at Duke!”