The Summer I Disappeared Chapter 15

The Summer I Disappeared Chapter 15

Time is the clumsiest doctor. But it heals all old wounds.

Four years later. Graduation.

In my cap and gown, I stood at the podium beneath the lights. The sole student speaker. Top of the class.

I’d already received early admission to MIT. Full funding. A direct-track PhD program.

Next month, I’d start at a national core laboratory. A major research project.

After the ceremony, I was backstage wiping off my makeup when my phone buzzed.

Unknown number. I hesitated. Picked up.

“Winter…”

Tally’s voice. Hoarse. Shattered. Crying.

First time I’d heard her voice in four years.

“Winter. Come home. Please?”

I stopped wiping. Said nothing.

“After you left, everything changed.”

“Mom and Dad never smile at me anymore. They moved my cello out of your room. Renovated it. They clean it every day.”

“Every time I want to buy something new, Mom starts crying. Says it was my fault for destroying your computer. Says I drove you away.”

“Dad comes home from work and just stands on the back porch. Smoking. Staring at your photos. Sighing.”

“They don’t even celebrate my birthday now. Every year, they just transfer you money you never accept…”

“And Leo. He’s like a ghost. Ignores everyone. Spends every waking hour in the lab. Says he’s going to get into a grad program in California. To find you.”

“I went to see him. He wouldn’t even look at me. Told me to get lost…”

“Winter. I can’t take this anymore.”

She broke down on the other end of the line. Sobbing.

didn’t do anything wrong. So why does everyone treat me like some kind of curse now?”

“didn’t steal their love. They shoved it at me. So why are they punishing me by taking it all away?”

“Come back. Please. Maybe if you come back, they’ll love me again…”