VII One month later
In the past month alone; Luke went into remission, I got out of high school, and I lost my job at the book bookstore because I was too stressed with Luke and finishing school to actually go to work, and the trip to my Dad’s is pretty set in stone and is in two weekends. Mom still has the money that Jason left (which he didn’t have a choice if he wanted to leave it or not because technically it was Mom’s anyways) and she’s been supporting us on that. Pretty soon I’m going to get another job, but not until we know Luke’s condition is stable. Remission doesn’t mean recovery, unfortunately, so we have to bring him back to the doctors today for more blood work and things of that nature. I’ve been hanging around Fox a lot, maybe because I like it but mostly because Luke just eats it up. I can barely see an improvement in his condition, but the doctor’s say he doing better. Fox is coming over today to bring us to the hospital. Mom is sick, and the doctor has instructed her to stay in bed. She’s not a high risk pregnancy, because she’s only 32, but they still want to be cautious because of the second hand smoke and who knows what else she encountered when she was first pregnant.
Everyone is coming with us today because we’re all expecting good news. Amy is the first to show up, but without Jacob. It’s an odd sight. She smiles widely when I open the door.
“Good morning!” she chirps.
“Good morning,” I mumble. Lauren runs up from behind me and into Amy’s arms.
“Where’s Jacob?” she asks, looking behind her.
“He has to work sweetie,” Amy says.
“Is he coming?” she asks.
“I’m afraid not.” Lauren sticks her bottom lip out. “It’s just gunna be us girls. Plus Fox and Luke of course.”
“Are you hungry?”
“No, but I’ll take some tea.” She follows me into the kitchen, Lauren still attached to her hip. Like is playing the Gameboy on the counter.
“Hey Luke,” Amy says. He doesn’t acknowledge her. I grab the Gameboy out of his hands.
“Hey!” he says.
“Amy was talking to you,” I say.
“Hi,” he says, “I want it back.”
“How do you ask for something?”
“Can I have it back?” he says, and I raise my eyebrow so he adds, “Please?”
Kylee shows up next, also requesting tea. I pour boiling water onto tea bags and hand them to Kylee and Amy. I pour the remainder for myself. Fox wanders in and takes my mug.
“Hey all,” he says, smiling, “Coffee?”
“Tea,” I say, and he scrunches up his nose. “Ask before you take then.”
“Ooh, snippy today,” he says, laughing. I roll my eyes. “Oh lighten up Taylor.” He nudges my shoulder with his elbow.
“Ready to go?” I ask the twins.
“No!” they say together.
“Then go get ready.” Luke jumps off the counter and follows Lauren into their room.
