Under the Stars (Sequel to Across the Pond)

Chapter 18

I'm beaming from ear to ear when I get home. You know that feeling of invincibility? Like you're unstoppable? Like no matter what life throws at you, you can take it head-on because you feel unbeatable? That's me right now. I'm floating on a cloud. Reality feels like fantasy; almost like what's happening around me is too good to be true.

Kissing Brooks was majestic. I've never had a kiss like that, and I'm convinced that I probably never will. It felt like I had just found a missing piece of a puzzle.

The kiss clicked. It felt right. Like it was meant to happen.

I'm in the kitchen sipping on a glass of cold water when I look through the sink window to see dad sitting in the backyard. He's scrolling through his laptop with one hand while the other runs through his hair.

I uncover the cake stand that's on the kitchen island and cut a slice of the banana bread that mom baked the other day.

Juggling the plate in my hand, I open the door to the backyard.

"Thought you could use a mid-day pick me up," I tell my dad as I approach him from behind.

He turns around and smiles, taking the plate from my grip. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"Watch'ya doing?" I ask as I make myself comfortable on the seat next to him.

"Just some job searching."

"Any luck?"

"We'll see. I sent out 3 applications in the last hour."

"That's great, dad," I say, and he looks at me with a smile before closing the laptop shut.

"Yeah, but it can wait. I rather spend time with my daughter. How are you doing, sweetie?"

"Good," I enthusiastically state because it's the truth. Heck, I'm great. Fantastic.

"That's great," dad beams. "Work good?"

"Work's good."

"The guests at Meadows not giving you a hard time?" he asks as he slices into a piece of the banana bread.

"Nothing I can't handle," I proudly smile.

"Of course not," he says, looking at me endearingly. "What do you want to do for dinner tonight? It's just going to be the two of us."

"What? Where's mom?"

Dad slows his chewing then pushes the plate away before leaning his body back and clearing his throat. "She, uh, took a double shift tonight."

"What? Didn't she get to the hospital at like 7 this morning?"

"Yeah," dad says, and I can tell that he's trying to make his tone seem casual, but he's clearly bothered by the fact that mom's been at work all day and will be all night.

I plant my elbows on my knees and inch my head forward. "You know, dad, if you need me to take on more work, I can. I can speak with my boss Jill and see if th-"

"That's not necessary, sweetheart," he says with a chuckle to make light of the situation.

"Dad," I cover his hand with mine, "if you need me to, I will," I assure him.

He gives me half of a smile. "I know, sweetheart. Thank you. But I don't need you to. In fact, a couple of weeks from now, your mother won't be needing to take on the extra shifts, either, because I'll be back at work. I'm confident that my last interview went well. So, soon, we won't have to worry."

I spend a few more minutes outside with my dad before heading back inside.

I walk into the kitchen and dump the remnants of banana bread into the garbage when I spot a shredded piece of paper laying there with the words: "Late Payment – Second Notice" on the top corner of one of the pieces.

I pull it out and the logo tells me that it's from our electric company.

I reach for a second piece, this one with more words on it. It reads:

Dear Mr. Jack Baker,

We have not received payment yet for your last utility bill, which is now past due. A late payment charge of..."

The rest is cut off.

I don't need to scramble for the remaining pieces because I've read more than enough to understand what's going on here.

And what's going on is worse than I thought.