Sister Mother

Chapter 31

Addie's secret Leo notebook

May 22nd

Lee.

I exist. I wake up each day. I cry buckets. I stress about money. I try to comfort my family. Mom and Dad are gone and I thought that would make things easier. I was wrong.

I miss you. I love you. Thank you for continuing to check in with me.

-Adds.

⫷👁⫸

Leo

A month later

"Vance, you've got Monday, right?" I asked.

"I had Wednesday and last Monday."

"Mags, what about you?" I asked.

"Tuesdays and Thursdays are mine," she answered, crossing her legs.

"I've got Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Brennan, you're Monday."

"Yup," Brennan answered.

I nodded. The four of us were sprawled on the couch in my apartment. We'd been taking food shifts for the McKenna's for the past month. Only Mags who went to the funeral to support Addie had seen her. Lately, Addie had texted less and less. In addition to laying her parents to rest, she also inherited more responsibility. I didn't text her too often either, since I knew she was going through a lot.

Her uncle moved in with them shortly before the funeral, surprisingly at Addie's request.

I grabbed my phone and started texting my secret weapon, who had not taken a break from me.

Leo: Update?

Beatrice: Addie and Gabe met with the people about the will again. Still waiting to get $. Could take forever. Addie's worried bc the house is officially hers and we cant afford it. Also the neighbors gave us more casserole

Leo: That's nice

Beatrice: Casserole is dead people food.

"No one send casserole!" I didn't even bother to look up at my friends. They all knew I was texting Addie's sister, had made fun of me and given up on trying to make me to stop.

Beatrice: Here's another update for you

Beatrice attatched a photo of Addie sitting in a brand new Volkswagen. It was dark blue and she had her elbow sticking out of the window. She looked exhausted and was frowning.

Leo: She's got a car? I thought she and Gabe shared?

Beatrice: Present from uncle and cousin. They've been keeping it secret for months. It's adapted. Raised brakes and gas. No airbags. Higher seat. Wheelchair ramp. Addie says its a lifesaver.

Leo: Things are getting better?

Beatrice: We still cry a lot. Uncle has been helping a lot. We're still in a rut and Addie's freaked out about money. But we're heading in the right direction.

Leo: Enough to pick out a date?

Beatrice: On it!

Addie

Mom and Dad hadn't lived at home for over a year before they were taken off support, but the house still felt empty without them. The weeks that followed their funeral transported us o the ones that followed the accident.