Inevitable and Only(69)

She aimed a final hug and kiss at Josh, who ducked.

“We won’t call you, Mom,” I said. Not making eye contact with Dad. “We’ll be fine. You should go forget about the outside world for a while. Besides, I think national parks have a ban on cell phones these days, or something.”

“Okay,” Mom said, taking a deep breath. “Well, see you next weekend, then.” They were flying back just in time for Josh’s competition on Sunday afternoon.

Dad finally gave me a hug, too, and slipped something into my hand—a thin envelope. “Read that later,” he said, and then before I had a chance to figure out what to say, they were gone.

Ruby and Renata took Josh home with them. I’d told them I wanted to hang out with the cast for a while and Elizabeth would drive us over later—she had her provisional license now, which meant she could drive family members. Mom and Dad had taken a cab to the airport and left us the Comet in case we needed to go somewhere.

“I still can’t believe no one’s figured this out yet,” I whispered to Raven and Max, even though all the parents were already gone.

“Don’t sound so fatalistic,” said Raven. “It’s going to be fine.”

She and Max were coming to the cast party—even though they weren’t involved in the play. “You have to come!” I’d told them. “I don’t know how to throw a party! I don’t even want to be throwing a party! Heron and Micayla already volunteered to be bouncers.”

Raven had rolled her eyes at me. “Seriously, Cadie, it’s a group of Quaker high school drama nerds. How much trouble can they really cause?”

I went backstage to pack up my makeup and clothes. We were all coming back to strike the set Monday night, but Micayla, who was going to take me home, was still busy collecting and putting away costumes. So I figured I’d clean up my space in the dressing room while I was waiting for her.

First, though, I sat in a chair at the dressing room mirror and opened Dad’s note. All the other girls in the cast were still out in the lobby, hugging each other and crying, or talking to their friends and families, so I had the dressing room to myself.

Cadiest, the note began, and I had to swallow a lump that rose suddenly in my throat.

Cadiest,

First of all, I want to say in writing how unbelievably proud of you I am. I cried at every single performance. As I’m sure you could’ve guessed. My baby girl has grown into a talented young woman who can become anyone she wants on stage, who can spout poetry, who can make a grown man weep. How did that happen???

But that’s not why I wrote this note, really. I want to say this in writing, too: I hate the way things have been between me and you these past few months. I know you’re angry. I understand why. But I still can’t stand it. When Mom and I come back, can we do something about it? I think we’re long overdue for some quality Dad-Cadie time. We can go down to DC to see a play, just me and you. Or we can have a day in the Inner Harbor. Or—anything you want. Just tell me how to fix things. Please. I miss you.

Love,

Dad

P.S. I don’t know how much it matters, because things are the way they are, but I’m so sorry, Cadie. I’m sorry I let you down. I’m sorry that something I did a long time ago has turned your world upside down. I’m sorry I’m not the dad you thought I was.

I sat there in front of my mirror and stared at it without seeing my reflection, clutching Dad’s note in both hands.

The dressing room door banged open, and Tori, Rina, Kieri, and Priya came in, talking loudly. It was a good thing everyone was so emotional after the last show, because no one bothered me to ask why I had tears running down my face.



After Micayla dropped me off on her way home, I ran upstairs to change. It was five o’clock. I had two hours to—well, do whatever you were supposed to do to get ready for a cast party.

I opened the door to my room, and almost had a heart attack. The place looked ransacked. “Oh my god, what happened?” I said out loud.

Elizabeth stuck her head out of the closet, which nearly gave me a second coronary arrest. “Hi,” she said flatly. “I’m just packing.”

I clutched at my chest and crossed the room to sit on my bed. “I didn’t realize you were here. Sorry. Wait, packing for what?”

She raised an eyebrow at me. “For our week at the Woodburys’ house.”

I surveyed the wreckage. “You’re bringing all these clothes?”

She shrugged. “Figured I’d clean out my side of the closet while I was at it. Reorganize.”

“Okay …” I realized I hadn’t said anything to Elizabeth about the cast party. I’d assumed she’d drive me to Raven’s, but hadn’t spoken to her about tonight at all. Hadn’t even remembered that she’d be here, too. Unless I managed to get her out of the house somehow. “Um,” I said. “What are you doing tonight? Are you going out with Farhan or anything?”

“No.” She had her back to me, studying the few items left on her side of the closet. Then she ripped everything off the hangers and tossed it all on the bed.

“Okay,” I said again. “Well. Um. I’m sort of, um, having some friends over.”

“Oh?” She didn’t sound interested.

“Yeah. Drama friends. It’s sort of, um, a cast party.”