Chasing Abby(71)

I shake my head again. “Nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything couldn’t be more right. And I have you to thank for that. So I just want to say… Thank you… for everything you’ve done for Caleb and me. And… Happy birthday… Mom.”
Her whole body trembles as she reaches up to cover her mouth. “Oh, God,” she whispers.
Her chest is heaving so hard and her hands are shaking uncontrollably. It actually scares me.
I lightly place my hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
She nods furiously, but she still can’t speak, so I do the one thing I hope will help. I slowly wrap my arms around her waist and she lets out a soft cry as she takes me in her arms.
“Oh, Abby,” she whispers. “I have never heard anything so beautiful in all my life.”
We hold each other a moment longer until she’s no longer trembling. When she releases me, Jimi comes bounding up the stairs. She looks a bit surprised when she sees us both standing just inside the laundry room, crying. Then she smiles as she realizes her little pep talk at the used bookstore worked.
But her smile disappears quickly. “Someone’s here.”
“Who?” I ask, but Jimi doesn’t answer. She casts us an ominous look as she turns around and heads back down the steps.
I turn to Claire and she’s wringing her hands as she looks me in the eye. “Your… your parents are here to take you home.”
My chest aches with the force of my heart pounding. I race down the steps and I can’t believe what I’m seeing. My mom and dad are standing in the living room. My dad’s arms are crossed over his bulky chest and my mom’s lips are pressed together in a hard line across her face.
My dad speaks first. “Get your things. We’re going home.”
“I’m not leaving right now. I’m leaving with Caleb on Tuesday.”
My mom rolls her eyes as she steps forward. “Just get your things and get in the car, Abby. We’ve allowed you to live your little hard-rock fantasy long enough. It’s time to go home and get ready for school.”
“Hard-rock fantasy? Are you kidding me? This has been the best summer of my life and you’re calling it a fantasy?”
“Oh, please, Abby. Of course it’s the best summer of your life. And who knows how much damage you’ve done to your heart in the meantime?”
Caleb comes up behind me and places his hands on my shoulders and my dad casts a vicious glare in his direction. “Abby has been doing great,” Caleb says, squeezing my arm. “She’s been taking all her meds and I think the physical activity has been helping. She has less—”
“Physical activity?” My dad cuts him off. “Are you two having sex?”
“Don’t answer that!” I shout at Caleb, then I round on my dad. “It’s none of your business what Caleb and I do, just like it’s none of my business what you and Mom do in the bedroom. I’m an adult and I’m not stupid. A little trust wouldn’t hurt, Dad. I’ve never given you a reason not to trust me.”
Chris and Claire come down the stairs and I must admit that I’m happy to see the angry look on Chris’s face. Then I remember how Claire already knew my parents were coming, which means Chris probably knew, as well.
“Did you know they were coming?”
Chris nods his head. “I’m sorry, Abby. We wanted to tell you, but they asked us not to. And we really didn’t want to cause any more trouble for you all. It’s really hard being in the middle of this. We really just want whatever makes you happy.”
My mom laughs at this. “Of course. Take the path of least resistance so we’re the bad guys. You were right, Brian. You knew this would happen.”