Happenstance 2 (Happenstance #2)(19)
Author: Jamie McGuire

Sam put his large hand gently on the back of my hair, pulling me to him.

Julianne pulled away to look me in the eyes, hers glossed over. “We wanted your last few weeks of school to be different. We wanted that so much for you.”

“I know.” I picked my bag off the floor and slung it over my shoulder. “I’ll see you after school.”

“Love you,” Julianne said.

Sam small smile was filled with awe and pride.

“I love you guys too,” I said, walking toward the garage.

“What else can we do?” I heard Julianne say. “I need things to be better for her.”

“She’s the toughest person I know, honey. She doesn’t need us to fix this for her. We’ll just love her through it.”

I smiled. That would carry me through the day.

In biology, there were already whispers of trouble between Weston and me. Sara didn’t ask, and that struck me as odd. Maybe it was already evident in my face, even though I was getting to practice my stoicism again. The scars that had formed over the years were easily brought back to the surface, stronger than ever, because this time I had a solid support system at home. I knew no matter what happened with Weston, I would always have Sam and Julianne. They were mine. Forever.

During second period, right in the middle of Mrs. Vowel’s lesson, Mrs. Pyles stood in the doorway with her trademark smile.

“I need Erin, Mrs. Vowel.”

The teacher dropped her arm from writing on the Smart Board. “Should she take her things, or will she be back?”

Mrs. Pyles looked to me. “Go ahead and grab your stuff.”

I did as asked and followed her down the plexiglas-lined hall, garnering stares from the students and teachers in every class we passed.

“They think I’ve hit the lottery,” I whispered. “And at the same time they’re judging me, thinking I’m benefiting from Alder’s death. Every good thing that happens to me gets twisted.”

“I’m worried about you,” she said. “Apparently Mr. Bringham and Mrs. Rogers are too. They want to touch base with you about how things are going.”

“Did Sam call?”

“Mr. Bringham didn’t say as much. Why? Is everything okay at home?”

“Sam and Julianne are wonderful.”

Mrs. Pyles looked relieved. “Good. You deserve nothing less.”

“Are we going to the office now?”

Mrs. Pyles nodded.

“Did they send you to get me?”

“It’s my planning hour. I heard Mrs. Rogers ask a student to send a note to have you come to the office, and I said I would do it. I thought this would give us time to chat. I saw you got a new car. That’s pretty fantastic.”

“It’s incredible. Sam and Julianne have already done so much for me”

“They’re such good people. And obviously lucky too.”

“Lucky?”

“To have you with them again. Getting you back, even after losing Alder, must have made it a little easier, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know. They don’t really talk about it. I think they are afraid it’s unfair to me to talk about missing her.”

“I can see that. Makes sense. But they can miss her and still be glad to have you.”

“They do. They are. I don’t know anyone else who could handle it the way they have. I hear Julianne crying in Alder’s room sometimes. Not a lot. It must be really hard for them, not being able to grieve normally.”

“It’s unique. Both sad and happy. But everyone sees how happy you’ve made them.”

“You think so?” I asked, stopping in front of the office.

“Absolutely.” She winked at me and opened the door.

The secretary, Mrs. Bookout, popped up from her seat. She was barely taller than the partition that separated her desk area from the rest of the office lobby.

“I’ll just tell them you’re here,” she said.

When she reappeared, she gestured for me to go in.

“Are you coming?” I asked Mrs. Pyles.

“I have to use the copy machine and get a few things together for next period.”

With that, she walked behind the partition and down the hall to the back offices, and I walked into Mr. Bringham’s office. He sat behind his desk with a kind smile, his fingers intertwined in front of him. Mrs. Rogers sat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk, equally happy. This time the vice principal, Mr. Mann, sat in on the meeting as well. His reddish, thinning hair and square glasses matched his rust sweater.

“I hope you’re not nervous, Erin. We just wanted to check in with you. How are things going at the new place? Getting along well with Sam and Julianne?”

“They’ve been incredible. They told me the other day that they’re taking care of my college expenses.”

Mrs. Rogers beamed. “That is fantastic news, Erin. It truly is. We’re very happy for you. Looks like you’re getting settled.”

“I’m happy for me too.”

Mr. Mann crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “Your grades are still looking good. We’re very impressed with how you’ve handled all of this.”

“Thank you.”

“How are things with Gina?” Mrs. Rogers asked quietly.

“Nonexistent.”

She nodded, clearly not sure how to react. “Everyone reacts differently. This must be hard for her too.”

“Actually, I think she’s relieved.”

“Oh,” Mr. Mann said, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t go that far. You’re a great young lady, Erin. We just want you to know that we’re here. We’re rooting for you. Things like this…Sometimes reality hits when we’re not prepared, and if you find yourself lost, we’d like for you to let us find you some resources to help you wrap your head around all of this. Because it’s a lot.”

They all stared at me, as if they were waiting for me to break down.

“It hasn’t been totally smooth. It’s a lot to take in. But we’re taking it one day at a time.”

“So nice to hear you say we,” Mrs. Rogers said. “It’s important to have support at home.”

“I agree. I was just thinking today how much it’s helped.”

They looked at each other, relieved and satisfied with our chat. After we had touched base on my grades, college plans, and how impressed with me they were, they released me from class, but not before Mr. Bringham offered a chair anytime I needed to talk. I thanked him and headed for my locker.