The One For Me(41)

I roll my eyes. “I still like Sam.”

“Of course you do,” Jen says. “He only looks just like Liam in the face.”

“What no he…oh my gosh, he looks just like him.” I smile to myself. “I didn’t even realize it till now. The hair and eyes are completely different, but the lips, the face, its…”

“The same, duh,” Jen says, popping a cheery into her mouth. “Sometimes I don’t know where your head is, sweetheart.”

I know exactly where it is. Focused on Liam. I’ve texted him all day, and about twenty times since school let out. Nothing. I keep glancing at my phone. It’s Thursday and I know they’re having the banquet at his house tonight. I’m sure he is there getting ready without me.

“Maybe you should just show up over there, Katy. What could it hurt?”

“Uh, he could slam the door in my face?” I say. “Get the townspeople to chase me with pitch forks.”

“You’re dramatic. He wouldn’t do any of those things.”

“He just won’t talk to me,” I whine. “I hate my life.”

“Will you shut up already?” Jen says.

“What?” I ask, sitting up.

“I’m sick of your whining. I know that your life hasn’t been fairy tale perfect lately, but Katy, it’s not that bad. At least you get to date. At least you get to go out with guys. I have to wait until after college to date. And if he isn’t Asian and acceptable my parents will disown me. Your parents are happy if you’re happy. You’re luckier than you think.” Jen stands up. “It makes me mad that you think everything is over. Get your ass up and do something about it. It’s that simple.” She grabs her bowl of cherries. “I’m out. I guess I will see you later.”

I watch Jen walk out of my room. My mouth is hung open. Did she really just say that? What the hell kind of friend is that?

“Ugh,” I groan, rolling over, looking at the screen. “Ah, Glee. What do I do?”

I don’t know how long I lie in my bed, staring at the ceiling.

“Katy, you awake,” Mom asks through the door.

“Unfortunately,” I mumble.

“Can I come in?”

I’d rather you not. “Sure, Mom.”

The door creaks open and I feel the bed move from Mom sitting down. “Sweetie, your dad and I are worried about you.”

I snort. “Yeah, he seems very worried,” I mumble.

“He is baby. What was all the commotion with Jen and you earlier? She left before Glee was over. I knew something was up then.”

I shrug and look up at my mom. She is staring down at me. “She told me she was sick of my whining that my life was too good to be complaining about. Then she kind of just walked out.”

“You ever think she is right?” Mom asks, brushing my hair back.

“I think I know she is. I’m just not okay enough to understand all of this. Dad is gone, Liam is gone, and the entire school is talking about me. I can’t imagine things getting any worse.”

Mom laughs.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was just the same way at your age…dramatic. Sweetie, I know your dad and I getting divorced is a lot for you, but it will be just fine. I know you don’t want to hear that right now but it will.” She stands up, and then kisses my forehead. “Just be glad you grew up and have both of your parents. I love you, baby.”

I know my mother is right. I know that she means well, but this is too much. I bite back my tears. I’m so tired of crying. I’m so tired of being mad at my Dad. It hurts too much. I roll over and notice a picture of Mom, Dad and me on the wall at Niagara Falls. All of us together. Liam’s face flashes through my mind. He doesn’t have this. He doesn’t have a memory of a picture perfect family…his is broken like mine is now. The poor little guy waiting on his mother to come back, only for her to never come back again. I just wish he could find her. I push past the throbbing pain in my chest; this is how he has felt his entire life. Broken.

I sit up in the bed. I could try and track her down? I doubt I find anything, but I could try. I grab my laptop and pull up Google. “I can only try,” I whisper.



Two hours later I have a number. I’m not sure if it’s the right number. But after being hung up on fifty times, I pray this is right. I had to sneak my mom’s yearbook and look for any Mary Beth I could. There were three. One still lived here and the other passed away. So, it left me with Mary Beth Johns.

I dial the number. “Hello,” a boy says.

“Um, I was wondering if there was a Mary Beth there?”