Page 10 of Under His Protection
“Hi, sweetie,” Mom says when I answer. “I’m just checking to see how you’re settling in. How’s your room?”
“I’m fine, and the room is comfortable. I’ve met my roommate, Melissa.”
“Is it okay if I put the phone on speaker? Dave’s here, and he wants to say hi.”
“Sure, go ahead. Hi, Dave.”
“Hey, kid. So, you’re doing okay?”
“I am.” The truth is, I’m already missing home. I miss my bedroom. I miss not having to share my bathroom with a bunch of strangers. I miss my mom and Dave. But I don’t want them to think I’m unhappy. “I’m excited about classes starting Monday.”
Melissa closes her textbook and climbs into bed.
“Sorry,” I whisper to her. “I won’t be long.”
“No problem,” she whispers back as she turns off the light on her nightstand. “Take your time.”
“Do you have everything you need?” Dave asks. “Books, supplies?”
“I have everything except for my books. Philip’s coming tomorrow for lunch, and after that we’ll stop by the bookstore so I can pick up my textbooks.”
“Perfect,” he says. “I transferred some money into your bank account. It should be there by Monday. Let us know if you need anything else. We’re just a phone call away.”
Dave has got to be the best stepfather a girl could ask for. “Thanks, Dave.”
My mom comes back on the line. “Have fun, honey. Let us know if you need anything. All you have to do is call.”
“I will, Mom. Thanks. You, too, Dave.” My phone chimes with an incoming call. “Mom, Dad’s calling.”
“Okay. We’ll say goodnight then. Talk to Mack. Give him our love.”
“Will do.” I end the call with Mom and accept the call from my dad. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, honey,” he says in his deep voice. “How’s it going? Erin’s here, by the way. We’re on speaker phone.”
“Everything’s going well so far. Hi, Erin.”
“Are you having fun yet?” Erin asks. She’s technically my stepmother, but she’s only five years older than I am, so she’s more like a big sister.
I chuckle. “Yep. Loads of fun.”
“We just wanted to make sure everything was going okay,” Dad says. “I transferred some money to your bank account. You should have it soon.”
“Thank you, Dad. Hey, before I forget, Mom and Dave send their love to you guys.”
“I’ll give your mom a call soon,” he says. “I was thinking the four of us could come visit you on campus. You could give us the grand tour, and then we’ll take you out to dinner afterward.”
“I’d love that.”
When I end the call, I settle into bed and turn off my bedside lamp.
Melissa laughs. “How many parents do you have?”
“Four. My parents got pregnant with me when they were seniors in high school. They decided not to get married. My dad went into the military, and my mom came here for her undergraduate degree. She met my stepdad in law school. My dad recently got married, so now I have a stepmom. Fortunately, they all get along really well.”
“It sure sounds like it.” She turns onto her side, facing away from me. “Goodnight, Haley. Sleep well.”
“You, too, Melissa. Goodnight.”
