Page 4 of An Unexpected Turn
“It’s adorable that you still say that. We’ll talk later about what I can bring when I come up. I’m thinking white wine goes better with unpacking.”
“Sounds amazing. Thanks, Claud.”
I ended the call and dropped my head into my hands. This was a good choice. The right choice. I’d keep repeating it in my head until I believed it.
“Good morning,” I greeted my aunt and uncle with a big smile. Faking it until I made it was my newly adopted mantra. “I’ll miss the free breakfast when I leave.”
“You could have all the free meals you want. I don’t know why you’re in such a rush to go.” Uncle Keith gave me a half smile. “We told you that you could stay as long as you wanted.”
I cut a look to Aunt Maya, her braids bouncing at her shoulders as we both shared a silent laugh. There was a ten-year age gap between my uncle and my mother, and when I came along, he was only a teenager. When my parents divorced and my father all but disappeared, Uncle Keith stepped up for us more than most men would have at his age.
He was the fun uncle when I was a kid, always up for an ice cream date or sitting on the floor to play with me for hours on end, but as I grew up, he became the protector I could always count on and the only real father figure I’d ever known. He was so thrilled I was here, but didn’t know the whole reason why. Claudia was the only one who knew, and while I was sure Uncle Keith wouldn’t judge me, I couldn’t handle disappointing him.
“I know that, and I appreciate it. But I think eventually I’d get in your way. Even if you’d never tell me that.” I lifted a brow at my uncle before reaching for a coffee mug.
“You would never get in the way. The boys love having you here,” my aunt said, taking a seat next to me. “And we do too. But I totally get wanting a place of your own. Somewhere there isn’t a framed jersey on every inch of wall space.” She pursed her lips at her husband.
Aunt Maya’s light-brown eyes almost glowed against her ebony skin. Their ten-year-old twin boys were a perfect combination of her and Uncle Keith. Brian was laid-back and reserved like his mother, but Aiden always had a million nosy questions like his dad.
“That’s another reason.” I reached across the table and patted my uncle’s hand. “I took over your man cave. I’m sure you want it back, even if you don’t mind my staying here.”
He waved a hand at me. “I can always move that stuff somewhere else.”
“Really? Where?”
I laughed at the lift in his wife’s brow.
“I bet Kelly Lakes High hasn’t changed at all.” Uncle Keith snickered around a piece of toast. “That building is a hundred years old.”
“It’s had a solid reputation for a long time. I start meeting with my freshman kids today.”
Aiden and Brian tore into the kitchen, both reaching into the cabinet at the same time for different cereal boxes. I enjoyed working with elementary and middle school children, but high school was my sweet spot. The freshmen and sophomores needed the most guidance and weren’t as jaded or cocky as some of the juniors or seniors. I wasn’t intimidated, but it was easier to help kids who didn’t think they were too cool to accept it.
“Good morning to you, too, guys.” Uncle Keith laughed, shaking his head. “Once they learn how to use the stove, they won’t need us at all.”
They both mumbled a hello at their father as they stuffed spoons into their mouths, milk dribbling down their chins.
“Slow down! You’ll get a stomachache.” Aunt Maya heaved out a sigh and dropped napkins next to their bowls.
“Oh, that reminds me. I’m not sure if I told you that Jake’s son is a freshman. You remember Jake, right? I stopped by his office the first day of school, and he was probably just as nervous as Mikey.”
I nodded and swallowed a mouthful of eggs, not wanting to admit how much Ididremember his friend Jake. When I last saw my uncle’s best friend, I was a high school freshman myself. Jake had been at a few functions my uncle had before then, but that was the first time I’d reallyseenhim. I’d stayed with my uncle for a week one summer while my mother went on a work trip, and Jake popped over a few times.
It was more than fifteen years ago, but I could still picture the piercing blue eyes, chiseled jaw, and broad shoulders. He’d flash me a blinding smile, and I was too embarrassed by my braces to smile back. When he’d try to pull small talk out of me, I’d only stammer in reply.
I’d run into Jake eventually, especially since I recalled seeing a Michael Russo on my student list. I was certain that Jake was probably the kind of man who only grew hotter with age.
“His son is one of my students. Unless there’s another Michael Russo in school, he’s on my roster for the year.”
“Poor kid. His mother moved away with her new husband and left him with Jake. After all the years of breaking his balls whenever it came to Mikey—”
Maya cleared her throat and motioned to the boys across the table. I bit back a smile when he responded with a sheepish grin.
“I mean, making it difficult whenever Jake wanted more than a weekend, now she has no problem dropping him off for good. Inside information you could use as his guidance counselor, I guess.”
A wave of sympathy twisted my gut. I’d only been working as a counselor for five years, but it was long enough to hear some terrible stories. They ranged from the sad, like Jake’s son, to the horrifying. Stepping in early was always key, and kids like Mikey struggled in ways that weren’t always obvious.
I’d use the inside information and keep an eye out for him. Being in a new school and town, he probably could use an early friend.
