A Stellar Purpose by Natacha Belair

Author:Natacha Belair
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 2022-08-26T11:54:51+00:00

A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, Isabel softly knocks on her daughter’s bedroom door. “May I come in?”

“Sure,” Avery replies quietly, gently stroking Shadow’s fluffy back. He purrs loudly. At least Shadow still loves me.

“How are you feeling? Any better?”

“Sort of, I guess.”

“Would you like a warm bowl of butternut squash soup?”

“You made my favourite? Thanks, Mom.” She tries her best to smile.

She leans her face into Shadow’s belly—igniting his instinct to gently massage Avery’s forehead while increasing his powerful purr. I love you too, sweetie. I don’t know what I would do without you. Don’t ever leave me, my little ball of love.

A few minutes later, Isabel enters the room holding a wooden tray with a bowl of soup, crackers, cubes of marble cheese, and a tall glass of ice water.

“You’re the best. Thanks, Mom.” Avery sits up and takes the tray, making a mini sandwich with the cheese and crackers. Her mother tidies up the room.

“I had no idea I was actually hungry,” Avery says after swallowing the last mouthful of soup.

Isabel places the tray on the floor before sitting on Avery’s bed and looking at her daughter with a mixture of love and concern.

“Ave, I’d like to talk with you for a minute.”

Oh, no! What does she want now? Avery nods, silent. Her heart sinks. “Mom, I don’t want to talk. Thanks for the food, but can you please leave my room?” says Avery, not sure how much more anxiety she can take.

“Avery, don’t be rude! You don’t even know what I’m about to say.”

She sighs loudly, lying back down and pulling the covers over her head. Aaarrrggg! Do we really have to do this? Just leave me alone . . . leave!

Ignoring her daughter’s behaviour, Isabel states, “Teagan told me you had a fight with Paige. Is that true?”

Avery immediately pulls the cover off and sits up.

“How did she hear about that? We don’t even go to the same school. Does everybody know? This is horrible!”

“She heard from Paige’s sister. What was the fight about?”

“It was nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s obviously something, given the way you just reacted. Please, my love, tell me what’s going on. I want to help you.”

“I told Paige a secret in confidence, and she told Crissy. And I’m pretty sure Crissy told everyone!”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, look at this.” She grabs her phone, powers it on, and shows her mother Paige’s blocked social media pages. “She’s cutting me out! All because of . . . well, it doesn’t matter. Paige isn’t who I thought she was.”

“Oh, darling. Come here.” Isabel leans in to hold her child in her arms. “I’m sure you and Paige can fix this. You’ve been best friends for a very long time.”

“No! It’s too late. And now, everybody hates me.” Avery whimpers.

“What do you mean, everybody hates you?” asks Isabel as she hands Avery a box of tissues.

She grabs a tissue, blows her nose, and says, “Normally, when I miss school, I get a ton of messages—” Avery can’t finish her sentence.

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