Into the Spotlight by Leslea Wahl

Author:Leslea Wahl [Wahl, Leslea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: inspirational fiction
Publisher: vinspirepublishing
Published: 2022-07-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“We miss you, kiddo.” This has become Dad’s usual mantra during the weekly family phone call. The ringing phone had greeted Lily and me as we walked into the cottage after Mass and another inspiring homily.

“Miss you guys, too.” A little.

“I can’t believe you’re learning to scuba dive.”

“Yeah, learning all about buoyancy and decompression has kept me really busy the last few days. But I think remembering all the hand signals is the hardest part. I kept giving a thumbs-up sign to signal I was okay but that actually means I need to surface, so we wasted a bit of time that first day. But once I got that straightened out, it’s been good.”

“Please be careful.”

“Don’t worry, it’s with a certified instructor.” One who’s also my new beau, but dear ole dad doesn’t need to know that part.

“Well, there isn’t much new around here.” He pauses a moment like he’s trying to think of something to say. “Your mom’s been traveling to promote the book. Grandma is coming for a few days to help with Riley. Right now, he’s plastered in front of the TV watching an endless supply of shark shows. In a week, he’ll be an expert. Let’s see, what else…? It’s been humid, as usual, and we’ve had a lot of mosquitoes.”

I shiver realizing that depressing description had almost been my summer. I barely escaped in time. “Gee, sounds like I’ve been missing all the fun. Well, tell Riley congrats on passing his knot-tying test during scout camp.”

“Let me put Mom on.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” I hear the tentative tone in her voice. Our relationship has not become any less awkward over the weeks. We tiptoe like ballerinas on pointe around the whole reason I’m here. “Lily sent lots of texts and pictures from your road trip. Sounds like you two are having a great time. But you know you can always come home early if you want.”

I almost laugh at the absurdity of her statement. “Thanks, but I’m really having the best summer ever. It’s great having no one around who knows about the book.” Well, almost no one, except for the pesky superfan and of course McNaughty.

She sighs—quite heavily. “Josie, every week you remind me how your life has been ruined, and every week I apologize profusely. I get it. I screwed up and shouldn’t have written something so similar to your life. I probably never should have written about you in the first place. I’m sorry your school is full of spoiled rich kids with nothing better to do than tease you. But there’s nothing more I can do. I can’t keep apologizing forever and quite honestly, life doesn’t revolve around you. You need to get over it and move on.”

I actually have no words—completely stunned into silence.

She continues, a slight strain in her voice. “I love you very much and will keep praying that this situation is soon resolved. We’ll talk to you next week.” And then she hangs up.

Aunt Lily watches me closely as I set the phone down.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.