Page 104 of Tell Me I'm Enough

“It is what it is. I’m a big boy. Come on. Let’s finish getting you packed.”

I help her squeeze everything she owns into her suitcase before going to leave.

When we’re standing at her door, I pull her in for another hug because that last one felt too good, and it’s already something I know I’ll miss while she’s away.

“Say hello to Mama Edwards for me…and tell Tyler I said he better take care of you over the break and get you back to us in one happy piece.”

28

Simone

“Tilt the phone down so we can see him!”Lani whines.

“Yeah. I mean, we love you, Simone,” Lydia says. “But we’re on this call for the dog!”

I roll my eyes and raise the phone up in the air so they can see our family dog and me in matching PJs.

Yes, I got my family’s dog into a Christmas PJ set that matches mine.

“I feel really neglected right now,” I pout.

“Hush…you’re a cutie too. But OMG look at that sweet baby boy!”Lani coos.

“He’s literally almost sixteen, Lani. He can barely get up from his bed anymore. He’s a grandpa.”

“A cute wittle grandpa, isn’t that right?”

“As cute as he is, I have to run, girls,”Lydia tells us.

“Ugh, don’t leave us, Lyd!” I say, sticking out my bottom lip.

“I don’t want to, but I’m gonna be late for the study group if I don’t leave now.”

“Ugh…go then. Like it’s not bad enough you didn’t come with me for break, now you won’t even stay on the phone with me 24/7.”

“Do you need me to get you a phone necklace so you can carry me around everywhere you go on FaceTime?”

I nod. “Yeah…actually, that sounds perfect. Where do I get one of those?”

“Love y’all!” she says, laughing.

“Bye!” Lani and I both say, pouting.

We all hang up just as Tyler calls.

“Hey, babe,” he says as soon as I answer. “I’m at your door.”

I jump up, smiling. “Coming!”

My mom yells at me to slow down when I barrel down the hallway, trying to get to the front door. I just wave her off, too excited to see Tyler.

We’ve both been back home for two weeks now, and this is only the second time I’m getting to see him. It seems like he’s had a full schedule this whole break. And who knows how much time I’ll get with him while we’re home.

As soon as I open the door, he pulls me into him and kisses me.

I’ve been craving this from him, and I’m happy to finally be getting it…relievedto be getting it.

But as the day goes on, that attention seems to run dry pretty quickly.