Page 23 of Only You

Seven

After yoga class, Kayla grabbed a coffee and bagel from Dunkin’ Donuts and went to her parents’ house. They still lived in her childhood home in the neighboring community of Troy, and she visited them often. Her older brother, Collin, had gone to college on the west side of Michigan and stayed there. He was newly married with a baby on the way.

The front door was unlocked, and Kayla went inside. “Mom, Dad, it’s me. Are you decent?” she called out.

“We’re in the kitchen,” her mom, Sue, replied.

Kayla shucked off her shoes and set her purse and jacket on the bench in the foyer. It was the same bench she’d been using since elementary school. Some things never changed. “Hey,” she said, entering the cheery kitchen.

“Hey, kiddo. What are you doing here?” her dad, Tim, asked.

Kayla sat next to him at the kitchen table and took a blueberry bagel out of the bag. “I just stopped by to say hi.” Liar.

Sue had just poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Kayla. “This is a little early for you, isn’t it?”

“I went to yoga this morning,” Kayla explained. “So, what’s new with you guys?” She wanted to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

Sue shifted uncomfortably and stared into her coffee cup.

Kayla eyed her parents with concern. “Is something wrong?”

Tim sighed. “We’re not going to be here for Thanksgiving.”

Kayla placed a hand over her heart. “Oh. I thought it was going to be something really bad.”

Tim chuckled. “See, Sue. She’s fine with it.”

Sue gave him a weak smile. “Your grandparents aren’t up to making the trip this year, so we’re going down to see them.”

Kayla’s maternal grandparents lived in Knoxville. “I’ll miss seeing them, but I understand.”

“You could come with us,” Tim suggested.

Kayla sucked in a breath. “I can’t. I have other plans, too.”

“Oh. With whom?” Sue asked.

“It’s a funny story, actually,” Kayla began.

“Tell us,” Tim prompted.

“You know how I’ve been complaining about Josie lately?”

“Your noisy roommate,” Sue said.

“Yes. Well, my coworker asked me to move in for a while, and I agreed.”

“Which coworker?” Tim asked.

Kayla shifted uncomfortably. “Jack.” Her parents had never met Jack, but she’d often mentioned him.

“Jack,” her mom repeated, looking confused.

“Yes, but it’s not what you think. He asked me to move in as a favor, and it’s only for six weeks.”

“Are you house-sitting?” Tim asked.

“No. Jack’s parents are coming into town for the holidays, and they wanted to stay with him.”