Mom doesn’t bring it up much, and even though I still get birthday presents or random money in my account, Dad’s basically MIA. He always kept me at arm’s length, which crushed me at first, but eventually I just learned to
deal.
Later he married my stepmom, who came with four perfect godsons and this weird hatred for me I never got. The one time Dad showed up was at my high school graduation, and he brought her along. Let’s just say she was total Stepford wife material, and if looks could kill – I’d be six feet under.
Emily! You’re gonna miss your flight!” Mom yelled from downstairs, making me sigh.
I’d knocked out my first two years at community college, getting all my prerequisites done for university. But out of the five schools I applied to, my last choice was the only one that took me.
And wouldn’t you know it – that one was in Idaho, right where Dad was.
Sure, the university was tops for Agriculture, but I didn’t want to be anywhere near my dad. Part of me was still hurt that he’d picked my stepmom and her godsons over me.
I mean, I’m his daughter – his own flesh and blood.
But somehow that wasn’t enough.
Grabbing my bags, I dragged them toward the door with my backpack overs my shoulder, taking one last look around my room. Leaving felt bittersweet, but if I was ever gonna make my dreams happen, I had to take some
chances.
Heading downstairs, I saw Mom by the door with a smile on her face. I knew I could probably say something to get out of going, but this meant a
lot to her.
Mom would never tell me she was sick, but after doing some digging, I found out the truth – stage two cervical cancer.
Treatment was about to start, and even though I wanted to tell her I knew
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and was staying put, I knew she’d hate that. Last thing I needed was to stress her out more than she already was.
She wanted me chasing my dreams – not hovering over her, worried sick.
“Everything’s gonna be fine, Emily,” Mom said on the way to the airport. “I talked to your father, and he’s gonna meet you when you land.”
“Great, I guess,” I mumbled, staring out the window, not sure if I even wanted him there. Honestly, I’d be shocked if he showed up at all.