Page 32

The rose felt heavy in my hand as I walked home, the carnival noises fading behind me. I clutched it tightly, the thorns digging slightly into my palm. The confession, the blue roses, Grayson…it was all too much to process.

I tossed the rose onto my kitchen counter, grabbed a romance novel from my overflowing bookshelf, and curled up on the sofa. Reading was always my escape, a way to lose myself in worlds far removed from the chaotic reality of my life. But tonight, the words blurred on the page. Grayson's face kept intruding, his grey eyes filled with unsettling intensity.

Just as I was about to give up on the book, my phone buzzed. It was a text message from an unknown number. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. I knew who it was.

Unknown: Scarlett, darling, it's your mother. I need a little help. Things are tough right now.

I stared at the message, a bitter taste rising in my throat. "A little help." That's what she always said. But "a little" was never enough.

Me: What do you need?

Mom: Just a few hundred dollars to get me through the week. I'll pay you back, I promise.

Promise. That word felt like a slap in the face. Promises were cheap coming from her. Promises were broken a long time ago.

Me: No.

Mom: Scarlett, please! I'm desperate. I'm your mother!

Me: You gave up that right a long time ago. Find someone else to leech off of.

I blocked the number, my hands shaking. Anger surged through me, hot and raw. Why now? Why after all these years did she suddenly decide to pop back into my life, hat in hand?

I needed to talk to someone. I opened my laptop and initiated a group video call with my siblings. Everest's face appeared first, his expression calm and reassuring. Nevada popped in next, flashing a goofy grin. Finally, Savannah, looking tired but radiant in her scrubs, joined the call.

"Hey, guys," I said, forcing a smile. "How's everyone doing?"

"Just finished a late shift," Savannah sighed, pushing a stray strand of red hair behind her ear. "Another complicated surgery. But I saved a life, so, you know, good day."

"I'm crushing it on the streaming scene," Nevada announced, flexing his biceps. "Got a new sponsorship deal with a gaming company. Free gear for life!"

Everest chuckled. "Always thinking about the perks, Nevada." He turned to me, his expression softening. "What's up, Scarlett? You seem a little off."

I hesitated, then decided to tell them everything. I recounted the events of the evening – Grayson's confession, the blue roses, and then, finally, the text from our mother.

The playful atmosphere of the call instantly dissipated. Savannah's eyes hardened, Nevada's jaw clenched, and Everest's face became grim.

"That bitch," Nevada growled. "Still trying to manipulate us after all these years."

"Don't let her get to you, Scarlett," Savannah said, her voice firm. "She doesn't deserve your money or your attention."

"I blocked her number," I said, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "But it still stings, you know? After all this time, she only reaches out when she needs something."

Everest nodded, his gaze understanding. "We know, Scarlett. We've all been there. But we're here for you. Always."

"Thanks, guys," I said, feeling the knot in my stomach begin to loosen. "I appreciate it."

I changed the subject, steering the conversation towards lighter territory. "So, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Are we still doing it at your place, Everest?"

"Absolutely," Everest replied. "The more the merrier. We can all be together again!"

"Perfect!" Nevada said " I'll bring the drinks!"

Savannah pulled a face. "Please Nevada, nothing too crazy. I'll be on call."

"And I'll cook," I chimed in. "I've been perfecting my pumpkin pie recipe."

"Speaking of perfecting," Nevada said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, "How's the haunted house training going, Scarlett? Heard you're scaring the pants off everyone."

I laughed, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. "It's going well. James is a great mentor. Though, he flirts way too much."

"That's just James being James," Savannah said, rolling her eyes. "He can't help himself."

For the next hour, we joked and teased each other, reminiscing about old times and making plans for Thanksgiving. We even fired up Call of Duty, Savannah opting out to watch us play. And watch she did. Her commentary was hilarious. "Watch out! Behind you!" "Go go go!" "What are you doing!?"

Seeing my siblings, hearing their laughter, reminded me that I wasn't alone. We had each other, a makeshift family forged in the fires of abandonment.

"I miss you guys," I said softly, as the call began to wind down. "It's not the same without you here."

"We miss you too, Scarlett," Everest said. "But we'll all be together soon. Just a few more weeks."

"We should all plan to do this more often!" Nevada said.

I closed my laptop, a sense of peace settling over me. The blue roses still felt like a mystery, and my mother's reappearance was a painful reminder of the past. But tonight, surrounded by the virtual presence of my siblings, I felt strong. I felt loved. And that was enough. For now.