Hugs and hesitation

You look across the high school commons area and see Katie set down her backpack and put her jacket on. As Katie picks up her backpack off the ground, Grace calls out to her. “Katie! Over here!”

Katie scans the crowd of students and parents until she finds the source of the voice. Even from a distance, you can see her hazel eyes light up as she recognizes you. “Grace! Jane! Hey there!” Katie waves and starts to walk towards you just as Katie and Grace’s mother yells out, “Katherine!”

The hesitation and conflict is evident on Katie’s face. Following Katie’s line of sight, you can see where Katie’s mother is waiting by a late model sedan. From the look on her face, you can tell Katie’s mother hasn’t seen either you or Grace. “Katherine! Hurry up, sweetie! I’ve got a pot roast in the oven.”

You stride over to where Katie and Grace’s mother is standing by her car. “Hello, Mrs. McCormick,” you call to her.

She turns to greet you, the words freezing in her throat when she sees you. After a moment she finds her voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Grace and I came to see Katie.”

“Well, you can’t see her! It’s bad enough you’ve corrupted one of my girls. I will not let you have the other one!”

By this time Katie and Grace are close enough to hear the conversation. Grace stands by your side, while Katie stands at an angle to both you and her mother. “Mom, relax. They just came to make sure I was okay.”

“Actually, that’s not true.” Both Katie and her mother turn to face you. Ignoring her mother, you look directly at Katie. “This is totally up to you, Katie. Grace and I won’t pressure you either way, and I will always consider you my sister. We just want you to know you don’t have to live this way if you don’t want to. Grace and I have an apartment with an extra room you can stay at, and we have the paperwork necessary to transfer you to the high school by our campus.” You take a few steps towards Katie, moving to less than an arm’s length away. “If you want to stay with us, now or in the future, you are always welcome. And if you don’t, I still love you.” You pull Katie into a hug.

She hugs you back, staying close for a moment. Then Katie lets go of you and walks over to hug Grace. After the two sisters embrace, Katie turns to her mother. “Mom, I’m going to stay with Grace and Jane for awhile.”