Chapter Seven - Jaden

“I can’t come get you today. Eric is having surgery on his collarbone. Darn boy went and broke it in football. I wish I had girls,” Nancy sighs.

Hearing her voice almost sends me into a fit of tears. “It’s okay, Nancy. I’ll get someone to take me.”

“How are things?”

“Okay,” I lie.

“Did you forget who you were talking to, girlie?”

I smile into the phone and sit on the edge of my bed, watching my feet sway over the carpet. I know she knows me better than anyone. I've never been a good liar anyway. “I love my room,” I change the subject.

“I knew you would. It took me five stores to find that Paris picture.”

I glance above my desk at the huge Eiffel tower. “It’s gorgeous. I can’t wait to go. I’ve almost saved enough from taking out tiny portions from my allowance from Dad. I’m thinking summer in Paris.” Alone. All alone. Alone in Paris. Those words do not fit together, and make me feel even more alone than before.

She laugh