ond memories of my childhood, and it w

ts, my mother. She had always been the one to set

hat was impossible. My mother had passed away a few years ago, and her absence was still felt de

looked at me with a mixture o

his voice shaking slightly. I felt a knot of apprehension form in my stomac

ever he had to say was weighing heavily on his mind, and I wanted to

he air, and for a moment I was too stunned to say anything. I knew my dad had been sin

l about that," I said, ch

about you getting married

she passed, and I know she'd want me to be happy," he continued, his eyes gazing

is new for you, and I unders

tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. "How c

e but firm. "I love your mother, and I always will. But she wouldn't want me to b

id, my voice breaking.

nough Alex," he said, his

ife. You can't replace what I had with your mother, and I don't want to

right, but it still hurt. I just couldn't imagine

st going to tell me you're remarrying," I said, my anger getting the

wanting to hear what he had to say. I stormed out of the backyard, leaving him standing t

e. I needed a friend right now, and she was the only on

sked as we sat on her fluffy pink bed. Her tone

that to happen. What if she tries to replace my mom, or what

tion run wild, picturing all the w

comforting hand

r dad's going to marry this woman, let alone if she'll be a ni

but I couldn't help

y. "I'm finally getting used to the way things are n

said, giving my hand

ease my worries. I felt like I was teetering on the edg

er gestured for me to pick up, but I just shook my he

id gently. "I know you're upset, b

il. I didn't want to deal with this right no

e him forever," Summer sai

s time, it wasn't my dad. Instead,

" she said cheerfully

my voice sounding flat and un

e said, her tone full of c

share what was on my mind. But Aunt L

arry," I said to Aunt L

. "I can't believe he would do that. I know he loved

ws. I could understand why - my dad's decis

her voice rising. "He can't just replace your mom with

of me and had always been there for me, especially after my mom's death. It was comfort

e stay with me. You don't have to deal with y

, but I didn't want to lea

I know it's going to be hard, but I'm not

t me know," Aunt Layla said, her voice warm and reassu

ffer. "Thank you, Aunt Lay

. "And don't be afraid to c

I felt a bit better after talking to her. Even

o do now?" Summer asked, c

racing with thoughts of what to do n

nd. I heart immediately skipped a beat. The

rom the couch, pocketing my phone. Summer got

okay?" she asked, he

er, offering a weak smile.

turned and

ster as I stepped inside. The last time I had been here was years ago, when my family

e living room. My heart sank, my stomach twisting in knots. I felt as if th

nt, so I started to turn around, inte

d out my name. "Alex!" he said, breaking away from Ambe

ghtened his shirt. He glanced at his ex wife, Amber who

drink, Alex?" she asked, h

fine, thank you," I

with Roland. I looked at him expectantly, my

was getting remarried," Roland said, a look of concern on

lly, my voice quiet. "And

s perspective," he said gently. "A

l difficult to accept. I couldn't im

ge the subject. "I see you're back with your

changed, a shadow pa

aid, a slight hesitation in his voic

what to say, s

about you, Alex. You need to accept your dad's decision, and give your new

still hard to accept. Without thinking, I moved closer to him and wr

w," Roland added, his eyes searching mine for a reaction. My stomach cle