Anywhere But Here (40 page)

“Rena, what are you still doing here?  It’s Friday and I thought you’d be in a hurry to escape this place for the weekend,” he teased, a touch of concern flickering in his eyes.

I thrust the paper at him.  “Um, I wanted to give you my essay.  I spent Free Period in the computer lab so I could touch it up and I wanted to turn it in before the weekend.”

“Gr
eat,” he said as he tucked it gently into a file folder.  “Thanks.”

“Have a nice weekend,” I said, waving as I bolted from the classroom, eager to do as he said and escape for a few days – to just be a teenager.

I spotted Fin leaning against his car, waiting for me. I ran to him, hurling my body into his arms.  Catching me, he kissed me sweetly.  “Are you finally finished with that essay you’ve been obsessing over?”

I nodded, my heart strangely free.  “Yes, I am.  And I’m yours for the evening, though we can’t be too late – you have a playoff game tomorrow.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, grinning.  He kissed me again as he opened the door. 

We discussed ideas for our evening together until he parked in front of Aunt Franki’s.  He glanced curiously at the quiet little house before looking at me.  His brow furrowed as he reached out to trace my jaw
line.

“What?” I asked, my heart thundering in my chest.  “What’s the matter?”

He lifted a shoulder.  “I was thinking that, well, after your sister’s death that you might move back in with your parents.”

My face screwed up in concentration.  “I thought a lot about it while I was there after the funeral,” I admitted.  “I do think I need to spend more time with them than I have in the past, especially once I finish school.  My family needs to work through all of this and we will – Roberta has us meeting once a month for some family counseling.”

Confusion grew on his face.  “But, don’t you belong with your family?”

Smiling, I
leaned over the console to kiss him softly.  “I love my family very much and I’m committed to helping all of us heal and reconnect, but I don’t feel like I belong in that town anymore.”  My smile widened as I gazed out the windows at the neat houses lining Aunt Franki’s street.  “I have family here, now, too - family that helped me through a rough time in my life – even though they might not have known it.  Honestly, Fin, I don’t think I belong anywhere but here.”

Tugging me closer, he pressed his lips to mine.
I knew, in that moment, that I was absolutely right.  As I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around his neck, I was sure that Camille was somewhere watching, clapping her hands and squealing with glee.  And that was all the approval I needed.