Chapter 2: Shattered Ties

2

“If my dad were still alive, I wouldn’t have to worry about tuition. I—”

I didn’t notice Aubrey slip in. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her faded denim backpack hanging by a single strap, a sunflower patch stitched on the side.

She was pretty, but her tearful eyes made her look heartbreakingly small-town—a girl straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, but even sadder.

[How is this Natalie’s fault? Is Derek brain-dead? You save whoever’s closest!]

I trembled. “So you resent my dad for risking his life to save you?” The words came out shaky, heavy as a summer thunderstorm.

Derek’s jaw clenched. “I could’ve climbed out myself. Didn’t your dad save me just because you liked me? You married me like you wanted, and you’re still not satisfied?”

Absurd. Totally absurd. My fingers dug into the counter, knuckles aching. I could barely recognize Derek—the same guy who used to make me grilled cheese after school and sneak me cherry Cokes when his mom wasn’t looking.

My dad’s sacrifice twisted into something ugly.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My lips quivered, regret bitter on my tongue.

Aubrey tugged Derek’s sleeve. “Derek, don’t blame Natalie. She just didn’t get into college and is upset.”

Derek wiped Aubrey’s tears with a handkerchief, ignoring me. The humiliation burned so hot I wanted to melt into the floorboards.

“I’ll find a way to pay your tuition and living expenses. Don’t worry.”

Aubrey smiled, eyes curving. “Derek, I made wild greens and rice. Come try it. Once we’re in Maple Heights, we won’t get hometown food anymore.”

She glanced at me, voice barely above a whisper. “Natalie, you won’t be mad, right?”

Derek snorted. “Don’t worry about her. She owes you too much.”

They left together, shoulders almost touching. Their footsteps echoed up the stairs, a reminder I was completely alone.

Aubrey’s family had always been the poorest in town. Her dad died bedridden. I used to bring Derek to help at her house. At some point, he started going alone. I noticed, but forced myself not to care—or at least pretended not to.

Derek’s mom, watching from the side, gave me a helpless look. “Derek’s just angry. He only sees Aubrey as a little sister. You should talk to him later. Sometimes, honey, women have to go along with men to keep the peace.” She pressed a tissue into my hand, her voice soft but her eyes sharp, like the church ladies who always know everyone’s business.

After my dad died, Derek’s mom cried in front of the whole neighborhood, promising to treat me as her own. She knew I liked Derek and arranged the marriage, like I’d been handed over with a casserole and a handshake—just another part of the small-town barter system.

Now I saw it: Derek’s mom was all smiles outside, but cold inside. She knew her son’s plans, yet pushed me into the fire. The realization made my stomach twist.

I found an excuse to go into town and bought a bus ticket to Maple Heights for the next day. The ticket agent, a no-nonsense older Black woman with a gold cross necklace, slid the ticket across the counter. "You runnin’ away or runnin’ to something, sugar?" she asked. I just smiled.

For the first time in years, the thought of leaving felt more like freedom than running away.

The comments exploded.

[She’s going to Maple Heights? How’s he gonna chase her later?]

[If she catches them living as husband and wife, that’s gonna be wild.]

I smiled. Derek still wants to go to Maple Heights?

No way. For the first time in forever, hope flickered inside me.