By Summer's End (Christian Fiction) (3 page)

Holly
did a final walk-thru in her apartment.  She had given it a thorough cleaning
the day before, hopeful of receiving her cleaning deposit back from her
landlord. 

As she walked from room to room, her
heart gave a tug.  This place, though small, had been home for several years. 
She uttered a quick prayer, asking the Lord to bless her and Brianna’s move to
Washington.  She also asked Him for strength in dealing with her defiant sister
along the way. 

“Are we leaving yet?” Brianna asked in a
bored tone.

“In a moment.  I just wanted to assure
we haven’t left anything behind.”

“As if you have much to leave behind,”
she said with a callous laugh.

Holly sighed.  She couldn’t deny, her
sister had a point.  Aside from the tiny dinette set, sofa, chair, and bed, there
was little else to move.  She had considered taking the items with them to
Washington, but decided to sell them to a friend who had recently moved into
the same apartment complex.  Hopefully, Uncle Benjamin’s house was furnished,
but if not, they would just have to make do.

“Did you get everything?” Holly asked,
struggling to remain calm and hopeful.

Brianna nodded.  “Yes.”

“Are you ready for a long road trip?”
she asked, smiling encouragingly.

“Yes.”

“Well, let’s go then.”

Holly locked the door behind them and
detoured to the manager’s office.  “We’re leaving now,” she told the older
woman behind the desk.  “Also, Josh approved my receiving my cleaning deposit
back.”

“Yes, he told me.”

The woman retrieved an envelope from a
drawer in her desk and passed it to Holly with a warm smile.  “We’re going to
miss you.  Josh had to run an errand, but told me to say ‘goodbye.’”

“Thank you.  I’m going to miss you all
too.”

A moment later, Holly was steering her
economy car away from the complex and toward the nearby interstate.  As she
left the town behind, she experienced a feeling of hopeful anticipation.  She
glanced over at Brianna, who was staring out the passenger-side window.

“You okay?” she asked.

Brianna turned toward her.  “I’m fine.” 
She appeared uncertain but expectant as she asked, “Are you going to let me do
any of the driving on this trip?” 

Holly considered the question.  “I don’t
see why not.  We should probably make use of that learner’s permit you were so
determined to get.”

Brianna’s eyes brightened.  “Really? 
You’re going to let me drive?”

“You don’t expect
me
to drive all
the way to Washington, do you?”

“Nope,” she said, smiling the first
genuine smile Holly has seen on her face.  “Let me know when you get tired. 
I’ll take over.”

“Will do,” Holly said, glad to see Brianna
show some enthusiasm for something—anything.  If teaching her to drive meant
making some sort of progress with the girl, she’d turn over the wheel in a
heartbeat.  She’d have to be watchful and assure Brianna learned the rules of
the road, but perhaps it could be a bonding experience.

After several hours driving, Holly
yawned.  “I think it’s your turn,” she told her sister. 

She had waited until they’d reached a
long stretch of highway to relinquish the wheel.  She pulled over and parked. 
After climbing out and stretching her legs a bit, she climbed into the
passenger side of the car.

Brianna had slipped across the divide
between the seats and was clutching the wheel.  Holly talked her through the
process of starting the ignition and entering the roadway.  Fortunately, there
was little traffic and Brianna did well keeping the car in her lane.  She kept
to the posted speed and seemed to understand when to accelerate and when to
hold back.

“You’re doing great,” Holly told her. 
“I’d say you’re a natural.”

Brianna smiled tentatively.  “You think
so?”

“I know so.”

“Thanks for letting me drive.  Dad and
Mom wouldn’t let me get my permit.  This is my first time behind the wheel of a
car.”

“Wow.  I really am impressed,” Holly
enthused.  “But don’t tire yourself out.  Let me know when you’re ready for me
to take over.”

“I will.”

Brianna continued driving well into the
evening.  When dusk settled, Holly suggested they find a hotel for the night. 
When they reached a small town, she did a visual search for a hotel and found
one on the outskirts.  Brianna carefully parked, following Holly’s
instructions, and after paying for a room with two double beds, they deposited
their bags inside and then headed for a café across the street.

“I’m starving,” Holly said.

“Me too,” Brianna noted, as she perused
the menu.  She winced.  “This place is kind of expensive.  Maybe we should
share a meal.”

Holly smiled at her.  Brianna could be
downright surly and combative, but then, when she least expected it, she showed
maturity and kindness.

Holly gave an unconcerned wave of her
hand.  “We’ve had a long day.  Let’s enjoy a nice dinner.  Tomorrow we’ll pick
up some bread and peanut butter so we can make sandwiches for our lunch.  We’ll
grab some apples and bananas too.  We can also pick up cereal bars for
breakfast.”  She grinned.  “I haven’t had a vacation in so long.  I think we’ll
consider this a vacation of sorts and splurge on a meal out at least once each
day.  Besides, we’ll be in Washington the day after tomorrow.  We’ll be cooking
at home soon enough.”  She flashed a grin.  “We’ll be cooking in our own home!”

Brianna smiled in return.  “I wonder
what the house is like.”

“I wish I knew,” Holly admitted.  Although
she had finally received a letter from the executor of her uncle’s estate, he
hadn’t mentioned any details about the house.  “I did call the phone number of
the executor and left him a message that you and I would be arriving the day
after tomorrow.  I told him we’d call as soon as we get there, in order to set
up a meeting.”

Brianna nodded and sat quietly for a
moment.  She appeared to be pondering something of importance.  “Holly, is
there a reason you’re so careful with your money,” she asked finally.  “I mean,
I know it’s good to save and all that, but…”

Holly sighed.  At fifteen, Brianna was
old enough to understand adult issues, but she hated to burden her with
financial worries.  She’d taken on the responsibility of raising her sister and
it was her job to assure she grew up confident and secure.

“I mean, if you don’t want to tell me…”

“It’s … not that.  The truth is, I don’t
want you to worry about anything—least of all, money.”

“But something is up with you…”

Holly studied her sister’s face.  The
girl watched her, her eyes imploring.  Perhaps she was old enough to know the
truth.  She
was
nearly sixteen.  She was certainly astute enough to have
picked up on Holly’s anxiety over money.

Holly sighed.  “Almost four years ago,
my mom was diagnosed with a serious illness.  We soon learned that her employer
had allowed the insurance coverage of her employees to lapse.  When we sought
care for my mother, the hospital wouldn’t treat her without a promise of
payment.”  She gave a shrug.  “I assumed financial responsibility for my
mother’s care.”

“She died, right?  I think I remember my
dad saying something about that.”

“Yes, she did.”

“Is the bill big?”

Holly sighed.  “Huge.”  She perked up. 
“But it’s okay.  I’m paying it off slowly but surely.  We’ll be okay.”

“You could file for bankruptcy, couldn’t
you?  I know my parents did it a couple times.  They maxed out all sorts of
credit cards.  They got a lawyer and managed to keep their cars and our boat
and they didn’t have to pay back their credit card debt.  I’m sure you could
file too and you wouldn’t have to pay the hospital back.”  She grinned.  “You
could buy a new car first and new furniture and stuff for the house,
then
you could file.”

Holly swallowed hard, determined to
respond appropriately.  Although she knew there were legitimate reasons for
filing for bankruptcy, holding on to one’s luxury items wasn’t one of them. 
Maxing out credit cards in order to obtain ‘things’ and then expecting others
to pay for them was dishonest. 

Her mother and stepfather would never
have willfully incurred substantial debt and expected others to pick up the
tab.  She realized she had never really known her biological father and
wondered, was she better off for it?  What kind of an example had he been for Brianna? 
  

“Brianna, I appreciate your thoughts and
advice, but I made a commitment to pay that bill.”  She remained quiet for a
moment.  “You suggested I buy a car and other things, but the fact is, I can’t
afford them.  And if I were to declare bankruptcy, it would have long-term
consequences for us.  I wouldn’t be able to qualify for a car loan.  It could
affect my ability to get a job.”  She shook her head.  “No, I’m going to pay
off my debt and any other debt I incur, since it’s just that—
my
debt.”

“But you went into debt for your mom. 
It’s not fair you have to pay.  She wouldn’t want you to suffer because you
have to pay her bills.”

“You’re right.  My mom was very troubled
about my assuming the cost of her care, but I wouldn’t change a thing.  I loved
and continue to love her very much.”

“I guess so,” Brianna murmured, but sought
her gaze.  “But … didn’t your stepfather leave you any money?”

“I’m afraid he lost his job when I was
about sixteen.  Since he’d been the primary bread winner, we ended up using our
savings pretty quickly, as well as his retirement accounts.”  She attempted a
smile, though it was difficult remembering the pain her beloved stepfather had
experienced, as their assets had depleted before his eyes.  “He tried so hard
to find other work, but wasn’t able to, and I’m afraid all the rejection took a
toll.  He had a heart attack one morning, on his way to a job interview.”

“That’s so sad.”

“Yes, it was.  He was a wonderful man
and I loved him very much.”

Brianna appeared to ponder her words for
a moment or two.  Finally, Holly asked, “Hey, have you decided what you want to
order?”

“A cheeseburger, I think.”

“That does sound good.  I think I’ll
order one too.”  She arched her brows.  “Let’s order a couple milkshakes too. 
We’ll really splurge tonight.”

Soon, they received their meals, along
with the shakes.  The food was delicious, the shakes, frothy and thick.  “This
is so good,” Brianna said of her chocolate shake.  “I could drink a dozen of
these.”

Holly laughed.  “You’d get a
stomachache.”

“Probably.  But it would be worth it.” 
She drew silent.  “I guess a special treat becomes all the more special when
you don’t get it all the time, huh?”

“That’s probably true.  I guess we
could
take milkshakes for granted if we had them every day.”

“You want a taste?” Brianna asked,
holding her cup out to her sister.

Holly grinned and tugged the straw from
her shake.  She dipped it into her sister’s cup and took a hard pull of the
treat.  “Delicious.”  She held her strawberry shake out to Brianna.  “You have
to try this too.”

As the two women enjoyed their meals, Holly
realized it was the first time she and her sister had experienced real normalcy
while together.  The heaviness that always seemed to loom overhead had
vanished.  When she looked into her sister’s pretty face, she felt a sense of
peace.  Perhaps this move would prove the catalyst to their forging a real,
sisterly bond.  Perhaps they would find happiness in Washington State.

Holly
studied the map she held in her hands.  “Okay, according to this, we merge onto
I-5 and follow it to the Battle Ground exit.  Apparently, the town is just east
of the interstate.”

Brianna, behind the wheel, nodded.  She
was focused on the roadway, since it was rush hour and traffic was bumper to
bumper. 

“You’re doing great,” Holly praised
her.  “You’ll want to stay to the right, if you can.”

Brianna, gripping the wheel tightly,
spoke without taking her eyes off the road.  “Somebody told me that Interstate
5 runs south to California and north to Canada.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Have you ever been to California?” Brianna
asked.

“Once, when I was about fourteen, my
stepdad surprised Mom and me with a trip to Disneyland.”

“What … did you think of California?”

“I really didn’t see much of the state,
but I enjoyed Disneyland.  Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”  She was silent for a
moment, but said finally, “Sometimes I daydream that I’m a big movie star,
living in Beverly Hills.  I imagine I’m at a movie premiere and my fans are
lined up to see me.”  She gave a self-deprecating laugh.  “It’s silly, I know,
but…”

“There’s nothing wrong with daydreaming,
or having big dreams or aspirations, for that matter.  So you’d like to be an
actress?”

She nodded eagerly.  “I was in a play at
school once and I really liked it.  My teacher said….”  She paused, seeming
embarrassed.

“What?  What did your teacher say?” Holly
prompted.

“Oh, well, she said I was really good. 
She encouraged me to try out for community theater.”

“Did you?”

“No.  Mom and Dad said it was a silly
way to spend my time.  They said I couldn’t make a living at it, so why bother?”

Holly took a moment to consider her
response.  She knew that while few people interested in acting hit it big,
others managed to make a decent living pursuing their passion in one way or
another.  “Well, it’s true that not everyone becomes an academy award winner,
but if you love acting—performing—there are many avenues.  If you majored in
theater in college, for example, you could always teach theater arts.  You
might even participate in community plays, or even audition for local
commercials.”  She shrugged.  “Who knows?  I think if you work hard enough and
believe in yourself, the sky’s the limit…”

“You really think so?” Brianna said,
sounding surprised Holly had encouraged her.

“I do think so.  Hey, once we get
settled, whether it’s here in Washington or back home, maybe you could take a
theater class in your high school, or even try out for a school play.  And as I
said, there’s always community theater...”

“But I want more than that!” she cried. 
“I…”

Holly watched her thoughtfully for
several long seconds.  She watched her sister’s profile and could see by the
hard set of her jaw that she had somehow touched a nerve.  She had tried to be
encouraging, but apparently had said something that upset her.

“Brianna, I’m sorry.  Did I say
something wrong?”

“No, it’s just…”  She shook her head. 
“Never mind.  Let’s talk about something else.”

Holly hesitated, but nodded.  She’d
learned that once Brianna was done talking on a particular subject, she was
done.  No amount of prompting or urging could force the girl to open her mouth.

“Oh, look, that’s our exit,” Brianna
said, as she gave her right blinker and veered into the exit lane.

Holly watched her navigate the off ramp onto
the road into Battle Ground.  She did a good job of looking over her left
shoulder as she merged into the stream of cars headed into town.

“Are you tired of driving yet?” Holly
asked her.

The girl surprised her by breaking into
a huge grin.  “I never get tired of driving.”  She turned to Holly.  “If you
ever need a chauffeur, I’m your girl.”

“Good to know.  I
do
get tired of
driving.” 

Holly remembered Brianna would be
turning sixteen in four months.  Like most kids her age, she would probably be
asking for a car, sooner than later.  How would she ever afford to give her
little sister a car?  Of course, she had yet to give Brianna the gifts and
bonds she’d set aside for her.  Surely there would be enough money there to
purchase a reliable older car, but she hated the idea of her sister cashing
bonds that could serve as a nest egg for her future.

She suddenly remembered an appointment
she’d had with a representative at the Social Security Department.  She’d been
notified via mail that Brianna was entitled to benefits, since she’d lost both
parents while still a child.  Holly was grateful for the help, but had no
illusions the money was to be spent on frivolous things.  It would be used for Brianna,
and Brianna only.  And as a growing teen, the girl needed new summer clothing,
as well as a new fall and winter wardrobe, not to mention, new shoes and school
supplies. 

As she thought about all the things she
would need to provide for her sister—and she wanted to give her the world—she
realized that money would be tight for several years to come.  Holly felt the
burden of worry settle over her shoulders, but abruptly scolded herself.  She
glanced heavenward and mouthed a prayer.

“What … are you doing?” Brianna asked,
glancing at her briefly and then back to the road.

“Oh, I just prayed to God to take away
my worries.”

Brianna appeared to ponder the statement
for a moment.  She quirked a droll smile.  “Sorry.  I’m still here.”

Holly gasped.  “You are
not
a
worry.” 

Brianna looked dubious.  “Oh, yes I am,”
she said.

Holly took a moment to gather her
thoughts and to choose her words.  She shifted in the seat, turning toward her
sister.  “I worry
about
you, of course.  I worry that I may not be able
to provide you all the things you may need.  But I don’t ever want you thinking
for a moment I regret bringing you to live with me.”

“But you don’t even know me.”

“You’re my sister and I love you.  It’s
that simple.”

“But you don’t know me,” she persisted.

“And you don’t know me.  But we will get
to know one another as time passes.”

“You could have known me,” Brianna said
softly.  “You could have visited me.  You could have called.” 

To Holly’s surprise, the girl sniffled
and tears began to stream down her cheeks.  “Do you know what it was like for
me?—knowing I had a sister somewhere, but a sister who apparently hated me.”

“
Hated
you?  Where would you ever
get the idea I hated you?”  Holly’s head was spinning.  It was one thing for
her sister to believe she hadn’t wanted to be involved in her life, but to
think she hated her…  And earlier, Brianna had said her parents had been afraid
of Holly—that she might actually harm her.  The very idea was ludicrous.  Not
to mention, a vicious manipulation of a young girl.  She pointed to a fruit
stand on the side of the road just ahead.  “Pull over.”

Brianna reluctantly steered into the
gravel lot adjacent to the fruit stand.  “You’re not going to let me drive
anymore,” she accused.  “You’re just like every other adult…”

Holly suddenly felt like her head was
going to explode.  Every time the girl opened her mouth, it seemed she was
offering her a bit of insight into her previous life.  Holly suspected the
adults had failed her.  Regardless of how they felt about Holly or her mother,
they should have protected Brianna’s feelings. 

“Okay, listen,” Holly began, “you and I
have a few things to clear up.”  She searched her brain, hoping for the right
words to address her sister’s concerns.  “First, regarding your driving
privileges, I will only revoke them if you do something that warrants it.  And
so you know, talking to me openly and honestly about your feelings is not a
reason for me to take them away.”

Brianna gave her a quizzical glance.  Holly
saw that her face was streaked with black mascara and her eyes red from crying.

“Do you understand?” Holly said.

The girl appeared doubtful, but nodded. 
“So, you’re still going to let me drive?”

“Yes.”  She smiled.  “But you’re going
to have to rinse the makeup out of your eyes, otherwise, you may not be able to
see.”  She sighed.  “Another thing you and I need to clear up is how I felt
about you, and continue to feel about you.  I love you and always have.”

“But…”

She raised a silencing hand.  “I know. 
The evidence proves otherwise.  You’re right.  I wasn’t around—ever.  But Brianna…”

“Yeah?”

“I wanted to be…”  Holly felt tears
spring to her eyes, but she still hesitated to open up to her sister about the
past.  If she told her the truth, it would likely alter her feelings for her
dead parents.  She would know that they had betrayed her by lying to her.  She
would understand it was their actions that had prevented Holly from having any
contact with her.  She would also realize that her father had turned his back
on his own child. 

The truth was, he hadn’t even paid child
support.  He had balked anytime Holly’s mother had asked for help. 
Fortunately, when her stepfather had come into her life, he had been delighted
to take on the role of husband, as well as father and provider.

To Holly’s surprise, Brianna spoke.  “Holly,
there’s one thing I need from you.  One thing I’m begging you to give me…”

The words, spoken with such heartfelt emotion,
caused Holly to turn toward her little sister.  The girl’s eyes fastened on her
own, determined, pained, older than her years.

“What?” Holly said, bracing for her
answer.

“The truth.  Tell me the truth.  Even if
it hurts me.”  She waved a hand.  “I don’t care.  I just want the … truth!  My
parents rarely even spoke to me, and when they did…”  She began crying.

Holly’s heart broke for her sister. 
Their father wasn’t a good man.  It was as simple as that.  He’d been sorely
lacking in character and Brianna had grown up with him as a role model. 

She didn’t know Brianna’s mother.  What
she did know was that the woman was instrumental in assuring Holly was
precluded from the family’s life.  It was a sad testament that a woman, who was
a mother herself, would encourage a man to turn his back on his own child. 
However, she didn’t blame a woman she didn’t know.  She held her father
responsible.  Had he had a backbone, he would have insisted on having a
relationship with his older daughter, regardless of what anyone had to say
about it.  He would have provided for her and loved her, because that’s what a
father did.

“Holly, please…” Brianna implored.

Holly uttered a quick prayer to God,
begging Him to show her what to do.  Should she tell Brianna the truth, when
doing so would surely cause the girl pain?  But if she lied by omission, Brianna
might one day hold her accountable.  She would be yet another adult who hadn’t
been honest with her.

  With a sigh, she climbed out of the
car.  “Pass me the keys and scoot over to the passenger seat.”

“You’re not going to let me drive?”  Her
voice held an accusing note.

“I have to show you something.”

Brianna complied and watched Holly
curiously as she rounded the car to the trunk.  Holly began rummaging around
for something, but soon, slammed the trunk closed.  She approached the
passenger side of the car with a large box in her arms.

Brianna remembered Holly putting the box
in the trunk—the last item she’d stowed away.  She figured it held important
documents.

She opened the car door and Holly passed
her the box.  She closed the door behind her and hurried to climb into the
driver’s seat.  She turned to Brianna.  “I…  I hope I’m doing the right thing
showing you this box.  I pray the timing is right.  I…”

“What’s in the box?”

“You’ll see.  I’m going to start
driving, since we’re almost to the house, but…”

“It’s okay, Holly,” Brianna assured
her.  “Does this box hold the truth?”

She nodded.

“I’m going to look inside now.”

“Okay.”

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.  It’s hard being an
adult.  What if I’m about to cause you more pain?”

“It’s the truth?” she persisted.

“Yes.  It’s the truth.”

Brianna turned her attention to the
box.  Inside, she found stacks of letters bundled together with rubber bands. 
Next, she found a stack of larger envelopes that she deduced were cards.  She
found several small gift boxes, wrapped in brown paper. 

With a deep breath, she reached for the
first stack of envelopes and studied the first envelope.  She discovered the
letter was addressed to her.  She tugged it out from the banded stack.   She
didn’t recognize the return address but knew it belonged to Holly.  She opened
the letter, realizing the writing, though neat, was that of a child.  She began
reading to herself—