Page 11 of Wild Promise

Hope felt wildly optimistic, but I didn’t say that aloud.

I followed the cold, dark hallway to my father’s door and took a deep breath before knocking. “Dad? It’s Melina.”

“Go away.” His gruff answer was better than nothing, but his tantrums and self-pity were wearing on me.

He’d suffered a stroke eight months ago, and I’d been warned his recovery would be tough. I just hadn’t expected him to have so many mood swings because of it.

Or to feel so responsible for them all.

“I don’t want to go away,” I told him through the thin wood. “I haven’t seen you all day. Can’t we talk face-to-face?”

“Don’t…w-w-want talk.” His stuttered speech was a result of the stroke, and a sign I was pushing my luck.

“Okay. But if you change your mind or get hungry, the girls and I would be happy to see you.”

He answered with a grunt, indicating the conversation was over.

Nice talking to you, Dad.

Disappointment sat heavy in my chest as I headed back to the kitchen to eat a cheap spaghetti dinner with my sisters.

The power might’ve been out. The house might’ve been freezing. My head still pounded from stress and lack of sleep. But at least I wasn’t alone.

We took our pasta to the living room, where I lit a fire in the fireplace, and the three of us huddled around it, warding off the chill.

“Jasper asked me to the Winter Festival Dance.” Lucy’s cheeks glowed in the firelight, and my insides melted a little at her happiness.

Olivia snorted. “You actually want to go to that lame dance?”

Despite the teasing twinkle in her eye, a small pang sliced through me. “I can’t believe you think my dance will be lame.”

“No offense, Meli, but yeah. It always is.”

“Well, I can’t wait to prove you wrong, and I think it’s sweet that Jasper asked.” I wrapped my arm around Lucy’s shoulders, wanting to preserve her innocent ideals and making a mental note to find out who this Jasper boy was. “What did you tell him?”

“Nothing yet,” she admitted, hiding her mouth behind her bowl. “I didn’t know what I should say.”

“Well, do you want to go with him or not?” Olivia’s mouthful did nothing to impede her interrogation.

Lucy squirmed. “I think so.”

“Then you should say yes.” I squeezed her closer, ignoring Olivia’s attempts to rile us both up and doing my best to instill confidence in our little sister.

She shook her head, chin quivering. “But it costs so much to go. I don’t have a dress or the right shoes…”

Tears burned my eyes.

I was failing them. They were too young to be so burdened. School, friends, boys, dances—those should be their only worries, not red cards, empty cupboards, or locked bedroom doors.

“It doesn’t matter how much it costs. I’ll take care of it.” It wouldn’t be easy, but I’d find a way. I couldn’t continue to let her down. Either of them. “I’ll take care of everything.”

Lucy’s eyes found mine, concern etched across her pretty face. “But who’ll take care of you?”

“You don’t think I can look after myself?” I forced a smile.

“Sure.” She smiled back. “I just don’t think you should have to do it on your own, that’s all.”

Olivia snickered again, but this time with a poorly hidden smile. “What Lucy’s trying to say is we think you need a boyfriend. Or maybe just a friend with benefits. Someone to help you relax once in a while.”