'Kassy, this isn't about your mum or your Uncle Ray. It is about you.'
'I have an idea of what you've been doing lately. Cleaning up Nate's mess and being subjected to staying in the same space as him is not healthy for you.'
She knew. I had no idea how, but she did.
'How- How do you know that?'
'Hannah. She's one of the people Albert kind of adopted. He just always takes care of her even though she lives with her parents. It is his way of helping people.'
Hannah did not want to speak with us but she had spoken to Emily. It was then I realized the world was such a small place and everyone related with everyone in one way or another.
I was not sure what to say or ask. I just sat there, remembering how blue Hannah's eyes were and how she slammed the door on us. It almost sounded impossible that she could talk to anyone, talk more of Emily, about her problems.
'Look Kassy, don't think about it too much. I could tell you whatever you need to know about Hannah and if you want, I could set up a meeting for both of you.'
'I'm just wondering how I never knew about her. Lily told me everything but I guess she must have skipped this one.'
'No. Lily never knew. I only just found out a couple of years ago but Albert told me never to speak about it. I have no idea why he's keeping it a secret but I have to respect his wishes. I'm only telling you now because the situation demanded it.' Emily sighed.
I was not in any way surprised that Albert was taking care of people. He probably saw it as a way to make it up to Emily since he refused her request of an official adoption.
'I want to talk to her again. Of all the girls Alicia and I have managed to visit, she was the least receptive. She did not want to hear a word we had to say.'
'She is like that sometimes dear. She is stubborn in her own way but I think she's a nice person. She probably was not in the mood when you met with her.' She picked up her cup and drank from it.
'Oh my. Kassy, forgive me. Go and get your glass and take some juice. You can have pizza if you want. There's some in the fridge.' She laughed.
'Thanks.' I laughed too.
Emily always forgot to offer her visitors anything and I was already used to it.
I went downstairs and there was someone at the door. I found it odd that neither Emily nor I had seen them from the balcony. When I opened the door, my eyes met with those of George Daniels.
"...!"
I was stunned speechless and could not move. I did not understand why he was there but I figured he had asked of me at home and Alicia told him to check Emily's.
He walked past me into the sitting room. He was looking around, taking in the beauty of Emily's house.
'Hi?' I asked.
'This place is amazing! It's huge. Whose house is this? I hope your brother did not rape her.' He smirked.
I was pissed and I had no idea why. If George found making mockery of me funny, he had every right to it.
'What are you doing here?' I walked to where he was.
He was so much taller than me. From where I stood, I could see the perfect line of his chin. I could not get over that face structure. He looked so unreal but he was standing there, right in front of me.
No matter how angry I was at him, I could not stop thinking about his face and everything about him. I genuinely liked this boy but I knew Nate had shattered any hope I had of getting with him.
'I came to tell you to leave Kathy alone. You're not making her feel any better. Professionals have tried and failed so stop trying to save the day. Your brother has done enough already.'
He was talking very calmly. It sounded like he was frustrated with everything going on and he was not interested in raising his voice. He chose his words very carefully. He conveyed his message clearly and I understood him.
I was not going to see Kathy anymore. I was going to respect the wishes of my crush to show that something good could come out of my family. At least we could be trusted with instructions.
'I understand. I won't see Kathy anymore.' I sat on a couch.
My head felt very light and for a second, everything was black. I wanted to run away from my life. I could not handle it anymore. It was almost as if my problems could never cease and whenever I had something good going, it was taken away from me.
'Thank you.' He left.
I sat there for a few minutes. My mind was all over the place. I thought about Lily again. It was impossible to get her off my mind. She'd been like a sister to me. She was always there to listen to me and cheer me up but she was no more.
I wanted to scream because it felt like I was losing my mind but I did not. I just cried silently.
My phone chimed, Alicia sent me a text. She asked if I wanted to get ice cream with her. I did not want to eat anything but I wanted to go out, to socialize, to forget my issues for a while. I went upstairs and told Emily I was leaving then I headed home.
Mauve's car was parked at the house and for the first time, I was glad she was there.
'Hey Kassy, we're out here. Are you ready?' I heard Alicia's voice.
She was coming with Mauve from the back of the house. The only thing that was at the back of the house was dad's garage that Nate had converted to his hangout spot.
Whenever his friends from school came around, they never went into the house. They always stayed in the garage, smoking and drinking.