The Wright One

ISABELLE

Going through the motions for weeks is hard. But I know what we agreed on. That morning it was harder than hell just to get up and leave. I knew that was what we were supposed to do. We were supposed to part like it was nothing. But it didn’t feel like nothing. Everyday feels weird. Seeing him in the hall. Seeing him when I close up or when I open my class in the morning. It doesn’t feel like it was nothing. It feels very much like it was something.

Our family dinner this month is not really where I want to be but with family sometimes you don’t get a choice. Caden is running around like he is on fire. Turns out he really loved football. He can’t help but keep telling us all about it. He was really good out there. Just like his dad.

William nudges me. “What’s up Issy? You seem like you are on a different plane of existence than the rest of us.”

I shrug. “Just a lot on my mind. The test is coming up in a couple of weeks and if I can’t prove that I can handle high school then I am back at the elementary school.”

He shakes his head. “Na, it seems like more than that. Cassie said that you went home with some guy the other day. Does that have anything to do with that?”

“No it doesn’t.” I hate that Cassie told him that. We were all kind of close growing up and she was probably worried about me, but she still shouldn’t have told him about it. “So, this forth. Are you in the parade?”

He groans. “Yeah. The higher ups are so sure that I am bringing in the new recruits. I keep telling them I can do more, but they aren’t ready to trust me.”

That was easy enough. Now my mysterious one night stand is out of the picture and I don’t need to worry about it again. Thankfully I don’t have to be in the parade this year. The new kindergarten teacher is on the float this year. They usually ask me because I am a grade school teacher and my last name is Wright. I am sure that is why they ask William too. Any Wright in the parade is a good thing.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Megan nudges me a little. “You would not believe your brother. He said he doesn’t want me to go to the parade this year. Says I might get bumped and knocked over and then I could fall and hurt the baby.”

David grunts. “It could happen.”

I laugh. “Really. That is the most ridiculous reason I have ever heard in my life. She is more likely to get into a car accident.”

Megan gasps in horror. “Dear God, don’t give him any more ideas.”

“Did you know that most accidents happen in the home.” I counter.

David is turning pale. “Megan.”

She holds her hand up. “Do not even start. Next thing I know you will have me in a cage in the basement because I can’t get hurt that way. I am fine. People are pregnant every day. I am fine. The doctor said that my health is perfect. I do not need to be wrapped in bubble wrap.”

Hannah nods. “I barely had any prenatal care with Caden, because I could only afford so much, we both turned out fine. I am sure that Megan is going to be fine.”

David grunts. “Look, I know I am overreacting but I want them both to be fine, this is my first baby.”

Justin claps his hands together. “Speaking of babies.”

Hannah’s eyes widened. “Now.”

“Yeah. I want them to know.” He turns to the rest of us. “Caden is going to have a little brother or sister.” He beams at us.

Mom looks like she is getting ready to burst. “Oh, heavens, that is so amazing. I love that this family is getting bigger.

Dad grunted. “That’s right the Wright family will live on.” He seems happy but you couldn’t tell by his tone. I think that is Dad’s default tone. Like he only has two settings, ok, maybe three. They are really excited, neutral, and really pissed off. That is Dad’s settings. But it has been a really long time since I have seen him really excited. I think it is mostly because everything good that we do is just expected of us. He expects a lot, simply because we are Wrights. Wrights are expected to be a certain way and that is it. But to be fair I am pretty sure that grandpa did the same to him. He was always a stern man when we were growing up.

Luke grins at me. “Next you will be expected to start pushing them babies out too.”

I grin back. “That kind of requires a husband, there aren’t exactly men applying for the job at the moment.”

William nudges me. “Except the mystery man you took home the other night. Cassie made it seem like it was someone that you knew. He pretended to be your date.”

I roll my eyes. “It wasn’t like that. I don’t want to get into that. Can you just drop it?”

My mom must have heard it. “Who was it honey?”

“No one Mom.” I am silently pleading that she drops it. That they both drop it.

“Is it someone that we know?” God hates me.

“No Mom, I said it was no one.” I am starting to sound like the teenagers I teach.

Thankfully before my mom can go into more detail. My phone starts ringing. I look down and see it is Luna. “I have to take this.”

I am walking away as I answer and I hear my mom ask. “Do you think that is him?” I think my mom has a new obsession.

“Luna, what happened?”

She sounds like she has been crying. “Can you meet me?”

“What happened? Was it Kyle?”

“Not really. It was something that Kyle and I did. We thought it was a good idea, but now I feel like it was such a bad idea. I can’t get past the feeling that we messed things up. I just really need to talk to you to make it right.”

“Alright, calm down. Where are you?”

“I’m at the park by my house.”

I remember the park we passed on the way to drop her off. Not that I have done that lately, Kyle has been taking her back and forth from school. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Ok, please hurry. I really need to talk to you. I have to fix this.” I can hear the desperation in her voice.

I have no idea what I am walking into, but I know I need to be there for Luna. I promised her that no matter what I would be there for her. That is exactly what I am going to do.