Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,39
know who—what doctors—I saw before.
Rosalie blew out a huff of air. “I wish I could tell you. There were so many, and it was so long ago…I’m sorry.”
You don’t have tax records? Old medical bills?
“Going back decades? After moving as much as we did?” She shook her head before breaking into another happy grin. “What matters is your future! Have you tried speaking since you found out your vocal cords are normal?”
She automatically touched her throat. No. She had verbally told Psy she loved him, but her mother didn’t need to know that. I’m going to see a speech therapist for help.
She nodded. “Good idea. We’ll find you one in Boise.”
Boise was an eight-hour drive. Don’t need to go so far. There’s several in Coeur d’Alene.
Rosalie hunched her shoulders before sweeping out her arm to encompass the chaos enveloping the living room. “Well…you’re probably wondering about the mess. I have some news, too.” She grimaced. “I got fired. I made a couple of tiny errors—they weren’t that big a deal, but the owner believed otherwise, and I lost my job. I panicked until I called my old boss in Boise, and he agreed to rehire me—I can start next week. The landlord won’t be happy I can’t give thirty-days’ notice, but shit rolls downhill. I didn’t get notice I was being fired. I know you like your job, and you just met your alien, but we have to move. I’m sorry.”
Her mother wasn’t going to be happy, but this was the opportunity Cassie had been waiting for. I’m not moving again. I’m staying in Argent.
“Ah, honey, I wish you could, but you can’t. You have to come with me.”
No, I don’t. I’m an adult. I’ll get my own apartment. It’s time. She might even be able to swing the rent and stay in the house. It was a cute little place, and she paid more than half the bills anyway. Money flowed through Rosalie’s fingers like water. She always ran short of cash right before the bills came due.
“I can’t let you remain here alone. I’m your legal guardian, and I’m responsible for you.”
So much for allowing an adjustment period before springing more changes. So much for procrastination. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise, forcing her to hold the discussion she’d been putting off. She moved away, stepping around boxes, and flipped to a fresh page, wishing more than ever she could say what was on her mind.
Choosing her words carefully, she wrote, About the guardianship—it’s time to dissolve it. You’re my mom, and I love you, but I have to live my own life. I don’t need a guardian. I’m 23. I have a job, and I can take care of myself. Pretty soon I’ll be able to speak.
She gave her mother the notebook.
“But you can’t speak yet, and you’ve never been on your own.” Rosalie twisted her hands, but Cassie could see the acknowledgment in her eyes. She had expected much more resistance.
But I WILL speak, she pressed the advantage. And, even if I couldn’t, I can still take care of myself. The only way to leave the nest is to leave the nest!
Rosalie smiled sadly. “It’s hard to see the little bird fly away.”
The little bird still has to fly.
Her mother sighed. “I knew this day would come. I’ve expected it for a long time. My overbearing overprotectiveness was my way of denying you’d grown up.”
Not overbearing, she fibbed. She could afford to be conciliatory. This discussion had gone way better than she ever expected!
Rosalie chuckled. “I can always tell when you lie.”
She moved closer and gently tucked Cassie’s hair behind her ears then cupped her face. “I imagine a certain alien influenced this decision. I love you. I desire what’s best for you, and I realize I need to let you make your own decisions—and mistakes. If you wish to sever the guardianship and remain in Argent, I’ll support you.”
Her mother’s violet gaze flickered. “But are you absolutely sure this is what you want?”
Chapter Sixteen
Despite little sleep, Psy awakened in the morning energetic and eager to see Cassie. After yesterday’s incredible news, he couldn’t wait to free whatever mental blockage hampered her ability to speak. Maybe today she’d say her first words without her throat closing up. As he’d thought about her situation well into the night, he’d remembered the fleeting, dark smudge he’d initially dismissed. If he could find it again, it would warrant some investigation. He could do a little gentle probing in