Summer of Second Chances - Andrea Hurst Page 0,117

I'm eighteen and officially an adult. I want to finish my last two years of high school here."

Dana leaned forward, her face blotched and red. "I can't believe that you two are doing this to me."

Shelby threw up her hands in frustration. "How are we doing this to you?"

Dana slumped back in the recliner, her face morphing back to a dejected child. “What am I supposed to tell Gus?" she whined. "My own daughter doesn't want to live with us? I’ve been trying so hard to make this work. For you too.”

“If you were doing this for me too,” Shelby said, “you would have talked to me first. Listened to what I want and need.”

“But…but…” Dana stammered. “We drove all the way across country and bought that house with the extra bedroom and—"

"Dana," Alice said, her voice firm, "be honest. Would you have bought that house anyway?"

"That's not the point," Dana said. "Gus wants a nice little family."

For a moment, the room spun. Shelby grasped the arms of her chair. The familiar ache in her heart threatened to engulf her. Did her mother ever love her? Was she even capable of it? Either way, she needed to say her words the way Dana would hear them.

“So this is really about Gus," Shelby said, "and what Gus wants."

"No, you're getting it all wrong," Dana said.

"Maybe, maybe not,” Shelby said. “You finally found a good-seeming man. Maybe it would be best if you started your new life together just the two of you in your new home.”

Dana bristled. “And what if that’s not what I want?”

Shelby stood tall and remained strong. “Maybe you need some time to think about it.” She reached over and retrieved the paperwork on the end table. “I have the guardianship document here. It would be a lot easier if you would sign it before you leave the lake."

Dana leapt off the chair, hands on hips. "Or what? You're still a minor."

"Legally at sixteen I can make my own decision on who I want to live with. I've spoken to my attorney and I can apply for emancipation if that becomes necessary.”

Dana twisted her engagement ring anxiously around her finger. "I see you two have everything all planned out.” She turned to Alice. “You’re my mother, but you’ve never been on my side.”

“That’s not fair,” Alice said. “I’ve always loved you and done my best.”

“Well, maybe it wasn’t enough,” Dana said. “Don’t you think I try to do my best too?”

Shelby cringed, knowing how much those words must have hurt her grandmother. “It’s no one’s fault,” Shelby said. “We just need to get it settled so we can both move on.”

Dana paced the room and stopped in front of Shelby. “You could have saved us this wasted and expensive trip."

"I tried to," Shelby said, "but you wouldn't listen."

Alice rose from the couch and confronted her daughter. "Dana, you need to listen to Shelby. You’re an adult now and need to start taking responsibility for your own child’s welfare. Take some time to think about what you're doing and how it’s going to impact everyone, not just yourself."

Dana was speechless. She kept opening her mouth and nothing came out. "I—I—" she said. Then she turned her back to them and tramped to the door. "We'll just have to stay in town tonight, I guess. More costs. I'll speak to Gus and let you know our plans.”

Dana pulled out her cell phone and called Gus to come pick her up. Then she strode out the door and slammed it forcefully behind her. Scarlett zoomed out, barking as the noise reverberated through the house, to protect them from any perceived danger. If only she could, Shelby thought.

“So,” Shelby said to her grandmother, "I guess that didn't go so well." At least it was over, she thought.

“An understatement,” Alice said. “Do you think I was too harsh with your mother? I’ve let so many things go with Dana in the past. It felt right to speak up and tell the truth this time.”

“You were brave,” Shelby said. “But I’m not sure she heard a word either of us said.”

Alice shook her head. "Give your mom some time to cool off. I know she loves you. Let's just hope she'll make the right decision in the end."

"I think I'll call Theo,” Shelby said. “He’ll want to know what happened.”

"Good idea. We could use a stabling presence.”

A few minutes later, Theo showed up carrying a pink box, with Wally at his side. Scarlett raced