Chapter 2

I dragged the trash bag out to the back balcony on the third floor and dropped it over the side, then grabbed the drainage pipe and climbed down, slow and steady.

By the time I came out front, the wedding convoy was pulling into the neighborhood.

The lead car had roses tied across the front.

In the back seat, Charlotte had her arms around Gideon's neck, leaning up to kiss him.

Neighbors lined the sidewalk, watching and talking.

"They're both from Wexford, top of their class. I heard the groom came from nothing. Lived on cheap food for three years just to stay in school."

My phone buzzed with a picture from my 17-year-old self.

It showed a math worksheet, half of it blank.

[I'm done. Tell me who the groom is.]

I sent him the campus photo from inside the house.

The chat went quiet for a few seconds before my phone rang. His voice was off.

"How is it Gideon?"

-

When I got back to the dorm, I noticed Charlotte had sent me 800 dollars.

[Found your hair on the floor, so I knocked 200 off your pay.]

I started typing that I had worn a cap. There was no way it was mine.

My younger self called again.

"Is it really Gideon?

"I supported him through high school. I scraped by for three years and sent him money in secret. He said he'd remember. So how is he marrying Charlotte?"

A blister had formed on my heel. I took a needle and popped it, cutting him off.

"If you want the answer, start today. Complete two math sets and one full science paper every day. Learn fifty new words and do five reading passages."

He hesitated. "Why? Charlotte said she'd take me overseas. I don't need to push for the SAT."

I chuckled. "She also said she'd marry you at 25."

His voice started to shake. "So I didn't get into college? I didn't go abroad? What did I do?"

"Factory work, twelve-hour shifts."

I heard young me suck in a breath, then a few broken sounds. He was crying.

From that day on, we went through practice tests together, one question at a time.

We stayed on the phone for hours. When he got stuck, he asked. I explained while I worked.

Before high school, I had been near the top of my class. I knew what worked for me.

It went smoothly. He learned fast.

A week later, I took a day off and went home.

My mom opened the door. The second she saw me, she looked away.

"Why are you here again? Didn't I tell you not to come so often?"

I stayed at the door.

"I need my ID. The factory scheduled a physical. I can't go without it."

"Then wait outside. Don't come in. Your shoes are filthy."

Through my headset, my 17-year-old self sounded confused.

"What's wrong with Mom? She just made me soup earlier."

I didn't answer. I looked past her and saw my dad sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone like I wasn't there.

Gideon walked out of the kitchen in a fitted shirt and slacks, smiling.

"You're here. Mom made soup. Have some before you go."

Mom leaned out right away. "That's for Gideon and Charlotte. Don't touch it."

Gideon gave me a small shrug, like he couldn't help it.

At that moment, Charlotte came downstairs in a red dress.

"Mom, Gideon and I are going out for dinner tonight. You and Dad should join us."

Dad smiled and told Mom to get ready.

Charlotte glanced at me, frowned, and looked away.

"We're heading out. Stay and clean up."

I kept my head down. "I just need my ID. I'll grab it and leave. I have to get back to work."

"One grand," she said easily before taking Gideon's hand and walking out.

At the door, Gideon added, "We don't stay here much, but keep our room clean. Not a single hair."

After saying they couldn't find my ID, my parents left, too.

The house Charlotte claimed for herself was quiet again, with just me inside.

I pulled off my headset. It felt like it had been buzzing the whole time. Young Edmund was still going off.

"Why does Gideon get to call our mom 'Mom'? His parents are long gone. I'm the one who worked and saved to put him through school!"