Chapter 37: Hailie

Finally calming down, I emerged from the bathroom. Ash and my grandparents stood in the waiting area; my grandmother’s eyes were red from her tears. When they saw me, their faces went grim, as if trying to hide that they were sorry that they found me, and weren’t doing a good job at it.

Ash came up beside me, trying to comfort me, I gave him a soft smile, but he knew I was still pissed with him. “Hailie,” I heard my grandfather say, gaining my attention, “I know it doesn’t make up for not being a part of your life when you were little, but, here.” He handed me an envelope, “You don’t have to open it now, you can wait. But, please, know that we did love your mother, and we love you too.” I take the envelope from him,

“Thank you,” I say, trying to be nice to them.

“Perhaps,” my grandmother said softly, “you’ll allow us to be a part of your life now?” Hearing those words, looking at the people that I share blood with and not memories, I wasn’t sure what to say, but I knew what I co