Unveil by Amber Garza Page A

sleep.”
    I could barely make out Mom’s face in the darkness. Light from the window sliced across her cheek, casting a yellow glow on her skin.
    “I was always so fearful of something bad happening to you, Kenzie. You were my precious baby and it was my job to protect you.” Her hand found mine and she squeezed hard. “Oh, Kenzie, what happened today scared me so much.” A sob burst out.
    “It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine.”
    “I know, Kenzie, but I didn’t protect you. It was my job to and I failed.”
    “Mom, this was not your fault.”
    “I’ve spent your entire life trying to keep that man away.”
    I sat up and leaned my head against Mom’s shoulder. Tears pricked my eyes. It was true. She had. For so many years I thought it was out of her own selfish need. Now I saw how hard she’d fought to protect me; how much she really loved me.
    “You’ve done your best, Mom. I don’t blame you.”
    She kissed my forehead. “I love you, Kenzie.”
    I buried my face in her chest. Her arms came around me and held me close. For the second time that night, I allowed myself to be held. I allowed myself to be loved.
     

Chapter Sixteen
     
    “What do you want to do for your eighteenth birthday?” Mom asked. It was Saturday morning and I lounged on the couch, zoning out on boring television, while Mom got ready for work.
    “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it.” It hadn’t exactly been my number one priority.
    “Well, you better think about. It’s only a couple of weeks away.” She sat down on the loveseat and slipped on a pair of high heels. I never understood how she stood on those all day while doing people’s hair.
    I could hardly believe it was almost March. Time sure did fly. And in only a few short months I’d graduate from high school. The thought of that hurt my stomach. When school started I had plans to move to California after graduation. I still could do that, but I had wished Isaac would be part of the equation. Now, I wasn’t so sure. Although we had talked a few times recently, things were definitely not back to normal between us. I wasn’t sure they would be again.
    The situation with my dad had brought home how much I needed Isaac in my life. Even though Tanner was always around, I couldn’t shake how much I missed Isaac. After the detective showed up with the information about my dad, I had to share it with him. No matter how complicated my feelings were for Tanner, my feelings for Isaac had always been definitive. I knew I loved him with my whole heart. Going through major life events and not sharing them with Isaac was downright painful.
    But our conversations were awkward, colored in pain and betrayal. Not to mention the fact that there was a looming elephant in the room. While Tanner’s name never came up, I knew he was in both of our minds.
    “Why don’t I throw you a party?” Mom patted her curly hair.
    “I don’t know. That seems like a lot of work.” Besides, who would I invite? My only real friends were Haley and Tanner. Not much of a party. I guessed I could invite Janna and Rick.
    “I don’t mind. You only turn eighteen once.” Mom stood, smiling. “It wouldn’t have to be anything big. We could have a barbecue right here in the backyard.”
    The idea just kept getting worse and worse.
    But Mom looked so happy and she had been trying so hard that I didn’t want to burst her bubble.
    “Okay. That sounds fine.”
    She squealed and leaned down to kiss me on the cheek. “Great. Your birthday lands on a Friday night. So invite all your friends over, honey. We’ll have so much fun.”
    Her enthusiasm was contagious and I found myself looking forward to the party. I imagined the backyard filled with balloons and crepe paper. Tanner, Haley, Rick and Janna would be there. Mom would burn the food but we could always get full on chips and dip. I imagined everyone coming with gift bags filled with tissue paper. My heart lifted at the prospect. I had never