With Wings I Soar by Norah Simone

kind that Mom had forced her to spend a night running dumb errands. Realistically, Mom knew Tabitha's dress size and could have easily picked up an outfit without Tabitha being present. Tabitha figured the shopping trip was just a way for them to spend time together with her uncle, but she still resented being there.
                  Nick and Mom chattered about a new movie that was playing at a nearby theater but Tabitha's mind and heart were a million miles away. She leaned her head against the glass window of the diner and stared outside as she wondered what Ryan was doing. Maybe he was helping his Mom make dinner, or maybe he was playing with little Dylan. Tabitha smiled as Katie crossed her mind, but Tabitha knew full well that on a Saturday night Katie would be inside with Kenny reviewing flash cards or reading a textbook. There was little variation in Katie's routine and since her father's dead, Katie had doubled her study time.
                  The waitress returned and brought Tabitha's food and drink. Mom and Nick ordered and Tabitha bit hungrily into her burger. She hadn't felt hungry when they had decided to stop and eat, but now she felt famished. She devoured the burger quickly but said nothing, and neither Nick nor Mom attempted to include Tabitha in their conversation about the best places to travel abroad.
                  When everyone had finished eating and the tab had been paid, the group piled back into the car one last time.
                  “You barely said a word at dinner. Are you feeling okay, Tabitha?” Mom asked, glancing in the rear view mirror at her daughter.
                  “I'm fine.”
                  “Tabitha, is something wrong?”             
                  “No, Mom.”
                  “You haven't seemed like yourself lately. The entire time you were trying on clothes you just seemed bored.”
                  “I was bored.”
                  “Tabitha, what is wrong with your attitude? You've been in a foul mood for weeks.”
                  Tabitha said nothing and Mom stopped pressing her. Nick remained silent the rest of the drive. When Mom pulled into the driveway of their home, Tabitha hurried out of the car and ran up to her bedroom. She closed the door and, without undressing, climbed into bed and pulled her blankets up to her chin. She didn't cry or sob or shout or scream. She just rested her body and tried to shut her mind down. Endless thoughts swam through her brain, begging for her attention and demanding that she fix the problems they presented.
                  Tabitha squeezed her eyes shut and thought about Katie. She squeezed her eyes tighter and thought about Ryan. A third squeeze brought Dad to her mind and Tabitha began to tear up. She didn't want to have to move away. She wanted Dad to stay here and be with her all of the time like he used to be. She was tired of begging the universe for justness and fairness. Tabitha knew now that there was no such thing as “fair” and there probably never would be. She felt scared about meeting the lawyers and the judge next week and she felt even more scared at the outcome of the divorce. Tabitha knew her life was about to change one more time, but she didn't know yet if it would be for better or for worse.
     

Chapter 22
     
    Tabitha woke early to the sound of her phone ringing. She groggily rolled over and rubbed her eyes for a moment before glancing at the caller ID of her phone: it was Katie.
    “Hello? Are you okay?”
    “Hey! Wanna come over and study?”
    “Katie, it's like six in the morning.”
    “It'll be worth your while,” Katie promised. “I have study snacks.”
    Tabitha was sold when she heard the word “snacks.” Katie always had the very best snacks and Tabitha wasn't going to miss out. Maybe Mrs. Miller had even baked cookies or some