Piercing The Fold by Venessa Kimball Read Free Book Online

other and travel. We have found the cutest little condo that will allow us to travel and not have to worry about home maintenance.”
    Wow. I mean, I did want my mom and dad to back off a bit with the hovering, but I didn’t think they would pick up and move.
    “What about Bethany? What is she going to do for the rest of her senior year?”
    Mom and Dad look at each other again.
    “Bethany will be staying with the Sanford’s, Serena’s family, for the remainder of her senior year. She will spend the summer with us before attending college at the University of Colorado. She already applied and was accepted. She won’t be staying with us; she will need her space to spread her wings.”
    I am floored. My parents are allowing my sister to stay with a family for the rest of her senior year? My parents had really changed. How long had I been out of the loop with them?
    And Bethany, she didn’t clue me in to any of this. Well, I hadn’t taken the initiative of picking up the phone to call my little sister either, so I couldn’t shift the blame entirely on her. She is probably pissed at me for being so distant. And I completely understand if she is.
    “Sweetheart, why do you look so sad?”
    “Well, I am a little sad about the house. I mean, we have lived here all of Bethany’s and my life. I’m going to miss this place.” I clear my throat. “But I’m so excited for you guys. You are finally living a life for you two. You have dedicated your lives to raising Bethany and me. It is your time to live now.”
    I give a brief smile through my welled up eyes and quivering lips.
    Dad and Mom both smile and hug me.
    A gruff voice from behind us interrupts our moment. “Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Sera. We have all of the items that are going into storage. We will be back Tuesday of next week to move you folks to Boulder.”
    I take that moment to clear the air. I wipe my tears and force a laugh. “It’s not like you’ll be in another country. We’ll see each other on holidays and stuff.” This was true and pretty much how often we were seeing each other now. So it wouldn’t be very different from life as we knew it.
    Dad adds, “It seems like things are coming together for you, Jesca. Last night’s breakthrough with your nightmare is a huge step.”
    “Yeah, things are coming together. I’m really doing much better.”
    Even though the slight humming is still present, I give my parents a smile to reassure them that I am fine.
    My parents have a few loose ends to tie up with the movers, so I excuse myself. I tell them I will be stopping by on moving day to see them off. Then, realization kicks in. Everything is coming together for me at the exact same time my family is moving apart. How is that a good thing?
    Something is off balance.
    It’s like that feeling you get before lightning strikes. My smile turns to a stiff lip of wonder at the coincidence as I walk away from my home.

Chapter 8
    The cliché cowbell rings as I enter Benson’s to start my shift.
    Elisha looks up and sarcastically says, “Hey there. What’s up with you?”
    I reply sarcastically, “Well, hello to you, too.” I roll my eyes, as does Elisha. We both have a brief scowl of annoyance that quickly fades into coy smiles. That’s just how it is between us.
    Elisha follows me to the back room, where I set down my things.
    “Seriously, Jes, what’s up? You look different.”
    I look up at Elisha and sigh. “Well, my parents have sold their house and are moving across the country.”
    Elisha’s eyes bulge. “What? When did all of this happen? What about Bethany finishing high school? Is she going with them? God, I thought my parents would have been the first to do something like this. Why didn’t they tell you?”
    I shake my head in agreement. “I know, right!”
    I sit down on the stool nearest her. “I’m happy for them, though.”
    “Really, or are you just saying that?”
    I look at Elisha, waiting for her to elaborate. She catches