CHAPTER FOUR
It was a clear, breezy night in Hope Hull. Jack had taken Nora to Memphis for the evening, and the kids didn’t expect them back until late. Hailey walked in from the back porch holding a spiral notebook in one hand and a bottle of water in the other.
Jessica was sitting on the living room couch with one knee pulled to her chest as she painted her toenails while watching a muted VHS of The Bodyguard and singing I Will Always Love You as tears lined the bottom of her eyes.
“Are you crying?” Hailey inquired as she sat down next to her sister. “Who watches a movie with the volume turned down anyway?”
Jessica finished belting out the classic ballad before turning the television off and glancing over at Hailey. “I’m a hopeless romantic; what can I say?” she smiled as she went back to focusing on the task of coating her toes in chic black nail polish.
“Have you seen, Grant?” Hailey asked, flipping purposefully through her notebook. “I need to ask him a question about this homework assignment. I promise you I don’t even know how I managed to get through school before he came to town.”
“He’s outside on the front porch talking on the phone,” Jessica said without looking up.
“It’s probably his sister Joanna again,” Hailey said, glancing over at the window. “Yesterday, I overheard him telling her about his plans to get out of dodge after his birthday.”
“He said that?” Jessica asked curiously.
“Well, maybe not in those exact words,” Hailey shrugged.
“I’d go with him if I could,” Jessica said, stars in her eyes. “We would rent a convertible and drive with the top down and the radio blaring, just us and the open road, and I’d have him drop me off in Nashville before he got on to wherever it is he’s getting to.”
“Not me,” Hailey shook her head. “I mean, I couldn’t imagine ever leaving here. I can’t believe that in only a matter of a few months I’m going to have to pack up and move to Knoxville. I know it’s just for college, but it’s a big step.”
“There is always the University of Memphis,” Jessica shrugged. “It’s closer to home!”
“I’ve spent my whole life dreaming about playing basketball at the University of Tennessee,” Hailey shook her head. “I want to be a Lady Vol more than anything in the world; it’s just that it’s always been a dream; now it’s getting close to becoming a reality, and I’m not sure I’m ready for the change.”
“It will definitely be a big change,” Jessica agreed.
Hailey smiled at her sister, but her smile quickly faded into a frown. “This year you rode on an airplane for the first time. You ventured out and saw things that I’ve never seen and did things I’ve never done. I might not have told you, but I was proud of you for doing that.”
“It’s not like I even left the state, Hails,” Jessica gulped. “But I really think I could do it,” she added with determination. “I think I could chase after my dreams…and know that this place would always be here if I needed it.”
“What do you think Daddy will do if we both leave?” Hailey gulped.
“I don’t know,” Jessica sighed. “Maybe things will work out between him and Nora. I mean they did go out to dinner tonight…that’s a start, huh?”
“I don’t know,” Hailey shook her head. “I think he’s just a good friend; she’s hurting and needs a place to stay, so he’s willing to sleep on the couch and wait things out while she either works things out with her husband or decides to go through with the divorce.”
“Emily says it will break Nora’s heart if Grant leaves town before graduation,” Jessica admitted.
“Well, I don’t think Grant has ever been the type to be right up under his mother’s wing,” Hailey scoffed. “He’s going to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it.”
“So, you think he’ll really leave?” Jessica asked.
“Who knows where Grant will end up?” Hailey frowned.
“He strikes me as the sort of guy who has a plan,” Jessica said, watching Grant in the distance as she screwed the lid back on her bottle of nail polish.
“He loved his grandfather, and he talks about Boston sometimes,” Hailey shrugged. “I mean…he did…we really don’t talk about that sort of thing anymore.”
Jessica smiled broadly as she reached up and tightened her peppy looking ponytail. “I’m glad we’re finally alone now. Isn’t it long past time you tell me about what you did on your summer vacation?”
“I don’t know, Jess. It was personal,” Hailey said hesitantly.
“How personal?” Jessica inquired interestedly.
“I don’t really feel comfortable talking about this,” Hailey shook her head as she glanced over her shoulder out the window.
“Did you kiss him?” Jessica whispered.
“You’re really not going to let this go, are you?” Hailey rolled her eyes.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Jessica clapped excitedly.
“We might have kissed a couple times,” Hailey admitted shyly.
“Oh my goodness, Hailey! I can’t believe you have been holding back on me,” Jessica gasped. “You’ve got to tell me everything. I’m going to need details.”
“I’m not telling you anything,” Hailey shook her head.
“Hailey, do you have any idea how incredibly boring my life is?” Jessica began pleading. “Living vicariously through your Danny meets Sandy summer romance would be the most interesting thing I’ve done all month.”
“Sorry…I don’t have much of a Hollywood script for you,” Hailey rolled her eyes.
Jessica waved her hand dismissively. “Just cut to the part about the summer lovin’.”
