Chapter 23
Emmitt felt a pang of shame for his earlier presumptions, so he was all the more insistent on driving her to school.
Mirabella had finished her meal and was about to agree to his offer when he added, “Summer’s at Parkside High School too. I promised her I’d drive her on the first day of school. You’re not familiar with Parkside, and with Summer there, you’d have…”
Before he could finish, Mirabella cut him off with a cool, “No need, I can manage on my own,” the corner of her mouth twisting in self–mockery.
With that she stood up, glanced at Delilah and Shawn, and said, “Dad, Mom, I’m heading upstairs.” Without waiting for a response, she walked away.
Soon after, Mirabella’s figure vanished at the stairwell.
Snapping back to reality, Emmitt frowned slightly, wondering if she was throwing a temper tantrum because he mentioned driving Summer, too. He looked at his parents and said with a heavy voice, “Has she been like this since she got back?”
And here he was, feeling a bit guilty just moments ago.
Understanding the implication of his question, Delilah instinctively defended her daughter, “Mira’s actually got a great personality. But you know she’s just returned, and you haven’t come to see her for days. That might be the reason she’s a bit upset.”
Despite feeling somewhat at fault, Emmitt couldn’t help but retort, “Even if she’s upset, that’s no excuse for her attitude. Mom. I know she’s just returned, but don’t spoil her too much.”
Delilah didn’t take kindly to her son’s words, slapping the table with a bit of ferocity, “Hey, why are you so hard on your sister? What did she ever do to you?”
Emmitt quickly stood up, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “Okay, my bad. I shouldn’t have come tonight. I’ll leave you to it.” The sound of the front door closing echoed moments later.
Delilah glanced at the barely touched dinner, feeling overwhelmed. “Emmitt seemed to get along fine with Mira when he picked her up. Why is he acting up today?”
Shawn reached out, gently patting her shoulder, soothingly saying. “Take it slow. Our daughter just got back. They need time to readjust.”
“I always thought Emmitt was the most level–headed. He should’ve gotten along best with Mira, but now…” Delilah rubbed her temples, feeling the onset of a headache.
The other Davis kids, Zach, Nick and Leo, were wild cards and hadn’t come home yet. Who knew what kind of conflicts they’d spark next?
After leaving the neighborhood, Emmitt’s mind was racing as he drove. Eventually, he decided to call Summer and arranged to meet her at a nearby diner.
Half an hour later.
“Emmitt, why’re you calling me out this late? Is something up?” Summer asked as she sat down across from him. After gaining a following from Superstar Camp, she became somewhat of a celebrity and had taken to wearing sunglasses and a mask in public. Now, in the privacy of the booth, she had removed them.
Emmitt poured her a glass of water. “No rush, let’s order some food first.” He handed her the menu.
Summer casually ordered a steak, sipped her water, and tentatively asked, “Emmitt, are you here because of Mira’s school situation?”
She had mentioned helping Mirabella with school on the drive home but hadn’t heard a peep from the Davis family since.
