Between Two Hearts

Prologue

Prologue

The last suitcase landed in the trunk with a heavy thump.

I stared at it for a second, then looked back at the house I'd called home for eighteen years. Everything suddenly felt... different. Smaller. Like I was already a visitor instead of someone who belonged there.

"All set?" Dad asked as he closed the trunk.

"I guess."

He smiled, but I couldn't bring myself to return it.

We climbed into the car, and the engine rumbled to life. As we pulled away from the driveway, I glanced at the front door one last time.

It never opened.

I let out a quiet sigh.

"Dad?"

"Hm?"

"Mom really couldn't come?"

He kept his eyes on the road. "Kimberly..."

"No, seriously." I folded my arms across my chest. "Her only daughter is leaving for college today, and she couldn't spare five minutes to say goodbye?"

"Your mom wanted to be here."

"She always wants to be here." I laughed bitterly. "But work always comes first."

"Kim..."

"I wasn't asking for much. Just one hug. One 'I'm proud of you.' That's all."

The car fell silent.

Dad sighed softly before speaking.

"She's working hard because she loves us. Sometimes life puts people in impossible situations."

"There's always a situation."

"Kimberly."

I looked away, blinking back the tears threatening to fall.

"I just thought today would be different."

Dad reached over and squeezed my hand.

"I know you're disappointed."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore."

After a few moments, he cleared his throat.

"You know, college is going to be one of the biggest adventures of your life. You're going to meet amazing people, make lifelong friends, and discover things about yourself you never imagined."

I groaned dramatically.

"Dad..."

"What? I'm just saying."

"I really don't need the 'college changes your life' speech right now."

He laughed.

"I had to try."

"Well, don't."

He shook his head with a smile.

"You're going to be fine, sweetheart."

I didn't answer.

Instead, I rolled down the window and rested my head against it, letting the cool wind hit my face.

The breeze carried away a few tears before they had the chance to fall.

Maybe Dad was right.

Maybe college would change my life.

Right now, though, all I could think about was the empty space beside our driveway...

...where my mom should have been standing, waving goodbye.

I had only one fear...

I didn't want to live the life I once lived in high school.