You Thought My Turn Could Always Come Later Chapter 03
On the day of the math competition, Dad didn’t come.
He called to say his truck had broken down on the highway and he couldn’t make it back in time.
But when I walked out of the exam hall, I saw his car parked across the street.
Chloe was hugging a new teddy bear.
Dad was holding a cake box, bending down to talk to her.
“Don’t be mad. I didn’t mean to forget it was Friday.”
Chloe huffed.
“Then you have to stay with me all day today.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll stay with you all day,” Dad answered quickly.
When he turned his head, he saw me.
The smile froze on his face.
“Sabine?”
He reflexively hid the cake box behind his back.
“Weren’t you supposed to be done this afternoon?”
“I finished early.”
“How did it go?”
“It was fine.”
Dad seemed to relax and took two steps toward me.
Chloe immediately cried out, “Daddy, my foot hurts.”
He stopped, then retreated.
“Take the bus home first,” he said. “I’ll make you something good tonight to celebrate.”
I glanced at the blue frosting on the cake.
*Have a Great Weekend, Chloe*.
So that was worth celebrating, too.
“Okay.”
I turned and walked away.
The results came out three days later.
First in the state.
Eight thousand dollars in prize money.
Northwood Academy gave me an acceptance letter on the spot.
Ms. Ward was so excited her eyes welled up.
“Sabine, does your dad know yet? He must be so proud.”
I slipped the prize check into the deepest pocket of my backpack.
“I haven’t told him.”
“This is huge! You have to tell him.”
I called Dad.
It rang and rang. No one picked up.
Half an hour later, he sent a voice message. Chloe was sobbing in the background.
“Sabine, Chloe got into a fight with a classmate. I’m dealing with it now.”
“If it’s important, we can talk tonight.”
I didn’t reply.
After school, I went straight to the Greyhound station.
“One ticket to Boston, for tomorrow at four p.m.”
The clerk handed me the ticket.
“Traveling alone?”
“Yes.”
“Does your family know?”
I took the ticket and gave a small smile.
“They will soon.”
That night, Dad came home with Chloe.
She was holding a brand-new iPad, her eyes still red from her supposed crying.
When Dad saw me, he seemed to finally remember the phone call.
“What did you need to talk to me about?”
I kept the acceptance letter behind my back.
“There’s an awards ceremony at school tomorrow.”
Dad slapped his forehead.
“Right, I remember.”
“Is your mom coming?”
“No.”
He seemed relieved.
“Then I’ll be there.”
“I’m not taking any jobs tomorrow. I’m going, no matter what.”
Chloe spoke up from the couch.
“My teacher wants to see parents tomorrow, too.”
Dad froze.
“You said they didn’t.”
She looked down, fiddling with her new iPad.
“Whatever.”
“Sabine’s thing is more important, anyway.”
Dad fell silent.
I looked at him.
“So, where are you really going tomorrow?”
“To yours, of course,” he answered quickly.
But he didn’t look at Chloe.
I nodded.
“Okay.”
This was the last time.
If he came, I would give him the acceptance letter.
If he didn’t, I already had a bus ticket in my pocket.
Four o’clock.
After that, no one would have to choose.