Every day I see a new bruise on Baker's body, I remind myself how many days we have left until his birthday. It's March, which means there are only two months left. Sixty days, to be exact. Time to start really planning this thing. I try to tell this to Baker, but he's too scared to make a move before he turns eighteen. He keeps telling me he has it under control. That I don't need to worry about it. But after he comes to school with a nasty black eye, I decide to take matters into my own hands.

I think really hard about what I'm going to say before I say it. And on Friday, about thirty minutes before I'm done shadowing for the week, I knock on the lead attorney's office and say, "Excuse me? Heather? Can... can I talk to you for a few minutes?"

Heather Murphy is the owner of the firm. She's in her early 40s and has already earned several community awards. When I knock on her door, she's sitting at her computer, her eyes glued to the screen as she skims through what looks like an email. "Sure," she says as she looks up at me, a kind smile on her face. "Come on in, Summer."

I nod my head and take a step into her office, closing the door behind me. This gets her attention, as the only time she ever has her door closed is when she's talking to clients. I take a seat in the leather black chairs sitting across from her and take a breath. "So... I just...." This is stupid. I should just stop.

Heather's brow furrows with concern. "Is everything okay?" she asks me, her lips curving down into a frown. "Are you having a problem here?"

My eyes widen. "Oh no," I reply, shaking my head quickly. "Not at all. I just... I... I'm working on this... book?" She looks taken aback, and I try to shake off how much of an idiot I sound. "About... about abuse. And guardianships."

"You're... writing a book?" she asks, and I nod my head.

"Yeah," I say, hoping I still have a job after this. "And I was hoping... you know, if you have a minute... that I could maybe pick your brain? I have some questions, and I just want to—"

She smiles. "Of course," she replies as she leans back in her chair. "I think that's great that you're writing a book. What's it about?"

Shit. I didn't think this far ahead. "Um. I-It's just... a story. Fiction, I guess? About a teenage boy who's being abused, but he doesn't say anything because he's trying to protect his brother. Who's younger."

She folds her hands and presses the tips of her fingers to her lips. "Okay. So what's your question?"

I suck in a breath. "Can he emancipate himself?"

Heather shakes her head. "In the state of Idaho, no. There's no emancipation here."

Disappointment floods my body. Okay, there goes that idea. "Okay. So what about guardianship then? How old do you have to be to become a guardian over a minor?"

"Hmm," she says, and I wonder if she's growing suspicious. "Well, yes. In Idaho, you can become someone's guardian at the age of eighteen. But it's not something that just happens overnight. It takes a while. Unless you're filing for an emergency guardianship, and even that can take a few weeks."

I nod my head. "Right. So how long does the process take? You know, in total?"

"That depends on whether or not it's a contested guardianship," she replies. I look at her questioningly, and she elaborates. "Well, if the ward... you know, the minor child in this case... if the ward doesn't want a guardian, then it can be kind of tricky. Or if there's another person who is also fighting for guardianship. Or if the parent fights giving up rights to the guardian. Those things can make the process take a bit longer."

"What if the older brother has evidence that the father is abusive?" I ask quickly, leaning forward as if hanging on her every word.

Heather blinks in surprise. "Summer... is everything okay? These are pretty specific questions, even for a book. Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Damn. I shake my head. "No. No, it's not like that. It's just for the book." She doesn't believe me, and I can tell. Better end this conversation now while I'm ahead. "You know what? This is dumb. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bothered you with all this."

She shakes her head. "It's no bother. Really. Answering your questions is the least I can do. You've been a great help here these last couple months. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your future. I mean, it sounds like you're interested in creative writing." I nod my head, even though I've never been interested in creative writing in my life. Not even journaling. "But if you ever considered getting into the field of law—"

"Actually, yes," I tell her, cutting her off. "That's what I want to do. I actually applied for Columbia. Hoping to go to law school."

Heather smiles as she leans forward. "That is what I was hoping you were going to say. Now, I don't know what your plans are. But if you ever decided to come back to Idaho after school and take the Idaho State Bar exam, I would be very interested in having you here as a junior associate."

My eyes widen in shock. "Really?" I ask, and she nods. "Oh. Wow. I... I don't know what to say. That's... that's a huge deal. Thank you."

"No, thank you," she says. "Really. I've had a few shadows over the years. You're not the only senior who has shown interest in law for their senior project. But you are by far the most diligent and hardworking one we've had here. I want you to know your efforts are not going unnoticed."

I flush with pride. "Wow. Thank you. That's a really huge compliment. I do hope to come back to practice here in Idaho, so I might hold you to that offer."

She grins at me. "I hope so. And, Summer?" she says as I make to stand up. I freeze and lower myself back down in the chair. "If you need to talk about anything... if there's something going on at home—"

Oh no. She thinks it's me. I shake my head, eyes widening again. "Oh, no. No, there's not... it's not like that." She watches me closely for signs that I'm lying. "Really."

She nods her head, but it looks like she doesn't quite believe me. "Okay. I just want you to know I'm here. Any legal questions, for a book or otherwise, just give me a call."

I give her a tight smile as I lift up off the chair. "Will do. Thanks, Heather. Really. This has been an incredible experience. I've learned so much, and I think this is definitely where I belong. I just have to get into Columbia."

"Even if you don't get into Columbia," she says, "this is still where you belong. There are other schools of law, Summer. And I'm sure you'll flourish wherever you go."

My stomach twists at the idea of going anywhere but Columbia, but I give her a smile anyway. "Thank you. Um... do you need anything else for the day before I go?"

She shakes her head. "Nope. You're free to leave. Have a great weekend. And remember everything I said."

Another tight, awkward smile. "I will. Thanks again. Um... have a great weekend. Don't work too hard," I say with a little chuckle.

A laugh escapes her lips. "Name of the game, hon. Name of the game." And without another word, she turns back to her computer and finishes up the email she was working on before I interrupted, leaving me to go home. I wonder if I should tell Baker about the conversation I just had with her. But, after giving it some thought, I think better of it. If he knew I talked to an attorney about all this, he'd freak out. Even if I didn't say his name. No, best to keep it to myself for now.

But before I go, I set up an appointment for him to meet with Heather on May 5th. I use a fake name, and all I put in the consultation description is contested guardianship of a minor child. It's my way of making sure he has an appointment with someone when he's ready. I know most attorneys in the area are booked out several months, including our firm. Knowing Baker, I'm sure he hasn't thought about that. So I cover that base before I leave the office for the weekend, hoping Heather doesn't see it and put it all together too soon.

When I get home a little while later, I find Ian, my dad, and Baker standing out in the backyard with Ian's baseball equipment. It's February, which means baseball tryouts are coming up. Even though we practiced all summer, I know Ian is getting nervous. Every clear day that we've had the last couple weeks, the boys go outside to practice. My mom stays inside watching from the window as she takes care of Auggie, who is already almost twice as big as he was when he was born.

"Hey, mom," I say when I get home, setting my school stuff on the floor next to the front door to take upstairs later. She waves at me as he plays with Auggie's toes, watching as he laughs at her.

"Hey, sweetie," she says as she blows a raspberry against the bottom of Auggie's foot, causing him to break out into a fit of baby giggles. "How was work today?"

I walk over and sit on the floor beside her. "Real good, actually. I kind of got offered a job for when I graduate."

"Did you tell Heather all about your college plans?" she asks, looking up at me with a slightly less tired smile that tells me my brother is sleeping a bit better these days.

"Actually, the offer was for after college," I reply, and her eyes widen. "I know. Kind of blew me away too. She said when I finish law school, she wants me to come back as a junior associate. And... I'm thinking I might."

"Really?" she asks hopefully. "Are you sure?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I mean... I don't know. I think. I've always wanted to go to Columbia. That definitely hasn't changed. But the idea of leaving all of you behind now... especially with Auggie...," I trail off, the idea of moving away from my brother a fresh pain that I haven't experienced before.

My mom breathes a small sigh of relief. "I am so happy to hear that," she says, and I blink in surprise. "When you were gone last year, it was the hardest five months of my life. I counted down the days until you were home. So I've been dreading this whole college thing. I want you to go. Spread your wings and all that. But I can't lie to you and tell you I'm not going to miss you. Or that it's not going to hurt to say goodbye again."

"I know," I whisper sadly, looking down at my blue eyed baby brother, who's eyes are now focused on me. "It was hard for me too. This whole thing is hard for me. Leaving you and dad and Auggie. And now Baker and Ian. Although they're going to be gone by the end of the summer too, most likely."

Her eyes meet mine. "What do you mean?" she asks, confused.

"Well, Baker's going off to college too," I say slowly, like it's obvious.

She nods her head. "No, I get that. But you said they're. Like... like both of them." Shit. Did I? I cringe and look away. "Summer," she says firmly, and I keep my eyes on my brother. "Is Ian going with Baker?"

I should tell her. I could tell her. Now would be the perfect moment. And it would be such a relief for me to get it all off my chest. For a single, solitary second I consider it. But then I remember the promise I made, and the words die before they can even start to form. When I glance up again, I see my mom is still staring at me, watching me, waiting for me to answer the question I think she already knows the answer to.

"I...," I say, swallowing hard before continuing. "I must've misspoke. Baker is going off to college. Only Baker." The lie tastes like acid on my tongue, but I can't tell her the truth. It would ruin all of Baker's plans. "Jeeze, mom," I say, hating myself for gaslighting her like this. "What did you think I meant?"

Her blue eyes are staring into mine, like she's searching for the lie. It's there, mom. Please see it. Please demand I tell you the truth. I want her to pry this time. To force me to tell her. But she just shakes her head and looks away, breaking my heart in the process. "Nothing," she says as she looks back down at Auggie, smiling in a way that doesn't quite meet her eyes. "Momma was just being silly, wasn't she, baby boy?" she asks my brother, and he coos as he smiles up at her.

I feel sick, and a few minutes later I excuse myself to lie down on my bed. Baker and Ian are still outside playing ball with my dad. I can hear them laughing. Their joy usually makes me happy too, but tonight it's off putting. Because I know what lurks beneath it all. Secrets and lies and so much pain. And being the only person to know is a special sort of hell. I need someone to help me. Someone to see it. But I'm too good at this game now. I've had years of practice hiding my emotions from the people I'm closest too. I just wish this time they could see what's really going on. And that they could somehow make it right.

Author's Note:
What do you think of this chapter? Also, for those of you who don't know, I work in a law firm. So this chapter is dedicated to my amazing team. They won't see it, but that's okay. It's the thought that counts, right?

I cannot believe I got this chapter done. Only took two trips to the hospital. Curse you, randomly swollen leg with no explanation! Curse you! But it's done, and I hope you all enjoy it! I'll be back again very soon with another chapter. Stay safe and healthy until then, my dears (and I'll try to do the same)!
XOXO,
~Aly