FIGHT FOR ME Read Free

original packaging, leaning against the counter. “So bringing her to school and picking her up went all right? Administration didn’t get on your case about not being her mom? That school is a little anal about that kind of thing.”
    “No, it wasn’t a problem at all.” Ivy wondered if she should really bring up what Lucas had asked. She had been waiting to talk to her sister about it all day. “I talked to Mr. Fray… Lucas.” His name felt good in her mouth.
    “Oh, Lucas? He’s a nice guy.”
    “Do you know him?”
    “I guess. At the beginning of the year –not too long after Nikolai...” Jess set down her dinner on the counter and started again. “At the beginning of the school year I talked with him about Emma’s situation and he was very sympathetic. He often goes out of his way to make sure we’re doing well. If Emma had started school with any other teacher I don’t think she’d be doing as well. But she loves him. I appreciate him, definitely, but I do think he’s a little odd.”
    “He asked me how you were doing today.”
    “That’s sweet of him. If he asks again, tell him I’m doing… okay. Better.” At this question Ivy saw her sister’s expression tighten. She understood why Lucas hadn’t wanted to ask Jess this question directly.
    “Why do you think he asked? It surprised me, a little.”
    Jess shrugged. “I guess he’s kind of taken an interest in us. He was just being nice when he asked.”
    “You don’t think it’s a little weird?”
    “Nope.” Jess looked down. “I mean, you probably don’t have a kid with a dead father in most classes as a teacher…”
    “Hey, Jess,” Ivy said compassionately. She stood from the couch and walked over to her sister. She gave her a tight hug. “I wanted to hug you earlier, but I didn’t want to bring up anything for Emma…”
    Jess hugged her back. “Thank you. I’ve really needed you here. I… I wish you could have stayed here ever since the funeral.”
    They went to sit on the couch, Jess with dinner and fork in hand.
    “You should have just asked.”
    “I know. I just couldn’t ask you to leave your life like that.” Jess sighed.
    “It’s fine. I haven’t taken more than a week off since I started that job. Also... Coming here isn’t leaving my life. You and Emma are really important to me.”
    Jess smiled. “Thank you so much.” She took the last bite of her instant meal. “I’m going to go start getting ready for bed.” She got up and threw the plastic container in the trash and the fork in the sink. “Oh, this Friday Emma’s going to be in the kindergarten’s spring play. I can’t be there because it’s in the middle of the day. Would you mind going and filming it for me?”
    “Of course. That’s sounds so cute. What’s she playing?”
    “She’s the magic butterfly that comes out at the end and solves all the animals’ problems. Since I can’t be there she’s told me all about the story and practiced her lines a lot for me.”
    “Aw! That sounds precious. I’m excited. I’ll let her know in the morning that I’ll be there.”
    “Thanks again,” Jess said. “Emma loves having you here, you know,” she said. “She needs as many loving adults as she can get in her life right now.”
    Ivy smiled. “I wish I could stay longer.”
    “I think mom is going to come out a little while after you leave,” Jess said. “But I wish you could stay too. I… I really do need a hand.” Without another word, Jess left to brush her teeth and get to bed early.
    Ivy spent the rest of the night mindlessly surfing the internet. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d said that coming here wasn’t like leaving her life. She kept imagining Lucas as a part of her life. No matter what their future was –even if they didn’t have one –she couldn’t stop thinking about him and she could predict that she wouldn’t be able to forget that face (and body) easily. Lucas Fray was a part of her life, and he