Page 46 of Breadwinner
Sarah’s chest ached. She reached out and took Wren’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Wren looked up at her with wet, earnest eyes. “You’re the only gay person I really know. Well, besides Beth and Jamie, but I don’t think they could help. You’re the one who feels, like, safe.”
That hit Sarah harder than she expected. Wren played one of the most statistically queer sports in America; she probably walked by at least ten queer people at every tournament. But this wasn’t about statistics. This was about connection and trust, and how rare that could be when you were seventeen and scared and the people who were supposed to love you were the ones trying to erase you.
Sarah shook her head, thinking. “Okay. We have options. Option 1: you hang in there for six more months. Option 2: weexplore a guardianship change. Option 3: I help you find a family attorney who specializes in emancipation, and we start that process. No matter what option, I’ll help you navigate it. You’re not alone in this, Wren.”
Wren crumpled again, this time with relief, burying her face in her hands. “Thank you,” she sobbed.
Sarah squeezed her shoulder. “You don’t have to make any decisions right now. You’re safe, and we have time to figure things out. Wren, I’m glad you came to me.”
“I don’t need to think about things. I did the research. I understand what it means to get emancipated. That’s what I want to do. I can’t go back to my aunt’s, or to my parents. I want to live my own life.”
“Do you feel like it’s safe to go back to your aunt’s house tonight?” Sarah asked, already knowing the answer as Wren shook her head no. “Okay, then you can stay with us. Lily is at Beth’s house for the next week, but you’re more than welcome at either of our houses.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?” Wren asked quickly, another look of panic washing over her. “It’s just... I’m...” She hiccupped again as a fresh wave of tears came over her. “I’m scared.”
“I know, sweetie.” She pulled Wren into another hug. “I know this all feels really scary right now, but trust me, we will get you through it.” She released Wren, her eyes taking her in fully. “How much of this does Lily know? Everything you’ve told me stays between us unless you tell me otherwise.”
“She knows my aunt and I haven’t been getting along, but she doesn’t—I, uh, haven’t come out to her or anything.” Panic filled Wren’s eyes again before she buried her face in her hands once more. “Oh God. I have to, like, come out to people now, don’t I?”
“No. Not if you don’t want to or don’t feel ready yet. That’s something you get to do whenever you feel ready. There’s no timeline for that.”
Wren nodded, taking a few deep breaths before looking up at her. “Thank you for—uh—helping me. Lily said no matter what was going on, you would be able to help, and she was right.”
For a moment, Sarah let Wren’s statement fill her. It wasn’t the words themselves that had touched her. It was hearing a version of herself through Lily’s eyes.
“I will always be here for you if you need me.” She gave Wren a pat on the shoulder before standing and walking around her desk to open the top left drawer, where she kept her secret chocolate stash. “Here, catch,” she said, tossing Wren a truffle. “With chocolate, we can face anything. Is it okay if I have Lily come in now?”
Wren nodded as she chewed the candy, crinkling the brightly colored wrapper in her fingers. Sarah tapped the intercom button. “Avery, please send Lily in.”
A moment later, Lily appeared and slid into the chair Sarah had been sitting in minutes ago.
“Okay, now that we know everyone is safe...” Sarah gave Lily a stern look. “How did you two blow off your practices without anyone noticing? Lily, I thought after your adventure to Portland last year, we learned our lesson about not telling people like your mom and me where you are?”
“But this was an emergency,” Lily protested.
“I know, sweetie. Next time, call me or your mom first. Wren, I’m going to give your aunt a call and let her know you’ll be staying with us for at least tonight, and then we’re going out to lunch before we head home. Wait for me by Avery’s desk, girls. I’ll be a minute.”
Lily and Wren exited, and she reached for her phone, her attention caught by the missed call notification, followed by a text.
Nell 10:34 AM
Was hoping to catch you between meetings. No need to call back. Talk soon. —N
She smiled at the way Nell always signed her text messages like Sarah didn’t know they were from her. Sarah rode that feeling as she dialed Wren’s aunt, reminding herself to be the responsible adult and not lose her absolute shit on this woman, even though she could feel the protector inside of her heating up for a battle.
It was dark by the time Sarah pulled into her driveway. Beth’s car was already there, ready to pick up Lily and Wren. After Sarah had gotten done with Wren’s aunt, her next call was to Beth to let her know what had been going on that day.
“Lily, you and Wren head upstairs and pack up your stuff while I talk to your mom for a few minutes.”
“Okay, Mom,” Lily said, as the two girls climbed out of the car.
Sarah cut the engine and sat in the car for a full minute, her forehead resting lightly against the steering wheel, before she mustered the energy to get out. The truth was, she was drained—after the case, after Wren—and she didn’t have it in her to put on the easy smile she always tried to wear around Beth these days. The one that said she was fine, always fine, even when everything inside her was being pulled so tightly.
But Beth was here, and she didn’t have the energy to pretend today. She got out of the car, smoothing a hand down the front of her coat.
Beth looked up as she approached, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Hi, honey. Welcome home,” she said sarcastically, as she stood.